Take Five: Mera Laung Gawacha

The Punjabi folk song Mera Laung Gawacha, about a girl who has lost her nose ring, has had several remakes and remixes over the years. Coy double meanings aside, the song is one of my favourites and new version sounds very different to the last.

This version by Surinder Kaur and Mohammad Sadiq, was probably the first recording of Mera Laung Gawacha although some maintain that Mussarat Nazir sung it first. Both versions are classics regardless who sang it first.

Bally Sagoo came up with this version of Mera Laung Gawacha on his album On The Mix and features Cheshire Cat on background vocals.This is my least favourite version and it is starting to show its age. It did however bring the song to a new generation of listeners.

Mera Laung Gawacha got a Bollywood make over in the film Naagmani. This is a lovely song and dance scene which is flirty and girly yet somehow manages to add a bit of Bhangra half way through.

DJ Vips had a go at making his own version of Mera Laung Gawacha on his album Party Time. There were actually two versions on the album. Both were big loud and brash with a rustic touch. The modern backing contrasts nicely with the folksy vocals. This is a version made for the dance floor.

Nosering by the talented Sharaab is a stunning modern take on Mera Laung Gwacha. This version is filled with bass and has a slightly industrial edge to it.  Taken from Sharaab's album Evolution, Nosering also appeared on a compilation album callled Mighty Asian Beats. This is chilled, expansive and completely different to the other versions.