’O Humdummmm ...’ Hypnotized? I bet you are. A.R.Rehman’s latest album is magical after all. Move over Harry Potter, your wand doesn’t provide enough magic as Saathiya’s tunes do!
Ever heard of immunity towards magic? Yeah, the ’knowledgable’ critics. Last year, when the best album since nineties, Dil Chahta Hai came out, the Best Music statuettes kept being awarded to A.R.Rehman for Lagaan. True, Lagaan had melodious, earthy tunes, but certainly not better than a Dil Chahta Hai. One shudders at the state of Hindi film music currently. Those who give music which one can predict the last tone of the song by listening to the first tone aren’t composers surely! One hopes critics add a phrase to their dictionary ... ’Music Sense’.
However, critics will remain critics, and a music lover will remain a music lover. And Saathiya’s album is a boon for all music lovers!
What attracted me to buying the album were the very first promos of the movie. The chorus in the title song had me hypnotized, and I decided to buy the album immediately. One of my best decisions, as I look back ..
Saathiya.
The album kicks off with the title number. Apart from the spellbinding chorus, the title song is a lyrical gem. Javed Akhtar is in great form indeed! Saathiya is undoubtedly Sonu Nigam’s best song; those who could tolerate K3G would swear by Suraj Hua Maddham, yet, Saathiya comes out trumps because the song has all three requisites that make a great song - soulful lyrics, great singing, and brilliant music. 10/10!
Chalka Chalka.
’Chalka Chalka’ is a folk kinda number, which is sung by Rani and her friends at her friend’s wedding. Although I didn’t like the song at first, it tends to grow on you. Richa Sharma, Mahalaxmi, Vaishali and Shoma sing in unison in this song, though Mahalaxmi dominates the vocals. 6/10.
Aye Udi Udi.
I had the opinion that Adnan Sami is overrated. Note the word ’had’. ’Aye Udi Udi’ changed all my views about this guy who redifined the term ’football’. Great guitaring, beautiful picturisation and Adnan’s vocals liven up this song. 9/10.
Chupke Se.
Sadhana Sargam. Does the name sound a bell? The voice behind the enchanting ’Pehla Nasha’ is back after a long hiatus. And how! ’Chupke Se’ is beautifully song, with Sadhana having the perfect voice to enhance the already beautiful https://lyrics. In my opinion, among songs not sung by the greats (Kishore, Rafi, Asha, Lata), the most soulful and romantic songs would be ’Pehla Nasha’ from Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander, ’Raat Ka Nasha’ from Asoka, and two songs from this very album. The title song and ’Chupke Se’ are the best songs to play when you are with that special someone!
O Humdum Suniyo Re.
The most addictive song. It’s not a lyrical gem like ’Saathiya’. It’s not beautifully sung like ’Chupke Se’. Yet, this song clicks immediately and one cannot help grooving to it. Although the beats are a little similar to the Backstreet Boys hit, ’Everybody’, yet the song races past its ’inspiration’. 10/10!
Mera Yaar Mila De.
This has been sung by Rehman himself. Great lyrics (yet again) on the pain of separation lift this otherwise not-so-great song. Rehman sings in a totally different style, compared to his singing in the title song of ’Dil Se’. I personally preferred the way he sung Dil Se, yet Mera Yaar Mila De is good, simply because it fits into the narrative of the movie beautifully.6/10.
Mangalayam.
’Mangalayam’ is a shorter version of ’O Humdum’, with some Sanskrit shlokas inserted within. It’s much slower, yet as enchanting as ’O Humdum’! It’s also beautifully picturised, with Vivek and Rani getting married in the temple. ’’Bahut Mazaa Aayega!’’ ;-) 10/10!
Naina Milaike.
This is a song for the classical music buffs. It’s classical music at its finest, with the added Rehman touch. Yet, they say that you must have something between your ears to appreciate classical music, which obviously means that this song isn;t in my list of personal favourites! 7/10.
Chori Pe Chori.
Finally! I was wondering where Asha Bhosle was. Asha is a favourite with Rehman, with the duo having done many memorable songs together. This time, she lends her voice to the peppy ’Chori Pe Chori’, which is picturised on Shamita Shetty, who seems to have forgotten her clothes. (Not that we mind!) Though an enjoyable song, it’s a straight lift of the yesteryears hit, ’Gori Ka Saajan, Saajan Ki Gori’. 7/10.
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Revised on 11th July, 2K+3. Comments awaited.