No popular musical reference would be complete without the mention of the legendary A.R. Rehman. I share a very special connection with Rehman’s music touches some never reached corners of the heart and expresses and draws out emotion like none other. As a run follower I also find it in order to mention that all his music is not as effective and at times doesn’t even sound like music. But look at the marvel, his reputation as an artist and his recognition as a master remains unfazed. He is a musician whom the highs and lows don’t affect. His music style is unique and very distinguishable than the lot while he does direct a variety of melody and musical genres with ease and equal effect.
Let me divert a little and mention another artist without which the mention of A.R. Rehman is incomplete. That would be none other than Sonu Niigaam (or Nigam). Sonu’s musical prowess can’t really be praised enough. However in the current context, Sonu is to Rehman what Kishore was to R.D. Burman. Sonu’s perfection in vocals and the quality of his voice is a surreal match made in heaven. Together they create magic. While this cannot be established as the popular opinion, and facts stands as witness. A south Indian movie dubbed into Hindi – “Duniyan Dil Walon Ki” rose to popularity at the time of release. Most of us will recall the songs like “Mustafa Mustafa don’t worry Mustafa“. However there were other songs that never saw the light of the day. I liked “Ja Ri Ja Ae Hawa” and “Oh Meri Jaan” – both rendered with the divine perfection and melody. The album is extinct and after hunting for several years, I did manage to find a seller selling it online. I finally had it imported from the UK for several times the price in the Indian market.
My bond with the music is more special than with other albums of Rehman. For me it’s the musical of a life time. I had just undergone engagement to my then future wife. Emotions of a lifetime bond with the melody and got framed into unforgettable memories. They touched and embedded deep and flow out when I experience the melody again. While not every song in a Rehman-album is close to the heart, those which are leave an ever lasting impression. You won’t ever stop being fond of them. Let’s go through Guru.
Barso Re – The not so melodious songs of Rehman aren’t necessarily devoid of the sweet, melodious preludes and pieces that captivate the emotional pleasure. The song has markedly difficult to produce vocals and is punctuated with steep highs and lows. Rehman’s songs are “contextually targeted” to mention an analogy with today’s online advertising. Songs, lyrics and expressions form a part of the movie’s story. The song is just what its purpose is – to carry the story forward. It emotes the feelings of a young woman in love, enjoying the virtues of the nature and dancing in rain.
Tere Bina – The song has two versions – the other in the form of “Ay Hairathe“. The song is special in the sense that a slight alteration to the lyrics and the musical “bhaav” sets the two versions aside – both emoting love – one with a personal companion and the other with the divine. This is the sweetest and the most melodious in the album, however it will be difficult to say which version is better. The vocals are rendered by none other than Rahman himself who may not have the finesse of the classical vocalist but has an established hold on the notes while also known for his reach to the higher octaves.
The song “Tere Bina” is dedicated to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saab – fondly remembering his association with me through this decade.
-AR Rahman
Ek Lo Ek Muft – Nothing much in this song to write back home about except the fact that it does its duty and carries the story forward. Thankfully it’s a Rehman creation so not all that unwelcome as another song could have been had it come from a different director.
Mayya – I’d like to commend the singers and Rehman for this song. While the melody is beyond the tastes of the Indian audience, it is accurate and relevant to the context. Vocals like these are a task and can be testing on the abilities of the singer. However in today’s digitally advanced technically influenced studios, there’s little that would be impossible. And we’d never come to know for sure whether it’s the art of a singer or a technically sound audio engineer.
Aye Hairathe – The song slowly fades in and is a perfect pleasure to listen to. With all the ease in the rhythm, in the accompaniment of modified bass instruments rendered by a legendary classically sound artist Hariharan the song is nothing but perfect – perfect to listen to, perfect for inspiring vocals and perfect in melody and emotion. The lyrics depict two romancing lovers. There are several fine and beautifully rendered “murkis” which jell perfectly with the melody and carries the mood to a more pleasurable state. Alka has contributed with her unique ease and melody in vocals perfectly complimenting Hariharan’s finesse in this memorable song.
Jaage Hain – The song comes with a warning which sounds out-of-place in the musical context – this song is extremely depressing and may have unknown effect of the faint at heart. The effect is devastating on even those better and sound at an emotional level. The saddest lyrics I’ve come across coupled with the most depressing music induce and captivate the emotions and remind of moments where you dreamed of things which never witnessed the light of the day. They put you into the shoes of a person at loss of dreams, achievement, hope and beyond. It leaves you wounded and possibly imagining and dreaming of fulfilling the dreams in a reincarnation or second life. It is one song which it extremely easy to relate to as disappointments and set-backs form the background of every human soul. The voice of Rehman as the song concludes adds pain while the chorus induces a sinking feeling and pinches you to realize that you’ve been carried far and deep.
This album is a must have for all Rehman fans. I’d have loved a song by Sonu Niigam but then Rahman can be too particular about minute details and his choices.
