I
guess, reviewers in Bollyvista really have matter between their ears....See,
Bollyvista rated Meenakshi as the best album of 2003-04....If you had seen the
list...they had brought out some of the unheard film names but explained why it
is in the list (Example--My brother Nikhil)....I guess they have this sense of
Good music which is a rarity amoung critics nowadays
Bye
Karthik
-----Original Message-----'Mangal Pandey - The Rising' is many things - a huge film with a big
From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of edwardian10
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 7:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [arr] Bollyvista reviews THE RISING (in great detail)
star cast, Aamir's first release in four years (as he teams up with
his 'Ghulam' co-star) and the ruling Rani of Bollywood. It boasts of
an internationally famous music director and the best lyricist in
the Indian film industry (master of patriotic lyrics). When all
these top names/talents combine, the expectations assume mammoth
proportions. So does the music of 'Mangal Pandey -The Rising'
measure up to the expectations? Let us check out for ourselves, the
music of a film that marks the comeback of one of the finest actors
of recent times, Aamir Khan.
The first version of the title track 'Mangal Mangal' says - "Wake up
India!! If you have forgotten the sacrifices of Bharat Mata's
patriotic sons, Bhagat Singh's and Mangal Pandey's." Coming to the
track, we have to go overboard (as some may think) and make a bold
statement (repeating what Aamir says) "Here is the patriotic song of
the decade" and that too in three different flavors/variations.
A.R. Rahman and Javed sahib have worked wonders together and created
a song (sorry, we know its blasphemous to term it as just a song)
that just cannot be described in words. This track will definitely
move the hearts and souls of all the patriotic Indians, many
centuries after the sacrifice of Mangal Pandey. Awesome, amazing and
superlative are a few words that come to mind.
The first version, termed as the "Prabhati" (sunrise or dawn
breaking) by the leading man Aamir, is a mind-blowing composition.
After 'Kisna' and 'Bose', Rahman proves yet again that he is the
best when it comes to period films (sad that he has announced that
it will be his last!). 'Mangal Mangal' uses no techno gadgets, no
drums or guitars, just ancient percussion instruments like
the 'Dhol', 'Tabla' and 'Daf'. Javed Akhtar demonstrates once again
that no one knows more about the rich Indian culture and heritage
than he does. Listen to how he describes the festivities /rituals
that unfold with the sunrise, the holy dip, the 'Surya Namaskar'
(that Aamir performs with perfection in the promos) on the sacred
ghats of the holy Ganges.
"Bhor aave jo Ganga nahane, Raat har ghaat se hat jaye, Surya kirno
ki talwar tane, Aur andhiyara sab kat jaye, Koi tat par hi dhooni
ramave, Koi jhatpat darshan ko jaye."
In the second version of 'Mangal Mangal', the theme is "Agni"
(fire). The rhythm and tempo is faster. The song starts off
with 'Nagada' sounds (an ancient drum used by the rulers before
important announcements for their 'praja'). Though to some the first
and second version may seem similar, here 'jago' means the awakening
of the mind against the atrocities of the British Raj. Kailash Kher
sings with such zeal and fervor to convey the rebellious mood
(during the sepoy mutiny of 1857 whose hero was Mangal Pandey), the
seething anger and the fire within in such a manner that the song
becomes an ace. Check out the lyrics - "Aag aisi lagi hai dilon
mein, Na bujhegi kisi ke bujhaye, Man ki agni hai aankhon se jhalke,
Sar nahin jhukte hai jhukaye.
The third version has a theme "Aatma" (soul). While both the
previous versions have Kailash Kher as the solo singer, the third
and slower version of 'Mangal Pandey' has both Sukhwinder and
Kailash singing another exceptional track. The essence here is
sacrifice and the pride associated with laying down one's life for
the motherland. The lyrics are again superlative and the rhythm
varies in pace according to the mood/requirement of the song
situation. Javed sahib's lyrics go - "Koi duniya se ab jaa raha hai,
Kitne gaurav se sar ko uthaya, Dhanya hai bhaagya har us maata ke,
Jo aisa beta paya, Woh nidar hai, Woh amar hai, Jaan jati hai to
jaye." We guarantee that a lot of moist eyes will be there during
this song (on-screen)!
