If you like good music (& on top of that, you are a Marathi music fan) you wont regret reading this review.
On MouthShut, I have reviewed English & Hindi music albums, but this is the first time I would be reviewing a Marathi music album. And I am so very proud doing it!
But as a mark of respect (!) to this category, I am giving a quick review of the corresponding movie as well.
MOVIE REVIEW: Agabai Arecchha
Directed by the veteran & highly successful stage & TV director Kedar Shinde, this movie, however, didnt excite me much. The plot is obviously inspired from the Hollywood flick What Women Want. There are sparks of genuine comedy (which is this directors forte) interspersed, however, touted as a comedy it doesn’t wholly turn out to be one. There are many scenes that just do not add anything to the progression of the story & if they do, they seem distantly disjointed. A heavy influence of stage direction unfortunately peeks in the presentation. An actor of Dilip Prabhavalkar?s calibre is purely wasted. The story of a man who gets the divine power of knowing what goes on in a woman?s mind could have been more deftly handled. The film, however, does shine in the technical aspects of Cinematography & Sound Design.
Though, I did not like the movie much, I don?t regret it. On the contrary, I am grateful I went, for this film made me buy its music album, which I probably would not have otherwise. Now on to the main thing?
MUSIC REVIEW: Agabai Arecchha
After I listened to the tracks while watching the film, I was sure enough to get the Music Album CD. And I am glad I did. I listened to it 4-5 times on the trot !!! Something I had never done for a long time now.
The CD has 10 tracks. First 5 are the Film music & the rest 5 are Bonus ones. Music is given by Ajay - Atul & they have done an EXCELLENT JOB!.
Track 01: Durge Durghat Bhari
Singer: Ajay & Chorus
Lyrics: Sant Narhari
This is amongst those tracks that made me buy this CD. It is actually an Aarti of Goddess Durga which is normally recited at Ganesh Festivals. I was pleasantly shocked to listen to this track. This track convinced me that melody (dhun) can actually elevate the lyrics to a new level. You can?t stop enjoying this song where the chorus reminds one of A.R.Rehman. The lead singer/music-director Ajay has a soothingly wonderful voice. An Aarti never sounded so sweet. This song has been beautifully shot in the movie.
Track 02: Prabhat
Singer: Ajay, Amey Date, Vijay Prakash, Yogita Godbole, Bela Sulakhe
Lyrics: Srirang Godbole
This is a medley of 5 songs. The concept of the song is that of a progression from the black & white era to the modern one & is shot akin to Woh Ladki Hai Kahan? from Dil Chahta Hai. The music complements the concept. In particular, I like the 3rd song in the sequence...Mann majhe umloon gele, Sparsh tujha zhala?
Track 03: Gondhal
Singer: Shahir Sable & Ajay
Lyrics: Shahir Sable
It is a devotee?s song with excellent lyrics, great chorus & superb rendition by the lead singers. You get a nostalgic feeling listening to this track.
Track 04: Mann Udhhan
Singer: Shankar Mahadevan
Lyrics: Guru Thakur
One of my FAVORITE TRACKs in the album. Shankar Mahadevan has rendered it in his inimitable style & has turned this track into one of those rare gems! The lyrics are so amazing that they keep you gasping for more. No! I am not blind-praising. Listen it to believe it. Thanks a million to Mr. Mahadevan. The music is smooth on ears & enhances the overall feel of an already cool song. This one is an aural delight!
Track 05: Cham Cham Karta
Singer: Vaishali Samant
Lyrics: Shyam Anuragi
The voice behind the super hit Aika Dajiba weaves it magic here as well. This dance-bar Hindi number, choreographed by Farah Khan & picturized on Sonali Bendre, has the Mungda feel to it. Music needs a worthy mention here! Play it at home or at a party & watch your foot tapping on its own. Oooo freaky eh! ;-)
NOTE: Watch the video for this song that regularly makes rounds of the music channels & enjoy Farah?s choreography
Track 06: Galavar Khhali
Singer: Swapnil Bandodkar
Lyrics: Chandrashekhar Sanekar
With this track, start the bonus tracks, which are mainly romantic. Music here from takes more of a contemporary form. Swapnil excellently renders this beaty number. Marathi music is finally coming on its own in this competitive industry.
Track 07: Hastes Tu Ashi
Singer: Avdhoot Gupte
Lyrics: Chandrashekhar Sanekar
This is the song that gives me mixed feelings. I love it & I hate it! I love it because it?s a soft romantic number with blissful poetic influence. I hate it because it does not turn out to be the way I would want it to. The utterly talented Avadhoot Gupte starts this song with a brilliant flair. However, the antaras could have been rendered more elegantly. He just messes up with the highs & lows in the pitch of his rendition. He sings it like an ?over-confident teenage singer?. Also, the ?flute? could have been toned down. It just bangs in your ears. Otherwise a hauntingly beautiful number, this would have been the best song, but for these trivial (& irritating) things. This song surely deserved a better treatment.
Track 08: Chal Sarja Chal Raja
Singer: Sachin
Lyrics: Vasant Bapat
Sung by the multi-talented Sachin (Pilgaonkar) this is a folk-song that finds itself out of place in this album. Though a good song, it does not belong here.
Track 09: O Priya
Singer: Swapnil Bandodkar
Lyrics: Chandrashekhar Sanekar
Good music, good rendition, pretty average https://lyrics. Nothing more.
Track 10: Mi Laglo Bolayala
Singer: Avdhoot Gupte
Lyrics: Chandrashekhar Sanekar
A fast-paced song. Fortunately, Avadhoot Gupte does not mess up here & gives the song all that it deserves. Amazing lyrics, good melody & equally fine music lets the song end the album gracefully (only to be replayed by me from Track 01 again & again &?).
Long has it been since the Marathi Film Music Album was bereft of such truly excellent music & lyrics all at one time. I hope with Agabai Arecchha this drought will end. Go ahead buy the CD. It costs less than a 100 bucks (Rs. 95 to be precise). You will truly enjoy it (in a loop may I add). You can relate to the film songs (Tracks 1-5) more if you watch the movie, though this ain?t no pre-requisite.
As I said in the beginning, listening to this album made me feel proud. The reason is a simple one, the music & the lyrics (mainly) made me feel closer to my mother tongue than I ever was. Thanks to all those who were involved in making of this album.
Take Care,
Amul