Created by Coolblack5
Last edited January 25, 2025

"Apsara Aali"
Official song cover
Song by Bela Shende
(Backing vocals by Ajay-Atul)
from the album Natarang
LanguageMarathi
Released2010
Genre
Length4:10
LabelZee Music Company
Composer(s)Ajay-Atul
Lyricist(s)Guru Thakur
Music videos
"Apsara Aali" at YouTube

"Apsara Aali" is a Marathi-language song from the 2010 Indian drama film Natarang, directed by Ravi Jadhav. The song is composed by Ajay-Atul, features lyrics by Guru Thakur and vocals by Bela Shende. It gained immense popularity and was performed by Sonalee Kulkarni in the film.[1]

Development[edit | edit source]

"Apsara Aali" is arranged and programmed by Ajay-Atul. The song was choreographed by Phulwa Khamkar, who made the dance a combination of folk and classical. Ajay-Atul use a rhythm called Keherwa, which has 8 beats in a cycle, and they organize it in four different levels of complexity: 4, 8, 16, and 24 beats within the same cycle.[2]

Music video[edit | edit source]

The music video features Sonalee Kulkarni as Nayana dancing on a stage. She is accompanied by a troupe of dancers. For the song, she wears a heavy jewellery, nauvari saree, and sings directly to audience.[3]

Reception[edit | edit source]

The song became popular and topped the charts.[4] The official music video had crossed over 90 million views on YouTube.[5]

Ruchir Pathak of MouthShut.com wrote "It spread the magic and fit perfectly for nautanki."[6] While audiences enjoyed the Lāvaṇī dance sequences, traditional Lāvaṇī performers and experts criticized them for having a more item song-like feel. Critics particularly pointed out Sonalee Kulkarni's provocative attire, which they argued deviates from the conservative traditional Lāvaṇī costume.[7]

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Year Award Nominee Category Result
2010 Maharashtra State Film Awards Bela Shende Best Female Playback Singer Won[8]
Ajay-Atul Best Music Director Won[8]
Guru Thakur Best Lyricist Nominated[8]
Phulwa Khamkar Best Choreographer Won[8]
Sanskruti Kaladarpan Bela Shende Best Singer – Female Won[9]
Ajay-Atul Best Music Director Won[9]
Maharashtra Times Sanman Awards Bela Shende Best Female Playback Singer Won[8]
Ajay-Atul Best Music Director Won[8]
2011 Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar Bela Shende Best Playback Singer - Female Nominated[8]
Ajay-Atul Best Music Director Won[8]
Guru Thakur Best Lyricist Won[8]
Phulwa Khamkar Best Choreographer Won[8]
V. Shantaram Puraskar Ajay-Atul Best Music Direction Won[8]
Phulwa Khamkar Best Choreography Won[8]
BIG FM Music Awards Ajay-Atul Best Music Director Won[10]
Bela Shende Best Female Playback Singer Won[10]
Ajay-Atul & Guru Thakur Best Song of the Year Won[10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "This Rendition Of Marathi Classic Apsara Aali Is Super Hit". News18.
  2. ↑ "5 soulful song renditions that will leave you mesmerised". Hindustan Times. 16 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "'Apsara Ali' from 'Natarang'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257.
  4. ↑ "Watch Popular Marathi Song 'Apsara Aali' Sung By Bela Shende And Ajay-Atul | Marathi Video Songs - Times of India". The Times of India.
  5. ↑ Apsara Aali Full Song | Natarang | Sonalee Kulkarni, Ajay Atul | Marathi Songs, 9 July 2014, retrieved 22 March 2024
  6. ↑ "Natarang review".
  7. ↑ Prashant Pawar (20 March 2010). "लावणीचे वाजले की बारा!" (in मराठी). Daily Loksatta.
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 "Ajay - Atul: The Official Website". 24 August 2014. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Sanskruti Kala Darpan Awards 2010, Celebrating 10th Year". 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Lata Mangeshkar felicitated at Big Marathi Music Awards". www.radioandmusic.com.

External links[edit | edit source]