Film: "Raanjhanaa"; Music Director: A.R. Rahman; Singers: Jaswinder Singh, Shiraz Uppal, Shreya Ghoshal, A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali, Pooja Av, Kirti Sagathia, Aanchal Sethi, Vaishali, Chinmayi, Madhushree, Neeti Mohan, Rashid Ali, and Rabbi; Rating: ***1/2
The music of director Anand.L. Rai's movie "'Raanjhanaa" has eight tracks. Since the movie is based in Benaras, composer A.R. Rahman has included the regional flavour in most of the tracks. Use of a lot of instruments in all the songs is also evident.
The soundtrack kicks off with "Raanjhanaa", a high on energy number. Sung by Jaswinder Singh and Shiraz Uppal, it is not exactly a sugarcoated romantic number but its rhythmic beats make you tap your feet and you may put the song on loop. The music is powerful and gives you goosebumps. It has a bit of a classical touch to it and the singers meet the expectations of the listeners.
Shreya Ghoshal's melodious voice greets the listeners in the next track "Banarasiya". With a lot of regional influence, it is soothing and soulful. The lyrics and the singer balance the song and raise the bar.
People can express their love even better with Javed Ali's track "Tum tak". Keerti Sagathia and Pooja Av join him behind the mike. A very beautiful romantic number, it is about one-sided love. It can be touted as one of the high points of the album.
Next is "Piya milenge". Sukhwinder Singh sings it beautifully. Even though it is not a sad song, it has intended or unintended dullness. Somewhere in the middle, a tinge of Sufi music comes in and it sounds nice. Towards the end, the song becomes very passionate and lyrics intense.
This is followed by "Ay sakhi", sung by Aanchal Sethi, Vaishali, Chinmayi and Madhushree. What sounds like a conversation between girlfriends, the song has a pure classical touch in the beginning but gradually blends into a Bollywood track. An average track, it may not live up to music lovers' expectations.
Singers Neeti Mohan and Rashid Ali compliment each other in the next track, "Nazar Laaye". A soothing romantic number, it has a kind of freshness. Not too loud or too slow, it creates a happy and romantic feel. The lyrics are cute and the song ends on a beautiful note.
The Rahman flavour is prominent in "Tu mun shudi". Sung by Rabbi and Rahman, it begins with hip-hop beats and has an element of funkiness. More like a "boys song", the unique number has an interesting composition.
The last track is "Aise na dekho" and Rahman's voice has never sounded more lovable. With the expressive song, the listeners can take a trip down memory lane.
Like any other album, the music of "Raanjhanaa" has few low points, but otherwise it is thoroughly entertaining. Romance is purified in every song and the album has the capacity to grow on the listeners. The use of various instruments has saved the album from becoming cliched love compositions. The music has undoubtedly taken over the singers and lyrics. Listen to it for a unique experience in expressing love.
(08.06.2013 - Yashika Mathur can be contacted at yashika.m@ians.in)
