Just when you thought that the year 2002 would go down as a completely barren year for Hindi Film music, comes AR Rehman’s latest flick “Saathiya” with nine super-tracks. Saathiya is without any doubt the best film/indipop album of this year, a year that has nothing to show for itself except a couple of likable songs from “Sur” and a few “item” numbers.
The most amazing track of the lot is “Naina Milaike” which is a semi-classical/folkish/thumri-type song that would have easily fit in a movie like “Devdas” If you liked the songs of Devdas, you will love this song, for it is far superior to any of the Ismail Durbar’s labored efforts.
Adnam Sami’s fans have a lot to cheer about, especially if they feel disappointed by his last album. Rehman creates a funky and infectious tune “Aye Udi Udi” which expectedly is far more enjoyable than any of the boring numbers of “Tera Chehra” This song should definitely reach top the charts – it has all the necessary ingredients in place. It’s absolutely groovy - a kind of song that’s one finds difficult to stop humming. Though Adnam Sami is not a great singer, its difficult to imagine any other singer doing justice to the song, the way he has.
Then there is the piece de resistance – Asha Bhosale’s sizzling and peppy “Chori pe Chori” This song has irritating English Rap insertions, which sounds less irritating and more fun with every extra listen. The icing on the cake is the precious “AH HAH AH HAH” ditty, which Asha adds in the middle, reminding you of the good ol’ days of songs like “Aaja Aaja” “Duniya mein” etc. This grand old lady of film music hasn’t mellowed a bit and sings with same exuberance, vigor and freshness as always!
Quite cheekily, Chori (pe) Chori is followed by Chupke Chupke…or to be more precise “Chupke Se” with vocals by Sadhana Sargam. A soft, melodious, trademark Rehmanish number that is instantly likeable.
A similar melodious-sounding song is “Chalka Chalke Re” Another exquisite and delicate melody with lot of rehmanish sound effects. Doesn’t take a lot of time to grow on you.
Quite different is the # “Mera Yaar Mila De” This songs starts with Indian Ocean’s Kandisa type of chanting and then settles in a Punjabi/Sufi mould. It reminds you of the haunting “Raat ki dal dal” from 1947, in its feel, though it’s quite different in melody.
Finally the title track “Saathiya Madham Madham” sung by Sonu Nigam. All I can say is that this song takes a bit time to grow on you. It sounds nice (though not too original – the flute work reminds you of “Enigma’s songs), but I will have to listen a dozen times more to decide weather I like it or not.
There are two more songs “Mangalayam” and “O Humdum Suniyo Re” which unfortunately I haven’t heard yet, as they refuse to be downloaded easily.
The only drawback of this album, if it can be called a drawback, is that Rehman as always uses the same synthesizer-sounds. One would prefer that he would experiment a bit, use more percussion-based and richer sounds.
All in all, it seems quite a decent album by AR Rehman, definitely his best after “Taal” (Lagaan was high on quality, this one has both quality and quantity in good proportions)
Go for it!