Delhi 6 Music Review ~*Indeed A Masterpiece*~

I still remember 1992, when I first time heard A R Rahman’s music in trailers of Roja (Dil hai chota Sa) and I was so amazed by the song that I use to listen Vividh Bharti from morning 8.30-10.00 (there was a program where they give trailers of new movies) almost everyday. And when I bought the cassette, I played almost 50 times a day and I have to bring a new cassette within a month. That was my first encounter with the magic RAHMANIA and the magic kept on growing me through Urvashi Urvashi, Kya Kare Kya Na Kare, Tu Hi Re & Kehna hi kya, O bhavare, Hai re Hai re Hai Rabba, Chaiyaan Chaiyaan & Aye Ajnabi, Nahin Saamne Tu, Ek Tu Hi Bharosa, So Gaye Hain, Khamoshiyan gungunane lagi, O Rey Chhori, Desh Mere Des, O Humdum Suniyo Re, Kabhi Neem Neem, Khoon chala, Mayya, Kahin To hogi wo, Tu Meri Dost Hai, Gujarish and this list goes on, on and on. And now the master is back with Delhi-6 and again I was glued to it by the first aired song Masakalli and when I got my hand on the album I was more amazed. Here is my take of the album

Bhor Bhayi: Rahman is known for the use of Indian Raags in his music, be it Kariye na Kariye na (Raag kalian), Rut aa gayi re (Raag puria dhaneshree), Desh mere (Raag desh), Tu hi to (Raag Sri ragam) and recenlt Aye Hairathe (Raag yaman) and now he is back with Bhor Bhayi a song based on Gujri Todi with brilliant use of tabla and harmonium. This song is well supported by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal (with her superb aalaaps) who gave superb classical rendition and never failed to amaze. If you are an Indian classical music lover, this is the song for you.

Masakali: The first aired song of Delhi-6 which holds our attention is indeed a globalized number. Ok well tell me one thing what caught Ur attention first, the music (specially the mouth organ and the superb fusion of Arabic sounds with Latino drum beats) or singing (Mohit Chauhan’s (who already have given a superb Khoon Chala) charmed pastoral raw voice) or it is the Lyrics by Prasoon joshi. This song is a perfect fusion of a wild and free melody which sounds a bit animated and diversely arranged rhythm (ranging from Turkish beats, Arabic drumming with a Latino touch in it (you can feel it in the sound of drums in between) and an inspiring orchestration along with a soulful accordion but still keeps the focus on the vocal expression. And a lyric are quite interesting (Using metaphor of a dove which is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, peace and liberation and aspires to fly high he related brilliantly to a young girls aspiration) but still in place as it suits the mood of song. But the best part of the song is free-style rendition by Mohit especially when it comes to crooning dil ki tammanna, manmaani man maani and the Alaps in between the antaras. Masakali is a fresh, absolutely tuned melody dipped into the preeminent exotic music styles. Wanna relax. Listen to it and you gonna say phur phur phur with it.

Zara pankh jhatak

gayi dhool atak

aur lachak machak ke door bhatak

Ude dagar dagar kasbe koochee

nukkad basti mein (Yai yai)
Etadi se mud, ada se ud

karle poori dil ki tammannaa

Hawa se jud, ada se ud

phur phur phur tu hai heera panna re

Noor: Next track Noor is a small nazm (poem) in the deep baritone Big B who sounds surprisingly young. This poem talks about looking within to find the truth and to love all human being.

Zarre zarre mein usika noor hai

jhaank khud mein woh na tujhse door hai

Ishq hai usse to sabse ishq kar
is ibaadat ka yahi dastoor hai

Aarti Tumhre Bhavan Mein: Do you still remember Aarti that our elders use to sing in our homes (I know now most of us don’t sing aartis)? If know listen to this track which is a tribute to Maa Durga and will surely bring you back to your roots. The best part of this is the superb rendition (by Rekha Bharadwaj, Kishori Gowarikar, Shraddha Pandit and Sujata Majumdar) along with measured glimmer of the sitar, vibrating ghantis and a humming background. A poignant and hypnotic bhajan with a soothing background that will catch your attention whenever you play this track and will sooth your ailing heart.

