MUSIC REVIEW OF UMRAO JAAN

MUSIC REVIEW OF UMRAO JAAN

By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau

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In early part of 19th century, culture, beauty, art, dance and music had reached its zenith. At that time, "Umrao Jaan Ada" had ruled millions of hearts. This time round, scintillating blue eyed golden beauty Aishwarya Rai is marking her gleaming presence as "Umrao Jaan Ada" in this year's magnanimous presentation 'Umrao Jaan'. Director J P Dutta, the man who ruled the screen with blood splattering war films ('Border' and 'L.o.C'), changes mood to soft and subtle world of feminine grace, wisdom and splendor with this film. The saga of beautiful enchantress "Umrao Jaan Ada" comes with fine blend of mystical poetry presented through the soulful music. Veteran Khayyam showed his finesse decades ago with immaculately talented Asha Bhonsle attributing one of the finest soundtracks of her career. Anu Malik shows his musical strength after couple of mediocre offerings with mysticism of brilliantly conceived Indian classical music in the soundtracks. Alka Yagnik reaches a big milestone with this album by delivering one of his finest rendered soundtracks of her career. The singer shows his immaculate vocal strength in soundtracks embellished with refined Urdu poetry. Eminent lyricist Javed Akhtar's fine blend of expressive lyrics and outstanding poetry act as communicative gesticulation for beautiful soundtracks. The listeners who have taste for quality music will treasure these poetically refined soundtracks. 'Umrao Jaan' metaphors the style statement of "Lucknawi tehzeeb" of early nineteenth century with array of stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles. The original soundtracks of 'Umrao Jaan' can be heard on T-Series audio cassettes and CD's.

EK TOOTE HUYE DIL KI: The soulful outcry of a broken heart emotes with vocal elegance of Alka Yagnik and flair of mellifluous "Sarangi" display in the soundtrack "Ek Toote Huye Dil Ki". It's a brief unplugged vocal rendition with poetically divine verses to support it. The soundtrack is full of heart-felt emotions of loneliness and depression emanating through subtle instrumental display. The mesmerizing Urdu works are pure delights in phrases like "Ek Toote Hue Dil Ki Awaaz Mujhe Kahiye, Sur Jisme Hai Sab Ghum Ke Voh Saaz Mujhe Kahiye…" Anu Malik starts off with a winner that sets the tempo of the album with equally impressive lyrics by Javed Akhtar.

A FOREWARD

Lyricist Javed Akhtar narrates the cultural pinnacle of princely state "Lucknow" in early nineteenth century cherished with beauty of heartthrob "Umrao Jaan Ada". It's unfortunate that the enchantress who had set many hearts on fire lived caged and destitute life. The short commentary is an introductory prelude to the theme of the album and the film.

SALAAM: The acme of romantic poetry synchronized classical musical display and mellifluously beaming vocals form the epitome of richly classical musical display in the soundtrack "Salaam". Alka Yagnik emanates with vocal elegance and exhibits graceful poetic lyrics with finesse. Javed Akhtar's lyrical panache shows its strength in the love struck emotions of beautiful courtesan and comes out as "Tumhari Mehfil Mein Aa Gaye Hain, To Kyun Na Hum Yeh Bhi Kaam Kar Lein, Salaam Karne Ki Arzoo Hai, Idhar Jo Dekho Salaam Kar Lein, Tumhari Mehfil mein aagaye hai, Toh kyun na hum yeh kam kar le, Salaam karne ki aarzo, idhar jo dekho salaam kar le…" The fine combination of rigorous "tabla" display mixed with "Sarangi", "sitar" work speaks for its rich classical musical ingredients. The song stands out as one of the richly conceived number by female playback singer. This will bring Alka Yagnik laurels. The principal soundtracks show Anu Malik's musical strength which is richly blended with Javed Akhtar's outstanding poetry. Despite the fact that it caters to niche audiences, it will be a visual feast to average viewer with gorgeous Aishwarya Rai showing elegance in embroidered golden dress. BEAUTIFUL!!!

PEHLE PEHEL: Anxious, nervous and tense emotions of the first meeting with the beloved have their own flavor in the soundtrack "Pehle Pehel". The soft pitched vocals of Alka Yagnik are well complemented with brilliant display of classical instruments and shimmering "ghungroo" sound. Javed Akhtar's lyrics are well delivered in subtle ways in phrases like "Tum jo paas aaye, Hum jo sharma gaye, Raaz-e-dil paagaye, Tum bhi pehle pehel, hum bhi pehle pehel…" The lyrics are straightforward, music is lovable and Alka Yagnik shows her prowess once again in emoting shy and demure emotions.

