A.R.Rahman + Maniratnam + Gulzar Magic again. Review on Guru Songs

Well, to start on an obvious note, we all know that Rahman and Maniratnam changed the sound of Indian film music.So, did they come up with any revolutionary stuff in the Soundtrack of Guru? Maniratnam for past few years have become little hesitant in using songs in his movies. And that is why most of the songs in Yuva/Ayutha Ezuthu were used as mere as fillers, though they were good, the movie would have worked even without the songs? So, what about Guru, does it has catchy songs which may become just fillers or the good songs that gels well with the theme of the movie? And one more thing that everyone looks in their soundtrack is variety? Is there variety in the songs on this soundtrack? Does this album have the usual effect like every other previous soundtrack of theirs had on their listeners, by which one cannot listen to any other album or think of anything else except the songs of their latest soundtrack for the next one week?

Barso Re - "Chinna Chinna Mazhaithuligal” is one of my favourite compositions of Rahman based on Rain and it still remains as my favourite. What I like most about Barso Re is its catchiness from the very first note. I always wanted to listen to Shreya Ghosalsinging a solo song in Rahman’s composition and now here it is. I simply love her voice and she is as she always can be, amazing in this song too. The folk rhythm in this song is not specific to any region, it is very generic, it may fit in any local folk song, a Tamil or Telugu or any north Indian folk genre for that matter. Of course, “Na na rey” tune and some of the beats are straight out of a recent Tamil folk song of Rahman. No matter how hard he tries, Rahman cannot leave a song with just the real instruments for the sake of authenticity, he has added a lot of synth stuff and techno beats in this song too and that only peps up the song. Those who have heard this song in the promos, may feel little disappointed when they hear the other unheard parts of the song for the first time, but believe it is as beautiful as the starting and give it sometime. Naveen’s flute flourishes enhance the happy mood of the song and it mainly brings the native flavour to the song amidst techno layers. Well, this is the catchiest song of the soundtrack and definitely will go down well with the masses.

Tere Bina -Rahman has quoted this song as a dedication to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saab and a dedication can’t get any better with the tune of the song in the style of Nusrat Saab and Rahman adding his own touches in sound and orchestration. Everything is just perfect in this song; you feel a sense of satisfaction or completeness when you complete listening to it. Just listen for the guitar layers all through the song, Rahman uses Guitar so beautifully in melodies that takes his songs to a different plane. Rahman is getting better everyday in singing. The big surprise of the song is Chinmayi. I feel, choosing a right singer for the song is in itself an art and Rahman is a master in it. It is no wonder that Chinmayi won all Indian level Ghazal competition; she sounds every bit like a north Indian singer with perfect expression and rendition, her strong base in Hindustani classical music shows in her voice. So this is THE ONE song of the album which we look for in every Maniratnam + Rahman soundtrack? To me, it is.

Ek Lo Ek Muft -Now this is the typical-Rahman-grows-on-you kind of song. But somehow, I instantly liked it. Every bit of the song is very catchy with rustic percussions, funny chorus and a likeable tune. Adding the magic to the song is dramatic singing of Bappi Lahari. Rahman does it again with sugar-coated Chitra’s voice in this song; I have never heard Chitra in this range before. I think this song would be fun with the visuals.

Mayya Mayya -Starting from Humma Humma to recent Khalbali, Rahman always kept bringing Arabic music in his soundtracks and it goes one step further in “Mayya” by using all authentic Arabic percussions and instruments in addition it also has singers singing Hindi lyrics in Arabic way. Maryem Toller’s voice and singing is perfectly apt for the song. It is the most unconventional track with an unusual format and orchestration, but the song rocks, especially the culmination of so many layers of chorus, main vocals, strings, percussions; flute in last 2 minutes is mind-blowing. You just have to listen to it to understand how good it sounds.

Ay Hairathe -The theme of Guru appears again in this song but it gets a new colour here. In the way Rahman has mixed the theme with a simple and elegant Ghazal tune, the song gets an identity of its own. I always wonder, how Rahman brings a unique sound even when he uses just a Tabla in the background, just listen for that additional beat he introduces, which adds a new flavour to the rhythm of the song. The song though sounds simple initially, takes a surprise twist when the first line comes to a pause suddenly pause before the second line is started and that made all the difference to an otherwise often heard kind of song. The interlude throws in surprise by the twists and turns it takes to various forms of music before it settles back to the main rhythm of the song. The strings flowing in the background all through the song is so beautifully done and it elevates the emotional depth of the song. Hariharan is back after a long back in Rahman’s composition again and he is fully in form and control.

Baazi Lagaa -May be it is a situational track but they could have worked out a more catchy and appealing tune. The rock and roll beats and overall the arrangements reminds us of yesteryear songs. Let us wait and watch how this song is going to gain our attention with its visuals.

Jaage Hain -This is the song which I was waiting for, as Rahman mentioned about some opera stuff in an interview. The song travels back and forth between the orchestra and vocals performing the same main melody. The Chennai strings orchestra and Chennai chorale group have done a great job in bringing the grandeur the song demanded. The tune is emotional and haunting. Rahman often goes for live orchestration these days and that is actually good. Though the orchestra here has nothing much to do except for playing the main tune, listen to the high bass running in the background, it is brilliant and fits to the mood of the song to T.

So now that we have heard all the songs, let us answer all those questions.

There is nothing revolutionary in this soundtrack which will take Indian film music a step ahead but there are lessons to be learnt from for the other composers. Of course, it is a movie soundtrack in which the songs also have a stand lone listening value. You ask for Variety? All the songs are different from each other. I have listened to the soundtrack almost 15 times so far. And I am still listening to it, so it had the same old effect of Rahman + Maniratnam soundtracks on me. Here is the most frequently asked question on every Rahman’s soundtrack, is it a Masterpiece of Rahman? May be, I don’t know. I can’t say that now, to say it we have to wait until we watch the movie.

You can also listen to my opinoin in my voice here

https://ursmusically.wordpress.com/2006/11/18/guru-soundtrack