The much delayed and long in the making film, ’’Taj Mahal-An Eternal Love Story’’, produced and directed by Akbar Khan, is finally set for release.Its trailers are on air and the soundtrack is out at your nearest music stores.The soundtrack of this film is no ordinary soundtrack as it has music composed by none other than Naushad, the same musician who composed music for classics such as ’’Mughal-E-Azam’’ and ’’Baiju Bawra’’.After having Naushad ’saab’`s name on the cover of this soundtrack, one would have huge expectations. Does it live upto the expectations?For that, read the review...
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM AND SOUNDTRACK:
Produced by:Mashreq Communications
Directed by:Akbar Khan
Music by:Naushad
Lyrics by:Naqsh Layllpuri & Syed Gulrez
No.Of Tracks:8
Audio On:Times Music
Starring:Kabeer Bedi, Zulfi Sayed, Sonya Jehan, Manisha Koirala, Arbaaz Khan, Pooja Batra and Kim Sharma.
THE SONGS:
1.Apni Zulfein-Hariharan:The soundtrack of this magnum opus opens with this beautifully composed ghazal kind of a song.The song is very rich in melody and has a very royal feel to it.Just as you listen to this song, you will feel that there is nobody to match Naushad`s talent.That is why, we say ’’old is gold’’.No musician of today can replace Naushad.The lyrics, though very simple are beautifully written.This song is definitely going to be loved by those who like ghazals, etc.
2.Ajnabi Thehro Zara-Hariharan, Preeti Uttam:The next song, which comes after the beautiful ghazal is a romantic one.This song is very different from the normal romantic tracks, we listen to, but you will get used to it very easily.This is one such song which anyone can get used to, the moment he listens to it.This song is very original, and not a run-off-the-mill kind of a stuff.The ’tabla’ and ’’jhankaar beats’’ playing in the background sounds excellent.Hariharan sings very well but the one who takes the cake is Preeti Uttam.I wonder why she is not such a popular singer.She has a beautiful voice and sings this song, beautifully.
3.Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha Jab Taj Mahal Dekha-Hariharan, Preeti Uttam:This track looks like more of a theme song, which might be used as a background score in the film.This song describes the feelings of emperor Shah Jehan, when he looks at the ’’Taj Mahal’’.The song says that whenever Shah Jehan looked at the Taj Mahal, it reminded him of Mumtaz Mahal.There are some beautifully penned lyrics, here and this song will be loved by all the music-lovers, especially by the aged listeners.In this track, Hariharan, is the main singer, while we can hear, Preeti Uttam singing a line ’’Dilruba’’, in the background.
4.Tareef-e-Meena-Bazaar (Couplet)-Theme:Alright, this track is not a song, but there are dialogues in it, where the speaker (don`t know whose voice is it, as the speakers` name is not written on the cover), is all praise about the ’’Meena Bazaar’’.The dialogues are very well written, and it will look good, when these dialogues will take place in the film.This track later turns into an instrumental.
5.Ishq Ki Dastaan (qawwali)-Kavita Krishnamurthy, Preeti Uttam:I won`t hesitate to say that this is the best track of this whole album.It is a brilliant song which expresses two opinions about love.The first opinion is that love should be expressed openly and there is no need to hide it.It has been sung beautifully, and the qawwali touch adds more to the beauty of the song.Kavita Krishnamurthy does a wonderful job and she is back in form after a long time.She is the one who sings for the first opinion.Preeti Uttam sings for the second opinion which is that love does not need to be expressed openly and it should remain a secret.I am sure that this song will look beautiful on screen and would be definitely very well choreographed.The song is going to be picturised on its main actress Sonya Jehan, the beautiful grand-daughter of the very popular Pakistani singer Late Noor Jehan and Preeti Uttam will sing for her, where as Kavita Krishnamurty will sing for Kim Sharma.
6.Dilruba Dilruba-Hariharan, Preeti Uttam:This is another romantic song, where the lovers Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal are describing their love for each other.The song looks like a situational one, when the lovers have to part away.You can hear Preeti Uttam singing the line ’’DILRUBAAAAAAA’’, at frequent times.Both the singers do a fantastic job.
7.Yeh Kaun Mujhe Yaad Aaya (Classic)-Ajoy Chakrabarty:This one is a classical song, with beautiful rendering by Ajoy Chakraborty.It looks like a sad and a tragic song and will be loved by the classical music listeners.It has been reported that the song has been picturised on the controversial actress, Negar Khan.
8.Taj Mahal-Crescendo-Hariharan, Preeti Uttam:So, the soundtrack comes to an end, with this track, which is basically, a mixture of the two earlier tracks ’’Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha Jab Taj Mahal Dekha’’ and ’’Dilruba Dilruba’’.This one is a good track, but there is no point in listening to this one, as you have heard it already, in the soundtrack.
ON THE WHOLE:
’’Taj Mahal album’’ is one such album which is ought to be in your music collection, if you like to listen to some meaningful music.If you like those ’’Nadeem-Shravan’’ or ’’Anu Malik’’ kind of songs, then this one is the wrong choice and if you like good music, in its true sense, you cannot afford to miss this one.The music is good, the names associated with this film are good, so let`s hope the film also turns out to be a nice one.This film has been touted as the most expensive film, made in India, ever.It has beautiful sets, beautifully designed costumes and some great action and war sequences so let`s just hope that the film also turns out to be as good as the music.