Saaya’s music is subtle, soothing, and superb. Saaya is a welcome change from those mindless songs with pathetic lyrics and crude music that Bollywood churns every year in the name of entertainment. Saaya is undoubtedly the best track of 2003 - well above the overhyped Chalte Chalte
1) O Saathiya:
Composed by M.M Kreem, this one is a romantic duet, sung by veterans Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik who breeze through it with effortless ease. The song begins with a fast pace and then slows down as Udit starts singing. The rendition, ’’Dil Chura Liya, Saathiya’’ is itself a joy to hear. One particular device that made me a fan of this song was the ’claps’ at the end of each stanza. They serve as beats, delivering a rhythm, and instantly you find yourself tapping your foot and rejoicing in the glory of true love and togetherness.
Pros: Lyrics, music, singing
Cons: None
Very nice - 9.5/10
2) O Saathiya - Sad version sung by Sonu Nigam:
A slow track, this one is a disappointment in the otherwise flawless album. Sonu is bad. He tries way too hard and shakes his voice a lot to bring in the feeling of sorrow. The result - the listener feels like cringing! One wonders why Udit himself couldn’t have sung the song. I am sure he would have done a much better job than Sonu. Of course, the lyrics of this song, being the only good aspect, are mind-blowing.
Pros: Definitely the lyrics
Cons: Sonu Nigam
Fast-Forward - 6/10
3) O Saathiya - Sad version sung by Shreya Ghosal:
Shreya sounds fresh and brings in a lot of emotion into her voice although I would have preferred Alka. This song literally brought tears to my eyes.
’’Toota hai tera saath
Yaadein hain mere paas
Liya tera naam phir mehki shaam
Yadoon ne teri ye kya kiya
Dil chura Liya, Saathiya’’
Pros: Lyrics and Shreya
Cons: None, although Alka would have suited the song better
Good - 8.5/10
The rest of the songs are composed by Anu Malik
4) Seena Pada - Shreya’s version:
A masterpiece!!! Woah! What beautiful lyrics and what beautiful vocals. This is a sad song, which starts off with soft music in order to create a somber atmosphere. The lyrics are magical. ’’Vakt se mila jo zakhm seena pada’’Conveys an unexpected tragedy that hits the life of the heroine.
Pros: Shreya, Music, Lyrics
Cons: None
Excellent: 9/10
5) Seena Pada - Udit’s version:
This is no less brilliant than Shreya’s rendition. The softness that Udit is so famously known for in his sad songs is brilliantly evident here. Once again, I wonder, why in the world didn’t Udit sing the sad version of O Saathiya .
The cream of this version is the verse. It is completely different from the female version and brings out the hero’s viewpoint about the tragedy and how it has affected him. From this song, I gathered the hero’s dilemma about his life without the heroine. Lines such as ’’Toota sapna phir mujhe pirona pada’’ when heard in the song, want to convey that although the hero tries to move on in his life without his lady love her thoughts keep bringing him back and create a void in his heart. In essence, the man can never forget his woman.
Pros: Udit’s wholehearted singing, moving lyrics
Cons: Once again, NONE!!!!!
Brilliant: 9/10
6) Aye Meri Zindagi - Shreya’s version:
Wind sounds, water splashes, and chimes generate an eerie atmosphere as though the dead is singing. This is an example of very good musical composition in the beginning of a song because the listener immediately sits back and takes notice. After a jump-start with the music Shreya’s voice and the libretto keep you glued till the end of the track. Shreya is simply flawless and is really expressive. Soft, romantic, and emotive, her voice strikes a chord very deep in your soul and you ask for more
Pros: Shreya, music, lines
Cons: Well, NONE!!!!!!
Simply first rate - 9.5/10
7) Aye Meri Zindagi - Udit this time:
The music starts in a similar manner as the previous one and is also as powerful as it. Udit, no doubt, does a good job and the lyrics are touching as usual.
Pros: Udit, lyrics
Cons: None
Nice - 9/10
8) Aye Meri Zindagi - Sad version, sung by Udit
This is a shorter song and isn’t as effective as the longer versions but it nonetheless poignant.
Pros: Udit, Lyrics
Cons: None
Nice - 8/10
9) Kabhi Khushboo:
This track is more in the ghazal genre, the Pankaj Udhas kind, and might not instantly appeal to those who do not have a ear for such music. But I ensure that repeated listens would result in an intense liking for this song
From my side I liked it immediately. KK’s voice, accompanied by wind instruments, soft music, and the heart rendering and meaningful lines is a winner. ’’Kabhi Khushboo, Kabhi Jhonka, Kabhi Hawa Sa Lage’’. The hero is comparing his love to the wind, to the air, to fragrance, things that are found in abundance. Through these comparisons the lyricist is trying to further reinforce the timeless and unbounded love the couple has for each other.
Pros: KK, Lyrics
Cons: HEHE, none!!!
Spellbinding - 9.5/10
Throughout this review my hands were itching to give a perfect 10 for the songs. But I resisted this urge because the 10/10 rating is always reserved for the BEST SONG of the album. That glittering crown for Saaya is HAR TARAF!
10) Har Taraf: Shreya and KK
There are no words to describe the beauty of this song.
With this track, Shreya has established that she is a genius in classical music. With this track, Anu Malik has proven that when he is inspired there is no one as good as him. With this track, KK has proven his versatility in singing.
The song begins with a masterful rendition by Shreya resulting in the listener getting captivated right away. Although this song has a classical base, Anu, with a clever mixture of classical instruments and western drums, has provided a lighter touch to it. Hence, even those with lesser interest in classical music are attracted. At some point in the song, KK and Shreya alternately sing, and the listener cannot help but smile. Their voices match each other nicely.
Ok, I better stop, else I shall rave on and on about this song. It is that good with beautiful lyrics, beautiful music and beautiful singing. This song has the best of everything - 10/10!
There ends the review of the songs. As you might have inferred, all the songs of Saaya, except the happy O Saathiya, have a sad touch - a symbol of lost love, a symbol of separation, a symbol of tragedy, a symbol of loss.
How many times have we seen albums, hyped albums, which lose their fire just as fast as they gain it. But Saaya is different. Saaya is for keeps. Saaya should be on every music lover’s shelf forever.
Overall Rating - 9/10