Raavan Music Review

Film: Raavan
Director: Mani Ratnam
Music: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singers: Vijay Prakash, Mushtafa Kutoane, Keerthi Sagathia, Karthik, Mohammed Irfan, Sukhwinder Singh, Am'Nico, Javed Ali, Rekha Bharadwaj, Reena Bharadwaj, Illa Arun, Sapna Awasthi, Kunal Ganjawala


Raavan is yet another magical medley woven by the Oscar winning duo of A.R. Rahman and Gulzar. The songs are powerful and beautifully written. As the track record goes, whenever Rahman and Gulzar pair up - the end result is awe-inspiring!

This particular Bachchan couple starring album starts with the beautiful melody 'Beera Beera' sung by Mushtafa Kutoane, Vijay Prakash and Keerthi Sagathia , in a refreshing tune. The new talent Mushtafa has done a great job with his fresh voice along with the other two. With remarkable lyrics written by Gulzar, the song turns out be the unique piece in the album. The song depicts in energetic vocals the character that is Beera Munda (Abhishek Bachchan). It has an extreme powerful background score and attracts the direct attention of the audience. Rahman certainly scores on this one.

The next in queue, 'Behne De', is a soft romantic song, sung by Karthik and Mohammad Irfan. The song will leave you in a daze. It begins with a lilting music and evolves into an extremely romantic tune. For us, this certainly has the potential to be the best in the album. Gulzar weaves his magic with lyrics and Rahman with a stroke of his wand completes the spell. In short, yes we recommend this one, it's incredible!

The album is incomplete without the mention of 'Thok De Killi', an inspiring song sung by none other than Sukhwinder Singh and Am'Nico. The track commands an energy that can easily captivate the audience. Touched with Arabic essence in the non lyrical interludes, the song is sure to enrapture more than a single of your senses!

Mix a male voice, which has the power to serenade girls purely through its vibrations, with a single feminine voice which stands up to match them all. Bind it all together with a Rahman-trademark traditional-yet-very current background score, and this concoction is the recipe for next on the list 'Ranjha Ranjha'. Javed Ali and Rekha Bharadwaj come together to croon softly the lyrics by veteran Gulzar saheb. The song is accompanied by a persistent and not to be overlooked background orchestra. Rahman chooses to experiment herein, and succeeds. It's those touches that create 5.54 minutes of pure bliss.

The next track, 'Khili Re', evokes a different mood. If Ranjha is a love song that is strewn with passion and confrontation, then this track is a love song with much innocence filled into it, the kind that wants to be taken away. Here's essentially what the song is about - a female solo plea, which calls for her lover to personally come and take her to heaven and back. The thoughtful Gulzar-penned lyrics are sung by Reena Bharadwaj, a singer who has accompanied Rahman for a while, but hasn't done too many songs in Bollywood. Listeners would love to hear more of her, we believe, after this one, because her voice doesn't cross the line of sweetness, and yet is very distinct. The background music is very rustic and silent-set, giving emphasis to Reena's voice, and a recurring light percussion beat resonates as in older Rahman gems, like Tu Hi Re (Dil Se). This song, yet another from the album, is recommended.

And finally its time for the last track that we shall review, titled Kata Kata. This song is a full-on khichai (leg pulling) of another bachelor biting the dust. Hence the opening line of the song- "kata kata bechara bakra"! This song is in a way situational, as it'd be so fun to actually watch the mysterious 'bechara' being harassed. However, the audio has substance to fend for itself anyways, and the powerful percussion only helps catapult the impact of the song home - to the listener. The lyrics come to life via the vocals of Ila Arun, Sapna Awasthi, and Kunal Ganjawala, along with a very in-character chorus group.

If you didn't catch our hint, for the last song we said, 'last reviewed'. Yes, it was intentional - reason being a surprise song! Jaare Ud Jaare is what its called, but no, it is not a part of the CDs that have been released. The motives have not been addressed yet, and one can only wait and watch.

Expectations from A.R. Rahman seem to escalate with every album he delivers, and surprise at his excellence has ceased to exist. What is phenomenal is how he exceeds the benchmarks we set for him with every new album, in the very first song! Indeed, this album is filled with too many great tracks. Beera is already reigning radio stations and charts, with Ranjha Ranjha following suit.

How he does it each time is a mystery - as long as he does it however, we're one bunch of content fans!

BollyCurry rating: 4.5/5 chillies!

Author: Rachna N. and Zoah R.

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