A.R.Rehman!!! Jai Ho!! – 2
I shall pick from where Ratnakar left off, in his fantastic tribute to AR Rahman. I had actually started writing this post much earlier, the day after the Oscar ceremony, but when I found that such a beautiful tribute was already adorned to the Mozart from Madras, I changed track and decided to write a sequel starting from post-2001 phase.
So, Lagaan was out and Rahman won the National Award for his mesmerizing music. He had rasied the bar for himself and he was no more competing with any body but himself. The year 2002 was a great mix of fantastic contemporary music as well as classical stuff from the master. For the younger generation there was Saathiya which had the wonderful vocals of Sonu Nigam in the title track, we had Adnan Sami crooning Aye Udi Udi, Sadhna Sargam sang the melodious haunting Chupke Se, while Rahman himself lent his voice to the Mera Yaar Mila De song; all songs written from the magical pen of Gulzar. Rahman was being played all over the place, songs like Humdum Suniyo Re and Chori Pe Chori were being aired repeatedely on radio. Then, there was The Legend Of Bhagat Singh which brought back old memories of freedom struggle. Its always tough to re-create music for songs that have been in public memory for ages, but Rahman was able to carve a niche of his own with his version of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna and Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. Apart from the patriotic songs like Des Mere Des Mere and Pagdi Sambhal Jatta, there was the romantic touch with smooth numbers like Mahive Mahive and Jogiya Jogiya. While his songs were played with gusto in up-North, down-South was no different where he created a consternation with the music of Baba which sold a million copies off the shelf within a week due to the combo of Rajnikanth and music of Rahman; and his sensitive and touching music in Mani Ratnam’s heart-warming Kannathil Muthamittal for which he won another National Award was excellent.
Rahman was not quite himself in 2003, not many of his albums did well. Although he gave some very good music in movies like Boys and Tehzeeb, it did not live upto the expectations. Meherbaan was one of the songs from Tehzeeb that actually stayed on people’s mind for sometime, but rest of the songs were as forgetable as the movie itself. Even the movie Boys was quite a let down, not many people connected with the movie, the songs were scattered genius, but could not really take-off. The year also saw the release of Rahman’s first international album which was the soundtrack for a Chinese movie called Tian Di Ying Xiong, named Warriors Of Heaven And Earth. The movie had 16 tracks, in which the theme song Mirage was recorded in 3 languages…Mandarin, English and Hindi. After the release of the movie, the soundtrack was released in a separate album titled Between Heaven And Earth.
After 1994 wherein Rahman had 10 music releases, 2004 was his next busiest year with release of another 10 albums, the best one being Swades. The movie was brilliant and the soundtrack was an amazing mix of patriotism, romance, lullaby, dramatic stuff in the form of ram-leela. Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, wonderfully sung by Rahman, is one of the best songs that I have heard; it has pain, patriotism, emotions and the pangs of separation from motherland. The lorie Ahista Ahista starts off softly and beautifully and ends in a crescendo with Udit Narayan doing total justice to the lullaby. The ram-leela song Pal Pal Hai Bhari gives the feeling of a live drama and the lyrics complement it very well. Both the romantic songs, Saawariya and Dekho Na, had its heart in the right place. And Yuhi Chala Chal is a typical road-song which moves from preachy to passionate lyrics. All the songs were penned by Javed Akhtar who did a terrific job with the lyrics and the thought process behind them.
