As I reached the shop on Saturday and looked at the CD, I loved the green colour in the front of the CD cover and the beautiful portrait of Hrithik and Aishwarya, along with the golden sun and the army in the background. As I paid the money for the CD, the person at the billing counter told me, ‘Excellentaa poatturkaar! Songs ellaam super!‘ I broke into a big smile. After all, when have I not been happy on hearing someone praise Rahman’s music? 😉
If I found the CD cover on the outside to be beautiful, the portraits of Hrithik and Aishwarya on the inside were even more stunning! What beautiful costumes, accessories and dark, deep, rich colours! I loved the stills from the movie on the lyrics book too. The one word that came to my mind on seeing the colours and the costumes was – GRAND – and that’s how the music is!
Before listening to the songs, I wanted to check out what was on the DVD and I was disappointed by what I saw. Couldn’t the DVD have had atleast all the trailers and stills from the movie? Anyway as my sister said, we got one more beautiful still from the movie on the CD cover because of this DVD. 😉
Moving on to the music, well, what can I say? First Lagaan, then Swades and now, Jodha Akbar – each and every song in all the three movies are brilliant compositions by Rahman! We can now confidently say that A.R.Rahman – Ashutosh Gowariker is a combination to look out for like A.R.Rahman-Mani Ratnam. 🙂
Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah – Mohammed Aslam, Bony Chakravarthy & Chorus
After seeing the stills of Aishwarya and Hrithik in royal costumes, listening to this song immediately, I was in awe of how brilliantly Rahman has captured the greatness and grandeur of the Mughal king and the era in his music! This is the song that I liked instantly. I loved the chorus going chan chana nana and the way the female voices join the male voices and the male voices with the female in the second part of the song, in a beautiful humming (is the beginning of the humming at around 2 min in Darbari?). With the wonderful beats throughout the song, this song becomes an aural treat. There is a line in this song about the greatness of Akbar – Jitna kahe hum, utna kam hai – I say the same about this song and the greatness of Rahman’s music! 😀
Jashn-E-Bahaaraa – Javed Ali
This is a soft, lovely song that is completely in contrast to Azeem-O-Shaan. When I listened to this song first in the trailer, I didn’t like Javed Ali’s voice that much. Now, after listening to the full song so many times, my opinion has changed and I find his voice so well suited for this song.
Jashn-E-Bahaaraa (Instrumental – Flute)
I love the flute. I am so happy that Rahman chose to release the instrumental version of the full song. If you liked the lyrics of Jashn-E-Bahaara and felt that you were able to relate to the mood of the song all the more because of the lyrics and the rendition of it by Javed Ali, then listen to this one that is sans lyrics. Don’t you experience the magic of Rahman’s music right away? 🙂 With music like this one, you need no lyrics.
Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein – Sonu Nigam & Madhushree
Saathiya, Do Kadam, Des Ki Mitti, Kismat Se Tum – Rahman’s songs sung by Sonu Nigam that are my favourites. This one too has now got added to the list. Sonu Nigam’s voice always adds more beauty to a song, however good or bad it might be. The song starts with Sonu Nigam singing it so softly with soft beats and instruments in the background. You get completely immersed in it when all of a sudden you hear the chorus singing accompanied by some amazing percussion and then there is Sonu again! Wow! I loved the interlude between Sonu Nigam’s and Madhushree’s part. As Madhushree starts singing, I noticed that the lyrics didn’t have any (or many?) Urdu words. Since Jodha was a Rajput, there is no Urdu? If Madhushree’s voice sounded sweet when she sings those beautiful lines, what can you say about the part sung by Sonu Nigam that follows?!
