Preface:
Thank you Suresh for letting me know about this album and prompting me to write. Though I read his review about the songs, the only thing I took from it though was that the songs were excellent and definitely worth hearing.
So I set out hearing the songs. I heard them. I wanted to write about them.
But I know nothing about the composer Shantanu Moitra.
I know nothing about the cast (though a voice in the song sounds similar to Saif).
I know nothing about the story (I’ve honestly made no attempt to know till I finish this review).
Approach:
Many times we have enjoyed film music with full or at least sufficient knowledge about the movie. We can enjoy a Rajini song more only after knowing that it is a Rajinikanth number. Otherwise ’’Nan autokaaran’’ song from Baadsha would have seemed crap. There are some other songs, which immediately catch anyone’s attention even without knowing whose movie it is. ’’Chaiya Chaiya’’ would have still been a hit had it been any other actor. But there are some musicals, which tell you the film’s story through its music and merely listening to the songs would give you an idea of the characters in the movie, the period, the background of the story etc. Such scores make songs seamlessly blend into a movie avoiding a feeling of being stuffed.
The way that I will attempt to review this music is by constructing a film through the songs. If my attempt succeeds even 70%, then it is a victory for the music.
The review:
Piya Bole : Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal
The song: What opens with a western grand piano and humming (by Saif Ali kahn, I think) is a very plesant number. Authentic Indian number with simplicity being its plus point. Best thing about the song is the lead vocal by Shreya Goshl. She fits just perfectly into the song. Subtle emotions are so beautifully brought about in her voice. She is a real find. Sonu Nigam too does a very nice job. As for the music, it is kept very simple and not too much instruments added in the BGMs. This actually makes this song such a pleasing number.
And what happens is .. The male lead is a head strong typical western influenced person, an extrovert by nature, who is charmed by the simple Indian womanhood he sees in the lady. Educated but a little stupid. The year, going by the score is somewhere around 50’s or 60’s. The female lead is a typical Indian house woman. Quiet yet humorous, subtle yet retains the girlish charm, speaks little but speaks wise, enjoys nature. Probably, the male lead tries to showoff his musical talent, leading to the unexpected reply from the female, all while he starts admiring her.
Kasto Mazza : Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal There have been a number of train songs, many of them immortal hits like ’’Meri sapnon ki raani’’ etc. But none has been more pleasing than this. A beautiful number almost kind of a fast lullaby. Sonu Nigam excels in this song. His voice is so soothing and nice to hear that we tend to close our eyes in bliss. Shreya too does a fine job. Another pleasant aspect of this song is the flute that follows right through. Very melodious. The MD has intelligently used the flute tune to substitute for the train whistle, which is so refreshing.
And what happens is .. The song is obviously picturised in/on a train. The chorus of children singing indicates that it is more of a pleasure trip to a tourist destination. The mood of the song indicates a wonderful spring feeling which points to the destination being a hill station, probably Darjeeling or shimla. The song being quite western indicates that it is the same male lead as the Piya Bole song.
Soona Man Ka Aangan : Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal This powerful ballad speaks volumes about SonuNigam’s rendering. He has put his soul into a beautiful song. Contemporary, yet a distinctive Indian flavors to it. Beautiful piano and a melodious Shreya, lend beauty into this already beautiful song. Excellent.
And what happens is .. There is another male lead, an Indian outright. This song is a soothing one-to-one by two hearts miles apart.
Kasisi Paheli Zindgani : Sunidhi Chuahan An outright jazz number. Sunidhi has done a commendable job on her vocals. Nothing special though on this number. Somehow this song reminds me of Ilayaraja’s jazz number in ’’Nadodi Thendral’’ ’’kadhal paatu than paadiko aadiko’’. But to do justice to the composer Shantanu Moitra, Ilayaraja has explored length and breadth of jazzes so much that there is bound to be similarities.
And what happens is .. A song sung by a western girl, an adamant spoilt rich girl or just an item number.
Raat Hamari Toh : Chitra, Swanand A beautiful slow number, starts with a Bengali charm. It is so refreshing to hear chitra’s voice. Even after so many years, her voice remains as fresh as it was when she came by. Anyone, who does not know chitra, would probably never realize that she is a malayalee on hearing the rendering. This is really a lesson to any singer who sings outside his mother tongue (Udit Narayan, hope you get this). The song has an amazingly flowing violin. Great number.
And what happens is .. The slow number, predominantly sung by the female lead indicates that it is a pacifying song. the western influence in the song indicates that the male lead is the same as the one in Piya Bole (most likely Saif). He is distressed and upset about some emotional things and the female is trying to bring him back to his self.
Dhinak Dhinak Dha : Rita Ganguly A typical north Indian marriage song. Though there is nothing very musical in this piece, this type of situation song does not feel awkward due to some spirited singing and chorus mixed very well.
And what happens is .. Obviously a marriage. Going by the lyrics, the girl is newer to the place. This song is song by a usual extrovert old lady.
Hui Main Parineeta : Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal This piece is a great proof that a sensual song need not have sexy words, and talk about how he set her body on fire. Both Shreya and Sonu have done an excellent job in bringing out the passion part of love very well. But I must admit that Shreya has the lead. The hymns chanting in the background, the mild flute and occasional jingle of the bangle, all contribute to a listening pleasure. Full marks to the MD for making this song sensual and not vulgar.
And what happens is .. Most probably is a ’’Suhag Raat’’ song. The lead lady and male lead show a lot of passion, indicating that the lovers were united in marriage.(beware: could also be a dream sequence).
I have attempted to portray the characters and some events based on what I feel from the songs. I may be totally off mark too. But as a composer, I think Shantanu Moitra has brought in the charm of the Burman era. Full marks to him.