Who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad? (Thanx for appreciating this line but I have maaroed it from the net).
Who would dare compare the music of Zulfi Syed/Sonya Jehan Taj Mahal with Pradeep Kumar/Bina Roy Taj Mahal (now, this line is my original creation!!)
But I dared compare because the music directors of the two, Roshan and Naushad respectively belong to the same era of golden melodies.
In fact, so many tales, innumerable myths surround the greatest monument of love it is very difficult to do justice, musically, to this symbol of eternal romance but God knows these two have succeeded. With due respect to Naushad ji, Roshan ji wins the race by a shade.
Apni Zulfein
Compare the ultimate love ode ‘Paon Choo Lene do’ from the original with “Apni Zulfein Mere..”. Rafi was the rooh of the former and though Hariharan tries his best and puts on his finest ‘ghazal’ voice, he is let down by the https://lyrics. Naqsh Layallpuri and Syed Gulrez’s shaayari seems pheeki compared to Sahir Ludhianwi’s poetic splendour.
Ajnabi Thehro Zara
Preeti Uttam sounds like a Kavita Krishnamurthi/Mahlaxmi clone in Ajnabi Thehro Zara. She tries to do justice to the song and there is no flaw in her surili awaaz but the hangover of the original refuses to leave. So I keep comparing her to Lataji and obviously find her lacking.
Mumtaz Tujhe…Taj Mahal
The title track is the piece de resistance of the album. Hariharan is the soul of this haunting melody, supported perfectly by Preeti’s lilting vocals. It has three versions with the crescendo version being my personal favourite. The way the music and the vocals fuse and become one is amazing. Close your eyes and you can actually imagine the old ShahJahan in his fort seeing a younger picture of himself and his beloved queen Mumtaz, happy in their world of love. Ooh! Too Goosepimply!!
But the bane of this song is again the shayari. Naqsh and Syed ji should take inspiration from the immortal gem of the old Taj Mahal-Jo baat tujh me hai who teri tasveer mein nahin.
Ishq ki dastaan
Ishq ki dastaan comes only third to Tumse milke (Main hoon na) and Kajara Re (Bunty aur Babli) in the modern qawwali rating. And sounds suspiciously like “Na to qarawan ki talaash hai (again top lyrics by Sahir ji for Barsaat ki raat).
But Ishq ki.. contains the best poetic line of the album.
“Ishq shola hai dil mein dehekta hai yeh…sabka daaman jalaana zaroori nahin. (Subhan allah)
Yeh Kaun Mujhe Yaad Aaya
The first time I heard Yeh Kaun Mujhe Yaad Aaya I just forgot to jot down the relevant points for its review. I was so lost in the melody. Reminded me of that handsome guy in college on whom I had a big crush and how he had crushed my heart. “yeh kaun mujhe yaad aaya”. I felt the tears pricking my eyes. I finally got out of my reverie and played the song once more. (Come on, get a grip on yourself girl).
Coming back to the real world…Ajay Chakraborty is Bengal’s best gift to the music industry. When he sings you just listen. And need I mention he is great in the thumri cum virah geet cum…you get the point! (line inspired by Nenner’s review of Taj Mahal-the monument not the album).
Though only a couple of songs leave an impression the first time you hear the album, the others grow on you as you play the album again and again. Go for it. After all, it is a tribute to the incredible tomb of love.