'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage' Sanskrit version wins first prize in Doordarshan contest

A still from Dum Laga Ke Haisha

A still from Dum Laga Ke Haisha and (inset) Anu Malik

Earlier this year, the Moh Moh Ke Dhaage track from critically acclaimed film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, won two National Awards - one for playback singer, Monali Thakur and another for lyricist, Varun Grover. Now, its Sanskrit version written by Rajendra Bhave and rendered by Shrirang Bhave has won Doordarshan's unique contest, Vaartavali, which calls for translating Hindi songs into the ancient language.

Anu Malik, who composed the original song, says he is yet to hear the winning number. "But it's an interesting thing. Sanskrit is a difficult, but pure language. It speaks highly of my composition - how from so many songs it was translated and won (a contest). It shows that melodious songs are still popular," he adds.

Moh Moh Yoh Tantavah is now available on YouTube and has garnered over 250 hits. "I would like to listen to the song and pick up a few words. It is an honour that they chose my song to be translated and sung again. I am really thankful to them for doing this. I feel that I was right to pick this song for composition; my gut feeling was right," adds Malik.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha, directed by Sharat Katariya, starred Ayushmann Khurrana and newcomer Bhumi Pednekar. It received critical as well as commercial appreciation.