Why does ‘Pardesiya’ sound so familiar to ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ and ‘Yeh Haseen Wadiya’? Here’s the musical connection behind it!

The new romantic song ‘Pardesiya’ from the film Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, is out now and already getting a lot of love. Sung by Sonu Nigam, Krishnakali Saha, and Sachin-Jigar, the track is written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and composed by Sachin-Jigar. ‘Pardesiya’ is everything that we needed! Fresh, romantic, and easy to hum along to.. But if you found yourself thinking, “Wait… haven’t I heard something like this before?”, you’re not alone.

The moment ‘Pardesiya’ starts playing, it might remind you of classics like ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ from Bombay or ‘Ye Haseen Wadiya’ from Roja. But this familiarity isn't just a coincidence; there’s a musical reason behind it.

All of these songs are based on the same beautiful raag, “Megh Malhar”. Known in Indian classical music for its deep connection with monsoon and emotion, Megh Malhar is all about arousing mood. Think about love, and that magical feeling when it rains after a long dry spell. It’s been used in film music for decades, and every time it shows up, it brings a certain beauty with it.

Differences and similarities between 'Pardesiya' and 'Kehna Hi Kya'

Now let’s break down why these songs, though rooted in the same raag, sound both similar and different.

Take ‘Pardesiya’ and ‘Kehna Hi Kya’. They might be inspired by the same melodic base, but the way they’re presented is quite different. The first big difference is that ‘Pardesiya’ is a duet track, while ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ is entirely carried by a solo female vocal, which gives it a more focused and intimate vibe.

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‘Pardesiya’ plays with what musicians call “colourful chords”. In simpler terms, it means that the chords are layered with extra notes, which adds more flavour, emotion, and texture. ‘Kehna Hi Kya’, on the other hand, uses basic chords, giving it a cleaner, more straightforward sound. Rhythmically, ‘Pardesiya’ leans into a more indie-pop sound, whereas ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ follows a classical rhythm, keeping things more grounded in tradition.

Comparing 'Pardesiya' and 'Ye Haseen Wadiya'

Now, let’s talk about ‘Ye Haseen Wadiya’. This track shares the same raag DNA as ‘Pardesiya’, but its delivery is much more direct and steadier.

‘Pardesiya’, in contrast, uses a more dynamic vocal style; you can hear the emotional highs and lows more clearly, which adds drama and movement to the composition. Both songs have an intimate feel, but they express it in very different ways.

Other tracks on Megh Malhar Raag

Other songs based on Megh Malhar also carry that familiar emotional depth. Tracks like ‘Manohari’ from Baahubali, ‘Barso Re’ from Tansen, ‘Zara Zara Behekta Hai’ from Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein, and ‘Saiyyan’ from Gangaajal are all birds of the same feather.

So next time ‘Pardesiya’ plays, and your brain lights up with déjà vu, you’ll know it’s not just nostalgia, it’s raag Megh Malhar doing the job in the background.


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