Here is some food for your thinking brain.What are you going to read is just a comparison between today’s Music directors and then there comparison with the Music directors of old times.
I know this article is not complete , but believe it will take so much of space to write the comparison between the great Music directors produced ny India.
For the last decade, **A R Rahman** has been the best. His understanding of music and sound surpasses anybodyelse’s. Do you remember any Bhajan being composed in films in recent years except Rahman’s **’’O Paalanhaare’’** from *Lagaan*? When did you last hear a Thumri in a film except Rahman’s **’’Chhodon Mori Baiyyan Saiyyan’’** in *Zubeida*? Which other today’s MD (Music Director) could do a song like **’’O Rey Chhori’’** in Lagaan which carries a rural folk flavour with contemporary sound, effortlessly fused with western style vocals of the English heroine. No other Hindi Film MD can compose and conduct a western classical symphony. Despite being from South he has never let his musical knowledge remain limited; he has knowledge of Hindustani Classical, Carnatic Style, Western Classical & world music ranging from Spanish to Brazilian to Persian, etc.
A case in comparison would be Subhash Ghai’s *Taal* and *Yaadein*. Taal, the last masterwork of lyricist Anand Bakshi, had **’’Ishq Bina’’, ’’Taal Se Taal Mila’’, ’’Ramta Jogi’’ & ’’Mere Saamne Hai Tu’’**. What did Yaadein have except Hariharan’s **’’Yaadein Yaad aati Hain’’**... and even that was repetitive and boring. Rest of the songs were cacophony in the name of music. Anu Malik works like some machine operator in an industrial control room. He simply goes around, switching on all of his electronic music gear to run at full throttle with no idea of how to build a tune, what to do in an interlude, etc. Rarely would you hear Indian Classical or Folk Instruments in Anu Malik’s or any other MD’s music whereas Rahman makes liberal use of them.
Subhash Ghai had admitted to finding it very difficult to work with Rahman because he takes a long time to create a song. He would take days to come up with a tune whereas Anu Malik would do it in minutes. But Anu Malik does not know how to take that musical idea forward, in an effective manner. Rahman takes his time to understand what he is doing. That’s why he is able to give it his best.
In 2002, 3 movies were made on Bhagat Singh. Only Raj Kumar Santoshi’s The Legend of Bhagat Singh had memorable music from Rahman. While watching it, you find that the music gels so well with the story. Even a difficult and slow composition like **’’Sarfaroshi Ki Tammana Ab Hamaare Dil Mein Hai’’**, depicting Bhagat Singh and his comrades’ 50 day fast in prison, holds your attention. Notice how this song build and grows from sad to happy, from dull to bright. Sometimes, such efforts go unnoticed because other, more vibrant compositions take centrestage. It’s this sincerity of Rahman, visible in his every little piece of music that I don’t see in anybody else from today’s crop.
Also, notice the background music when watching Lagaan. It is wonderful.
Rahman is also very humble whereas Anu Malik is far from that.
*Shankar, Ehsan & Loy** usually do a good job mainly because of the talented Shankar Mahadevan.
*Vishal-Shekhar** did a good job in *Jhankar Beats*. **Uttam Singh** showed how simple earthy tunes can be appealing in Gadar. He used to be one of the Assistants to R D Burman.
But none can be compared to the greats of the old Hindi Film Music like **Salil Chaudhary, S D Burman, O P Nayyar, Naushad, SJ, LP, Madan Mohan, Roshan, Khayyam and R D Burman**. R D Burman was the last of these geniuses when he passed away in 1994. Even Rahman doesn’t have the wit, spontaenity and sensitivity of R D Burman’s music. R D Burman was like a child in the playground of music. All he ever wanted to do was make music. He never cared about money. He charged very less or nothing at all from producers who could not afford to pay much even if he had to pay the musicians out of his own pocket. After his death in 1994, just a
5 rupee note was found in his safe. He was not just a great musician but a great man as well.
Today’s Hindi music hits are mostly item numbers with thumping beats and Sunidhi Chauhan’s vocals. They have the gear & the technology but not the brains to use them well. The brains which could create...
’’Aayega Aanewala...’’
’’Thandi Hawayen Lehra Ke Aayein...’’
’’Man Tarpat Hari Darshan ko...’’
’’Koi Sone Ke Dilwala...’’
’’Ye Muraadon Ki Haseen Raat Kisse Pesh karoon...’’
’’Din Dhal Jaye...’’
’’Ye Duniya Usiki Zamana Usika...’’
’’Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya...’’
’’Phir Wohi Raat Hai... Phir Wohi Khwaab Ki Raat Hai...’’
’’Yeh Jeevan Hai.. Is Jeevan Ka...’’
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As I said in the begining it wouldn’t be possibble to draw a comparison as time and orther thing are important constraints, But you all can add *thoda thoda*(a bit of your thoughts) in comments section about this.
Till my next
Do keep coming to myspace on MS ™
-Sachien