It is nice to hear such divinely inspired, rich musical score from a young and new Music director Ismail Durbar . After a long gap of years , we have on the Hindi film music scenario a genius composer of the caliber of Naushad.
Lavishly mounted, opulent costume dramas and period epics need altogether a different kind of a music to build an aura, recreate the atmosphere, suit the theme, period and the setting of the movie as well as the vision of the maker. Not every music director can fit the bill. We have had such grand films as Navrang, Jhanak jhanak payal baaje, Mughal-e-azam, Chitralekha, Taj Mahal, Noorejehan, Jahan-ara, Mere mehboob and Pakeeza which had excellent, fitting music scored by maestros like Naushad, Roshan, Madan Mohan & S D Burman.
Asoka and Mehboob ki Mehandi were two classic failures where the music could not match the movie. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas , a magnum opus, is Rs.500 million extravaganza, not a simple& poignant love tragedy like Bimal Roy’s version. Music score of inappropriate type could have sunk such a film, but Ismail Durbar has done a fantastic job. He gives us hope of reviving, revitalizing and keeping alive the rich treasure of traditional Indian classical and folk music which had all but disappeared with the eclipse of yesteryears great composers and music directors.
In days of mindless cacophony of loud, monotonous techno beats, heavy metal chords, inane, silly, suggestive lyrics set to blindly copied western R&B/Pop songs, music of Devdas comes as an Oasis of cool air and fresh water amidst a hot and sultry desert.
Rhythm set to beats on various types of percussion instruments is a very important part of the music. Beats on synthesisers, electronic percussion and Octapads etc.widely used these days, hardly provide any scope for human ingenuity. In this album we can witness human ingenuity when the percussionists are physically playing rhythm instruments of various types (such as, Tabla, Dhol, dholak, Jhanjhar, manjire, mridang, dhapli, pakhawaj to name a few) weaving intricate patterns of rhythms like a rich tapestry of colors and craft.
Ismail Durbar uses percussion instruments very well composing earthy, vigorous beats with innovative twists and turns. This perhaps is the reason that a specialist rhythm arranger Nitin Shankar has been used.
He showcased similar abilities in his debut film Hum Dil (HDDCS) too. In addition to well-composed tunes based on classical ragas, Ismail shows quite a flair for harnessing our rich repertoire of folk music. Each and every song of the album is good, but some are excellent. Now to the songs;
Kavita Krishnamoorthy-nee- Subramanyam is an acknowledged, versatile singer with classical music training, this album has given her one of those rare opportunities to showcase her talent fully. Another surprise is sweet voiced Shreya Ghoshal, the finalist winner of Saregama of Sonu Nigam days.Both these talented singers have given their virtuoso performances. Their “riyaaz’ and “taiyyari” is clearly visible when you hear them traverse the peaks and valleys of the octaves with effortless ease and deadly accuracy.
1.Maar daala: Most popular song reminds you of LP’s “allah yeh ada” from Mere humdum mere dost. Tabla pieces are superb.
2.Kaahe chhed mohe; seems like a Birju Mahraj composition. The stanza beautifully sung by him reminds you of Ustad Amir Khan’s “ Tori jai jai kartaar from “Baiju Bawra’. Kavita has sung superbly, I think this is her best performance so far. The Tabla pieces are some of the best ever. The jhala on Sitar accompanied with’ bols’ is excellent. This song has been composed as well as performed so beautifully that it can hold its place with any song so far composed by any of the masters.I am immensely satisfied with this song.
3.Dola re dola: The duet by Kavita and Shreya is a fiesty, racy number with an energetic beat.
4.The Devdas theme is also well composed , I am sure it must have done wonders in the film. I am yet to see the film.
These four are best numbers of my choice, other songs too are very good.
Some youngsters on MS have voiced different opinion, but I found to my surprise, my own kids (College going) raving about the music and liking this album. I am sure that this album will appeal to all the serious connoisseurs of music.
A new music director, new lyricist, a new lead singer, absence of Mangeshkar sisters, yet a superb result! This is an album that is a must for any music shelf.