I still remember 1992, whenfor the first time I heard A R Rahman’s music in trailers of Roja (Dil hai chota Sa) and I was so amazed by the song that I use to listen Vividh Bharti from morning 8.30-10.00 (there was a program where they give trailers of new movies) almost everyday. And when I bought the cassette, I played almost 50 times a day.
That was my first encounter with the magic RAHMANIA and the magic kept on growing me through Urvashi Urvashi, Kya Kare Kya Na Kare, Tu Hi Re & Kehna hi kya, O bhavare, Hai re Hai re Hai Rabba, Chaiyaan Chaiyaan & Aye Ajnabi, Nahin Saamne Tu, Ek Tu Hi Bharosa, So Gaye Hain, Khamoshiyan gungunane lagi, O Rey Chhori, DesMere Des, O Humdum Suniyo Re, Kabhi Neem Neem, Khoon chala, Mayya, Kahin To hogi wo, Tu Meri Dost Hai, Gujarish and this list goes on, on and on. And now the master is back with Delhi-6 and again I was glued to it by the first aired song Masakalli and when I got my hand on the album I was more amazed. Here is my take of the album
1.Masakali-The first aired song of Delhi-6, which holds our attention. Well tell me one thing what caught Ur attention first, the music (specially the mouth organ and the superb fusion of Arabic sounds with Latino drum beats) or singing** (Mohit Chauhan’s (who already have given a splendid Khoon Chala) charmed pastoral raw voice) or it is the Lyrics by Prasoon joshi.
This song is a perfect fusion of a wild and free melody which sounds a bit animated and diversely arranged rhythm and an inspiring orchestration along with a soulful accordion but still keeps the focus on the vocal expression.
And a lyric are quite interesting (Using metaphor of a dove which is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, peace and liberation and aspires to fly high he related brilliantly to a young girls aspiration) but still in place as it suits the mood of song. But the best part of the song is free-style rendition by Mohit especially when it comes to crooning dil ki tammanna, manmaani man maani and the Alaps in between the antaras. Masakali is a fresh, absolutely tuned melody dipped into the preeminent exotic music styles. Wanna relax. Listen to it and you gonna say phur phur phur with it.
*Etadi se mud, ada se ud karle poori dil ki tammannaa,
Hawa se jhud, ada se ud, phur phur phur tu hai heera panna re*
2.Arziyaan: Arziyaan is a devotional qawalli track which reminds me of Piya Haji Ali (Fiza) and Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodha Akbar). This track is crooned by Javed Ali (in surprisingly different voice) and Kailash Kher. Here Rahman beautifully used tabla, harmonium, hand clapping and a soft guitar background to merger with tranquil lyrics to produce an expressively invigorating tune. But the main USP of the track is chemistry between Javed and Kailash which will keep you hooked to it in spite of its length and will sooth your heart.
3.Noor: Next track Noor is a small nazm (poem) in the deep baritone Big B who sounds surprisingly young. This poem talks about looking within to find the truth and to love all human being.
4.Delhi 6: Title track Delhi 6 (better to call Dilli 6) is dedicated to Dilwalo ki dilli and talks about delhites jo Kabhi pyaar mein gali bhi deta, Kabhi gali mein pyaar bhi hota hai aur jahan Ankhon ki tara bhi yahan pyaar mein bilkul khota hai. This song is crooned by Benny Dayal, Vivinenne Pocha, Tanvi, Blaaze and Claire and is filled with attitude, and panache. Here Rahman used vibrating synths, acoustic guitar in this number to support high-octane vocals crooning the lyrics by Vivinenne Pocha and Claire.
5.Rehna Tu: Finally the maestro holds the center stage with Rehna Tu, an idyllic and tranquil masterpiece which has capacity to hold your attention and will tenderly grow on you. This song truly belongs to Rahman not only because of his superb rendition along with Benny Dayal but also because of the tranquility of the music where he used a wide range of sounds starting from modern techno beats to the soft Arabic tunes but still the sound mixed and absorb into one soft tune that will surely leave you breathless specially the closing music with some wind instrument. Kudos to Prasoon for giving heart touching lyrics which talks about unconditional love. Listen to this track and I am sure every time you will find yourself related to this…
*Tujhe badalna na chaahoon, Ratti bhar bhi sanam
Bina sajaawat milaawat, Na jyaada na hi kam*
*Tujhe chaahon jaisa hai tu, Mujhe teri baarish mein bheegna hai ghul jaana hai
Tujhe chaahon jaisa hai tu Mujhe teri lapat mein jalna raakh ho jaana ha.
6.Hey Kala Bandar: Well I have nothing much to say on this track except that this track totally belongs to Rahman loaded with techno beats and strong bass along with rap interlude. This track is crooned by Karthik, Naresh, Srinivas, and Bonny Chakravarthy. But still songs fail to leave its impression and will not get its place in league of Pathshaala and Shanno Shanno.
7.Dil Gira Dafatan: Next track **Dil Gira Dafatan (Dafatan means all of a sudden) is a soul inspiring melodic magnum opus which left me wordless. Things happen in life all of sudden, we fell in love dafatan, we miss something dafatan, we found some thing dafatan and sometimes we found new meanings of a word dafatan. This track is crooned by Ash King (to be true, I don’t know this guy) who sounds like Javed Ali and well supported by Chinmayee through her background vocals. Rahman used various western symphonies along with use of some string instrument (either Rubaab or Sitar) in this track. Lyrics are amazing but the main USP is heartfelt rendition. Listen this and forget everything….
*Dil Gira kahin per da-fatan, Jaane magar ye nayan
Teri khamosh zulfon ki gehraiyaan Hai jahan dil meraa *
*uljha hua hai wahin kho gaya, Tu magar hai bekhabar, hai bekhabar.
8.Genda Phool: Next track **Genda Phool is a catchy folk song in rustic voice of Rekha Bharadwaj who is brilliantly supported by Shraddha Pandit and Sujata Mazumdar talking about a newly wedded girl’s view about her sasuraal and her in-laws in Raipur. The lyrics superbly used typical pastoral words and display beautifully the thoughts of a newly wedded one. In this Rahman and Rajat Dholakiya used some impish beats with the use of synths and techno beats along with traditional dhol and ghungru sounds. But the USP of this song is the eccentric voice of Rekha giving the required rustic feel that will touch your heart. Superb is the word for this one.
*Chora babul ka angana, Bhaave deraa piya ka ho
Bushirt pahine, khayee ke bida paan, Poore Raipur se alag hai, Saiyaan ji ki shaan*