Yuva also released in the same year. The song Fanaa had a dizzying feel to it while Khuda Hafiz felt like a dip in the pool of music. Kabhi Neem Neem and Badal Jo Aye were soft and sweet numbers while Dhakka Laga Buka and Dol Dol were fast paced numbers. The beauty of Rahman’s albums is the mix that he comes up with, there is always something for everybody. While Yuva and Swades had some great songs, Meenaxi-A Tale of Three Cities and Lakeer-Forbidden Lines were just lack-lustre. Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Chinnamma Chilakkamma was hummable but did not have the same Rahman feel to it. While the music of Lakeer and Dil Ne Kise Apna Kaha was indifferent. Rahman did a small guest number in Subhash Ghai’s Kisna and gave, the otherwise dull movie, one good song in the form of Hum Hain Iss Pal Yahan and a good theme music. Rahman also had a couple of Tamil releases, best of them being New. The film took a great opening, but ran into controvery in 2005, with the Madras High Court banning the movie on the grounds that it aroused sexual feelings in youngsters. Nevertheless, the music was a runaway success.
Then came the music of Mangal Pandey in 2005. I loved the music of the movie, I liked the movie too. Once again, there was a heady mix of patriotism, a ballad number, courtesan song and a Holi song. The title track sung by Kailash Kher had a nice ring to it and it went to the extent of becoming a trance, such was the magic of Rahman. Tumhari Adaon Pe Mai Vari Vari was too soft to be a courtesan number, but the way Rahman used the payal-jhankar worked for it. The Holi number Dekho Ayi Holi, which also featured Aamir Khan saying a few lines, is a much under estimated Holi song. It has all the touches of a Holi number, but could not quite get the recognition because of the movie’s short stay at theatres. The ballad number O Chhalia O Rasiya was nice too, a really good attempt in this genre.
The music of Water was also released the same year. The music did not work for a lot of people because it had a strong classical touch, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sad and haunting tracks Naina Neer Bahaye and Piyo Ho are heart-wrenching and brings a lump in the throat. Vaishnavo Janto is beautifully re-created by Rahman; the only happy songs were Shyam Rang Bhar Do and Ayo Re Sakhi; but the movie had some great background instrumental tracks. It was a collector’s album and certainly not meant for the masses.
The music that the masses swoon for, came in 2006, in the form of Rang De Basanti. Another smashing hit from Rahman with a great title track sung by Daler Mehendi, and a fantastic collection of songs ranging from sufi based Khalbali to country music of Roobaroo, from the revolutionary Khoon Chala to the romantic Tu Bin Bataye, and from the melodic Luka Chhupi to rebellious Apni To Paathshala. It also had a bonus in the form of Aamir Khan mouthing Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna with the brilliant background chorus, really inspiring. The music took the movie to another level altogether, the lyrics by Prasoon Joshi reflected the mundane, preachy, patriotic and romance so well. Rahman’s touch was evident all through the album.
Rajnikanth’s much awaited Shankar directed movie Sivaji came with a bang in 2007. This was the third album for Rajni-Rahman combo, and the album was a huge hit. The song I am white, also called Style, was much appreciated by the masses for Rajnikanth’s make-up and the parrot colored hair dyes. Athiradee featured Rajni saving a girl from a gang-bang where he makes an appearance on a bike with a guitar, Rahman lent his own voice to this song. The song Vaaji had elaborate sets, a la Bhansali, where Rajni is treated like a king. The album also had a romantic song sung by Udit Narayan and Chinmayi called Sahana. Each and every song highlighted Rajni in a different manner and Rahman struck the right chords.
In the same year came Mani Ratnam’s movie Guru. The music of this movie was not a major hit unlike his other Mani Ratnam’s movies, but it was good nonetheless. Barso Re Megha showcased Shreya Ghosal’s learnings of classical music, and Aye Hairathe Aashiqui was soothing to the ears with the delicate voices of Hariharan and Alka Yagnik. But the toast of the album was Rahman’s vocals in Tere Bina, ably supported by Chinmayi. Maiyya Maiyya displayed Rahman’s talent with Persian music and the belly-dance rhythm and Jaage Hain was another masterpiece which had such inspirational lyrics, I only wished that it went on a little longer. In the same year came Rahman’s soundtrack and background score for Elizabeth-The Golden Age in association with Craig Armstrong.
