Raanjhanaa Music Review

The Mozart of Madras is in the news again for his latest album, Raanjhanaa. Raanjhanaa sees Rahman teaming up with director Anand Rai (of Tanu Weds Manu fame). The movie marks the dream debut for Dhanush in Bollywood. Sonam Kapoor plays the female lead in this movie. 

Rahman's last Hindi album, Jab Tak Hai Jaan wasn't very well received (though personally, I'm a fan). His latest album has a lot to offer in every sense. 

  

The album consists of 9 songs, 8 penned by Irshad Kamil and one instrumental.
Rahman pays tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan with Shenai interludes in all the songs.

Raanjhanaa, the title track of the movie begins in typical Rahman style with plain vocals by renowned Ghazal singer, Jaswinder Singh. Fast paced beats and a Shenai interlude follow. Shiraz Uppal does a neat job, lending just the voice the song needs. Raanjhanaa hun tera is the phrase to hum for the fans. The fast paced song sets in a happy mood, Dhanush performs and dances like never before in the visuals. The song is perfect start to an album that has so much more to offer. Thumbs up!

The second, Banarasiya begins with a beautiful violin piece. Soon, the song takes the Classical route with Tabla beats and Veena / Flute interludes. You know you are in for a treat right away when Shreya Ghosal sings for Rahman. Anwesha Datta, the other vocalist has come a long way from her first reality show, 4 years ago. Her mellifluous voice along with Shreya's is a delight to listen to. They pull off the difficult phrases gracefully together. This is that song of a Rahman album that grows on you on repeated hearings. Thumbs up again!

Right into business with electronic drum beats and piano backing is Piya Milenge. The swaras remind one of Yaakai Thiri, the true fan would go GaGaSa after NiSa. Tabla beats soon follow to give this song a 'fusion' feel. Sukhwinder Singh is brilliant on the vocals, never has he not been. The KMMC Sufi Ensemble performs splendidly. The fast swaras backed by a violin piece are the highlight of the song. The Sufi-fusion sounds like a transformation song of sorts for the hero. Pick of the album. And yes of course, Thumbs up! 

Ay Sakhi rendered by Madhushree, Chinmayi, Vaishali and Aanchal Sethi is the next song of the album. It takes the route that Banarasiya from the same album does. You wonder if it was Sadhana Sargam you just heard, for a moment. Vaishali or Aanchal it was. Vocal interludes are interesting and unique. The song is probably meant to work on screen. 5 or 6 hearings and the typical fan isn't impressed yet. 

Nazar Laaye begins with an acoustic guitar piece in western style and stays true to its beginning all through unlike the other numbers. Rashid Ali renders with a husky voice. Neeti performs aptly. It is that light hearted romantic number that every Bollywood romance has. So call it the "breezy romantic number"? Fine. Thumbs up? Nah, for the song doesn't offer anything new. Such is the benchmark Rahman creates.

Tu Mun Shudi commences with techno beats. Rahman does the vocals along with Rabbi (of Challa fame). Rabbi's deft rendition lifts the song up. The refrain Hamse wafeiyein na appeals to the listener quickly. The phrase Tu Mun Shudi feels out of place for a moment initially but soon merges in well. 

Rahman goes jazz. Aisa na dekho is rendered by the composer himself. The 'Indian listener' feels the weirdness of the genre instantly. Give the song repeated hearings just the way you did to Rehna Tu from Delhi 6. The song is a potential trendsetter. The tiny jazzy accordion interludes fit in perfectly, sublimely adding to the grace of the song. The song was meant to be sung by A R Rahman for only he can interpret some of his compositions. Thumbs up!

The Land of Shiva is an instrumental song. Live Aarti chants recorded by the director while shooting have been incorporated in this song (source : wikipedia). The Udukkai beats are energetic. The one minute piece sounds spiritual as the name suggests. The song is probably part of the BGM. 

The Javed Ali - Rahman duo has never disappointed. The album touches its highest point in its final song. Like three other songs in the album, the song is quick to take the classical route. This is the song where the hero starts going behind his girl. Javed Ali's rendition is spot on. Keerthi and Pooja, the other singers of the song do their parts well. The tabla beats keep up the spirit of the song all through. There are no dull moments in this song, for it has the Rahman flavour right from the word go. The song, released as a single a month before the album's release, is topping the charts already. Thumbs up!

At the end of the 38 minute album, you only wonder how this man pulls it off every time. The music is definitely a high point in the movie.
If Rockstar proved Rahman's prowess in the western genre, Raanjhanaa does in the Indian classical genre.
Raanjhanaa has all the makings of a super hit album.