The Growing Up Diaries
AR Rahman tells Lalitha Suhasini he feels recharged with Mangal Pandey
The Indian Express
HE describes his last three scores for Swades, Kisna and Netaji Subhash Chandra
Bose: The
Forgotten Hero as a giant leap. They werent 50 per cent samplers, says AR
Rahman, They
were 80-90 per cent raag-based, and I got a chance to grow. The Czech film
orchestra (in Bose)
was also one such instance.
His latest compositions for yet another epic Mangal Pandey: The Rising take
time to work their
magic. Mangal Mangal doesnt leave you as elated as the Lagaan numbers did,
though singer
Kailash Kher loses himself in the track, reaching some unknown place within
himself. Its a
mix of an abhang (devotional song) and an aalhaa, and it changes colour through
the film,
says director Ketan Mehta.
Advertisement
An aalhaa is a folk-style rendition (popular in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
and Rajasthan),
traditionally used to rouse the warrior spirit. The song plays the role of a
sutradhaar
(narrator) and appears at various points of the film, explains lyricist Javed
Akhtar. So,
there are three variations (there were four to start with). Our favourite is
the Aatma version,
with Sukhwinder Singh and Kher.
Main Vari Vari is a superb mujra, with a jhalak of Bombays Kehna Hai Kya, and
Kavita
Krishnamurthy has never sounded sweeter. We were struggling with this mujra
based on a
thumri, says Mehta of his favourite pick. The Chennai-based composer says the
change in the
lyrics proved challenging. Initially, Main Vari Vari was Mujhe Maro Maro,
Mujhe Maro Na, he
says. Since Devdas had Maar Daala, I suggested the lyrics be changed.
The much talked about Holi Re, with Aamir Khans vocals, has good pickup, the
usual festive
euphoria and meanders into a 60s strain in the line Rang ki hai ghata, man
jhoom utha.
The sexy, Spanish-flavoured Rasiya brings in Richa Sharma whose vocals throw up
an image of a
voluptuous village belle. The percussion and string section bring back the
sound of Chanda Re
from Sapnay.
Al Maddath Maula is another experiment (a la Zikr in Bose). Rahman has an
affinity to Sufi and
spiritual numbers and, not surprisingly, he sings for this one too.
None of these might eventually be commercial hits. In a way, it does affect
me, admits
Rahman. I know people feel the void due to the lack of fast-paced shows.
Why havent we heard another album of chartbusters like, say, a Taal, a
Rangeela or even a Yuva
from the biggest name in Indian music? There are two young films coming up,
he says, listing
director Rajiv Menon and scriptwriter Abbas Tyrewalas upcoming ventures. And
adds that Rang De
Basanti also has some peppy tunes.
Mangal Pandey is a curiosity pick or an album for Rahman fansthe masses may
not rise to the
occasion this time around.
But theres good news for those who love it. Look out for a CD of the films
background music,
due out next month. For Bose, we had it all in one, says Rahman. It was
all mixed up like sambhar.
"We neglect our cities at our peril. For, in neglecting them, we neglect the
nation."
-John F. Kennedy
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
<font face=arial size=-1><a
href="http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12h4ba6ld/M=362335.6886442.7839733.3022183/D=grplch/S=1705331874:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1122782650/A=2894366/R=0/SIG=138c78jl6/*http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/arts_culture/?source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=http://groups.yahoo.com/";>What
would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or volunteer
in the arts today at Network for Good</a>.</font>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
This August, Discover the Birth of Your Independence
and The Magic of A.R.Rahman's Music in
Mangal Pandey - The Rising
http://www.risingthefilm.com
http://www.mangalpandeythefilm.com
Music released: Jul 14, 2005 Movie releases: Aug 12, 2005
Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic.
Only at arrahmanfans - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community.
Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com
Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arrahmanfans/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
