I love the song “Dil ka diya jala ke gaya” from film Aakashdeep (1965) The song is composed in Jaijaiwanti raga. Lata Mangeshkar has sung it in “half breath” which refers to a quick, shallow inhalation taken during a phrase to refill breath support without completely stopping the musical line. It is a subtle and controlled breath that allows singers to maintain momentum and phrasing, especially when faced with long musical passages. This sweet melodious song was composed by veteran Music Director Chitragupta and the lyricist of the song is Majrooh Sultanpuri. 

Jaijaiwanti is from the Khamaj family of ragas. In Carnatic Music, its equivalent is the Raagam Dwijawanti. Jaijaiwanti usage spans several genres such as Sikh Gurbani which were compositions of Guru Tech Bahadur. In Bollywood Shankar Jaikishan, Madan Mohan used Jaijaiwanti for composing some evergreen songs.

The Khamaj scale  is a foundational structure in Hindustani classical music, and several ragas are derived from it. Some prominent ragas within the Khamaj family include Khamaj itself, along with Rageshree, Jhinjhoti, Desh, Tilak Kamod, and Jaijaiwanti. These ragas share characteristics with the Khamaj thaat, but each possesses unique melodic contours and emotional nuances according to music archives. Raag Jaijaiwanti is typically sung during the second prahar of the night, from 9 PM to 12 AM.

Jaijaiwanti on sarod is a relative rarity, owing to the complex structure of the raga. When songs are composed in this raga, usually,  the music director, the singer, and the actor come together which portrays beautiful cooperation that makes a song a hit.

I wonder how Lata could sing the song so perfect, not a single note here and there, so precise and accurate in half breath. She sang in low notes with same power and clarity the way she sings in normal and high notes.

The heroine of movie Bani (Nimmi) has fallen in love; she is a mute girl  who plays a record to  express her feelings to the world. Her expressions are as soft and subtle.  Nimmi has acted beautifully experiencing the love she feels for the hero (Ashok Kumar).  How brilliantly the song has been composed in this context! Chitragupta has kept the tune subdued, and somewhat muted melody. A muted melody is one that is played softly, with a lower volume or intensity. It can evoke a sense of quietness, introspection, or melancholy.

Violins in the beginning give the account of thrill of love experienced by Baani. And then the soft melody takes over with the jal tarang. Lata Mangeshkar as if whispers the lyrics in your ears, letting out the secret of her feelings. The soft glow of love sparking Nimmi’s heart. Bringing up the feelings as a song, which were deep down in her heart which she expresses for the first time. Listen to this beautiful song.