This review took a long time to be written. When one listens to just one song repeatedly without moving on further to the rest of the songs, then this was bound to happen. So after hearing the wonderfully composed ’kitna pya karteain’ by Himesh for umpteenth number of times, I finally decided to listen to six other tracks as well. Most of the tracks have a whiff of fresh air around them. One can just close the eyes and feel the breeze surrounding him.
Coming to the film , none of the stars of Banaras have been having a good time in recent past. Urmila’s Naina didn’t exactly set box office on fire. Ashmeet’s career graph has always been fluctuating and Pankaj Parashar has two duds Inteqam and Himalayan Putra behind him. Let’s pray Banaras really sets celebration music for everyone concerned.
’The album starts on electrifying note with ’Pyar Kartein Hain’ a soothing love song, it has ever-youthful vocals of Himesh who maintain a mushy feel throughout. A Indian classical touch is given to the number towards the end that adds to its classy touch. Alka makes a solo appearance in the sad version while Chorus does the instrumental . Yeh dil maange more!
kitna pyar karte hain tumhe sanam
mere dil se pooch lo na
kitna pyar karte hain tumhe sanam
mere dil se pooch lo na
ho mere dil se pooch lo na
bina saas kaise zinda rahe ham
mere dil se pooch lo na - 2
pooch lo na
mere dil se pooch lo na - 2
mann kare naam saari zindagi kar de
khwaabon mein tanhaaiyon ki saadgi bhar de
kyon sitamgar aye khudaai kaisi hoti hai judaai
kitna sakt hota hai doori ka gam
mere dil se pooch lo na - 2
’’Purab Se’ ’ and ’Yeh Hai Shaan Banaras Ki’’ are sad and haunting. They both aim at causing a depressing effect and are successful with that. If the credits wouldn’t have mentioned it, then it would have been difficult to believe that it has actually been rendered by Himesh Reshammiya.
On repeated listening, one does realize it but nevertheless, he sounds remarkably different. He sings at the top of his voice which is so different from his routine style of subdued vocals as in ’Aashiq Banaya Aapne’, ’Aksar’ and ’Tom Dick And Harry . ’Sanjeev Abhyankar’ gives him company in this song which talks about glory of Banaras. ’Purab’ is a number about the nature. Shreya Ghoshal sings for herself here. The song is as per the demand of the situation and Shreaya does manage to give magical touch here.
purab se jab suraj nikle sindoori ghan chhaye
pavan ke pag mein nupur baaje mayur mann mera gaaye
purab se jab suraj nikle sindoori ghan chhaye
pavan ke pag mein nupur baaje mayur mann mera gaaye
mann mera gaaye
om namas shivaay...
There is some magic in ’Ishq Mein Dilko’’ that proves yet again that Sonu Nigam is always from the dependable lot when it comes to deliver a love song. Himesh maintain a good tempo throughout the song that relies mainly on melody rather than rhythm or beats.
ishq mein dil ko paagal paagal paagal
bana baithe
unse nazren kya mili - 2
ishq mein dil ko paagal paagal paagal
bana baithe
unse nazren kya mili - 2
hosho hawaas ham toh ham toh ham toh
gawa baithe
unse nazren kya mili - 2
The Holi track ’Rang Dalo’ primarily revolves around the colours .The song is picturised well but it doesn’t appear to be of the kind that would add on to the list of most memorable holi tracks ever churned in Bollywood.
rang daalon phenko gulaal
ho bolo sara ra ra
kar do sabko laal laal
ho bolo sara ra ra
kar do sabko laal laal
ho bolo sara ra ra
hai sara ra ra ra
sara ra ra
rang daalon phenko gulaal
ho bolo sara ra ra
rang daalon phenko gulaal
ho bolo sara ra ra
There couldn’t have been a better way to end an album than with ’Bajooband Khul Khul Jaye’’, a superbly composed song that has a strong classical base and and has been orchestrated with elan . Extremely haunting due to it’s rhythmic nature, it is a perfect showcase for talented Pranab Kumar .
bajooband khul khul jaaye jaaye
bajooband khul khul jaaye
khul khul jaaye mora jiya ghabraaye - 2
bajooband khul khul jaaye
bajooband khul khul jaaye jaaye - 3
bajooband khul khul - 2 jaaye
To summarise, there is no single track in Banaras that can be singled out to be ’not good’. All the tracks stand out as per the situation and do well. This is how an album should be designed and after years of struggle and trying to put a strong foothold in the industry, it seems that the time has come for Himesh to get the recognition he so very well deserves !!The only factor that may go against is the relatively little gap between the promos on the air and the release of the movie due to which the songs may not reach the peak of their popularity
A MUST BUY.