STRINGS: REVIEW/ZUBEEN GARG Music Review - Page 6

An interview with Zubeen Garg

By IndiaFM News Bureau

Zubeen Garg - the name might not sound unfamiliar post Ya Ali. But this singer isn't a new entrant in Bollywood. He has been singing since the past six years and even has songs like Jaane Kya Hoga Rama Re (Kaante) to his credit. The talented singer also has a penchant for composing music.

After singing in 40 languages, composing for 26 Assamese films and winning a National award, Zubeen is all set to mark his debut as a music director in Bollywood with Sanjay Jha's offbeat film Strings.

In an exclusive conversation with IndiaFM, Zubeen speaks about his journey from a singer to music director and life after Ya Ali.

You began as a singer and now turned music director. How did the transition happen?

Actually I always wanted to be a music director. I started as a singer in 1992. I did a lot of music albums and then I started composing music for films. Later I sang for different languages. In north east there are around 40 different tribal languages and I am the first singer who sang in all these different languages out there. I kept experimenting on all those folk elements and then I came to music direction. I gave music for 26 films. I have experience and now I want to do Hindi films too.

You have been singing in Hindi films since around 5-6 years now. But you got recognition only off late. Why was it late in coming?

I don't know. I sang Mere Vatan from Fiza and then Jaane Kya Hoga Rama Re from the Kaante. But I didn't get the focus. With Ya Ali in Gangster, I got good scope. It's a very good song by Pritam. I want to thanks Vishesh Films. After Ya Ali everything is happening now.

Has life changed after Ya Ali?

Yes it seems so, because I am singing for different directors and banners. Its quite fun and I am enjoying it now.

Tell us something about your latest work, Strings.

Strings is a crossover film. It's half English and half Hindi movie on the backdrop of Kumbh Mela. It has been shot in Nasik and it was a fantastic experience. I have acted in two songs as a model. The film is about a British guy and a Purohit's daughter. It's about how they accept our philosophy and our culture. It's a bonding of western and Indian culture.

This is your first Hindi movie as a music director. Weren't you apprehensive?

This maybe my first Hindi film as a music director but I have done more than 25 films in Assam as a music director and also acted in films. I got a national award last year for a film called Dinabandhu. I was the executive producer, music director and actor of that film.

Sanjay Jha (director of Strings) is a very open minded person and he gave me a lot of freedom to work. I got an opportunity to experiment with my work. I worked for around 12 years in north east and Assam. I have used my folk elements here in this film so I think people will like it.

Tell us something about the music of Strings.

It has a folk base music with modern implementation and westernized orchestration. The songs are from north east. It's a virgin land and nobody knows about it. This is the first time I am using it. This has been released in Assam and Bengal and I am getting good feedback from them.

How different is the music of Strings? How will you define your style?

It's different because it's not a typical Hindi movie. This movie has a different attitude and a different goal, basically. I have not tried the common element. There's a 600 year old Assami prarthana (prayer) that I converted in Hindi. It is a first song of the film. I think people will like it. There is one more song, a poem from Baba Nagarjun. He is a Hindi poet. He was sent to prison for that poem in 1969, so there is a rebel in that poem. It's a satire that depicts all the drawbacks of our democracy. The poem was published that time and then it was banned. We managed to make it as a song. I think people will like it.

Which is your favorite song in Strings?

There are six songs in the movie and I like the prarthana and the Om song. There is one more song called Piya Milan Ko Jana by Pankaj Mallik. It's a very famous song. People don't even remember that song. I reworked on the same and used only Piya Milan Ko Jana while the lyric is different. But the tune was same.

What are the forthcoming films that you are working on?

I am singing for the movie Pyar Ke Side Effects. It's a PNC production. I think it's a wonderful song by Pritam again. I am singing for Anurag's forthcoming film Woh Lamhe. The next project will be Dekho Mil Gaya. I am also singing a song for Vishal-Shekhar which is Arjun Rampal's production.

More bollywood masala at IndiaFM

ZUBEEN GARG COMPOSER
The rainmaker

In the northeast, he is a household name. In the rest of the country, he is not exactly unknown. Remember the haunting title song of Fiza and Jaane kya hoga rama re in Kaante? Most of the 30 albums that Zubeen Garg has made have been successes. His recent shift—from Guwahati to Mumbai—has only broadened the 32-year-old's canvas. Assamese film, Dinobandhu, in which he plays second lead and has composed music, will make it to the Indian Panorama of the international film festival in India next year. A project he is excited about is Strings, a Bollywood-made English film, in which he is music director.

