The music of Paheli might not cater to one and all. Having been paralyzed by the fact that it is only A.R Rahman that bring in versatility and variation to make a song an orchestral dream coupled with melodious brilliance, I have been forced to think twice. MM Kreem might not be a household name. For me, he certainly wasn’t a name which I was well acquainted with. Having done some study, Sur might be the closest that I would’ve come on to understanding his prowess. While I’m all up to hum the songs when they are on, it has never touched my heart that deeply.
Paheli is not something which might appeal to all, mainly because of the Rajasthani backdrop of the movie and the music caters very well to the same. One of the traits that makes MM Kreem seem like someone who gives hints of Rahman in him is because of his variation. All through the album of Paheli, he has used instruments which are Indian in nature to create magic. He does have the odd song which isn’t melodious, but that might be his immaturity in the field with him being carried away as in my opinion this has been the first time a film maker has given him the burden of giving the music for a big banner, albeit an off beat one.
The album kicks off with the best. Dheere Jalna is one of the finest songs to be created this year with Sonu Nigam in the lead along with Shreya Ghoshal. Right from the word go, Sonu again carries the song on his shoulders with brilliant variations in terms of the background which has the tabla when the song starts off in its slow pace and then the dholak for the past pace. The brilliant variations in the background of this song can be experienced (and even appreciated) in the musical of the song as the album wraps up with it. Watch out for the brilliant variations after the first paragraph which ncludes the sitar and the flute. The entry of Shreya Ghoshal is later in the song, yet Sonu Nigam steals the show in this one. The lyrics accompanies the songs very well as Shreya sings away with the lines Socha Na Tha Zindagi Aise, Phir Se Milegi Jeene Ke Liye. Aankhoon ko Pyaas lagi, Aasuoon ke liye’’ when she enters into the rhythmic showcase.
The poetic start to Kanga Ne and then the sudden influx of beautiful rhythm is magic. If Sonu stole Dheere Jalna, this one belongs Shreya as Sonu’s entry in this one is quite abrupt although he does hold his end of the bargain well. Kreem continues to show his musical prowess with the use of various instruments, especially the drums and the mandolin.
The story of Paheli starts off with a wedding tribe halting for some rest under a tree. Little did they know that the tree which was providing the shade was haunted by a ghost. The song Phir Raat Kati has been included twice in the album and it would definitely be a song which many would hate Kreem for. He has taken the song to make it too very tribal in nature as Sukhwinder Singh does a respectable job along with Sunidhi Chauhan, although the latter has given a tinge or two of being too very soft for a song which is fast paced.
Although Sunidhi is one of the best singers when it comes to fast paced songs, she is one of the best in the nation, she fails to give it that rhythm and it turns out to be somewhat soft. The song on the whole doesn’t have much in it. This is one of the down points of this album and the same case of the director being a little inexperienced and hence carried away. The fact that it has been included twice in the album doesn’t help the cause either. Yet, I can assure you this is the only song which would disappoint as the album on a whole is clapworthy to say the least.
Throughout the album you wouldn’t get a better background score than Laaga Re Jal Laaga, or maybe all summer. Kreem steps on the Diaz himself
to sing the first few lines of the album and provides stability in between. The song is a fast paced one while it slows down ahead later on. Shruti Sadolikar gives that village taste to the song as Sonu Nigam again continues to do a fine job for Kreem on holding the album until now.
Hariharan takes the torch from him in Khaali Hai Tere Bina. This song gives you hints of Lagaan in it, yet it slowly takes off in a separate recognition in itself. Hariharan stream rolls with brilliant melody as always in this sad song which again has great variation accompanied all along with respect to the background score. The high pitches of his are reverberating as not since Tu Hi Re has he provided such discipline in them.
Minnat Kare is a song which has a lot of masti in the https://lyrics. The fast paced song has great co-ordination between Shreya Ghoshal, Madhushree and Bela Shende. Those three portray their vocal expertise with great fenache as it would give you a hint of yesteryears of the days of Lata Mangeshkar and her youth, credits to Kreem.
The best of the album definately in the musical of Dheere Jalna as it nothing short of brilliance and shows how very talented Kreem really is. He gives us more than one hints of having found a new Rehman in him.
It is upto the assignments that he takes in the future to unleash his true pedigree which would distinguish him between the likes of Anu Malik and co. whose music on a personal note are too filmi and doesn’t have the much needed variation and par excellence in them, which Kareem has displayed.I’m delighted to have struck gold after listening to just one song on the promos. I might have gone too far in branding great accolades to Kreem, yet deep down I feel he deserves it as he has given such a pleasant surprise in providing such refreshing music which hasn’t come from the maestro or someone like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and to an extent Adnan Sami. It is just the fact that the music director is by no means reputed, or as reputed as the lead actors, the director etc. Might be the case that Amol Palekar knows the industry well to pick Kreem of all people, will give him the benefit of the doubt, if any. Don’t miss this one friends, this is one collectors item.