Wajle Ki Bara
| "Wajle Ki Bara" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Bela Shende | |
| from the album Natarang | |
| Language | Marathi |
| Released | 2010 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 6:38 |
| Label | Zee Music Company |
| Composer | Ajay-Atul |
| Lyricist | Guru Thakur |
| Music videos | |
| "Wajle Ki Bara" on YouTube | |
"Wajle Ki Bara" (Marathi: वाजले की बारा; transl. It has struck twelve), also transliterated as "Vajle Ki Bara" and sometimes identified by its opening line "Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari", is a Marathi-language song from the 2010 Indian drama film Natarang, directed by Ravi Jadhav.[1] The song was composed by the duo Ajay–Atul, written by Guru Thakur, and sung by Bela Shende with chorus vocals.[2][3] The song is picturised on actress Amruta Khanvilkar and is widely regarded, alongside "Apsara Aali" from the same film, as one of the most popular modern lavani songs in Marathi cinema.[4]
Background and composition
"Wajle Ki Bara" was composed by Ajay–Atul with lyrics by Guru Thakur. The title, meaning "It Has Struck Twelve [Midnight]", forms the song's refrain, while the composition is based on the traditional lavani style and accompanied by the dholki.
Dancer Aditi Bhagwat was initially considered to perform the song before Amruta Khanvilkar was cast a day before filming began.[5] The song was filmed over two nights. Bhagwat later said she did not regret missing the opportunity, adding that she might otherwise have spent her entire career being identified only with "Wajle Ki Bara", while Khanvilkar stated that she was paid ₹30,000 (equivalent to ₹75,000 or US$780 in 2023) for the sequence and credited the song with advancing her career, saying it gave her opportunities to perform even in places without electricity.[6][7]
Music video and picturisation
The song features Amruta Khanvilkar in a special appearance in Natarang, performing a traditional lavani dance sequence. She performs a traditional lavani dance, dressed in a yellow kasta saree and pink blouse with traditional pearl jewellery and ghungroo.[8] Retrospective coverage by Sakal described the song as a breakthrough in Khanvilkar's career, crediting it with bringing widespread recognition to her dancing despite having no formal dance training.[9]
Reception
"Wajle Ki Bara" was well received upon its release and emerged as one of the standout songs from Natarang. The song contributed to the commercial success of the film's soundtrack, while Bela Shende's rendition received positive recognition and became closely associated with the resurgence of lavani in mainstream Marathi cinema.[3]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Nominee | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar | Bela Shende | Best Female Playback Singer | Won |
| 2011 | Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? | Ajay-Atul | Favourite Song | Won |
| Bela Shende | Favourite Female Playback Singer | Won | ||
| 2021 | Nominated | |||
| Ajay-Atul | Favourite Song | Nominated |
Legacy
The song has remained popular since its release and has been performed on shows, including India's Got Talent and Indian Idol.[10] In 2025, a performance of the song by Italian contestants Giulia, Laura and Silvia on India's Got Talent season 11 went viral online and was praised by the judges.[11][12] The Times of India later included the song in a list of regional Indian songs that have gained wider international recognition.[13] The song has also been used in viral dance videos on social media, including a 2025 performance by Mandara Gowda at a college cultural festival in Bengaluru that received significant online attention.[14]
References
- ↑ डेस्क, एबीपी माझा एंटरटेनमेंट (29 April 2023). "दिवस नृत्याचा! 'आंतरराष्ट्रीय नृत्यदिना'निमित्त गाजलेल्या लावण्यांबद्दल जाणून घ्या..." ABP Majha (in Marathi). Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "Birthday Special: Music Composer Atul Gogavale's top songs that touched hearts". The Times of India. 11 September 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- 1 2 Naroji, Samruddhi. "Bela Shende Birthday: The Famous 'Wajle Ki Bara' Singer turns 37 Today | SpotboyE". www.spotboye.com. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "Popular Lavani songs in Marathi films". The Times of India. 29 August 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Kulkarni, Apurva (19 May 2026). "'वाजले की बारा'गाण्यासाठी माझी पसंती नव्हतीच' अमृता खानविलकरने सांगितला किस्सा, म्हणाली..." Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Naik, Payal (20 June 2026). "बरं झालं मी 'Wajle Ki Bara' नाही केलं नाहीतर... अभिनेत्रीचं मोठं वक्तव्य; अमृता खानविलकरचे चाहते संतापले, म्हणाले- मॅडम". Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "'वाजले की बारा' या लावणीसाठी अमृता खानविलकरला फी किती मिळालेली? १६ वर्षानंतर तिनेच केला खुलासा". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "Video: 'वाजले की बारा' गाण्यावर अमृताची ठसकेदार लावणी". Loksatta (in Marathi). 31 December 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ टीम, सकाळ डिजिटल (23 November 2023). "Amruta Khanvilkar Birthday: 'वाजले की बारा'नं अमृताचं नशीबच पालटलं.. कसं ते वाचा." Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "काकू तुमचा तर नादच खुळा… 'वाजले की बारा' वर काकूंची तुफान लावणी; VIDEO पाहून नेटकरी करतायत कौतुक". Loksatta (in Marathi). 11 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ India Today Entertainment Desk (8 October 2025). "Italian trio's Wajle Ki Bara performance wows judges on India's Got Talent. Watch". India Today. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Online Lokmat (24 July 2025). "अभिमानास्पद! इटालियन तरुणींनी गायली 'वाजले की बारा' लावणी, समोर आलं नागपूरचं कनेक्शन". Lokmat (in Marathi). Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "5 regional songs that became world famous". The Times of India. 9 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Singh, Akshita (26 July 2025). "Bengaluru college professor's 'Wajle Ki Bara' dance video makes Internet say wow". India Today. Retrieved 25 July 2026.