Ranjha ranjha is absolutely terrific.... My favourite.... --- In [email protected], Thulasi Ram <karoke...@...> wrote: > > http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=m042310081210 > > [image: Planet Bollywood] <http://www.planetbollywood.com/> > News<http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayArticleIndex.php?scid=1> > Box-Office <http://www.planetbollywood.com/BoxOffice/> > ThumsUp-ThumsDown<http://www.planetbollywood.com/ThuThd/> Top > Songs <http://www.planetbollywood.com/top10Songs.php> > Spotlight<http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayArticleIndex.php?scid=3> > Movie > Reviews <http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReviewIndex.php?scid=7> Music > Reviews <http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReviewIndex.php?scid=6> Sneak > Preview <http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReviewIndex.php?scid=5> Star > Gaze <http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayArticleIndex.php?scid=16> People's > Choice <http://www.planetbollywood.com/Poll/> > Posters<http://www.planetbollywood.com/Photo/> > *Raavan* *Producer*: Mani Ratnam > *Director*: Mani Ratnam > *Starring*: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Govinda, Priyamani, > Ravi Kishan, Nikhil Dwivedi > *Music*: A.R.Rahman > *Lyrics*: Gulzar > *Singers*: VIJAY PRAKASH, MUSTAFA, KARTHIK, SUKHWINDER SINGH, AM'NICO, REKHA > BHARADWAJ, JAVED ALI, REENA BHARDWAJ, ILA ARUN, SAPNA AWASTHI, KUNAL > GANJAWALA > *Audio On*: T-Series *Number of Songs*: 6 > *Album Released on*: 23 April 2010 > Reviewed by: *Atta Khan > *<http://www.indolink.com/feedback.php?sid=PBS&subject=Review%20of%20Raavan> > - Rating: *8.5* / 10 > <http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=m042310081210#> > Let us know what you think about this > review<http://www.indolink.com/feedback.php?sid=PBE&subject=Review%20of%20Raavan> > *Posters*<http://www.planetbollywood.com/Photo/subCatalog.php?category=Posters&title=Raavan> > Public > Rating Average: *9.03* / 10 (rated by *78* listeners) Give your Rating: 1 > / 10 2 / 10 3 / 10 4 / 10 5 / 10 6 / 10 7 / 10 8 / 10 9 / 10 10 / > 10 *Opinion Poll*: Has Rahman recreated magic with Ratnam for "Raavan" > music? <http://www.planetbollywood.com/Poll/index.php?pollID=334> > ------------------------------ > *Summary Review* > > The collaboration of A.R. Rahman and Mani Ratnam has brought us some truly > memorable music including *Roja* (1992), *Bombay* (1995), *Dil Se *(1998), * > Saathiya* (2002), *Yuva* (2004) and lately, *Guru* (2006). The most > outstanding of these, *Dil Se*, still ranks as the holy grail of Rahman's > work till date. So how does their latest collaboration; *Raavan*, sound? > Well fitting in with the theme and requirements of the movie, it's largely > traditional folk-based music, albeit superbly revitalised (with a modern > touch) in places but you will definitely have to give it time to grow on you > like most of Rahman's work! The best of the tracks include the experimental > but explosive "Beera" and "Thok Di Killi" but the real gems are the > mesmerizing "Ranjha Ranjha" and the haunting "Behene De". Overall, the > soundtrack is diverse, varied and very enjoyable but not quite comparable to > Rahman's best work. That said, it's comfortably the best soundtrack of 2010 > thus far and as such, is an essential buy! > > > *Detailed Review* > ** > > This is it! This is the big one! This is where it all started. I am of > course referring to the historic collaboration between music composer > A.R.Rahman and movie director Mani Ratnam which takes us back to Rahman's > debut and award winning soundtrack: *Roja* (1992). What an awesome > soundtrack that was and whilst he has gone onto bigger things since then > (including countless domestic and international awards), perhaps we owe > Ratnam some due for allowing such talent to hit the big time? And perhaps > Rahman recognises that because arguably his best music has been reserved for > Ratnam over the years; *Roja* (1992), *Bombay* (1995), *Dil Se* (1998), * > Saathiya* (2002), *Yuva* (2004) and lately,*Guru* (2006). The most > outstanding of these, *Dil Se*, still ranks as the holy grail of Rahman's > work till date. So does this immense legacy continue in the latest > collaboration for the movie *Raavan*? Let's find out double quick! > > *Track 1: "Beera" (3:15)* > > If the opening track isn't a statement of intent then I don't know what is! > It's got Rahman's `experimental' stamp all over it. Right from those > stunning (introductory) ethnic vocals, chanting and explosive drum / dholak > arrangements that awaken your senses, to the rustic flavors that create a > worldly feel about the whole song and the plethora of amusingly weird and > wonderful sounds (chicken plucks anyone?), you are quickly warped into > auditory heaven! Unfortunately the track is short-lived (3:15) and the > enormous charm value dips slightly after repeated listening particularly > given the nature of the song which is trying to introduce the main character > "Beera" (Abhishek Bachchan). Singing by Vijay Prakash and Mustafa Kutoane > (additional vocals Keerthi Sagathia) is first class however and the lyrics > by Gulzar are situational but apt for the movie. Overall, this is a pacy and > energetic song that will evoke many passions inside you (all positive) and > it will look fantastic on screen but ultimately it's too short to have any > lasting impact. Think of it as a deliciously well executed experiment made > from international flavours and soils! > > *Track 2: "Behene De" (6:04)*** > > After the experimental opener, Rahman gets down to business with the first > truly killer track of Raavan. In contrast to "Beera", "Behene De" oozes > melody amidst the haunting orchestral behemoth that dictates the flow of the > song from start to finish. However, its power is reined back during the > singing verses and that is where arguably, the modern infused (background) > arrangements fall a touch flat. Having said that the simple hand-clapping > effect is most welcome! Moving onto Karthik (another singer from Rahman's > dynasty), he is a revelation here, performing like a superstar for his > favourite musician. This must rank as one of his best songs to date, his > tone is a complete contrast to his "Behka" from *Ghajini* (2008). His vocals > are augmented superbly before the chorus line and he is ably supported by > Mohamed Irfan- the effect of the backing vocalist is powerfully received. > Gulzar's striking metaphors are a treat to listen to and visualise. On the > downside you have to admit to having a taste of déjà vu with some aspects of > the music. For that reason, a slight tinge of disappointment may creep into > your mind. But realistically, did you expect another "Beera"? Nevertheless > this is a stellar track that can only sound better on screen. Raavan's music > is getting better > > > *Track 3: "Thok Di Killi" (4:58)*** > > Wow, as a concept this one feels like "Beera" all over again. Lots of > attitude and style! But instead of drums and dholak, a short rhythmic blast > of electric guitar riffs (by Deepak P.A.) pulverise your senses into > submission. Add plenty of dholaks, background chanting and *shennai* fusion > to the mixing pot and you have one crazy melody to dance to! Sukhwinder > Singh sounds like he is having a blast singing for Rahman again and along > with co singer Am'nico, they are the killer USP with some fantastic vocals. > Gulzar's lyrics are short and snappy and the effect is subtle but effective. > "Thok Di Killi" is experimental, fun and brilliantly stylish! Beyond that it > doesn't have have much repeat value. Shame. > > *Track 4: "Ranjha Ranjha" (5:54)*** > > Deep breath listeners deep breath, are you ready? For we are now entering > Rahman's pinnacle offering for Raavan. And my word is it good. Actually give > it time to grown on you and it becomes nothing short of amazing! The > opening *alaaps* allure you to escape into the magic of the song that ranks > as one of the most bewitching takes on the romantic genre to come from the > Rahman stable for a while (yes "Dil Gira Dafatan" from *Delhi 6* was amazing > too!). The splashes of peppy modern beats and fusion on a traditional folk > music platform works an absolute treat and sounds divine in your ears. Make > no mistake this is Rahman at his very best. Singing is palpably epic > particularly the performance by Rekha Bharadwaj who takes your breath away > (her sufi type chanting of "Ranjha Ranjha" is phenomenal) in what must rank > as one of her