But the most important year for Rahman’s career came in 2008, wherein he was heard in 5 different albums and each from a different genre. Jodha-Akbar was a periodical tale of the Mughal story, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na was for the youth of today who appreciate peppy numbers like Pappu Cant Dance Saala, then there was Ghajini which was a typical masala movie with songs like Guzarish and Behka Mai Behka. Subhash Ghai came out with his Yuvraaj, but the sound of this movie was a little off-track. The only songs that stayed with people was Tu Meri Dost Hai and Tu Muskura. People forgot the movie faster than they forgot the songs. And then came the music of Slumdog Millionaire which won him the BAFTA and Golden Globe. Although, he has given much better music than this, fate would have it otherwise. His soundtrack won him two Oscars as well, for Original Song and Original Score.
Rahman’s strength lies in his great understanding of music from different regions. The way he grasped the pahadi touch in Kariye Na in Taal, the punjabi flavour in title track of Rang De Basanti and Pagdi Sambhal Jatta, the Bengali influence in Kabhi Neem Neem, the Persian sounds in Maiyya Maiyya, its just incredible. Whether he is producing music for Water or for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, whether its Guru or Provoked, whether its Yuva or Swades, which are movies of different genre and different themes, but one thing that stands out is his great sense of music, his wonderful sense of rhythm and understanding the context of the movie.
I want to mention two other particular things about his music. Just listen to his Quawallis/Sufi music in Piya Haji Ali, Khwaja Mere Khwaja, Arziyan and Satrangi Re, Chhaiyya Chhaiyya and you can actually breathe the music. His deep understanding of the music for the soul is unbeatable. At the same time pick up his bhajans like O Palanhare or Eshwar Ya Allah Ye Pukar Sunle or Ek Onkar or Eshwar Allah Tere Jahan Mei or Man Mohana, and its soul-stirring. Rahman’s music is divine, a gift of God. No wonder that when he won the Ocsar he said “All my life I’ve had a choice of hate and love. I chose love and I’m here. God bless“
Tags: AR Rahman, arr, baba, BAFTA, bhagat singh, boys, elizabeth, gg, Ghajini, Golden Globe, gulzar, Guru, heaven and earth, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Javed Akhtar, Jodha Akbar, JTYJN, Kisna, Lagaan, lakeer, mangal pandey, mani ratnam, meenaxi, National Award, Oscar, Oscars, Prasoon Joshi, Rahman, Rajnikanth, Rang De Basanti, Saathiya, sivaji, Slumdog Millionaire, Swades, tehzeeb, Water, Yuva, yuvraaj
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Rahman is perfect role model.Apart from musical genius he is very fine gentleman.
Some of his thoughts like love & hate (in oscar speech) or believing his share of work and fame are very inspiring.
My favorite from AR is only you and tauba tauba from vande mataram album.
Well written Rals.ARR is not only a musical genius,he;s also a very humble human being.This has been vouched by people who’ve worked with him.A day after arrving in Chennai from the U.S, he visited a popular dargah in Cuddapah in A.P.
I think the spate of awards he’s won for SDM is a testimony to his work so far & not for SDM alone.He’s been in excellent form in 2008 & opened 2009 with a bang with Delhi-6.I am looking forward to the music of Endhiran & Vinnaithandi Varuvaya ( Gautam Menon’s next movie)
BTW Boys didnt do all that well in T.N but it was a superhit in A.P & the songs overall were popular in both Tamil & Telugu.My favourite one’s are “Saregame” & ” Egiri gudhithen”.And New was a bilingual in Tamil & Telugu ( Nani).While Nani was a flop, New did very well & director S.J.Suryah made a successful debut as an actor
( of course he’s now struggling, but thats a different story).Lakeer was very average- but thats because the music wasnt original.ARR just re-used the tunes of Rhythm a tamil movie.
“Noor-Un-Ala-Noor” from Meenaxi is one of his bests. It is surprising that many people havent heard this beautiful song.
