Sheher - Gulaal by Swanand Kirkire, Piyush Mishra

Swanand Kirkire, Piyush Mishra has delivered memorable performances before, but Sheher - Gulaal sits comfortably among the very best. What makes Sheher - Gulaal musically distinctive is the composition by Piyush Mishra, which balances simplicity with depth.

Swanand Kirkire, Piyush Mishra inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. 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.

2009 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Sheher - Gulaal was among the reasons why. Some music is background. Sheher - Gulaal demands attention — not aggressively, but in the way a good conversation does.

Running to 7:32, 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.