Genda Phool: Next track Genda Phool (meaning Marigold) is a catchy folk song in rustic voice of Rekha Bharadwaj who is brilliantly supported by Shraddha Pandit and Sujata Mazumdar. This song talks about a newly wedded girl’s view about her sasuraal and her in-laws in Raipur. This will surely get its place in the league of Main toh bhool chali babul ka desh, piya ka ghar pyaara laage. The lyrics were superb with use of typical pastoral words and display beautifully the thoughts of a newly wedded one. In this Rahman and Rajat Dholakiya used some impish beats with the use of synths and techno beats along with traditional dhol and ghungru sounds. But the USP of this song is the eccentric voice of Rekha giving the required rustic feel that will touch your heart. Superb is the word for this one. Rahmaan at his best

Chora babul ka angana, Bhaave deraa piya ka ho

Bushirt pahine khayee ke bida paan

Poore Raipur se alag hai Saiyaan ji ki shaanSasural genda phool

Saiyaan ched dewe Nanad chutki leve Sasural genda phool

Dil Gira Dafatan: Next track Dil Gira Dafatan (Dafatan means all of a sudden) is a soul inspiring melodic magnum opus which left me wordless. Things happen in life all of sudden, we fell in love Dafatan, we miss something Dafatan, we found some thing Dafatan and sometimes we found new meanings of a word Dafatan. This track is crooned by Ash King (to be true, I don’t know this guy) who sounds like Javed Ali (Aditi and Gujarish Fame) and well supported by Chinmayee through her background vocals. Rahman used various western symphonies (Arabic and Turkish) along with use of some string instrument (either Rubaab or Sitar) in this track. Lyrics are amazing but the main USP is heartfelt rendition. Listen this and forget everything….

Dil Gira kahin per da-fatan
Jaane magar ye nayan Teri khamosh zulfon ki gehraiyaan
Hai jahan dil meraa uljha hua hai wahin kho gaya

Tu magar hai bekhabar, hai bekhabar…

Hey Kala Bandar: Well I have nothing much to say on this track except that this track totally belongs to Rahman loaded with techno beats and strong bass along with rap interlude. This track is crooned by Karthik, Naresh, Srinivas, and Bonny Chakravarthy. But still songs fail to leave its impression and will not get its place in league of Pathshaala and Shanno Shanno.

Kasmein to moongfali hain

Jab jee chahe hum khaate

Upar se na na karte Par thaali aage sarkaatey

Rehna Tu: Rahman’s album and till now no song in his voice??? Ok don’t get upset, here comes the maestro with Rehna Tu, an idyllic and tranquil masterpiece which has capacity to hold your attention and will tenderly grow on you. This song truly belongs to Rahman not only because of his superb rendition along with Benny Dayal but also because of the tranquility of the music where he used a wide range of sounds starting from modern techno beats to the soft Arabic tunes but still all the sound mixed and absorb into one soft tune that will surely leave you breathless specially the closing music with some wind instrument. Kudos to Prasoon for giving heart touching lyrics which talks about unconditional love. Listen to this track and I am sure every time you will find yourself related to this…

Tujhe badalna na chaahoon, Ratti bhar bhi sanam

Bina sajaawat milaawat,Na jyaada na hi kam

Tujhe chaahon jaisa hai tu

Mujhe teri baarish mein bheegna hai ghul jaana hai

Tujhe chaahon jaisa hai tu

Mujhe teri lapat mein jalna raakh ho jaana ha.

Delhi 6: Title track Delhi 6 (better to call Dilli 6) is dedicated to Dilwalo ki dilli and talks about delhites jo Kabhi pyaar mein gali bhi deta, Kabhi gali mein pyaar bhi hota hai aur jahan Ankhon ki tara bhi yahan pyaar mein bilkul khota hai. This song is crooned by Benny Dayal, Vivinenne Pocha, Tanvi, Blaaze and Claire and is filled with attitude, and panache. Here Rahman used vibrating synths, acoustic guitar in this number to support high-octane vocals crooning the lyrics by Vivinenne Pocha and Claire. I am now waiting for its video.

