"Lag Jaa Gale" () is a Hindi song with music by Madan Mohan Kohli and lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, written for the 1964 Hindi film Woh Kaun Thi? under the music label Saregama. On screen, the song was picturised on film stars Sadhana and Manoj Kumar, though it was actually sung by playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. Lag Jaa Gale - Sadhana, Lata Mangeshkar, Woh Kaun Thi Romantic Song, 95,502,903 views, Ultra Bollywood, 23 Jan 2010
In Indian musical tradition
The music is set in Raga Pahari. The song is an example of Dadra songs.
"Lag Jaa Gale" since 1964
Lata Mangeshkar's career spanned more than 70 years (starting in 1942), recording thousands of songs. This iconic song Love the iconic song Lag Ja Gale from Woh Kaun Thi? Here's an interesting story, SUBHASH K JHA, DECCAN CHRONICLE, 20 Mar 2018 is regarded to be one of the songs by which Lata Mangeshkar is remembered. Lata herself considered this song to be among her top six favourite songs in 2016Lata Mangeshkar birthday: The legendary singer lists her two favourite songs, Hindustan times, 28 Sep 2016 and among her favourite 20 in 2012. Lata Mangeshkar first time chooses her favourite songs Subhash K Jha, Entertainment Times, 28 Sep 2012
In 2014, on the fiftieth anniversary of the song, she tweeted: "" ("This year the song 'Lag ja gale ke phir ye hasee'n raat' is 50 years old, but it is so sweet, it does not feel old at all")"'Lag ja gale' still sounds fresh": Lata, Jagran, 30 Jun 2014,
Lyrics
In the song, the singer expresses that this evening may the last time she will see her beloved.
In popular culture It is said that during the Film's production of Woh Kaun Thi, the song was originally rejected by the film director Raj Khosla. However, he eventually included the song after actor Manoj Kumar who also starred in the film admired the composition and persuaded Khosla to retain it.jansatta, 21 Feb 2018
When the former star Sadhana died in 2015, she was often recalled by referring to her as the actress of this song. लग जा गले कि फिर ये हसीं रात हो ना हो, 25 दिसंबर 2015
The actor Irrfan Khan, who died on 29 April 2020 after a battle with cancer, used to listen to this song during his last days. 'Irrfan Khan listened to Lag jaa gale ki phir during his treatment, a reminder for us all': says cancer survivor Lisa Ray, Hindustan times, 22 Mar 2020
Renditions In 1966, two films used the song: in the Tamil film Yaar Nee?, it is rendered as "",Yaar Nee? (1966) TAMIL, The Hindu, JULY 3, 2016 and in the Telugu film Aame Evaru? it is rendered as "".
In 1968, Shipra Bose rendered a Bengali version of the same song, "Sangi Je Ke E Mann Ke Amar Aaj Dolalo". The song was penned in Bengali by Miltu Ghosh.
The singer Shreya Ghoshal performed the song in concert several times in the 2010s.Shreya Ghoshal Week: Best live performances in UK, 5 Feb 2018
The film Kedarnath features a rendition by the singer Sanam Puri.Sushant Singh Rajput fans are not happy with 'Kedarnath' re-release; here's why! ETimes, 15 Oct 2020
A rendition of the song sung by Jonita Gandhi featured in 2018 film Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3.Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 in IMDB
Legacy
The song was widely remembered after Lata's death. Bollywood actor Salman Khan tearfully sang the a few lines of the song and shared it with social media.Salman Khan, Pak choir pay tribute to Lata Mangeshkar with soulful 'lag ja gale' The Economic Times, 18 Feb 2022 About 40 young Pakistani musicians recorded their rendering as a tribute. Malayalam composer Kailas Menon said that ‘Lag Ja Gale’ is one of the best recordings in Indian cinema.Jijo Alex, ETimes, 6 Feb 2022 Pakistan's Geo News mentioning Sufi singer Abida Parveen's tribute called Lata "The Lag Jaa Gale singer".Abida Parveen pays heartfelt tribute to late Lata Mangeshkar: ‘Her voice was gift from God, Geo News, 7 Feb 2022 Israel's Liora Itzhak in her tribute recalled "Lag jaa gale" as the first song she remembered.How Lata made a difference to singers in Israel, US, France, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Daily Times, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 The song was also recalled by Pakistani actor Mahira Khan. On Mahira Khan's Heartfelt Tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, Pakistan Fans Mourn Her Demise, 8 February 2022
References