Thirsty eyes , parched Throats of the soil shimmer in the golden sunlight. The heat has been forceful making wide cracks in the land , running like a bizarre jigsaw puzzle. The skies roar and flash their light … the soil yearns for a nectar … a drop of nectar !!! . The prayers are answered and it comes … in torrents drenching the soil , filling the cracks …and quenching the thirst. It’s the aftermath of the rain that is endearing … the sweet smell of the soil that slowly emanates filling the air with an earthen perfume. This wonderful perfume seeps into every human being on the onset of the monsoon filling them and reminding them the beauty of the soil … Aaah mitti ki khusbhoo
Mitti – Songs of the Soil is an Album by Sandeep Chowta who was introduced to Bollywood by the Versatile Ramgopal Varma in Satya. Oppurtunity always comes a begging but the ability to grasp it with both hands and convert it into Success is not that all can accomplish. Sandeep has given some brilliant music in Satya (Background Score), Mast, Company, Jungle, Pyaar tune kya Kiya and the recent Bollywood Hollywood. Music Directors in India are generally bound by the Film producers and are seldom allowed to let their creativity soar. Sandeep Chowta has managed to break the shackles and let his creatives juices flow and the result is magnificient. There is no typical genre this album can be fitted in , it can be Lounge music, Folk music, World Music. Let us dissect the album song by song. I will be rating each individual song on a scale of Five and the average is what will be given to the album.
Kesariya Balam
Kesariya is a famous Rajasthani Folk song. All of us might have heard this song at some point of our life. This version is sung by Soumya Raoh the find of the music album Company ( Check out the review at https://mouthshut.com/readreview/20747-1.html ). Simple percussion entwined with the haunting voice of Soumya … the blend of traditional lyrics with contemporary music is brilliant.
The Truth Begins
Reminiscing his birth in Bollywood , Sandeep gets the “Satya” Theme music waft in through his newly composed numbers dedicating this to Ramgopal Verma. This one is more like a filler between his other numbers.
Fortune Cookie
Soumya Raoh is all over this album , She has got great versatility and Sandeep has been able to extract her talent to a large extent. This song is also called as Bhagyada Laxmi , a single line keep repeating itself , sounds quite soothing to one ears. Its supposed to convey the importance of Laxmi – the goddess of wealth
Good Morning God
The intention is noble, the result is a musical treat but the sentiments… that’s where sometimes one fails to get the majority of the people to purchase the album. This song remixes the most famous south Indian religious note which is played almost every morning in a typical southie home … the “ Suprabhatham ”. The first two lines are repeated throughout the song, the music is upbeat, at times quite strong with some electric guitars.
When you hear the song with a clear mind, you are bound to like it , but when I made the typical Idli loving south Indian hear it , I saw frowns and a shake of the head. This reflects the sentiments clearly … its creativity at its best but sometimes it doesn’t go down well with everyone.
Heer – The Search
Exuberance at its best , this song is the pick of the album is also adorning the music channels of late. This song symbolizes the love between Heer and Ranjha. Ranjha goes to the nearby village for work and Heer is promptly married off to a another man. Poisoned by a Relative she dies and Heer comes searching for her.
The pain , anguish is reflected extremely well by Sukhwinder by his voice and Sandeep with his music. This one grows on you and would be unforgettable.
Too many Yesterdays
Sonu Kakkar , the lady with a Rustic Punjabi voice is introduced in this album with this song ably supported by Sandeep himself. This one is of the lounge music variety and reminds one of a Certain Robert Miles. The number is extremely smooth in flow and gets you into a different , extremely helpful in relaxing your mind.
The mood of Varma
Its Varma again and this time Company’s tunes find themselves in this album. A gentle introduction into the B side I must say. The Rating here reflects the tune itself and not takes into consideration that its one of his earlier works.
Call of the Lover
Sonu Kakkar at her best shifting the planes , almost like parallel singing. This songs let us know that Punjabi folk is not all about inane Balle balle. Haunting and melodious this one is sure to attract your ears and soul almost immediately. One can only marvel at Sandeep’s prowess so far.
ayiL aruhC
Friends, does the title above make sense, it wouldn’t and so wouldn’t the song until I tell you what it is. Please start reading the title backwards from the right … Shocked are you .. well its our very own Chura Liya sung backwards .. and I have run out of superlatives .. the music is brilliance personified and this one seeps into your heart slowly. Certainly among the best in this album , the other one being Heer.
Heer
This is a reprise of the Earlier Heer, but the musical treatment is completely different and for the first couple of minutes one cannot believe that its Sukhwinder who sings in a extremely low note with classical Hisndustani undertones. This song is pathos personified, you can feel the dying Heer trying to profess her love which ends at “ Rab ranjhe jaisa naahi ”.
Freedom 47
This one starts with Pandit Nehru’s Speech on India’s Freedom and then slowly fades into soothing music which begins slowly with some Hindustani alaaps rendered by Soumya. Sandeep then pitches in with his version of Freedom … This is a Decent number , hearable but may not stay much on your mind.
My sweet Lord
Albums are generally a product of ones passion , and the same goes for this album too , but ones passion may not find acceptance with many. George Harrison had rendered “My sweet Lord” and it had become a cult hit. Sonu Nigam tries singing it in his style and manages to massacre it out of recognition.
Whether you have heard the original version or not is unnecessary , this one is extremely ill sung and avoidable
The Verdict
Averaging out the Ratings this album slips into rating 4 which is the final verdict , it has some great , some decent and 1 avoidable track. Barring that track this makes a good listening especially while traveling and after a hard day.
Marketed by Sony Music and Priced at a modest Rs 60 this one is a treat for all those people out there for different music , this one sets you apart from the made to order Bollywood songs or the Balle Balle belted out these days ..
Leave you comments as you pass !!!