LOved the writeup except for one small glitch..the sentence where u mentioned the soundtrack of ‘Meenaxi’ as lacklustre.. Did u actually listen to the whole cd? I really dont think so. Because, this was a soundtrack which was a complete masterpiece…only problem was that it was wasted in a movie which nobody saw..I would suggest you to please take sometime and listen to each and every song with a good headphone..You’ll be blown away for sure!!!
“While Yuva and Swades had some great songs, Meenaxi-A Tale of Three Cities and Lakeer-Forbidden Lines were just lack-luster.”
is this your personal opinion?
Meenaxi might not have sold as many copies as the other movies but had some of magnificent compositions from Rahman.. One of his most under-rated albums.It is not lack-luster by any standards…
I agreee with Siva…My favorite ARR sufi qawwali is Noor-un-ala from Meenaxi. Much like the film, no one remembers that any more. Unlike you who find its lack-lustre, I count Meenaxi as one of ARR’s best. To each his own
I dont know about TN or AP,but “boys” was extremely popular in karnataka for sure.. I thought that music is chartbuster everywhere..But now, surprised that it isnt..
And yes,rahman’s music is truly divine (especialy ‘arziyan’ for me)
Very good write-up.
But, I couldn’t understand how did you say Boys’ music did not take off. I was in my college that time and for us holding a Boys cassette/CD was like a prestige issue. :D
Rals, thanks for referring to my article, though i dont think its as great as u say it is.
Lakeer was a rehash of Rythm, check out the original score if u can, for me remains one of ARR’s best scores. Especially the song Nadiye, Nadiye which represents the Water. Baba was ordinary, nothing memorable. Kanatthil Muttamithal was a fantastic score, especially the title track. Just loved the way Mani picturizes it, the sweeping shots of Simran and the kid on a deserted beach. For me the best song in KM was Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae where ARR used voices of veteran singer and music composer M.S.Viswanathan, so moving and touching, beautifully encapsulating the feelings of people who have become refugees in their own land.
While Saathiya songs were good, i liked Alaipayuthey more. Especially the title song, which in fact is an old 18th century Carnatic composition, and ARR used it here as is. The Hindi equivalent was the Naina Milake song.
Songs in Baba and Boys were nothing too great. Generally Shankar-ARR usually come up with some wonderful stuff, but neither Boys nor even Shivaji had really great songs. Swades was a fantastic album, especially the title track. And Lata sounded her best in recent times in Lukka Chuppi, so beautifully does that song convey the feelings of a mother.
Also i felt his BGM score for Bose: The Forgotten Hero, was top class. The movie was a flop, so i guess ARR’s score did not really get the attention it deserved.
yes, its all my personal opinion and i am not making a generalisation for the heck of it, tat meenaxi soundtrack was lack-lustre. i genuinely did not enjoy it much, maybe bcos i did not listen to it so much. rahman music grows on u, the more u listen the more u like it. maybe i did not give meenaxi soundtrack tat many chances.
maybe bcoz of lack of time.
rahman has done a lot of rehash of his own music
lakeer was a put-off from the very beginning. i dont undertsand this bloody urge for every tom-dick-harry to become a director. ahmed khan is a wonderful choreographer and he went behind the cam, farha kahn did tat, then some fashion guru will want to do it…wtf. tats y i hated lakeer. i preferred listening to rhythm than lakeer. moreover, the lyrics were atrocious.
anyways, to each his own
by the way, i also made a few generalisation bcos of audio sales which are reflective of the likeability of the sound. so, if the audio sales do not go up, it statistically means tat ppl have not liked it
Praveen and Skelly,
couldn’t agree with you more especially the “headphone” and “blown away” part.
for sheer magic in lyrics, composition and not to forget fantastic vocals, someone please try “Do Kadam Aur Sahi” preferably by night.
very few modern compositions take you to a different world which you would refuse to come back from!!