Mere khwaabon ke iss gulistaan mein,
Tumse hee toh bahaar chhaayi hai,
Phoolon mein rang mere the lekin,
Inn mein Khushboo tumhee se aayi hain
I love these lines. Rahman’s music, Sonu Nigam’s voice or Javed Akhtar’s lyrics? You can’t pinpoint on one of these and say this is what makes these lines sound so lovely! 🙂 I wouldn’t have minded if the song had ended right there but we are treated to the chorus and Sonu Nigam’s voice once again and by the time the song ends, I just can’t have enough of it and end up listening to the song in a loop. 😀
Mann Mohanaa – Bela Shende
Like many others, I too initially didn’t like this song that much and felt it to be too sad and too long. But it always takes time for me to like such songs. And then I listened to it with full attention. There is tabla, there is some string instrument playing in the background, flute comes here and there and at one such instance, Bela’s voice follows it with the words, Bansi ban jaaungi – beautiful! My Urdu is poor compared to my Hindi. This is the only song in the movie that doesn’t use too much of Urdu & that was a plus point for me since I was able to enjoy the lyrics all the more & appreciate the intensity of devotion brought out by Bela’s voice and how well she has sung it with all the emotion needed for it. Now after so many listening, the opening lines are the only ones that I find a bit boring and I love every other part of the song.
Khwaja Mere Khwaja – A R Rahman
This was the song that I was waiting to listen to. If the 30-second trailer made me want to listen to it again and again and made me excitedly wait to listen to the full song soon, the nearly 7-minute full song has got me completely hooked to it. These days, A.R.Rahman – the singer, never fails to amaze me. If 2006 saw me bowled over by the way he had sung New York Nagaram and Jaage Hain, it was Athiradee in 2007 and this year this one – A very soulful rendition by Rahman. What I like in this song is that there is no voice other than Rahman’s in this. The rhythmic beats, Rahman singing swaras and humming here and there, the emotion with which he sings Khwajaji! Mind blowing! This one is a song to listen to when you want to be with just peace!
Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Instrumental – Oboe)
There couldn’t have been a better ending to a wonderful music album! Every minute of it had me mesmerized! Somehow the way this one started reminded me of the opening piano music in Thendrale, that comes in the background too in that song.
Thanks for such an excellent music album, Rahman! 🙂 Looking forward to more and more wonderful creations from A.R.Rahman, Ashutosh Gowariker & Javed Akhtar!
was jus wondering why Joda akbar isnt here yet ..
shahen shah is ma fav song.
Wow Aparna. Your best music album review so far. Take a bow.
very good review Aparna. My fav is Jashn – E – Bahaara Instrumental version and also the song . heard it more than 100 times in a loop. Keep writing.
good one!
Aparna,
Very nice review.. I liked the part where you relate ARR for the following lines.
“Jitna kahe hum, utna kam hai”
Cheers,
Siraj
Good review. Really enjoyed reading it. My favorite as of now is Man Mohana and the sitar(?) part in Jashn-e-bahara
well written aparna.. enjoy ARRs music always.. ARR rules
Wat an album… Man mohana is one of those brilliant songs and the way he has managed to tweak in that first interlude of a stunning orchestral arrangement into a devotional song… just as if only he can do it although he is the only one who can!! : )
Goosebumps… period!
Next the Madhushree piece in In Lamhon song… one of his best composition in terms of flow….. following by Sonu’s solo and then that heavy cresendo of chorus!!
Goosebumps again and pure ecstasy!
I am speechless 😉
Very neat review. I agree without lyrics “Jashn-E-Bahaaraa” instrumentation tops in the list. Hope so he’ll continue his best this year on the remaining films too this year.
Aravind,
🙂
Puranjoy,
Thanks!
Vithur, Parthi, Siraj, Thulasiram,
Welcome to my blog 🙂 Thank you! Keep enjoying Rahman’s music!
F e r r a r i,
Thank you 🙂
Sriram,
Yes Goosebumps it is!
>just as if only he can do it although he is the only one who can!!
🙂 Good one!
Sivaraman,
Thanks! Yeah. With so many films lined up for release this year, I am sure we are all going to be treated to a lot of brilliant gems from ARR!
So at last a post and what a post to start with 🙂
Yes truly a hatrick for all Rahmanics from Ashutosh-ARR combo.
My fav is as always Thalaivar’s song ‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’. Excellent in all ways.
