Raageshwari’s new pop album

After Duniya and Sachche Ka Saath, starlet-turned-VJ-turned-singer Raageshwari is all set to release her new pop album Pyar Ka Rang. The album will be released by HMV. Great efforts have gone into shooting the first video for the song Pyaar. An extensive set, 75 feet long, of Egyptian backdrop, was erected by Ajay Verekar at R.K. Studios to give a dramatic preface to the music video. Besides the group of dancers, and Raageshwari of course, Tom Alter and Nasir Kazi also feature in the music video. Tom Alter plays a professor of Archeology, who takes his batch of young students to the site, chancing upon sculptures of Aida (an Egyptian singer and dancer) and her lover Ramas (a magnificent warrior), and the tale of their eternal love that sets the song rolling.

The music video has been conceived and directed by Raageshwari’s brother, Rishabh Loomba, and shot on 35mm film by ace cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran. It will be aired on different music channels from July 26.

Raageshwari’s new album will have eight songs, written and composed by her father Trilok Loomba. Another family affair to look forwad to.

Daler Mehndi’s ‘Green Drive’ begins

Popular singer Daler Mehndi’s ‘Green Drive’ began from July 1 in New Delhi, wherein saplings were planted, and dust-bins provided, besides fund-raising activities and public motivation. Mehndi himself is very excited that people are taking interest in his pursuit to make Delhi, a cleaner, greener, and healthier place to live in. “My drive is not only about creating awareness, but also acting and implementing the ideas for practical use, so that the results follow,” says Mehndi.

The idea struck Mehndi after he started going on trips abroad. “Whenever I came back from my trips abroad, I felt the atmosphere in Delhi was congested. I heard everyone complain about pollution and unhealthy environment, but nobody did anything. So I decided to take up the challenge,” informs Mehndi.

For the noble cause, Mehndi is taking help from schools and personally motivating students, asking them to participate in plantations and cleaning the city. He has also announced a scholarship for one student from each participating school, which will include all financial and moral support for a course in Environmental Engineering.

The campaign has already garnered the support of 250 schools in Delhi. “Now people will witness a change, which otherwise would take 10 years to come, come just within three years,” promises Mehndi.

MAHARAJA

After a long time one gets to hear the Nadeem-Shravan brand of music and one must say it is a welcome change. The composer-duo come up with some melodious numbers, inspired from their past hits, which will soothe your tired nerves. The title song Main tera deewana, tu meri deewani, bas yehi hai Maharaja ki kahani starts off like the Raja song, Ankhiyan milaoon kabhi ankhiyan churaoon, and then goes on to sound like the Rang song Tujhe na dekhoon to chain mujhe aata nahin hai. It appears twice, the first sung by Udit Narayan, and the second sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, and both make for good listening. The romantic Thehro to sahi socho to zara is very slow and superbly sung by Sonu Nigam, and in contrast is Mera pyara mukhda ek number in which Kavita is at her fiery best, all out to prove that she is number one. Hai ajnabi is another soft number rendered soulfully by Sonu. A good buy, especially for those who listen with their heart.

THE GOLDEN COLLECTION

MOHD. RAFI - SENTIMENTAL MOODS

A collection of some of the best Mohd. Rafi numbers, that too digitally re-mastered for enhanced listening pleasure is sheer delight for music lovers, and will be grabbed by both hands by those who revel in listening to the golden oldies. In this compilation of 17 songs, there is not even one which will distract you for a moment. Each one will have you in rapt attention and the songs bring out the versatility of the inimitable singer, who could convey with ease the different sentiments. There is Dekhi zamaane ki yaari (Kaagaz Ke Phool), Toote hue khwabon ne (Madhumati), Teri zulfon se judai to nahin (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai), Yaad na jaye (Dil Ek Mandir), Din dhal jaye (Guide), Hum tum se juda hoke (Ek Sapera Ek Lutera), to name a few, songs which are among the rarely heard ones. Truly a collection worth its name, which gives an idea of what great music and great singing is all about.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

DIL JAANI - MASTI MIX BY RAJU

With remixes and all kinds of mixes in the market, one looks at albums with any ‘mix’ written on it with a lot of scepticism. And if it is a by new artist, then the scepticism increases. But this album makes an impact in the first hearing itself. In fact, the innovatively designed inlay card grabs your attention first and after you hear the album, you want to hear it again. The album is a masti mix by composer Raju, but the title is misleading because it is not a remix or anything like that. Rather there are seven great songs composed by Raju and sung well by Nona Kalra, and recorded in a U.K. Studio which explains the fabulous recording quality. Nona, who sounds a bit like Alisha Chinai, has a good singing style. Raju too comes up with some foot-tapping, finger-snapping music, giving new sounds. Of all the numbers, the hip-hop Lover boy and Dil jaani are the best. The bhangra-pop Indian girl, which sounds like an Apache Indian song, and Chaahat, inspired by George Micheal’s Last Christmas also impress. Innovative music and superb singing makes this album a great buy.