===Zinda phir bhee rahega mera zameer
Jism ko maut bhee aa jaye agar!==
Introduction
Oh who are we? What are we, if not mere mortals, of lesser existence, restricted, reserved, narrowed and selfish? Oh what are our thoughts if not centered over a very small self? Look at us! Our actions, our dreams, our thoughts, our words, our goals, our principles… everything revolve around this one, single, insignificant self, pampering an inconsequential ego! Ah! We are but inferior beings, bound and tethered by chains and knots that we have tied to ourselves, living in a small, meaningless spheres, wrapped with ego, pretences, lies and greed!
Ah! I know you will refute me here! You will tell me tall tales of your selfless love, of your unprecedented generosity! But I ask you!—if that love, that generosity of yours were to disturb your existence in the slightest, discomfort you the least, bring you below the plinth you place yourself—then will you still love? Will you still give? Oh, I know you will not! nor will I! For we are pointless beings, locked inside walls of selfishness, enveloping a very small self! We cannot look beyond those limits!
Oh I’m nothing too great myself! I pity myself: yet refuse to change! I am worse! For I know how pointless I am, I know fully well how meaningless I am—yet I see glory in my insignificance! That is I! Pity me!
What infinite power it was that drove Subhash Chandra Bose is beyond our understanding. He was not a man—but far more than that. What need did he have to fight a losing battle, brave death at every step, bleed yet march, never sleep a wink, run the whole globe a fugitive in search of freedom? He could have so easily had an easy life as a teacher or a clerk, with a family, laughing children, and a loving wife! What need did he have to staunchly stand by his convictions?
Ah, what power it is of staunchly following a single conviction like a madman! It is beyond our understanding! For if our convictions disturb our happiness, we shall conveniently alter those convictions! But Subhashji did not! He stood by them, nurtured them, nourished them, strengthened them and fought for them!
The Review
I must beg your pardon for being unable to give out lyrics—I shall update this review the instant I find them! I have not watched the movie, nor its trailer: so in some sense. I expect some faults to creep into my thoughts: please excuse them. This is honestly a music review!
Aazadi
Voices: AR Rehman, Western Choir, Chennai
Clear, valiant and true promises to the land echo through every note, every word of this song. As AR Rehman pledges independence, in a surprisingly engaging voice, the tune slowly creeps into your heart. You must be a very heartless person if tears don’t break out of your eyes—A song that Subhashbabu lived and died for, “Azaadi…” is the first, and the brightest, jewel in this necklace of patriotism!
Kadam Kadam
Voices: Vijay Prakash, Mumbai Film Choir
Lyrics: Subhashchandra Bose
Inspired, gallant, unwavering and determined marching soldiers urge each other, egg each other on towards the frontier. “Kadam kadam badhaye ja… khushi ke geet gaye ja… Yeh zindagi hai kaum kii, to kaum pe lutaye jaa!” they cry, with dreams of an independent India, a rule of its own people, a clear sky of hope and happiness in their eyes, they march, uncaring for their own lives.
To sher-e-hind aage badh… Badein se phir bhee to na dar… udake dushmanon ka sar… Josh-e-watan badhaye ja!
Music that brings the scene of a marching legion, charged and inspired, towards their ultimate goal, a tune that sets your heart to a brave march for a moment, this song portrays something of the great, great, great spirit that drove Bose’s army. Bravo, Rehman, bravo Vijay!
Ekla Chalo
Voices: Sonu Nigam, Nachiketa Chakraborty
Sonu Nigam at his musical best, this song expresses, at the same time, the daredevilry and the grit of the soldiers that fought for the Indian National Army, and yet pure happiness—the happiness that each soldier craved for, and even lived, in embracing their martyrdom! Once again, it will take a heart of stone to hold back a torrent of tears as the tune warms, weakens and quickens your heart… this is a song sung to the soul!
Tanha raahi apnein raah chalta jayega… Ab to jo bhee hoga, dekha jayega…
Hum Dilli Dilli Jayenge
Voices: Mumbai Film Choir
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
“Chalo Delhi!” echoed the forest-covered, tense valleys of eastern India, as the earth shook with the power of the footsteps of Indian National Army, not marching towards just the frontier with their weapons, but into every corner of the frightened and shocked British heart. As the choir declares “Hum dilli dilli jayenge”, you can feel that atmosphere cloud you, as the valleys of Myanmar, the trees, the sky stood in shocked silence, adoring silently the great determination of these handful Indians.
“Hum goli khaa ke jhoomenge…
maut ko badhke choomenge…
Desh Ki Mitti
Voices: Sonu Nigam, Anuradha Sriram
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
I have not watched the movie, nor the trailer, so I do not know when this song was supposed to have been sung. But I reckon Subhashji sang this song when he was at Berlin or Afghanistan, because he had been there organizing and mobilizing his troops. Sweetly, tenderly, gently, the song unfolds the soft, emotional side of this great man, this pillar of revolutionary courage! As this song progressed, I felt—Subhashji did not beg at the doors of heaven for soldiers to aid him—they were normal people, young, with dreams in their eyes, much like myself. And the thought that there were people like me who fought that battle—that is the inspiring thought that song left me with: and indeed every listener!
Zikr
Voices: AR Rehman, Rafi, Shaukar Ali
Rather frightening and very vigorous, I could not understand the emotions of this song for two reasons: one, I do not understand Urdu, in which this song is composed, and two, I do not know in what part of this song this movie was sung. But going by its tense tune, and it’s constant call to Allah, it must have been sung when the battle was going against the favor of these brave lions, who refused to give in to the enemy’s intimidation. Forgive me for my inaccuracy.
Ghoomparani
Voices: Sapna Mukherjee, Satyanarayan Mishra
Whoever Mukherjee is, has hardly been just to the sublime music of the rest of the music! Her voice is unsuitable to the scale in which she has sung the song, sounding as though she were shouting and squealing for some reason. Well, ek daag reh jaana hi thaa… kahin baaki Sangeet ko kisi ki nazar na lag jaye!
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
AMEN!
(To the greater glory of God, so be it!)