Arziyaan: Arziyaan is a devotional qawalli track which reminds me of Piya Haji Ali (fiza) and Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodha Akbar). This track is crooned by Javed Ali (in surprisingly different voice) and Kailash Kher. Here Rahman beautifully used tabla, harmonium, hand clapping and a soft guitar background to merger with tranquil lyrics to produce an expressively invigorating tune. But the main USP of the track is chemistry between Javed and Kailash which will keep you hooked to it in spite of its length and will sooth your heart.

Mein Bhatakta Jata Tha, Reshmi Si Maya Thi
Aur Mein Takta Jata Tha
Jab Teri Gali Aaya, Sach Tabhi Nazar Aaya
Mujhe Mein Woh Khusboo Thi, Jisse Tune Milwaya

My take: Bollywood has now started producing make album according to the theme of movies e.g music of Rock On, Razz-TMC (where almost all the song has scary feel related to it), Luck by Chance (almost all songs talking about hope in life) and Delhi-6 will come in that category too. Delhi-6 music has been created keeping the plot of the movie be it Masakalli (featuring Dove but symbolizing a free Sonam), Delhi-6 giving a glimpse of Delhi life and its attitude, Arziyaan- with Jama-Masjid in background and Noor giving idea of communal harmony, Aarti giving feel of our own home and chattarpur temple, Dil gira Dafatan and Rehna tu- talks about an unconditional love (between a American and an Indian girl), Genda Phool and classically enlightened ambiance of Bhor bhaye giving glimpse of Indian tradition. Overall, acoustic brilliance of Delhi-6 soundtrack with 10 OSTs will keep you glued to it and will cover you in the magic known as Rahmania.

My Favorites
1. Rehna Tu, Dil Gara Dafatan and Aarti
2. Masakalli, Genda Phool, Arziyaan and Delhi 6
3. Bhor bhayi, Noor, Kala Bandar

~*StRaIgHt FrOm HeArT*~

From a long time, i was trying to write something, something that can speak out my heart but was not able to write and all of sudden while i was listening Rehna Tu jaise hai Tu (from Delhi-6) and then i knew what i have to write.....

For all the times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful for you...

You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through
through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all.....

I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
" I'm Everything I Am"

Because You Loved Me

~*~ExCeLLeNt BuT NoT ByChAnCe~*~

The trio who thrilled Indian Music Industry in 2008 are back again with a new Movie

“Luck By Chance”..

You got it right; I am taking about SEL (Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa), Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The trio has always engrossed the music lovers all over the world with their music, starting from their first pair up in Dil Chahata Hai and the same trend followed in Lakshya, Don-The Chase Begin and Rock On. The best thing with this team is that never feel shy to experiment be it putting the remix of legendry ye mera Dil in Don or giving the center stage to Farhan as a singer and an actor in Rock On.

And now they are coming together for Farhan Akhtar’s sister Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut Luck By Chance which also has a fabulous star cast (Konkana Sen, Juhi Chawla, Hrithik, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Dimple, Isha Sharvani etc). This album was released on 30th Dec (may be the last album of year) and the music is composed by SEL and the lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Here is my take of their latest musical bonanza!

1. Yeh Zindagi Bhi: The first Track Yeh Zindagi Bhi is crooned by Loy Mendonsa (surprised? Listen to his voice and you will be more surprised) and Shekhar Ravjiani (Sekhar of Vishal Shekhar composer duo who has given voice for Dostana, Bachna Ae Haseeno, tashan, Cash etc.). The song has a bassy start with a cool drum beats and then Loy and Shekhar holds the center stage to leave you breathless with their rendition. The best thing about this song is its philosophical lyrics giving insight of life’s bliss, dreams, optimisms and quietude.

