Ajay Parasuraman

You can listen to the soundtrack here.

Anjana Anjani Ki Kahani
Written by: Neelesh Mishra
Composed by: Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani
Performed by: Nikhil D’Souza & Monali Thakur

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You can listen to the soundtrack here.

A Hindi remake of Phone Booth (oh not a credited remake, just to clarify) is not exactly the type of movie you would expect to have a soundtrack. But director Mani Shankar quite obviously didn’t think so, and hence it is that I am doing the review of Knock Out. And the depressingly haunting Khushnuma totally supports the director’s decision, working beautifully in both its versions. Gourov Dasgupta gets it totally right with the vocalists, Rahat Fateh Ali in v1 and Krishna in v2. The title song, in spite of the middling tune and rock orchestration, is worth listening owing to Vishal Dadlani‘s energetic rendition.

Jab Jab Dil Mile pretty much follows Knock Out‘s footsteps in that the arrangement is staid and only survives owing to the lead vocalist, in this case, Sunidhi Chauhan. A pretty mediocre item number. Same goes for the remix. But Tu Hi Mere Hum Nawa significantly improves things, KK delivering a very pleasing melody to perfection. The dholak beats that underline the entire song give it a very SEL touch due to their being so associated with SEL tunes of late. Things come to a close with an interestingly packaged folk-based item number called Gangubai Pe Aai Jawani, brilliantly rendered by Sumitra.

After a mixed bag of performances in a series of multi-composer flicks which culminated in the abominable HELP, Gourov Dasgupta finally looks to be finding his footing in Bollywood via this debut solo venture of his. Now what needs to be seen is how Mani Shankar has (if he has at all), done justice to Gourov’s efforts in a movie of this kind.

Music Aloud Rating: 7/10
Recommended Tracks: Khushnuma, Tu Hi Mere Hum Nawa, Gangubai Pe Aai Jawani

Indian music world is replete with instances of father and son turning to composing. In Bollywood especially there have been many such father-son pairs, the most successful ones being SD Burman-RD Burman and Roshan-Rajesh Roshan. Composers like A R Rahman, Anu Malik, Viju Shah are a few others who are part of the list. One of the latest additions to the said roster is Naresh Sharma-Mithoon Sharma. The father, Naresh Sharma, unfortunately could not make it big in the mainstream composing scene despite his talent, being restricted predominantly to background scores, but the son, with quite a few chartbusters under his belt already at a young age of 24 (the last one being the beautifully arranged Lamhaa), looks all set to become one of the leading composers in days to come. So before that happens and he gets super busy, Music Aloud decided to get a quick interview done with the man. Here it is!

Start with the usual. Your musical beginnings?

Yes i started learning music at the age of 11 from my father Mr Naresh Sharma who himself is a legendary composer and
arranger. I went on to learn the keyboard from Mr Rajiv Shah and later on was under Mr Tony Pinto (India’s leading jazz
pianist) for improvisation and technique. I’d also like to thank Maestro Pyarelalji for sharing his experiences with me and
helping me understand that music is within and not anywhere outside.

The movie where you really started music direction was Bas Ek Pal in 2006, when you were 20. Quite young for someone to start composing! So how did you land the project?

By the time I was in college I was very sure that I had to be a film composer and so started working in that particular
direction.I had my small bedroom setup and used to keep working on songs and pieces. I happened to meet director Onir, thru Shailesh Singh (producer of Bas Ek Pal ) who told me that he was looking for a title track for his film.I understood what he wanted and prepared something and played it to him.The minute he heard it he said it was his perfect track.That was the Bas ek pal title track and then i composed Tere Bin for the same film.

You also did a Malaysian movie Diva in between. How did that happen? What were the sort of challenges you faced doing music for this one? And what were the kind of preps you had to do?

Ya I have composed the music for the Malaysian film called Diva. The producers were looking for a Bollywood composer and happened to hear my recreation of Woh Lamhe in 2006 and approached me. I worked with the highly renowned R n B vocalist Ning Baizura and the genius of Malay poetry, the Late Loloq.I didnt prepare much coz they wanted more of a Bollywood expresssion. I stayed in KL for two months,completed the music and came back.

