Darmiyan - Inkaar by Swanand Kirkire

Some songs are made for a single moment. Darmiyan - Inkaar is made for all of them. The production by Shantanu Moitra is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The performance by Swanand Kirkire is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. On screen, a talented ensemble cast bring the emotional world of the song to life in a way that enhances rather than competes with the music.

2013 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Darmiyan - Inkaar was among the reasons why. Listeners have described the experience of Darmiyan - Inkaar differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

Running to 5:01, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Songs like Darmiyan - Inkaar are the reason people fall in love with Hindi music and never quite fall out of it.