Yeh zindagi bhi kitni baatein keh jati hai, Ek seedhi saadhi baat mein
Yeh zindagi bhi kyun itne khwaab sajati hai, Har suni suni raat mein
Khawabon mein koi armaan hai, Poocho dil se armaan kya hai
Muskil hai ya woh aasaan hai, sun lo dil to yeh kehta hai
Choone hai Taare ise, Chahiye Saaare ise

Now coming to the music part, brilliant use of soft synthesizers, cowed drums, guitar, soulful Piano (by Loy) and use of elegant and uplifting chorus added the needed charm to the lyrics. Tired of hustle-bustle of life, play this on ur headphone and you will forget everything. Awesome song..

2. Baware: Next track Baware starts with an alaap giving you the feeling that this track is going to be a pure classical one but then comes in mastt dholak, dhol and tabla beats, hand clapping, along with typical Rajasthani folk rendition and after 3 minutes the song changes its pace to a complete techno/modern music with traditional Alaaps in the backdrop. The chemistry between Shankar and Loy (especially while singing the sufiana part) is awesome, the way they handled this unique track (indeed a good fusion of qawalli, traditional and filmy). Though this track belongs to Shankar but Ila Arun and the Khan group’s performance in the classical part is equally brilliant. Lyrics have a diverse feeling and when it combined with various traditional instruments and superb singing, makes this song a beautiful track.

tere nain katore jaise

dilkhaaye hilkore jaise

main ab tere hi gungaan gaoon,

dil khoya ab khona kya hai

hona hai toh hona kya hai

beete hai jo mujhpe kya bataoon.

Baware remix: This is Baware highly loaded with heavy techno beats, extra bass and high tempo. Nice remix but I will go for the original version.

3. Pyaar Ki Daastaan: Third track Pyaar Ki Daastan is a quintessential love ballad with thrilling display of piano by Loy Mendosa and is crooned by mellifluous Amit Paul and endowed but rarely heard Mahalaxami Iyer. This is a typical SEL number (you will feel the touch of JBJ’s bol na halke halke) with mesmerizing piano background (to maintain the feel of love), Dholak Beats (to maintain the pace) and marvelous string arrangements. Nice song elucidating the feeling of love.

Mehki si hai tanhaie, Rut hai jaise alsai
Ho dil mein lete hai armaan, Angdai par angdai
Thodi si to rakho humse duri, kyon kahani rahe yeh adhuri
Sab to kehna nahi hai zaruri, Isiliye milke bhi milne ki pyaas hai
Isiliye pyaar ko kal ki bhi aas hai, Isiliye… toh haseen Lagti dooriyan

4. Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya: Next track Yeh Aaj opens with guitar and keyboard beats along with percussion instruments and then Sunidhi holds the center stage to give voice to this soft situational track which talks about a optimistic outlook and a gritty demeanor. The best part of this track is the background drum percussion along with guitar inputs and chorus part. Lyrics are quite good and hummable. A nice song

Din Yuhi Badlane Ko Hai, Zindagi Sawarein Ko Hai
Jane Kyon Yeh Mujhko Hai Laga, Lachki Hai Jo Dil Ki Daali
Kaliyan Abb Hai Khilne Wali, Huale Haule Paas Aake
Dheme Se Gaayen Hawaein, Jaane Yeh Sab Kya Hai Jo Bhi Hai Naya Sa Hai,
Pairon Tale Dil Kho Gaya, Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya..

5. Sapno se bhare naina: This was the track that holds my attention from its starting. Song starts with guitar beats and then Shankar pitches in with his deep voice. This song is based on Raag Bhairavi and Shankar gave his best in this song which talks about the passionate dreams that he/she sees for his/her life and about reality of life. Javed Sahab has given superb lyrics

Door Se Hi Sagar Jise Har Koi Maane,

Pani Hai Woh Ya Reth Hai Yeh Kaun Jaane
Jaise Ke Din Se Rain Alag Hai

Sukh Hai Alag Hai Aur Chain Alag Hai
Per Yeh Jo Dekhe Woh Nain Alag Hai

Chain To Hai Apna Sukh Hai Paraye
Sapno Se Bhare Naina

To Neend Hai Na Chaina.