Did you notice the chorus for the qawali?? I guess its just Rahman’s voice at diff levels.wow..a true genius at work.
I was expecting this post for the past 1 week. nice inga. nice inga. 🙂 Presently i am hooked with Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein & Jashn-E-Bahaaraa 🙂
Hey Aparna,
Thanks for the post.
Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah and Khwaja Mere Khwaja are really awesome….
-Rukesh
Girish,
🙂
Yeah it’s just Rahman’s voice alone! Super!!
Adiya,
Thank you 🙂 Am now hooked to Jashn-E-Bahaaraa instru version
Rukesh,
🙂 Yes..
Good review Aparna. JA is a album to possess.
I browsed your blog for the first time and realised you have a very good ears and sense for music.
Rgds… Vijay
Aparna,
Nice review.
i’m a regular visitor to your blog.
Another ARR single has been released for the Indian version of the movie”The Message”
as Al-Risalah.The song Marhabha mustapha is a slow reflective qawwali.Just felt its my duty:-) to pass this message to other Rahmaniacs.
KK
travelling around for work..;( is there any site, i can get my ears to this movie songs..!! do you know?
Vijay,
Welcome to my blog! Thank you.
KK,
Belated welcome to my blog 🙂
Thanks.
I know about the release of Al-Risalah but am yet to hear it 🙁
Yuva,
Nope. But I guess it should be there on musicindiaonline or raaga
Dear,Friend
Jodhaa-Akbar is a forthcoming period film, to be released in 2008. It is being directed and produced by Ashutosh
Gowariker, the director of Oscar-nominated Lagaan.The film centers around the romance between the Muslim
Mughal Emperor.
Please visit for more detail
http://desidirectory.com/desi-indian-blogs/
Hi Aparna,
I’m a great fan of music. I listen to carnatic,hindustani and western classical music although i’m not very knowledgable. i’m a huge fan of ilayaraja and A.R.rehman(Not many people like both of them u know!!) . Just have one question for you :who is better? I reckon that superior(far??) orchestral abilities and greater grasp of the carnatic ragas give raaja the edge. P.S : i’m dying to listen to jodha akbar and ur review is pretty good. Did you read bharadwaj rangan’s review of the album in sunday’s indian express magazine?
Rehan,
Welcome to my blog!
Vasu,
Welcome to my blog!
>who is better?
Why should we compare the two of them? The music that Rahman gives and Ilaiyaraja gave are totally different from each other. I too like both IR and ARR. But Rahman is my favourite. That’s all. No comparisons 🙂
Thanks. Yes I read Bharadwaj’s review.
Great review – But I wouldn’t equate Rahman – Ashutosh with Rahman – Mani Rathnam or Rahman – Shankar… Jodha Akbar is a good album but not his best (I have to watch out as I said the same thing about Sivaji :))
I guess we’ll also have to wait for the film to see the music gel with the images… But although Jashne and Khwaja are great, Khwaja pales in comparison to Tere Bina… Lamhon is also melodious, but I think theres something missing – Dont get me wrong here its miles above any other album in the recent past, but definitely rated as “Good” by his standards…
Azeem – o – Shaan is the song I liked the most – Powerful and representative of the era!
Hi Aparna,
You are very correct. Both ARR and IR great in their own ways. I also have great respect for old masters like S.D.Burman, R.DBurman , K.V.Mahadevan, G.Ramanadhan, MSV-TKR etc. I took a instant liking to Rehman’s music. Roja is a milestone in the history of indian film music. The “Sound” was unique and new. Although i like a vast majority of his compositions, the three songs that i like the most are
1) ‘Theendai mei Theendai..’ (Film-En swasa kaatre;singers:S.P.B and Chitra. I like the song for its explicit carnatic feel)
2) ‘Endhen vaanil kaayum nilave'( Film:kaadhal virus’ ;Singers:S.P.B and swarnalatha. Soul stirring melody with ghazalish feel)
3) ‘Kulirudhu Kuliridhu(Film:Taj mahal;Singers: Unni krishnan and swarnalatha. Beautiful melody with awesome interludes)
Will Keep coming back to your BLOG.
