2006 - On the 26th of January, the movie
Rang De Basanti released. Now if you have
not heard Rang De Basanti (which is quite
close to impossible) then you possibly do
not know that Rahman is very close to the
best in India when it comes to delivering
high energy Punjabi numbers. The Rang De
Basanti song which had Daler Mehendi in
full throttle with the desi drums for company
pumped adrenalin into the farthest corners
of our body. Then there was the ‘Paathshala’
which might be called the ‘School
of Rock/Rap’ for Indian film music,
something never heard or tired before. Then
Khalbali with the distinct Arabic feel that
made you want to dance. And of course, there
were the signature Rahman melodies, Roobaroo
(the song that unearthed Naresh Iyer) and
Tu Bin Bataayein that left a lump in your
throat- January 2006.
2007 - We need not tell you what was unleashed
in January 2007. For the ones not so fortunate
with their memory- Guru. Another Mani Ratnam-Rahman
combo that gave us everything that we needed
for our hearing pleasures. Maiya Maiya,
again an Arabic touch but very cleverly
tweaked to suit our tastes. But then this
was just the average part of an album that
had two lilting melodies- Tere Bina and
Aye Hairathe, the latter especially making
us linger on in the sweet symphony of Hariharan’s
voice as it blended with the subtly used
tables. Not to forget the thundering background
music that gave us the thrill.
2008- The music is just catching on in some
parts of India but Rahman has definitely
scored a hat-trick of hits in successive
Januaries. Jodha-Akbar has sealed the love
story of Rahman and January (Jodha Akbar
Music was released in January). It may not
be the ‘first time love’ kind
of songs but Rahman has given one of the
finest albums in recent times. Jashn-e-Bahara
is definitely the most ‘melting melody’
that has come out since Aie Hairathe- the
perfect use of Sonu Nigam’s sweet
voice. ‘In Lamhon Ke Daaman’
too makes us lose ourselves in layers of
finely crafted sound. But the cake is really
taken by the instrumental versions where
the flute replaces the vocals-mesmerizing.
And for the thrill, hear Azeem-o-shaan shahenshah
with its resounding drums.
So, what’s for January 2009- we cannot
wait.
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