Pathbreaking Numbers. Review on Five Best Indipop Songs

I was not a serious listener of Hindi pop music. I have listened very less pop songs as I reside down south where exposure to such songs was very less. With my limited knowledge, the songs I listed here may not be the best songs but these are hit path breaking songs which reached the masses even down south who were not serious listeners of Hindi pop music. Pop songs created a new way for many young talents who found it difficult to make it into film music as some of the singers were dominating the whole industry.

*Made in India

Made in India / Alisha / Biddu*

This song paved the way for pop music in India. When people were interested in only film music, this album introduced a new genre of music called “Pop” in India and became one of the best selling non-film albums ever. The song is peppy, foot tapping with techno stuffs and bit of Arabic flavor. No body can stop shaking his body for the rhythm of this song. The song praises the India in a quite different way and the video is also quite different with an innovative idea. This is the first Hindi pop song that reached masses all over the country. Alisha’s voice is very unique and bit seductive. The “Made in India” chorus is catchy and instantly makes us addictive to the song. This song will always remain as one of the best in the history of Indipop music.

*Breathless

Breathless / Shankar Mahadevan / Shankar Mahadevan*

It was and is a unique effort made in Indipop so far. Though Shankar didn’t hold his breath for the 5 minutes which is impossible for any being, he has managed to hold it as long as possible. This song will ever be his best effort in singing. This is the song which made whole India to take a look on Shankar with admiration of extraordinary potential for not only singing but also composing such a breathless song. Javed Akthar’s lyrics give full support for the song to achieve the goal. The song starts with a nice guitar piece. The beats and the keyboard rhythm flowing through out the song in the background fit the pace of the song. Fast flowing Violins which go high along with his voice gives a grandeur sound to the song. Shankar showed a wide spectrum of ranges in which he can swing and sing. His alternate moves to high pitch and low pitch to hold on the breath without missing the word, the expression and the rhythm of the song is exquisite.

*Krishna Nee begane

Colonial Cousins / Hariharan, Leslie Peter Lewis / Lewis*

This album is nothing short of a revolution in Indipop. It is the first album of its kind. The album is an amalgamation of contemporary western music with Indian classical music. Especially this song is the highlight of the album with all the right elements fused in right proportions. In this song, both forms of music retain its own identity and go in synch when layered in parallel. “Krishna Nee” is sung with classical notes but with western beats and rhythm in the background and the English verses are sung in its own western style. The song has a great theme which sounds for longing peace and unity in the world. The lyrics by Lewis are enlightening by which he calls Jesus, Allah and Krishna all the three to come down and bring peace in the world. Hari’s mellifluous rendition of initial lines takes us to a new space of divinity and follows powerful singing by Lewis. The rocking guitar at the end that goes high kindles our senses. The song is enhanced with Indian feel by the usage of haunting flute pieces.

*Chand Nikla

Teri Kasam / Adnan Sami / Adnan Sami*

I have heard only one or two songs of Adnan sami before I bought this album but after hearing his recent album I almost became a fan of his unique voice and style of compostion. To me, this should be the best song in his career. This is the only track which uses tabla minimally among all his composition and also completely set to a different kind of rhythm. It is a divine melody with all great aspects of a melody falling in its way. The usage of Mohan Veena pieces played by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt takes the song to greater heights. Adnan’s rendition of two words “Chand Nikla” is just out of world. When he sings those words he brings out deep emotions from inside through his voice. I couldn’t stop hearing this song it is so beautifully composed, arranged, orchestrated and sung. The violin and chorus orchestration in the second interlude virtually takes us to space and moon. A brief violin bit at the end is a haiku in itself and a fitting close to the magical melodious track. Adnan masters in orchestration in this song. And all put together makes this song one of the best melodies ever in Indipop.

*Vande Mataram

Vande Mataram / A.R.Rahman / A.R.Rahman*

This song is the national anthem of the whole India in 1997. It is a path breaking song with powerful lyrics and vocals by ARR himself. Song starts with a powerful chant of ARR followed by “Vande mataram” chorus with strong percussion and electro stuffs in the background. The electric guitar used in the background evokes the electrifying power of the word ’’Vande mataram”. Use of instruments like Nadhaswaram, flute, tabla’s etc at right places gives traditional feel to the song. These traditional sounds when fused with such a powerful techno rhythm elevate the patriotic feel of the song to even greater heights. The song is highly complex to an extent that even now you can find a new sound somewhere in the song. The lyrics are another big strength of the song. The song will always be remembered as the modern National Anthem that kindled patriotism among the youth beyond all barriers in our nation and obviously the best in Indipop ever.

*Hope you all liked my choices.

'Pop' Song Ghao Mast ho Jao*