'Tabla' and 'ghungroo' (anklet) sounds, a perfect welcome to the
Rani of Bollywood and also to Rahman's first 'mujra', 'Main Vari
Vaari'. Kavita, who after her marriage has become quite selective,
sings this composition that deviates from the norms of
traditional 'mujra' compositions. The song is composed more in
the 'qawwali' mode as in the 60's and 70's (where qawwals
combined 'qawwali' with 'mujra' styled songs).
'Main Vaari Vaari' may not be in the league of 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai'
('Umrao Jaan') or 'Maar Daala' ('Devdas') but before putting it
down, one must remember that Bollywood's most famous 'mujra' 'Inhi
Logon Ne' ('Pakeeza') relied more on rhythm rather than restricting
itself to the prevailing norms. Kavita is excellent as she sings to
Javed sahib's lyrics - "Tumhari adaon pe main vaari vaari, Tumhari
adaon pe main vaari vaari, Har ek baat hai jaise meethi katari."
A Still from 'Mangal Pandey - The Rising'
Next up is the only average composition of the album, 'Holi Re'
(which has Aamir's voice too). It's nice to hear Udit singing for
Aamir once again, as he was Aamir's voice in 'Qayamat Se Qayamat
Tak'. The song has a heavy influence of 'Lagaan' and Aamir may well
lift it. Rani's dancing and can become popular for all the 'Dandiya'
functions especially during 'navratras'.
'Rasiya' is a composition soaked in 'Braj' (Mathura) culture,
especially the lyrics. It is certainly not an item number as many
have wrote (maybe the picturisation has confused them). Basically,
it is a song-cum-dance form ('Raas Leela'), which the God of love
Lord Krishna has immortalized. Still, on the whole it's a slightly
disappointing number. Maybe our expectations from the Rahman-Javed
combo were too high!
'Takey Takey' is a very classy number. It is a sarcastic look at the
way of life in this materialistic world, which has no place for
love, friendship, emotions or values. It is most definitely a
situational number with heavy influences of Rahman's own
composition 'Pagdi Sambhal' from 'The Legend Of Bhagat Singh'.
Sample the lyrics - "Yahan sab bikta hai takey takey, Yahan sab
milta hai takey takey, Jo chahe mango, Jo chahe pao." Literally
translated it means that everything from food items, love,
friendship, mulla, and pandit are available at a dime a dozen (to be
exact, on sale for a `taka', the currency or the rupee at that
time)! The kids' chorus emphasizes the point. Sukhwinder aptly puts
the hurt and sarcasm through Javed sahib's lyrics and brilliant
rendition of this wonderful Rahman composition.
'Al Maddath Maula' means 'Help us O Lord'. A track that requests
divine intervention from the Maula/Daata/Lord to help in succeeding
in the mission, that is the quest for freedom from the British. It
is a devotional song set in the wake of a crisis situation where the
only refuge is the Lord Almighty. Rahman again demonstrates his
class for a devotional number after 'Bose'.
Aamir Khan movies, right from 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' to his last
release 'Dil Chahta Hai', have always boasted of quality music and
the trend continues. On the whole, 'Mangal Pandey - The Rising'
lives up to the expectations with just the three versions of the
title track alone are worth the album, the others being a bonus.
However, from a critic's point of view 'Bose - The Forgotten Hero'
was better (though it did not get the success it deserved). It will
be 'Mangal Pandey - The Rising' that will succeed commercially,
thanks to the Aamir-Rani-Amisha star power and the expectations from
the movie.
Great review. ISNT IT.
ENJOY IT BUDDIES,
JAWAD
This August, Discover the Birth of Your Independence
and The Magic of A.R.Rahman's Music in
Mangal Pandey - The Rising
http://www.risingthefilm.com
http://www.mangalpandeythefilm.com
Music released: Jul 14, 2005 Movie releases: Aug 12, 2005
Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic.
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