A. R. Rahman (Jodhaa Akbar, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Ada, Yuvvraaj, Ghajini, Slumdog Millionaire)
By any standards, Rahman has had a prolific year. Judged by his own, its been a veritable deluge of music. This year two Rahman's seem to take shape before our very ears. One was an old-school Bollywood stylist - a sophisticated throwback to the music directors of yesteryear. His music here was dreamy, massive, almost epic. Sometimes it collapsed under its own weight (Yuvvraaj). Often it soared to great heights (Jodhaa Akbar). But there was another Rahman - a composer of compact FM-ready confections - genuine melodies with smart production. And by tuning in to the needs of the commercial market, Rahman surprised us and scored at the cash registers. First Rahman found the pulse of a nation with a jangly mid-tempo call to good cheer - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi and a beat-heavy farce Pappu Can't Dance from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Both songs played a large part in making JTYJN one of the first genuine hits of the year. Later, the same Rahman delivered a curious mix of songs for Ghajini - his collaboration with Aamir Khan. Ghajini has six tracks - they are wildly different compositions. Yet Rahman has integrated them into one single soundtrack that sounds coherent. On display again was his tendency to create a bellwether single (Javed Ali's buttery smooth Guzarish). Rahman mixed it up with a swirling dance anthem with a muted tribal feel (Shreya Ghoshal's Latoo), a power pop song (Suzanne's Aye Bachchu) and a Brat Pack composition (Behka). Rahman also docked major international points by scoring the soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire. If Slumdog can match its critical acclaim with box office success, Rahman will finally get the serious international attention he deserves. http://www.aspisdrift.com/2008/12/drift-bollywood-music-entertainers-of.html
