It wasn?t long back when every album emanating from the musical genius of A.R Rahman was considered an event in itself. The gargantuan expectations which accompanied every album of his was hardly a deterrent for Rahman as he kept on reeling one magical album after the other- Roja, Bombay, Rangeela, Sapnay, Dil Se, Taal, 1947, Zubeida, Taal, Lagaan, Saathiya??like a pied-piper he played?and a nation listened?mesmerized, bewitched.
Sslowly but surely?the number of great songs in his albums started diminishing?the music sounded more and more jaded with each successive outing?the halo started disappearing?and the world suddenly realised that Rahman is a mortal after all?.and albums like Nayak and Lakeer did nothing to dispel the doubts?..though albums like Yuva and Meenaxi did temporarily stop the slide?..so when we heard that Rahman?s next album is going to be Swades-Ashutosh Gowarikar?s next after his Oscar nominated Lagaan?.we all waited anticipating another humdinger of an album. And finally today we have Swades in our midst?and??..here?s my take on the 7 tracks of Swades in no particular order:
Yunhi Chala Chal- Sung by Udit Narayan and Kailash Kher?this is one of the most innovative tracks I have heard in a long time?the absolutely catchy rhythm, the neat orchestrartion and some great percussion makes it an instant chartbuster. The beautiful lyrics of Javed Akhtar with some philosophical overtones makes the song even more interesting. Udit Narayan sounds dew fresh and the vocal acrobat of Kailash Kher makes you click/push the rewind button again and again. The joie de vivre of the song is hard to miss?brilliant stuff!! Rating 5/5
Yeh Tara woh Tara- The interludes of this song was used for the initial promos of the film where we saw Shahrukh on various modes of transport. Sung wonderfully by Udit Narayan it has a got a simple melody with the stringed Indian instrument ?ektara? blending beautifully with the overall orchestra. Though fairly reminiscent of the song ?O Mitwa? in Lagaan it still makes for pleasant hearing especially the singing by the kids. It has got inspiring lyrics by Javed Akhtar where Shahrukh is extolling the virtues of unity. Rating 4/5
Dekho na- A love duet sung with customary ease by Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan..this song is frankly a disappointment?no great shakes?very ho-hum considering that this song seems to be the only conventional love song in the album..doesn?t register at all despite repeated hearing. Rating 2.5/5
Pal Pal hai bhari- This is a Bhajan rendered by relatively new voices?Madhushree, Vijay Prakash and A. Gowarikar and the result is quite impressive. A chapter of Ramayana where Sita and Ravana have a fierce debate about Lord Rama is used in this song. A very simple orchestration is used for this song and Rahman very successfully captures the mood and spirit of ?Ram-Leela.? The chorus is used to very good effect. Rating 3.5/5
Aahista Aahista- Sung by Udit Narayan and Sadhana Sargam- very soothing and calming with very good use of ?jal tarangs?. It?s a lullaby and it does make you go to sleep, therefore a very effective one at that. Jokes apart if you are looking for something new in this song you will be sorely disappointed. Rahman treads the beaten track for this song. Rating 3/5
Sanwariya- This one is a typical ?Hindi film heroine? song where you have the heroine singing for her piya, saajan, saiyaan, sanwariya, etc. or the hero of the film. This is a rather boring song with very common place music. Javed Akhtar matches Rahman?s triteness in this song with hackneyed lyrics and words like ?dagariya? and ?gathariya?. The singing by Alka Yagnik too is uninspired. The loops are very similar to the one used for ?Chalo Chalein Mitwa? from Nayak. Rating 2/5
Yeh jo Desh hai tera- A patriotic number which is truly different-no jingoism, no over the top nationalistic fervour but a song which doesn’t fail to tug your heartstrings. Sombre in mood with extensive use of Shehnai this track is definitely cut above the rest.It takes a few hearings to grow on you. Javed Akhtar as a lyricist and Rahman as a singer excel but I would be highly surprised if it makes to the music charts. Rating 4.5/5
Overall Swades is quite a good album but if we were waiting for another great album from A R Rahman we, the people, would have to wait longer. As one swallow doesn?t make a summer, similarly some good songs don?t make a great album.
Overall Rating- 3.5/5
Please do drop in your comments?would love to hear your opinions about Swades? songs?
Cheers!!!