"Music is in my blood. My mother and grandmother are singers and my father Kapil Thakur is a renowned poet," says Zubeen.

In 1992, he began singing. His first album, Anamika, in which he was lyricist, composer and singer, was with Kavita Krishnamurthy. It was a hit. He has since helped compose music for Asoka and Dil Se. Along with best buddy Debo Kumar, he set up N.K. Productions and made Assamese film Tumi Mor, Matr Mor; the romantic thriller had Zubeen as the star; the story, lyrics, music and direction were also by him. Today, he has one leg in Assam and the other in Mumbai. "I always wanted to do Hindi films because of the national reach," he says.

He is an unabashed admirer of R.D. Burman, Ilayaraja and Sting and is close to Bhupen Hazarika. Zubeen and his band have worked with almost 250 Assamese tribes, learning over 5,000 folk songs. "I intend to bring all that to Mumbai," he says. "They are my weapons and tools."

Vijaya Pushkarna

zubeen is a good singer and Ya Ali was good..

Original 'Ya Ali' song in Arabic was by Guitara

Originally posted by: teenindia_usa

Zubeen is a good singer and Ya Ali was good..

Original 'Ya Ali' song in Arabic was by Guitara

Pari will it be possible to get a link of Arabic version.

Zubeen Garg draw accolades -- NRAs of UK
By admin - Date: 2005-01-04 10:39:26

House of Lords in the Royal Court Palace of Westminster hosted the Global Assamese convention to focus on Assam and its heritage on Friday 17 December, 2004.

This meeting will act as a curtain raiser to the North East NRI convention to be held at Assam Engineering Institute Field, Chandmari Field, Guwahati on 11 to 12 January 2005 organised by NECCI (North East Chamber of Commerce & Industry).


FROM L: Mira Bora, Garima Garg, Dr. Dharani Bora, Rini Kakati, Zubeen Garg and Utpal Borah from Philladelphia, USA celebrated Christmas party at China Town in Leicester Square.

Lord Adom of Blackburn, Baroness Flather, Lord Nazir of Rotherham and Lady Helen have organised this meeting and invited today's Youth Icon, Zubeen Garg from Assam. There was a display of Assamese arts and crafts by Garima Garg which was appreciated by the dignitaries.

Mr. Satyabrata Pal, Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. R. Bagchi, Minister of Co-ordination for High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ajay Sharma, Director of India Tourism, Mr. Amit Roy, well- known journalist from The Daily Telegraph, Mrs. Paula Chatterjee, another journalist from Asian Voice, Mr. Chewang Phusog, Minister for High Commissioner of India and Policy Adviser of Asian Affairs, Mr. Atma Singh spoke about the richness of North East India specially Assam and the importance of showcasing the cultural diversity of Assam in UK as well as bringing together the investor of both countries.
Utpal Borah from Philladelphia, USA came all the way to see Zubeen's Concert in UK.

The cultural function was held the next day on Saturday 18 December, 2004 at Copland Technology Centre in Wembley. The main attraction of this evening was today's Youth Icon, Zubeen Garg and his band. Mrs. Malabika Barua greeted Zubeen with a typical Assamese Gamosa. The function was organised by Rini Kakati in collaboration with Asian communities in London.

Zubeen started his performance by his great song "Majuli Majuli" dedicated to our cherished island. He also sang in Hindi, Bengali and Assamese song. Zubeen mesmerised the audience with his popular Bihu songs and the audience joined in and dance.

The vote of thanks was offered by Mr. Rajinder Chopra, President of Hindu Samaj. He said that music has no boundaries and added that Zubeen's voice and music is second to none.

In her welcome speech, Rini Kakati thanked the staff and the audience for their invaluable
co-orperation and assistance specially to the crew of Zee TV for their full coverage of the programme.

Deuka - famous songs of Parboti Prasad Barua, by Zubeen.

Legend and protg in Bihugeet blitz

By A staff reporter

Guwahati, Dec. 5: Two of Assam's adored singer-composers, one a legend and the other aspiring to be one, today came together to compliment one another in the best manner possible.