Your debut pop album came out early last year, but didn’t quite turn out to be the success as you would have expected? Considering you have worked in the Indipop field before, what would you think went wrong in this case? What do you think of people’s attitude towards Indipop in general?

Well I’m not sure why my non film album wasnt a universal success. There are many many people who have related to it just the way I do but I was expecting it to be much bigger. I think it is one of my most sincere expressions. Every song is so special to me. I collaborated with many artists like Amy Dickson (London Philharmonic) for whom I wrote the parts for Alto Sax in my own song. I came up with ‘Kuch Dard‘ where I based the song on a flute solo played in the style of a middle eastern clarinet. I got Rakesh Chaurasia to play my parts there. I had Sayeed Quadri with me to write some fabulous lyrics……………
I’m not sure how people perceive Indipop. If they like what they hear they will accept it. Obviously the film medium is more attention-gathering but…….

Let us talk about Lamhaa. How did you go about composing for this one? And you have had interesting choices for vocals, like Palash Sen for Main Kaun Hoon and Mika Singh doing a semiclassical number quite contrary to his established image. Tell us about how you decided upon all that.

Well I got a call one day from Bunty Walia‘s office and we fixed up a meeting. In the first meeting there I was introduced
to Rahul Dholakia who gave me a brief narration of Lamhaa and told me what he wanted from me. After hearing it, that very moment I decided that I have to do this film. The powerful and substantial story just got inside me. Every song has the story of Kashmir in it. I always try to be innovative with vocal selection. In Lamhaa I had the opportunity. Initially I sang the song Main Kaun Hoon myself. Everyone loved it. But I was looking for more gutful expressions so I thought of Palash n I think he did a great job. I’ve always loved Mika‘s voice. Whenever I heard him I used to think that when this voice will sing my expression it will be tremendous. In Saajnaa I got that occasion and I gave him a call. The moment he heard the song he said “wow”. I’d like to give him credit for taking up this challenge and delivering an honest rendition.

Almost all of your music so far has had lyrics by Sayeed Qadri. Tell us about your association with him. How did you first come together, and how has the experience working with him been?

Sayeed Quadri is a blessing to me. I think he is one of the most prolific and substantial poets in the world today. One just needs to go thru his list of songs and you’ll agree with what I say. I was introduced to him by Mukesh Bhatt. Me and Sayeed bhai share a great rapport and enjoy working with each other a lot.

What are your upcoming projects? Any return to private album scene in the offing?

My next release is Onir‘s I AM to which im keenly looking forward. I also have three film soundtracks released line up for next year.I assure my listeners that they will hear a lot more from me now. No more hibernation.
I dont intend to do non film work as of now.May be later on………..

Any dream project you look forward to?

I’m working on a live setup with a chamber orchestra to perform my songs along with me. I have begun writing the parts and I look forward to perform very soon………..

Who are your idols? The people you have drawn inspiration from in your composing career?

My father is my biggest inspiration. I’ve grown up seeing him as a Hero seeing people (listeners and musicians) all the time in awe of him. I salute my grandfather Pt Ramprasad Sharma who started the legacy of music in my family and hundreds of other families as well. He has taught more than five thousand students (many of today’s leading instrumentalists and composers) free of charge.
I give praise to my Eternal Father in heaven and His Son Jesus Christ, my Lord, my strength and my fortress. To Him belongs all the glory. Amen.

