Katra - Katra - Apna Asmaan by Sukhwinder Singh

There is an honesty to Katra - Katra - Apna Asmaan that separates it from most Hindi songs released around the same time. Leslie Lewis's arrangement gives the track a layered quality that rewards repeated listening.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Katra - Katra - Apna Asmaan, Sukhwinder Singh clearly belongs in the second group. Hearing Katra - Katra - Apna Asmaan without thinking of Irrfan Khan, Shobana, Dhruv Piyush Panjuani, Anupam Kher is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Apna Asmaan.

2007 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Katra - Katra - Apna Asmaan was among the reasons why. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

At 4:36, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. The song continues to find new listeners, which is the surest sign that it was made with something genuine at its core.