Classic Songs: Those words of lag ja throat which touch the soul even today. Who was Raja Mehndi Ali Khan?

News India Live, Digital Desk: Lag ja gale ki phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho…” Even today, when this song from the 1964 film ‘Woh Kaun Thi’ comes to the ears, it seems as if time stops. Lata Mangeshkar’s velvety voice and Madan Mohan’s magical music made it immortal. But do you know who penned those painful and spiritual words? It was the great lyricist Raja Mehndi Ali Khan. Even today, he is our Madan Mohan and Raja Mehndi: A timeless pair Raja Mehndi Ali Khan and composer Madan Mohan have given many unique gifts to Bollywood. When Raja Saheb wrote ‘Lag Ja Gale’ for ‘Woh Kaun Thi’, Madan Mohan was looking for a tune that could do justice to the depth of the words. The tune was initially rejected by the film’s director Raj Khosla. But due to the trust of Madan Mohan, it is included in the world’s best love songs. Raja Mehndi Ali Khan was born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan) but was also a close friend of Saadat Hasan Manto. Raja Saheb beautifully portrayed both patriotism and romance. The famous song ‘Watan Ki Raah Mein Watan Ke Naujawan Shaheed Ho’ also came from his pen. Raja Mehndi Ali Khan’s specialty was that he used to express very complex feelings in very simple words. Some of the famous songs written by him are: ‘Naina Barse’ ‘Rimjhim-rimjhim’ (Woh Kaun Tha) ‘Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha Kaabil Mujhe’ (Unlettered) ‘Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai’ (Aapki Parchhaiyaan) ‘Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega’ (Mera Saaya) An unsung star whose light still shines today Raja Mehndi Ali Khan passed away at the age of just 38. It was an irreparable loss. The work he did in his short career is still an example for the film industry. Even today, ‘Lag Ja Gale’ is the most listened to song on YouTube and streaming platforms, which is the biggest proof of the power of Raja Saheb’s writing.