Yatra
While the debate is on around whether Anu Malik''s score for
''Umrao Jaan'' matches up to the class of Khayyam''s classic score in the
namesake flick a couple of decades back, the soundtrack of ''Yatra'' enters
silently. Why is the film special?
For three reasons: 1. The film has music by Khayyam. 2 The film stars Rekha as a coutesan once again after ''Umrao Jaan''. 3
Nana Patekar is in the lead along with Rekha and hence makes the casting
special. Directed by acclaimed Gautam Ghose, the film comes from the production
house of Bipin Kumar Vohra who had made ''15 Park Avenue'' early this year.
Apart from Khayyam, Ghose too handles the music of around half the album.
With a niche theme like ''Yatra'' and a expectations of a score dipped in Indian
classical music, one plays on the album. Well, it turns out that the album is
indeed hardcore classical and is aimed only at a minute section of audience.
Write your own music review of Yatra
Asha Bhonsle crooning for Rekha. Now this is a celebration in itself, more so
with a setting like ''Yatra''. A ''ghazal'' set for a ''mujra'',
''Jaam-e-Mohabbat'' is about this female who knows about her beauty and the
power she has that never fails to catch the attention of men around her. Ahmed
Wasi''s writing is made of ''sher-o-shayari'' that will be appreciated by the
followers of this genre. Khayyam keeps his composition rooted without trying to
go the filmy route and hence the track would find only niche followers. Rekha
too narrates a line or two in between but that doesn''t excite much either.
Ahmed Wasi and Khayyam come together again to create ''Aap To Mere Hi Khwabon'',
a love duet by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. While the tune is soulful, the
musical arrangements tend to belong to 50s and 60s kind. One feels that the song
may have sounded a lot better only of modern technology could have been used to
pep up the arrangements while keeping the tune intact.
Talat Aziz is heard after a long time in the Hindi movie soundtrack when he
renders ''Saaz-e-Dil-Nagma-e-Jaan''. His class is visible once again as he
effortlessly goes ahead with this complex track that is a lot more than just
being semi-classical. Written by Naqsh Lyalpuri, the nuances of the track are
such that it would be understood and picked up with glee only by a select few
who are followers of this genre. Meanwhile for those who love conventional music
from Hindi movies, this one would be a quick skip. In fact, so far the album
proves that it is mainly for the classically inclined and has little or nothing
for conventional music followers.
Asha Bhonsle and Khayyam come together again for ''Madhur Madhur''. The song has
a ''pahadi'' feel to it, especially with the sound of flute in the background.
The light beats accompanying the song too have a eastern flavor to it that gives
the song a Bengali/Assamese touch. Yet another track with classic overtones,
this one written by Maya Govind is poetic all the way and would be followed
mainly by Hindi literature followers.
Now where does this come from? That''s the first thought that comes in mind as
soon as heavy bass western beats are heard. To top it up, there are moans and
groans of a female that makes one check the CD in surprise if the track is
actually a part of the film''s soundtrack. Well, it actually is as the remix
version of ''Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar'' is heard next! Surprised? Well, even we were
but one gives the album a benefit of doubt since this track sung by female
singer Jojo may be for a situation in the film. Originally composed by O. P.
Nayyar, for the remix version Goutam Ghose himself pitches for the music. Simply
avoidable!
From this moment on, it is Goutam Ghose all the way at the composer''s seat with
each of the tracks being traditional and hardcore classical. First to come is
''Tadpe Bin Baalam'' which is a ''dadra'' and rendered by Shuvra Guha. In fact
she is heard in as many as 4 tracks from here. Next come Ustad Rashid Khan''s
''Garaje Ghata'' and ''Biya Biya'', a ''tarana'', which are again traditional
tracks and strictly for those who understand Indian classical music to the
finest detail.
Keya Acharya sings ''Panchhi Pinjre Se'' which can be given a hear by an average
listener since it is more of a song rather than classical rendition and hence
can be identified to some extent. Keya''s rendition reminds one of Rekha
Bhardwaj who again is a pro in classical rendition and has a similar voice and
style.
Shuvra returns with ''bhairon thumri'' titled ''Dareja Dareja'' which was
originally composed by Kunwar Shyam. Sound of ''ghunghroo'' indicate that this
classical track is for the ''mujra'' setting though the lyrics are of the kinds
that are difficult to be understood, let aside being followed, by the man on the
street. She also croons ''pilu thumri'' titled ''More Ankhiyan Bhool Gayi'' and
also pairs up with Aditi Bhattacharya for ''Jaoji Na Karo'', a ''mishra
khamaj''. Well, the result is just the same as the tracks preceding them.
Unlike ''Umrao Jaan'' where Khayyam did have a few chartbusters up his sleeve,
with ''Yatra'' he doesn''t take any leliency to come up with a crowd pleasing
score and only follows the movie''s genre. Simply stated, ''Yatra'' is just not
for the average man on the street and is strictly for those who are not just the
followers of Indian classical music but also understand such music to the
minutest details.
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