Screen choice of the week
Eros, Rs 160
Love Aaj Kal come as a perverted anti-climax in an era when even musical names are disappointing us big-time, because it consolidates our belief, very badly shaken recently, that melody will never die and hope and quality will return to film music, especially if musical filmmakers and talented composers join forces to make music with a film’s needs and not (sic) trends in mind.
Love Aaj Kal’s highlight is not the chartbusting Twist, Chor bazaari and Aahun aahun aahun (which is not to take away from the infectious charm of these three chart-toppers) but the beautiful Thoda thoda pyar (Sunidhi Chauhan) with its Punjabi folk motif and its rivetting antara. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Ajj din chadeya is among his best Hindi film songs, though it takes a while to grow upon the listener. Mohit Chauhan’s Dooriyaan works on its fluid simplicity, and KK’s Main kya hoon is a simple melody with some nice words.Welcome to the best score of 2009 so far- an oasis in Aaj Kal’s barren, unmusical desert.
Kailasa - Chaandan Mein
Sony-BMG, Rs 160
Kailash Kher mixes trendy with ethnic and ensures the use of both rare Indian instruments and words. Chaandan mein, Na batati nu and Bheeg gaya mera man are the standout tracks. Though the music by design is about fusion, it seems to have been composed with mission and passion rather than fashion in mind.
Ek Onkaar - Monica Bedi
Universal, Rs 75
Monica Bedi seeks inner peace by giving the same to others. She sings Ek onkaar, Wahe Guru simran and Japji panch pauri, holy traditional Sikh chants. Anand Kurhekar imparts the right fele to this devotional album.