Zubeen Garg released an album of Bihugeet by Bhupen Hazarika under a mellow December sun and the maestro, in turn, introduced a new compilation of Bihu songs by the young singer-composer.

Zubeen releasing Hazarika's album, titled Rongmon, was significant in more ways than one. First, because Hazarika had recorded an album of Bihu songs after a gap of two decades. Second, it was the first instance of the maestro sharing the stage with his favourite young artiste for an occasion as simple as a cassette release.

Visibly happy, the legend said: "Recording Bihugeet after two decades...it was like going back to my youth. I was so enthused that I tried my best to sing like a youth."

Zubeen's emotional statement after he released Hazarika's album spoke volumes of his respect for the legend. "I am touched. It is inspiring that I have been bestowed with the honour of releasing an album by one of the living legends of Assamese culture," he said.

After the release of Rongmon, Hazarika returned the favour by releasing Anjana, a compilation of Bihu songs by Zubeen. "I am happy that creative non-film songs are creating a market here. It bodes well for the music industry. I also hope Zubeen will keep up the good work," Hazarika said, patting the singer on the head in a gesture of blessing.

"Times have changed. Once upon a time, the popularity of a cassette was judged on the basis of the units sold in the city markets. Now we want to know how many have been sold at Jakhalabandha or Palashbari."

Rongmon, which hit the shelves two days before its formal release, is already shaping up as the season's bestseller. "It has sold 40,000 copies in just two days. The projected sales are above a lakh," a spokesperson for N.K. Productions, which produced both albums and organised the event here, said.

Hazarika said he was happy to have ended his barren spell as far as Bihugeet is concerned. "I was singing various music compositions through these years, but somehow did not get around to compiling a collection of Bihugeet," the winner of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award said.

Both Rongmon and Anjana contain songs composed by upcoming music director Manas Robin. Janmoni-Volume 4, an album of Bihu songs composed by Biman Barua and sung by various artistes, was released at the same function

He shot into fame with the foot-tapping Bollywood chartbuster "Ya Ali". And now, Zubeen Garg, the singer-composer from Assam, is flooded with offers, including Feroz Khan's remake of his 1980s action-thriller "Qurbani".
"I have just finished singing two songs for 'Qurbani II'," says Zubeen.

"I am excited at the success of 'Ya Ali'. It was a wonderful song by Pritam (the music director)," Zubeen told IANS over phone from his adopted home Mumbai, where he owns a studio, Sound & Silence.

Ya Ali Reham Ali

ya ali reham ali
ya ali yaar pe qurbaan hai sabhi
ya ali madad ali
ya ali yeh meri jaan yeh meri zindagi
ishq pe mita doon luta doon
main apani khudi
yaar pe haan luta doon mita doon
main yeh hasti
ya ali reham ali
ya ali yaar pe qurbaan hai sabhi
ya ali madad ali
ya ali yeh meri jaan yeh meri zindagi

mujhe kuchh pal de purvat ke
faki hampe chahat ke
rahe bechain dil kab tak
milen kuchh pal toh raahat ke
chahat pe ishq pe haa mita doon luta doon
main apani khudi
yaar pe ha luta doon mita doon
main yeh hasti
ya ali reham ali
ya ali yaar pe qurbaan hai sabhi
ya ali madad ali
ya ali yeh meri jaan yeh meri zindagi

bina tere na ek pal ho na bin tere kabhi kal ho
yeh dil ban jaaye pathhar ka na ismein koi hulchul ho
sanam pe ha ishq pe ha mita doon luta doon
main apani khudi
kasam se ha luta doon mita doon
main yeh hastii
ya ali reham ali
ya ali yaar pe qurbaan hai sabhi
ya ali madad ali
ya ali yeh meri jaan yeh meri zindagi

Link u requested qwest

www.youtube.com/results?search=guitara


Ya Ali - note by note copy of Arabic band Guitara's 'Ya Ghali', from the album Qisati (2002).

Though its a lift of thisbands music I still like it and like Zubeens voice

Review of Gangster Album LINK http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Gangster_Album-96096-1.html The Magnum Opus Music By: saurav_ssk | Mar 29, 2006 03:05 PM (Updated Jun 06, 2006 09:35 PM)

Member's Rating of this Product: Member's Recommendation of this Product: Yes Originality: Pros: Masterpiece Lyrics,Fantastic and Melodious Music a Cons: No Yaar ...There's None