Hakim Tarachand - Apna Khoon by Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi

Some songs are made for a single moment. Hakim Tarachand - Apna Khoon is made for all of them. The production by Sonik, Omi is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi brings a warmth to Hakim Tarachand - Apna Khoon that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. Hearing Hakim Tarachand - Apna Khoon without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Apna Khoon.

When it came out in 1978, Hakim Tarachand - Apna Khoon felt timely. Years later, it feels timeless. The emotional register of Hakim Tarachand - Apna Khoon is wide enough to fit celebration and solitude equally well.

Running to 7:23, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Hindi in recent memory — and the numbers agree.