Vishal Bharadwaj is busy winning awards-n-adulation all over the world for his rapturous adaptation of Shakepeare’s Othello, ‘Omkara’. But what is being ignored (slightly) in all this exaltation for Vishal the new age director is Vishal, the fascinating music composer.

In fact his music score for ‘Omkara’ is undoubtedly his best work till date. And the best part about ‘Omkara’s’ music is that it appeals to both masses as well as classes at the same time.

If the title track ‘Omkara’, ‘Beedi’ and ‘Namak’ have an earthen feel for all round entertainment then ‘O Saathi Re’, ‘Jag Ja’, ‘Naina’ and’ Laakad’ touch the deep chord of thoughtfulness within. It was a glorious surprise to listen to Vhsial’s fabulously soothing singing vocals in ‘O Saathi Re’ while his wife Rekha Bharadwaj’s powerful rendition of ‘Namak’ and ‘Laakad’ is worthy of winning all the popular and critical awards this year.

Vishal Bharadwaj started his career with Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’ and followed it with Ram Gopal Verma’s ‘Satya’ and his very own ‘Maqbool’. He has never been a music composer in hurry to get ahead in the rat race. Today he is a director of repute and the adrenaline rush of being taken seriously by the big wigs of the film industry is also reflecting in his music as well. For he can do things the way he wants to. And then he has a wonderful lyricist in the form of Gulzar who always saves the best verse for him.

‘Omkara’ is undoubtedly Vishal’s best and most flawless work till date. He can only get better from here on. Hopefully he shall continue surprising with his unique musical idiom in the future as well.