मैं तो नैनों में मदिरा लायी रे

A solo by Saroj Borkar in Naya Tarana (1943), written by Wali Sahab and composed by Amir Ali. Its imagery — intoxication carried in the eyes — places it in the courtly-romantic register of the thumri-influenced film song, the kind of seductive, half-classical number that gave the era's heroines and supporting performers their flourish. Saroj Borkar's single credit here makes the song a distinct colour in the film's otherwise Snehprabha-led soundtrack.

Amir Ali leans toward a light semi-classical colour here, with sarangi shadowing the vocal line and a measured tabla giving the song its lilt. The medium tempo and ornamented melodic turns suit the thumri-flavoured imagery, Saroj Borkar's voice taking the lead with a teasing, expressive phrasing.