Omkara’s soundtrack reflects the Utter Pradesh flavour very well.
What makes the soundtrack of Omkara unique is that every song is a story or an intense emotion, not a mere filler or excuse for jumping and dancing around trees.
Sukhwinder Singh introduces to the dread and glory of ’sabse bade ladiya’ (the greatest warrior) Omkara with such magnificence that you cannot help but fall hook, line and sinker for the thumping grandeur of this performance. I will bet that you shall play the song over and over again before moving onto the next track.
Even as you recover from the repeat value of the title track, the music director thrusts you with the velvety and mellifluous O saathi re. Sung by Bharadwaj himself along with Shreya Ghosal, this romantic duet does complete justice to Gulzar’s unmatched poetic https://lyrics.
Beedi’s colourful lyrics -- kitni sardi hai kisika lihaal layile, jaa padosi ke chulhe ki aag layile -- engross you with their uninhibited, rustic mischief. Coupled with Vishal’s flamboyance and Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhwinder Singh’s fiery rendition, Beedi lights the fire good and proper.
Suresh Wadkar justifies his presence in the wake-up lullaby, Jag ja. Layered with tender flute, subtle piano and dreamy verse, Jag ja has the air of untainted innocence and loving indulgence.
Namak is Rekha Bharadwaj’s teasing ode to lust. Based on a traditional and classical music piece, this (a little raunchy) song is a tad too loud for its own good.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan waxes eloquent on deception through the metaphor of a woman’s eyes. A punjabi folk song, Naina articulates the theme of Omkara, jealousy and suspicion extremely well. The emotion this song evokes are simply unmatched. I bet you wouldn’t proceed to the next number without playing this song at least twice.
Laakad is a very dark and gloomy number. Rekha Bharadwaj is excellent again.
The album concludes again on a dark note with the instrumental The tragedy of Omkara.
To conclude, Omkara rocks! A MUST HAVE album to any music aficionado