‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ features a new version of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s timeless song ‘Sanson Ki Mala’. It is currently trending significantly on the internet. Here is the history behind this song.
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The film ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ is making a massive splash at the box office, having grossed ₹120 crore in just five days. Beyond the star cast, action sequences, and intimate scenes, one particular song from the film is generating a lot of buzz. Among the various tracks, ‘Sanson Ki Mala Pe’ stands out as a highlight; this is the first time the song has featured in the franchise. The version used in the movie has been crafted with a contemporary musical touch by Madhur Sharma and Vaibhav Pani.
This timeless song by the maestro features in the film’s mid-credits sequence, evoking a sense of nostalgia among fans. The song is currently trending on the internet. Before Mirzapur, this track had already graced several films; decades have passed, yet the craze for it remains alive. Nusrat Sahib’s song has resonated with audiences in various settings—from Qawwali gatherings to the hearts of moviegoers through Hindi cinema. But did you know there is an interesting story behind the creation of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Sanson Ki Mala’?
How was the song ‘Sanson Ki Mala Pe’ created?
This dates back to 1979, when Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan visited India for the first time. He had been invited by Raj Kapoor to perform at his son Rishi Kapoor’s wedding. The singer’s rendition of the song on that occasion was so remarkable that it became an evergreen classic. Subsequently, the hit track was prepared for commercial release and featured in Nusrat’s 1982 album, Supreme Collection Volume 12. Nusrat infused the song with the essence of Sufiana and Qawwali traditions. He also performed it at a live concert in Birmingham in 1983, after which the song became a global sensation on everyone’s lips.
Controversy over the song
Given the song’s immense stature, a dispute over its authorship was inevitable. Some attributed it to Meera Bai, while others credited the poet Tufail Hoshiarpuri. The song is often linked to Meera Bai’s devotion to Krishna—a sentiment clearly reflected in its lyrics. It incorporates terms like Shyam, Mohan, Vrindavan, and Gokul, which unmistakably point towards devotion to Krishna. However, according to Sufinama, the song was composed by the poet Tufail Hoshiarpuri, who was born in 1914 and passed away in 1993.
When this song by Nusrat was first released commercially, the lyricist was credited simply as “Traditional,” although Tufail Hoshiarpuri was later acknowledged as the writer. Meanwhile, the devotional language within the lyrics led to the song being strongly associated with Mirabai. Perhaps this is precisely what makes the song so special; it has never been confined to the boundaries of any single religion, genre of music, or form of love. In this song, human love and spiritual love intertwine and coexist.
In which Bollywood films was this song recreated?
The song ‘Sanson Ki Mala’ had been part of Bollywood even before Mirzapur. A version of it appeared in the 1996 film Jeet, and it was subsequently used in the 1997 film Koyla. That version was picturized on Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit; it was composed by Rajesh Roshan and sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy. Director Michael Winterbottom used the original song, sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, in his 2011 film Trishna.
Have you heard Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s version?
The song ‘Sanson Ki Mala’ was a hit in Nusrat Sahib’s voice. But did you know that the famous Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan also sang it? Following in Nusrat’s footsteps, Rahat—who hails from the same family—carried the song forward to new generations. In 2020, Rahat recorded the song in his own unique style. By recreating this track, he paid tribute to his uncle and mentor, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He also dedicated the song to his father, Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan.
‘Sanson Ki Mala’ is every singer’s first choice
The public’s love for ‘Sanson Ki Mala’ was evident on YouTube as well. Its popularity was not limited to films and official music releases; the song was also recreated on YouTube and other streaming platforms. The famous Pakistani instrumental duo, Leo Twins, created a version of it using the violin and guitar. This version became a hit, and the Leo Twins also perform the song at their concerts.
In 2022, Portuguese guitarist Andre Antunes experimented with this song by layering heavy metal guitar riffs beneath Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s vocals. People found this experiment powerful, and the version became a hit among music lovers. Given the song’s devotional essence, its music has also been adapted for various other devotional tracks featuring new lyrics.
Every singer wants to recreate the song “Sanson Ki Mala” in their own unique style. Its greatest strength is its versatility; it adapts seamlessly to any musical genre. The song possesses a remarkably strong core. That is precisely why the journey of “Saanson Ki Mala”—which began with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan—has traversed through the likes of Kavita Krishnamurthy, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, instrumentalists, metal guitarists, and devotional singers, eventually reaching Mirzapur: The Movie. The song finds a new lease of life with every generation. It remains to be seen which singer or film will feature this song next after Mirzapur.
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