The best thing about this song is Shankar's adroit choral set alongside wicked trance music in form of cavernous drum and base cadence track, which is mesmerizing, rhythmic and have club feel along with.

6. O Rahi Re: The last OST O rahi Re is a semi Sufi-classical, thought provoking number that dwells on the unsure state of mind and is backed by acoustic guitar and classical string based instrument (I think it is sitar). Lyrics are amazing (or will say the best of album) and what create the magic with amazing music is Shankar Mahadevan’s controlled immaculate vocals. Hear it a couple of time, it will grow on you. Superb…

ik raasta kaanton ka hai, ik raasta phool ka
tujhpe hai kaun se, tu raaste ko chune
ik raasta hai soch ka, ik raasta bhool ka
tujhpe hai tera dil, ab kya kahe kya sune
hoga tera hi yeh faisla, hai sochna ya bhoolna
bol tera hai kaunsa rastaarahi re o rahi re
kisi ko nahi hai pata

My Take: After Giving ROCK ON, SEL is back with, LUCK BY CHANCE, which is going to be the in the list of best albums of 2009 for sure. LUCK BY CHANCE, brilliantly showcases the brilliant endeavor of SEL, their outstanding flair (be it use of soulful guitar in Yeh Zindagi bhi or fusion of rajasthani folk music with modern techno music in Baware), their miscellany (check out the slow smoothing Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya and Raag Bhairavi based Sapno se Bhare Naina) and their ability to do experiments (giving center stage to Loy). This album indeed has an inimitable savor and an eccentric style which will surely gonna win our hearts. I will give 4**** out of Five. Go grab your copy and you will not be disappointed.

My Favorites:
1. Ye Zindagi bhi
2. Sapno se bhare naina
3. O Rahi Re

~RaAz-2 The MyStErY CoNtInUeS~

After giving critically acclaimed movies like Kalyug, Woh Lamhe and Awarapan,Mohit Suri is back with his next venture Raaz-The Mystery Continues starring Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut. Initially the movie was said to be sequel of 2002 super hit Raaz but now it’s clear that it is not a sequel.

Now coming to the Music, the music of Raaz-TMC was supposed to give by Nadeem-Sharavan who gave the music for Raaz but later on they were replaced by Pritam, who again was replaced by some newcomers as Raju Singh, Pranay M. Rijia, Sharib-Toshi and Gourav Dasgupta. Movies by Vishesh Films, mostly has been good on the musical part (be it Naaraz (1993) or Sangharsh (1999) or Raaz (2002) or Murder (2004) or Wo lamhe (2006) or Jannat (2008) so hopes were higher from the movie Raaz-TMC. The lyrics of the album are by Sayeed Quadri, Kumaar and an unkown lyricist (??). Here is my take on music of music of Raaz-TMC.

1.Maahi Ve: The album opens with Maahi ve track showing love filled with pain in the intense voice of Muhammad Ovez Sabri aka Toshi (who? Singer from reality show Amul Star Voice of India, Ustaadon ke Ustaad and Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar). This music is also by duo Toshi and Sharib sabri (who are brothers). This song shows a perfect blend of fervent and furious passion along with a fine blend of Indian and Western instruments that will surely keep on growing on repeated hearings. Lyrics are by Sayeed Quadri and are good enough to show the pain of love. In this song, Toshi brilliantly showed his range as a singer by ardently conveying the edginess of a provoked soul and discerning aficionado and pain of wait for togetherness can easily be felt in his voice. Worth listening.

“Tujhe milke lagaa hai yeh,

tujhe dhundh raha tha main

tujh me he kuch aise subah sa

iski khaatir main tha jaga saaa

tu mere khwab sajaa ja re

maahi aajaa re maahi aajaa re”

Rock with me: This track was created keeping club goers using high pitched thrilling singing and scorching synthesizer through out the song. But somehow the original version was a better track.