best ever renditions! Javed Ali has been singing regularly > since *Jodhaa Akbar* but thanks to Rahman, he outdoes himself here with a > stirring effort and can only move onto better things (Anuradha Sriram > provides fine backing vocals). Gulzar's folksy lyrics are fantastic (note > the opening lines are credited to sufi poet Bulleh Shah's *Ranjha Ranjha > Kardi*). "Ranjha Ranjha" is mesmerizing to the point of no return. It's just > sublime on a level only Rahman can reach. Words cannot describe its beauty > but beware, it might just take your breath away song of 2010! > > *Track 5: "Khili Re" (4:11)*** > > This track starts on a much slower and soothing note which helps you > retrieve your breath after the amazing "Ranjha Ranjha" but then it's > instantly brought to life by some beautiful vocals marking the return of an > awesome singing talent! Reena Bhardwaj recorded her debut song "Yeh Rishta" > for Rahman's superb and under-exposed *Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities > *(2004). > That catapulted her straight to the top of the Indian music charts and that > year she was also nominated for best playback singer. Since then her career > has taken off but not so much on the filmi scene. However, Rahman never > forgets his singing dynasty and she returns here to mark another fine > performance. Musically, the arrangements rest on a semi-classical platform > with a range of (classical) instruments (including flute by Naveen Kumar, > tabla and a sitar performed by Asad Khan) meticulously crafted for a > soothing and pleasurable listening experience. However try peeling away the > layers and you might come away disappointed somewhat. Lyrically it is > nothing special either. Overall it's a good song no doubt with even better > singing but a huge anti-climax after "Ranjha Ranjha". > > *Track 6: "Kata Kata" (5:11)*** > > Apparently Mani Ratnam goes all big for the song picturisation of this one > calling on the services of five hundred dancers with the entire production > taking four to five days to complete! So to make it sound equally amazing, > Rahman himself calls on multi-faceted singers (including Ila Arun, Sapna > Awasthi and surprisingly, Kunal Ganjawalla) and co-ordinates an amusing > story based song with seamless efficiency. Expect plenty of dholaks, hand > clapping, *shenai*, oud and other folksy dance instrumentation (arrangements > by Ranjith Barot) alongside the percussive orchestra provided by Rahman's > own Chennai Strings. The singing is particularly effective and lyrics by > Gulzar are in tune with the situational requirements of the movie. This one > will hit the bulls-eye on screen for sure but perhaps the impact, appeal or > quality isn't up to the comparable dance based "Azeem-o-Shaan > Shahensha" (*Jodhaa > Abkar*) or a "Mitwa" (*Lagaan*). > > Overall Raavan is a fascinating and diverse soundtrack that deserves > repeated listening to be fully appreciated. Forget anything else this year, > you owe it to yourself to discover the music on offer here. There is a lot > of experimentation as heard in "Beera" and "Thok Di Killi". Also that > experimentation extends to the singers- just check out the amazing talent > and fresh faces on show here, most of whom we have never heard before! > Elsewhere you will find other reasons to rejoice in the music ("Ranjha > Ranjha" and "Behene De") and although arguably it never consistently reaches > Rahman's best (the music doesn't always have multiple layers to peel away), > Raavan is still his most varied, folksy and interesting soundtrack in a long > while. Mani Ratnam is surely happy and so should you be. A strong contender > for soundtrack of the year! > > *Comments* <http://www.indolink.com/feedback.php?sid=PB> *About > Us*<http://www.indolink.com/about.html> > *Contact Us* <http://www.indolink.com/contact.html> > *Advertise*<http://www.indolink.com/advertise.html> > *Terms of Service* <http://www.indolink.com/terms.html> *Privacy > Policy*<http://www.indolink.com/privacy.html> Copyright > © 1995-2010 INDOlink.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved > Planet Bollywood <http://www.planetbollywood.com/>, > INDOlink<http://www.indolink.com/>, > "Best of Both Worlds", "Linking Indians Worldwide" are trademarks of > INDOlink.com, Inc. >