2008 actually had one more Rahman album, one that did not probably get noticed by people – Ada. If you haven’t listened to it, you should.
meenaxi, lacklustre? you haven’t heard all the songs, have you?
i was doing a small filmography/tribute so i have missed out on a few movies and cud not go in detail abt a few others, sorry abt tat.
and probably edit my post. looks like i have hurt quite a few sentiments :(
in fact, just his 2008 movies deserve a dedicated post which i will soon put up.
regarding meenaxi…plz see comment#12. i think i will revisit meenaxi bcos of so many recos
This might be an overstatement today but AR will and probably has already surpass every single musician who has been there in Bollywood ever.
@ Santosh Kumar cmnt.#13
WOW…Someone finally raving about “Do kadam Aur Sahi”… I thought only I loved this track..Was almost customary to hear it just before I slept..Sometime back, came across a mention of it in rangan’s blog…Another addition to the extinct club.
Erm? A huge ‘MEENAXI’ fan here!
After watching it, i wanted to go and touch M.F.Hussain’s feet!
The soundtrack is phenominal!
The film is WOW!
Tabu is gorgeous!
Ratnakar, yes, I also prefer ‘Alaipayuthey’ over ‘Saathiya’.
The vocal arrangements were much better in Tamil.
‘Do kadam aur sahi’ is divine!
Infact, for all those who love it, watch the title sequence of the film.
The bgm is AMAZING!
I can’t rave about ‘Meenaxi’ enough!
It’s a masterpiece in every sense of the word!
seems like u have not listened them properly…boys,meenaxi…
@rohith: yup…i already mentioned in my previous comments tat i wud go back and give another chance to meenaxi. but boys, i m not so sure. i m a die-hard rahman fan, but tat definitely does not mean tat i shud force myself to like it. boys just did not work for me, for watever reasons. but i m glad tat there are lotsa ppl who have loved it; and tats wat has kept rahman going. also, i was talking from audio-sales point of view, maybe these albums are collector’s delight rather than a mass phenomenon. gimme a break
I want to mention two other particular things about his music. Just listen to his Quawallis/Sufi music in Piya Haji Ali, Khwaja Mere Khwaja, Arziyan and Satrangi Re, Chhaiyya Chhaiyya and you can actually breathe the music. “His deep understanding of the music … is unbeatable.” ——- The same can not be said about you. especially when you find Sufi Kawalli in Chayyaa Chayya which can have trace from northern punjab folk but no way Kawaali.
meenakshi was one hell of an album , please listen to the Shivamani piece, the Asha Bhonsle song and above all the first time ever rahat indori-rehman collaboration in Ristey Kya Dikhlati hain.
@labor_day_sale: i m sure u were joking
if u dont see sufism in chaiyya chaiyya then u must do some reading on gulzar who himself proclaims it. i was talking abt sufi and quwalli in the same breath, i was not mixing the two… wonder wat lead u into thinking so.
see wat u have written “Ristey Kya Dikhlati hain” … u need to re-listen to the songs carefully buddy. its “ye rishta kya kehlata hai” and i have mentioned tat song in my post.
Some of the overlooked albums that havent been mentioned here simply because the movie was a flop:
(a) En Swaasa Kaatrey (Tamil)
(b) One two ka four
(c) Pukar
(d) Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (Tamil: One of ARR’s best but criminally wasted in a bullshit of a movie)
Guru had a song Shaukh hai that got added later: this is one of his forgotten masterpieces..
Other movies worth mentioning are Karuthamma, Kizhakku Seemayile,
@Vidhya: i have missed out on quite a few of the movies, but thats been on purpose. for example, pukar released in 2000; whereas i have clearly mentioned that my article is post-lagaan phase, 2001 onwards. so, if a few albums fall in pre-2001 then i have obviously skipped them hoping that they might have been covered in the prequel article. but thanx anyways for the feedback.
by the way, ’shaukh hai’ song was picturised on vidya balan in ‘guru’ but was ignored in the audio track; i just dont understand why.