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Music Review: Jodha Akbar
Film: Jodha Akbar
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Music: A.R.Rahman
Azeem –O-Shaan-Shahenshah:
This
opening song of the album sets the tone for what is to come. With
grandeur written all over it, if you let your imagination play, you’ll
find yourself amidst the crowds in the era, saluting the Mughal
Emperor! The chan-chan female chorus interludes, and the brass and
rhythm sections stand out. The dheem-thom-thanana remind you a little
of the piranthom-iranthom part in the Ellapugazhum song in ATM. I’m
waiting to watch this song on the big screen!
In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein:
A
lilting melody is what the Tamil industry is yearning for, from you
Mr.Rahman. And Ashutosh Gowarikar walks away with this one! And 3 more!
Again
the western classical backing blends mellifluously well with the
Hindustani classical vocal chorus and sitar. When the credits read Sonu
Nigam and Madhushree, you know what to expect. You are not least let
down! The ebb and flow of the song leaves you listening to it again and
again…
Jashn-E-Bahara:
You
almost mistake Javed Ali’s voice for Sonu Nigam’s in the first few
lines of the song. Only as the song progresses do you realize it is
actually different. Yet another excellent find by the maestro! The
phrasing of words in this song gives you a feeling of deja-vu. Listen a
few more times, and that feeling is gone, as you discover many aural
pleasantries intricately woven into the apparently common basic tune.
In typical Rahman style, this song grows on you with repeated
listening. I’m still discovering!
Khwaja Mere Khwaja:
It
seems to have become routine for a Quawali in every Hindi album that
Rahman does these days. But hey, no one’s complaining! The average
listener might draw a parallel with songs like Piya Haji Ali or Tere
Bina. Listening to these kind of compositions, you realize the devotion
with which he composes. I’ve always held Noor-un-Ala(Meenaxi) as his
best Quawali till date. I still stand by that, but this song comes
close to the top! It would be a gross understatement to say Rahman and
his co-singers in this song have sung superbly well! With typical
Quawali elements including the tabla, harmonium and the characteristic
claps, and the Rahman stamp provided by some wonderful strings, bass
and an instrument that I reckon is an Oboe, this song leaves you
mesmerised!
Mann Mohana:
Speaking
of devotion, we all know Ashutosh Gowarikar can’t do without a bhajan
on Krishna or Rama in his films. With Man Mohana, its Lord Krishna
again. This song takes me back to the good old days when I used to
listen only to Piya
Ho(Water)
throughout the day! Another wonderful melody that grows on you… leaves
you thanking Rahman and Ashutosh for this album! The flute compliments
excellently, Bela Shende’s voice, which I have run out of adjectives to
describe, lest I sound redundant!
Jashn-E-Bahara Instrumental (Flute):
Remove
the vocals from Jashn-E-Bahara, and add a flute instead, and you get
this song. The flute is one of my most favorite instruments, and so I
love this version!
Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Oboe):
If
I’m right, this is the Oboe version of Khwaja… This 2-odd minutes
version, with beautiful western classical arrangements. sounds rather
melancholic. Again, an experience that might be more enriching while
watching the movie
Overall, an
excellent album from the Mozart of Asia, after a rather disappointing
Azhagiya Tamil Magan. I wouldn’t put it among Rahman’s best just as
yet, for I haven’t heard it enough to let it sink in completely. But my
intuition says this is one album I’m going to love in the long run!
