 Vishal Bharadwaj is one of the most underrated music composers of Hindi Film Industry. ‘Maachis’, ‘Satya’and ‘Maqbool’ are priceless gems emerging from his musical stable. It was conjectured that after turning Director, he may lose interest in his prowess as a music composer of eminence. But as I listened to his latest directorial offering ‘Omkara’, my belief in him as a master creator of amazing melodies was reaffirmed. In today’s time when one reads a Shankar-Ehsan-Loy interview, they are referring to their work in terms of Himesh Reshamiya’s volumes of hits. Vishal Bharadwaj is not into that rat-race. And he is not desperate to impress anyone. It shows in his music. For a discerning listener, ‘Omkara’ CD is a collector’s item. Gulzar’s lyrics is an added bonus as the manner in which he weaves the sheer rusticity with human plight is nothing short of brilliant.
 Title track ‘Omkara’ is already creating waves. In days to come, you shall be hearing a lot of it on every street corner with little children imitating Sukhwinder Singh’s out-of-the-box singing style. It’s not your usual song, for it’s interwoven in a narrative story telling manner. Maybe, reminiscent of the title track of ‘Mangal Pandey’ at the level of the idea. But ‘Omkara’ has its own idiom and unique style. Gulzar’s writing carries vignettes of the language of the cow belt. Rhythm arrangements by Nitin Shankar are a mix of ‘Dhapli’, Bass and Snares. The music section in the middle is an eclectic mixture of male backing vocals, ‘Ektara’, acoustic guitar and Opera Strings. The rhythm pattern changes gears in the middle and raises the tempo signifying the extreme nature of the protagonist ‘Omkara’. After listening to hundreds of ordinary songs, this one surprises with its unpredictability. A Brilliant Song!
O Saathi Re Din Doobe Na, Aachal Din Ko Roke, Dhoop Ke Peeche Dode Chaanv Chue Na… In ‘O Saathi Re’, the soft murmur of a guitar, like the wet-with-dew-morning makes you take a deep breath of calmness. Shreya Ghoshal’s silken warm voice tremulously gels with the bass-ignited-soft-rhythm pattern. The real surprise follows when you hear Vishal singing the male lead with the tenderness of a potter weighing his clay while making a vessel of a lifetime. Even his breath sound adds a dash of romance to this song between the cosy confines of a couple rejoicing in their world of isolation after the hurricane of troubles. Chennai String Orchestra efficaciously traverses the skies of abstract luminosity while Chintoo Singh’s acoustic guitar hits all the right chords. If soothing music with illuminating lyrics defines your music, then you’d love to play this song again and again.
Na Ghilaaf Na Lihaaf Thandi Hava Bhi Khilaaf Sasuri, Ho Itni Sardi Hai Kisi Ka Lihaaf Layi Le Ja Padosi Ke Choole Se Aag Layi Le….. Beedi Jalayi Le. It’s ‘UP Bihar’ time guys. Remember the raucous Shilpa Shetty item number in ‘Shool’. Well, the flavor is the same and is bound to be a big hit with the front benchers. The choice of singers in Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhvinder Singh is perfect. For their uninhibited, unpretentious and irreverent singing depicts the uncouth elements this song is visually meant for. Rambunctious tabla-dholak rhythm pattern winks at the inebriated-with-celebration backing vocals. Electric guitar rhythm pattern is immediately followed by a Harmonium piece. Vishal’s music takes the unpredictability route yet gain. And one is thrilled at the end result. This ‘Beedi’ is smouldering with stimulation.
Suresh Wadkar’s ‘Jag Ja’ is a treat for all those who treasure goose-pimple-evoking-poetry and salubrious vocals. It’s as if one is taking a solitary walk through the river of green fields having a sumptuous feel of the millions of flowers reveling in their pristine glory. A waterfall of Piano notes amal
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