Rare 90s collector's item. Review on Henna Songs

“Henna” was the last Raj Kapoor film in the sense that before he died, he had the entire script and screenplay ready and had also recorded almost all the songs. Hence, the music has the trademark Raj Kapoor touch – large canvas, lilting melody, multi-piece orchestrisation and chorus topped by soulful singing.

Although the film was shot after his death and released in 1990, the music was recorded in his presence, in the mid-80s after the runaway success of his last-directed movie “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” in 1985.

In Henna, Raj Kapoor repeats Ravindra Jain as the music director, who had also composed for “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”. The singers in the film are the Raj Kapoor favorite Lata Mangeshkar whose presence is all-pervasive throughout the album, Suresh Wadkar (another RK favorite) and Mohammed Aziz, who was the reigning male playback singer during those times.

Getting to the track, I will get over with the so-so songs first:

Main Der Karta Nahin - Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar

This is one of the only mediocre compositions in the album with inane https://lyrics. Its quite clear that Jain was not too comfortable with the running-around-the-trees situation in this song. The singers are competent enough to pull off this rather forgettable duet.

Bedardi Tere Pyar Ne - Lata Mangeshkar

A Lata solo which may not remain with you for long, but it has its pleasant moments especially during the interludes and may grow on you if you persist.

Main Hoon Khushrang Henna - Lata Mangeshkar

The title track so to say but sadly, could have been much better. Title tracks of RK’s earlier films like SSS and RTGM have been of a far higher caliber. The dragging of the “Hoon” word in the sentence “Main hoon khushrang henna” is a trifle irritating and so are the jarring alaaps which are added in order to bring about a degree of restlessness and energy to the proceedings.

Main Hoon Kushrang Henna - Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Aziz

It’s the sadder version of the “sad” song – and can safely be skipped.

Ok, now we come to the good ones, which really make it worthwhile to possess this album:

Anar Dana - Lata Mangeshkar

This is a playful song sung along with chorus in which Henna declares her fondness for the hero. The song has three verses with the intensity of lyrics and mood growing with each verse.

Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin - Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar, Mohd Sayeed

Another brilliant composition – a rather long track, the song has three moods. The first one is the wedding scene when the heroine is waiting anxiously for her bridegroom. The next is when the scene shifts to the risky slopes of the Himalayas where the hero is speeding along trying to reach home on time. The music here captures the twists and turns of the mountainous terrain effectively. Finally, the climax - when the tune suddenly changes as the heroine’s patience starts wearing off and the captivating “aaja ve mahi tera rastaa dekh diya” is sung with gusto with amazing support from the chorus singers.

Marhaba Sayyedi - Mohd. Aziz.

A calm peaceful rendition meant to herald the hero’s entry into Pakistani territory as he falls from the cliff. The lyrics appear to be some kind of a Persian prayer and have been given a beautiful background score. Mohammed Aziz (though not one of my favorites) does a good job here.

Janewale O Janewale - Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar

Another long but endearing track, brilliant use of chorus singers. Again this song has three parts – the first one by Lata as she bids farewell to the hero, the second by Wadkar as he gratefully acknowledges the sacrifices made by her and the third once again by Lata, this time for the other heroine who is waiting for her beloved.

Vash Malle - Mohd. Aziz

Full of energy, this is one fast-paced song (picturised on a Pathan group singing during wedding celebrations) where the pitch reaches a crescendo towards the close.

My personal favorite:

Chitthiye - Lata Mangeshkar

This is a masterpiece in terms of the lyrics, music and rendition. The lyrics are totally Punjabi, but most Hindi listeners would be able to capture the gist and feel of the song. The rapid movements between high and low pitch is something which only a Lata could have done justice to. The song conveys the pathos of a sacrificing Henna when she is delivering her lover’s letter to his other beloved.

With legends like Raj Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar coming together for the last time, Henna remains one of the few collector’s items among the 90s music scene.