2. Soniyo: Next track starts with Neeraj Shridhar’s quixotic lines “Baby come stand by my side, come and be my guiding light, I will be what you want me to be, I will give all my love in whole of my life” and then Sonu Niigaam (was this suggested by some numerologist) and Shreya holds the center stage to take you to the mundane feeling of love and togetherness. The lyrics of this mushy song are by Kumaar, (known for Maa Da Laadla from Dostana) and music by Raju Singh (known for music in page 3, Ishq Visik, Kalyug and Tum yaad aaye) is just sufficient enough to maintain the mood of this love song. But will surely not last for long

“Tumhein dekhta hoon to sohcta hoon bas yehi,

tum jo.. mera saath do..

sare gum bhola ke jee lu muskuraake zindagi

tu dede mera saath thaam le haath

chahe jo bhi ho baat tu bas de de mera saath”

Soniyo (from the Heart): This is unplugged version of track and this soft quixotic number is sung by Krishna (known for remix version of Aap ki kashish and subsequent brawl with Himesh, Rabba(Musafir), Main Jahan Rahoon (Namastey London) and Maula Mere (Chuk De India). This number is better than the parent one cos of rawness of Krishna’s voice and the haunting feelings attached to it. Worth listening..

3. O Jaana: Next track O Jaana is crooned by Krishna Kumar Menon aka Kay Kay or KK. This number has all the qualities that a number needs to get its place in the playlist of clubs and who other than KK can be relied for such types of songs (be it Kya yahi pyaar hai-Wo lamhe or Zara Sa-Jannat). The lyrics by Sayeed Quadri are not that deep but what holds the center stage is the music by Raju Singh and singing by KK that will keep you with the song.

“Main Vahaa Jahaa Pe Tu He,

Mera Ishq To Junoon He..O Jaanaa. O Jaanaa.”

O Jaana (Dance with Me): Want to move your body? Here is the track which will force you to shake your legs. Remixed by DJ Suketu with extra retro and funky arrangement along with vibrating background vocals,this cadenced number with western touches and electronically punched beat patterns which surely will find its audience in youngsters.

4. Kaisa yeh raaz hai: The next track Kaisa yeh raaz hai is a lingering and slow song that can be the movie’s narrative. This song is written by Sayeed Quadri and is crooned by KK in creepy undertone and reminiscent deep voice giving it a haunting feeling. This haunting orchestra driven song is composed by Pranay M Rijia. This song belongs to KK who have always proved his worth be it a feisty one (O Jaana) or a contemplative song like this one. Will work in movie…

5. Banda Re: The album ends with devotional kind of song with a message that god is in side the human being not in temple and mosque. The best part of this song is its lyrics (lyricist unknown) and Krishna raucously singing where he gives his voice to some of Kabir’s eternal doggerels that are mixed with celestial Bhagvad Gita shlokas to show out the valor of ultimate supremacy over evil forces.

“Mauko kahan dhoondhe re bande

main to tere paas menaa teerath me naa moorat me

naaa ekaant niwaas me o..naaa mandir me naaa masjid me

naaa kaabe kailaash meMain to tere paas me bande.

Main to tere paas me. bandaa re”

In this Semi-classical-sufi track, Gourov Dasgupta (Dus Kahaniyaan fame) has brilliantly fused Indian classical with sufi-flavors. Will surely work in movie…

My take: Vishesh Film or better to say Bhatt’s are always known for the music starting from Naraaz to Jannat, and here too they didn’t fail to give the impression what they had made. This time in place of giving chances to a famous music director or any band or any singer across the border, they relied on newbie’s as Pranay M. Rijia, Sharib-Toshi and Gourav Dasgupta and they didn’t fail to show a range of emotions and caliber in their melodious work and able to produce an album that is worth listening and will surely make its strong presence on the marquee, though few songs might need repeat hearing to grow on you. I will give 3 out of 5 stars.

Songs I liked:

1.Maahi ve

2.O Jaana (Dance with Me)

3.Soniyo (from the Heart)