The song “Naachu Yaa Gade” from the 1942 Vasant Joglekar movie, Kiti Hasaal, was a pretty insignificant song by itself, not even making it past the final cut of the film. But the song would gain immense importance later on in that it became the debut song of one of the greatest legends to have graced the Indian music scene, Lata Mangeshkar. And today, as the doyenne celebrates her 81st birthday, she would truly have little left to conquer in her life after a career spanning close to seven decades and thousands of songs, covering almost every genre and every award possible.
As a birthday tribute we have tried to list down what we feel to be 20 of her best songs. It is not easy to choose 20 from a seemingly infinite list, so please forgive us if we have missed out some major song. You can click on the song title to watch the video.
Aayega Aane Wala – Mahal (1949) – Composer: Khemchand Prakash
Rasik Balma – Chori Chori (1956) – Composers: Shankar Jaikishen
Aaja Re Pardesi – Madhumati (1958) – Composer: Salil Chaudhary
Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Yeh – Dil Apna Aur Preet Paraayi (1959) – Composers: Shankar Jaikishen
Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya – Mughal-e-Azam (1960) – Composer: Naushad
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon – Non-film Patriotic (1962) – Composer: C Ramachandra
Lag Jaa Gale – Woh Kaun Thi (1964) – Composer: Madan Mohan
Aaj Phir Jeene – Guide (1965) – Composer: S D Burman
Aasmaan Ke Neeche – Jewel Thief (1967) – Composer: S D Burman
Rula Ke Gaya Sapna – Jewel Thief (1967) – Composer: S D Burman
Aa Jaanejaa – Inteqam (1969) – Composers: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Chalte Chalte – Pakeezah (1972) – Composer: Ghulam Mohammed
Baahon Mein Chale Aao – Anamika (1973) – Composer: R D Burman
Salaam-e-Ishq – Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) - Composers: Kalyanji Anandji
Yaara Sili Sili – Lekin (1991) - Composer: Hridayanath Mangeshkar
Dil Hoom Hoom Kare – Rudaali (1993) - Composer: Bhupen Hazarika
Didi Tera Dewar Deewana – Hum Aapke Hai Kaun (1994) - Composer: Ram Laxman
Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana – Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge (1995) – Composers: Jatin Lalit
Jiya Jale – Dil Se (1998) - Composer: A R Rahman
Luka Chuppi – Rang De Basanti (2006) - Composer: A R Rahman

Listen to the soundtrack here.
I remember reading some time back an interview given by Meet Bros, who have done the music for Do Dooni Chaar with Anjan-Ankit, in which they said that the tracks would be nostalgic, reminiscent of 70s and 80s, as Neetu-Rishi couple was back on screen after two decades. Well the soundtrack of the movie is anything but nostalgic! Out of the four original tracks, two tracks pass muster. The title track - mainly owing to the exuberance of Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Dadlani behind the microphone – and Maange Ki Ghodi, which sees an interesting combination of some engaging arrangement and quality singing by Krishna and Rakesh Pandit. Even then they are the sort of tracks which would get tedious after a few listens. The Punjabi Baaja Baajeya has Sunidhi Chauhan singing to a stale arrangement. Don’t know if its just me, but I found Sunidhi’s vocals lacking the usual quality. Ek Haath De has the composers do the vocals themselves. The composition is pretty ordinary and I found the way they pronounced “Ek Haath De” pretty irritating. In fact the “Ek Haath De Ek Haath Le” motif appears in 3 of the songs.
And then there are the three remixes. From the sound of it Do Dooni Chaar Jam seems like an actual impromptu recording. Not a very good jamming session anyways, given the quality of jamming people like Shankar Mahadevan are capable of. The Club Mix of the same song is interestingly arranged. DJ Phukan‘s remix of Ek Haath De is as middling as the original.
An ordinary soundtrack which will get pushed into oblivion pretty soon (unless Prof. Arindam Choudhari creates some magic with his famed marketing skills ). Not that it matters much for a comedy movie.
Music Aloud Rating – 5/10
Recommended Tracks – Do Dooni Chaar, Maange Ki Ghodi

Music2Deal (India)’s recent initiative – the PLAY@POPKOMM Contest and an Indian delegation they took to POPKOMM 2010,
at the Berlin music week, was a successful project. Music2Deal.com sponsored Vasuda Sharma – Delhi-based songwriter and vocalist on a fully funded trip to Berlin, making her the first Indian artiste ever at POPKOMM.

This project was a massive opportunity for Indian music, considering India’s presence has never been marked before, at the Berlin Music Week or any other music event of such magnitude. This is indeed a big achievement for the country’s independent music professionals. The India stand at POPKOMM 2010 was thronged by crowds and Music2Deal’s Indian delegation beamed with pride as even the Mayor of Berlin couldn’t resist paying the stand a visit. “It was a great experience having India at Popkomm for the first time. A lot of music companies are looking for new markets, contacts and artists. India is definitely one of the countries which is interesting for the international music business since it has got so much potential”, says Dr. Ralf Kleinhenz, Managing Director, POPKOMM 2010.