JHUTE ILZAM: The classical "mujra" embellished with traditional Urdu poetry, eclectic classical music work and resounding vocals sets the tempo for the soundtrack "Jhute Ilzam". The stage is set for cultured "Shaam-e-Awadh" where scintillatingly dazzling courtesan "Umrao Jaan Ada" sings her heart out in the voice over of refined Urdu poetry. The poetic work of Javed Akhtar is the high point as it comes out as "Kaun Kisko bhala samjha, humne kya samjha tumne kya samjha, Bewafa humne tumko samjha sanam, Tumne bhi humko bewafa samjha, Jhute Ilzam meri jaan lagaaya na karo, Dil Hai nazuk tum isse aise na dukhaya karo…" "Jhute Ilzam" gives some glimpses of "Justjo Jiski" ('Umrao Jaan' of 1980)) in terms of cultural ambience it possesses. Alka Yagnik tries to match her vocal strength with Asha Bhonsle's mystical touch and comes out with another fine work. The soundtrack is expected to be a .visual spectacle for the viewers .BRILLIANT!!!

AGLE JANAM MOHE BITIYA: "Beauty with message"--- comes with soulful cry from the emotionally tormented "Umrao Jaan Ada" with tyranny of being born as a woman in the soundtrack "Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya". The sad and morose sentiments form the backdrop of the film where the birth of girl is a curse. It is followed by prayer as never to have rebirth as girl as it brings loads of misfortune and misery. Folk singer Richa Sharma sings her best soundtrack and to her good fortune it comes in hi-profile film album. Javed Akhtar's lyrics emote loads of grief and sorrow in lines like "Jo Ab kiyo ho daata aisa na kijeyo, Agle Janam Mohe bitiya na kiyejo…" This is thematically conceived number and will probably make its presence in sad and depressing moments. The stature and importance of the soundtrack can be judged from the fact that composer Anu Malik has launched her daughter in the second version of this track.

Anmol Malik (daughter of Anu Malik) makes her debut with sentimentally divine soundtrack in the voiceover of girl child pleading for not to have rebirth as girl. The soft pitched childlike vocals are the sentiments of destitute girl child who struggles against atrocities and prays for not being reborn as girl. A good number to start from and it comes in brief version that may form as prelude to "Umrao Jaan" characterizations.

MAIN NA MIL SAKUN JO TUMSE: The love song about hope of meeting beloved and anticipation of painful parting is exhibited with finesse in the soundtrack "Main Na Mil Sakun Jo Tumse". Alka Yagnik makes soulful hullabaloo about the eager and whimpering sentiments of the beleaguered lover in high pitched rendition. It sounds like situational soundtrack with its lyrical vocabulary similar to "Justjoo Jiski" ('Umrao Jaan' of 1980)). The fine concoction of Sarangi, tabla, harmonium and sitar gives it an ambience of classical "mujra" displayed by beautiful courtesan.

BEHKA DIYA HAMEIN: The ethnic and traditional Urdu poetry finds way to lovable duet for the first time as lovers share vibes in the beautiful soundtrack "Behka Diya Hamein". It's delightful to hear male vocals for the first time and fortunately it comes in the vocals of Sonu Nigam. Alka Yagnik blends her delightful voice with Sonu's impressive in delivering delightful number that will melt honey in the ears. Javed Akhtar's mushrooming romanticism makes soulful stirring passions in delightful lines like "Dekha Hamein kuch aisa ke Behka diya hamein, Tumne Jo khwaab dekhna sikhla diya hamein…" The titillating sounds of wind chimes, jal tarang along with fine display of classical instruments gives it a mesmerizing feel with romantic touch. It records as one of the finest duet numbers by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik in recent times.

POOCH RAHE HAIN: The loud and commanding display of Indian classical music mixed with apprehensive feel of being love comes in the mould of "mujra" in the soundtrack "Pooch Rahe Hain". This comes for the class audience who have the taste of pure classical music. The lyrics are complicated with strong classical music display with fine vocal finesse of Alka Yagnik. It comes with sluggish lyrical work with high-pitched musical work that demands enormous patience from the listeners. This is a tailor made number that may form important linkage in the narration of the film. It caters to niche audience specially!

'Umrao Jaan' brings Anu Malik as the reliable musical celebrity in the business with brilliant soundtracks. It's like rising from the ashes after some forgettable musical albums. Soundtracks like 'Salaam' will have universal acceptance and numbers like "Jhoote Ilzam" and "Behke diya hamein" are sheer listening delights. It differs from regular Bollywood music flavor but has the potential to be cut above the rest. The album promises healthy musical entertainment and will find itself in this year's successful film albums. A must buy for quality music lovers!

CLASSICAL DELIGHT!!!

Great
i havent still downloaded tht songs

I am listening to the tracks right now....very soulful melody and Alka is at her best !!! 😛

"jhute Ilzam meri jaan lagaya na karo
Dil hai nazook ise tum aise dukhaya na karo"


....wah ..wah..kya gaana 👏 .....

It's indeed A-NEW MALIK 😆 !!!!! fantastic..... 👏👏👏

Aish is loooking beautiful is this movie...