At a time melancholy and at the same time cheerful. A masterpiece by M.M Kareem but will it find a place in market yet to be seen.
Who is M.M. Kareem I never knew but when I listened to Paheli, I got the reason. In the world of Anu Malik’s it’s hard to find a genuine and a classy music director like him.
When Gulzar saab writes world listen. Why? Listen to the soundtrack of Paheli and you would know exactly why. Lyrics of Paheli are a welcome change from the usual Paheli is a classical album, and making all the right noises where they matter.
Dheere Jalna - The first track ‘Dheere jalna dheere jalna dheere jalna, Zindagi ki lau pe jalna, Kanch ka yeh sapna gal hi na jaye, Sonch samajh kar aanch rakhna, Dheere jalna dheere jalna dheere jalna’ is a semi philosophical track by Gulzaar. The lyrics of the song are unlike any song you have heard. The song begins like a small wave becomes a crescendo slowly. Beautifully sung by ‘Sonu Nigam’ and ‘Shreya Ghosal’ the song reminds of 60’s era when lyrics took precedence over music. Shreya is fast becoming the nightingale of Bollywood after Lataji and Alka Yagnik. Her voice is perfect for melodious situations and far supersedes contemporaries like Sunidhi Chauhan and likes.
Kangna Re - Rajasthani song ‘Kangna bin marji ke chanke na, Kangna bin arji ke chanke na, Tane sunaye Chidiya’ is sung by Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Madhurshree, Bela Shinde and Kalapini Komakili. The lyrics are beautiful and complimented by traditional instrumental pieces like ‘Shehnai’, ‘drums’ and ‘sarod’. The song is pictured on rani and Shah Rukh where the lover promises to bring her beloved wife everything she desires. Not an easy song to be composed, the efforts are fruitful.
Phir Raat Kati - ‘Phir Raat Kati’ is a racy Rajasthani folk song (it is commendable to see MM Kreem fuse it so well with contemporary style) in the voices of Sukhwinder Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan. The whole story of ‘Paheli’ is narrated in the song; with the reference to the ‘Peepal’ tree and what happened on that fateful day and also later on. The song also adds that the deserts of Rajasthan still remember the whole folk tale and especially so under the moonlight. It is situational song, which is quite racy and rhythmic and comes at an important juncture in the movie. The song is repeated on the Side - B.
Laaga Re Jal Laaga – ‘Laaga Re…’ is a song on people waiting for rain to pour on dry earth. God ultimately oblige and it rains. The song is a wonderful composition in the voices of M.M. Kreem, Sonu Nigam and Shruti Sadolikar. If Aamir and party sung ‘Ghanan Ghanan’ in 2001 then this time its Shah Rukh and group chanting ‘Laaga Re Jal Laaga’ in 2005. Like every other song this song too features host of traditional musical instruments.
Khaali Hai Tere Bina – ‘Khali Hai…’ is a sad song and the pain is brought out in the voices of Hariharan and Bela Shinde. A song depicting separation, the use of percussion instruments, like the ‘tabla’ and flute enhances the song again. Hariharan handles every note carefully but Bela Shinde pales in comparision.
‘Minnat Kare’ - ‘Aadhi raat jab chand dhale, Aur koi na ho pichwade mein, Chap daba ke thade rahiyo tu aade mein’ sung by Shreya, Madhushree and Bela is an all girl marriage ‘ched-chad’ song where a would be bride is educated by her friends how the bride should not yield to the charms of bridegroom, despite his pleas.
All said and done the songs of Paheli are not for the masses and you won’t be hearing them in dance parties. ‘Paheli’ has one of the most original and classy score for a SRK film. The songs are situational and slow with Rajasthani flavor. Kreem’s compositions will grow with every subsequent hearing.