Making India’s presence even more magical was Vasuda Sharma – the winner of Music2Deal.com’s PLAY@POPKOMM Contest, who left the audiences spellbound with her brilliant performance with the Loop Station. Vasuda was picked among 460 other artists to open the artist showcases at POPKOMM 2010, and one cannot miss the excitement in her voice as she says, “Being the only artist from India and representing the country was a dream too big. Now that it has come true, words fail me when I have to describe my experience. It’s a wonderful initiative taken up by Music2Deal to promote independent artists and I really hope they continue to promote indie music in India.”

So what do international music professionals who attended POPKOMM have to say about Indian music? Richard Rogers, one of the judges of the PLAY@POPKOMM contest & who was immensely impressed with this initiative, said – “It is obvious to see that India has enormous potential as an international market for the music industry, and Music2Deal has done a fantastic job of tapping this potential; that too through a huge event like POPKOMM.”

The European music community has praises galore for Vasuda. Manfred Zahringer, MD Iceberg records and Manager for the Danish band Blue Van says, “Vasuda is a very interesting artist. It’s probably not easy to find a niche in this very vast quantity of music over here but Vasuda could really have a chance to become a player over here.” Incidentally, Blue Van will be touring India this year-end, which is a big development post-POPKOMM.

So, what’s the outcome of this initiative? What can the Indian Music Industry look forward to, post POPKOMM 2010? Says Mr. Sudhir Shreedharan, “Traditionally, India was never a major market for European artistes. POPKOMM 2010 is a big achievement for both India and Music2Deal, as this project has put India on the global music market. A lot of international collaborations between Indian artistes and European bands are on the cards. The fact that the genres popular in these territories are distinctly different makes such collaborations an interesting challenge.”
It’s time to see the plan put to action, and usher in good times for Indian Indie!

You can view videos and read more on the event here.

You can listen to and buy the soundtrack here.

Director: Abbas Tyrewala

Music: A R Rahman

Lyrics: Abbas Tyrewala
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You can listen to the soundtrack here.

The high point of item number Isak Sa Meetha is Bhojpuri singer Kalpana Patowary‘s vocal brilliance. Her previous outings in Hindi have been mostly duets and hence she went sort of unnoticed, but this one is pretty much her solo act and she makes the most of it. The song as such is a middling affair, the arrangement devoid of anything innovative, but being the kind of song it is sure to get atop the charts and therefore I am hoping will give Kalpana her a deserved break in Hindi. Of the two remixes, the latter version fares better with its yesteryear disco-ish packaging. in its entirety Saude Bazi slightly reminded me of Tu Jaane Na from Ajab Prem.., and the chinese violin hook I have definitely heard somewhere before, but all these can be forgotten in the beauty of the song. Beautifully arranged by Pritam and wonderfully sung in its two versions by Javed Ali and Anupam Amod (famous for winning MTV Video Ga Ga contest in 2001), Saude Bazi leaves no question regarding the pick of the album.
The only interesting thing I found about Mann Ki Mat was that the title line seemed to me a revamp of the line Chor Bazaari Do Nainon Ki in a different raag and tempo (well it could be just me. ). Otherwise it is a pretty much insipid folksy track sung by Rahat Fateh Ali, the melancholic mood fuelling the boredness. But having said that it is way better than Sasural Munia that follows, an ultra-banal dancey track that quite comprehensively wastes Shreya Ghoshal‘s vocals. Ramkatha which brings up the rear of the soundtrack has an interesting arrangement, Pritam trying to deviate in places from the normal Ramleela orchestration (the first 2 minutes especially), and Sukhwinder Singh doing a lively rendition. But the situational nature of the song is such that would prevent you from going past a few listens. Nevertheless the elements of innovativeness in the song make it one of the better tracks of the album.
After a wonderful score for Crook, this is pretty shoddy job from Pritam, only one song really rating up to his usual standards.
Music Aloud Rating: 5.5/10
Recommended Tracks: Saude Bazi, Ramkatha, Isak Sa Meetha

The Kings of Leon’s new song is kick ass. Titled “Radioactive” it is the first single from their new album, Come Around Sundown.The video is also out. The song is very catchy. It is very likely that the album is going to repeat the success of it’s predecessors.The video has already got 200,000 views already. KOL is getting bigger, album by album. Check out the video here