Vasu.
Bharath,
Thank you 🙂
>I have to watch out as I said the same thing about Sivaji 🙂
Oh opinion changed now? 🙂
I am waiting to see how the songs are picturized too.
Khwaja being compared with Tere Bina? Why is that?
>Powerful and representative of the era!
Exactly! This was the song that I liked the most when I heard all the songs the first time.
Let’s see what you have to say about the songs since you yourself think that your opinion might change 😉
Btw, when your airlines acquired the rights for screening Sivaji, was the Bharath who was mentioned in all the newspapers, you? Wanted to ask you at that time itself but I somehow forgot.
Vasu,
I like the music of old masters too.
The last two songs that you have mentioned won’t feature in my most fav ARR’s songs 🙂
>Will Keep coming back to your BLOG.
Thanks!
Hi Aparna,
Do you know that S.P.B has also sung for A.R.Rehman’s father Sekhar? Rehman was a paid a mere Rs.25,000 for Roja. Interesting trivia.
Vasu,
I didn’t know the first trivia alone. Thanks.
Going to watch the movie tomorrow, but a lot of reviews have said that the visuals dont do justice to the grandeur of the songs, unlike how Mani Rathnam does…
Nope heard the music a lot more but not as addictive as Guru or Sivaji… Compared Khwaja to Tere Bina because (sacrilege!!) you forgot to mention that song as one of the best of 2007!
Very roughly I would slot Rahmans recent albums (recent 5 years) into the Guru/Taj Mahal types which are artistically brilliant, Yuva/Boys/RDB/Sivaji as the popular brilliant ones and Sillunu/ATM etc… Swades and Jodhaa Akbar I would say rank between category 2 and 3… Which reminds me – How come no post on the Taj Mahal songs? Or have I missed it? Taj Mahal is one album of Rahmans (I can only remember a few others – Dil Se, Kandukonden, Boys and Yuva) which has appealed to me from the first hearing!
Yep I was the Bharath talking about acquiring rights for Sivaji 😉
Bharath,
How was the movie? I am planning to watch it sometime this week only.
>because (sacrilege!!) you forgot to mention that song as one of the best of 2007!
The audio of Guru got released in 2006 😉 And in 2006, I liked Rahman’s singing in New York nagaram more than Tere Bina.
I too agree with your categorization of Rahman’s recent albums. I think categorziation itself would make for a separate post. Will remember to write it sometime.
>How come no post on the Taj Mahal songs?
To tell the truth, I haven’t listened to the Taj Mahal songs ((except chotta chotta which happens to be a favourite of mine) properly!!! After reading your comment, I feel it’s high time I listened to the songs!
Oh I am honoured to know that Southern India Manager of an Airlines is a reader of my blog 😉
Hi Aparna,
Can you give me examples of songs in which Rehman has handled a raaga without diluting it through out the entire duration of the song, a la, chinna kannan azhaikkeran(rithigowla-ilayaraja)?
Vasu,
Not sure but Uyirum neeye from Pavithra might be one such.
Saw Jodhaa Akbar – Quite a disappointment in all departments, (too long, quite boring, weak characterization), but the one most relevant to this post is how he’s picturized the songs… Even the grand composition of Azeem-o-Shaan has been badly picturized…
Taj Mahal – No I meant the “One Love” album released recently on his song (in 6 different languages) supporting the campaign to make Taj Mahal one of the wonders of the world – The songs gives you goose bumps! He does an excellent job with such patriotic / theme songs – Vande Mataram, Azaadi (from Bose) and now this..
Southern India Manager – Big title thats all 😉
Bharath,
I too watched Jodha Akbar but I liked the movie a lot including the songs picturization!
Oh that Taj Mahal never struck me! I had written about it earlier – Just a one-liner post and the link to its video.
True. Des Ki Mitti from Bose is also an excellent song!
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