The taal (rhythm) of the song is Keherwa (Kaharva) of Hindustani classical music,[2] while the lyrics were by poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, based on a traditional bhajan, by 15th-century mystic poet Meera.
[3] The song was featured in a film sequence showing a community Holi celebration with film's cast, including Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Rekha and hence got link with Holi festivities.
[4] It is believed that the tune and lyrics of this song are taken from a Rajasthani and Haryanvi folk bhajan about Meera.
However the lyrics are slightly altered into the Awadhi dialect of Hindi to mould the song into appropriate context of the movie script.
First few lines of the original bhajan are: Rang barse o meeran, bhawan main rang barse.. Kun e meera tero mandir chinayo, kun chinyo tero devro...