MUSIC REVIEW: Why Jodhaa works
An argument that a traditionalist recently put forth about Bollywood film music was that it does not work without visuals. It wasn't something one could refute because very often the hamming of a song's video on channels makes it a 'chartbuster'.
However a sneak peek into the songs of Jodhaa Akbar at its launch recently had a completely opposite effect. For a change, the music seemed so good that the picturisation somehow couldn't keep up.
That's AR Rahman for you. For a brief while after Taal, Rahman had begun to sound quite predictable. But it was in Lagaan that we found him delivering songs that were not necessarily in his 'trademark style'.
It is interesting to note that music director has teamed up yet again with the Lagaan director and this time too he belts out a fairly interesting line-up of songs. The question however is whether Ashu can match his vision to Rahman's.
Nevertheless, the seven-track album has five songs with two instrumental pieces. While the instrumental version of Jashn-E-Bahaaraa seems quite justified, it is somehow redundant to have a similar version of a sufi song – Khwaja mere Khwaja.
Of course some critics would argue that music is just as important an aspect of Sufism as lyrics (Remember Kabir's dohas may be all about words, but Nanak preferred to reach God through music).
Nonetheless after hearing Rahman's rendition of this song and listening to its lyrics (Kashif) you cannot help but wish the instrumental version away.
It is after quite some time that one enjoys Rahman singing one of his own compositions. This is the only track, for which the music director lends his voice in this album. From among the rest too, the only 'established mainstream' singer is Sonu Nigam who sings Inn lamhon ke daaman mein along with Madhushree.
WATCH: The music of Jodhaa Akbar
Man mohana is probably a song picturized on the rajputs, which is why it lacks that sufi touch .. Other than that, loved your review !
Ar rahman really tops in jodha akbar. The first song(azzem - o) is really fantastic. No one can use percussion instruments like arr. The other melodies are also so touching.
This is first time that udit narayan's voice is not there in ashutosh film. This is blunder. He will have to pay for it. Udit hase given blockbuster in his in movies... Lagan and swadesh. A melody alwas makes difference.
thanx