Raavan Ko Behene De…

The minute I heard that the music of Raavan was out, I was at the computer downloading it. Not unusual considering my behaviour every time one of Rahman’s albums is released. He is one composer who never ceases to amaze me. Anyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about him and his music.

Anyway, what more do you need from an album that says ‘Direction: Mani Ratnam; Music: A R Rahman’? The very combination spells undoubted success. You can confirm that by going back and listening to their 9 albums that have come out over the years.

Listening to Raavan was like having the music flow through me, an uninhibited and spontaneous burst of music. My first thought was how different it was from his usual style. Well, knowing Rahman, is there a particular style that he does follow? :P

The first song, Beera, is like a breath of fresh air as far as folk songs are considered. This peppy, folky number, which I assume is Abhishek’s introduction, only iterates what Rahman can do with new talent. The very fact that he has used Vijay Prakash for an introduction song in the place of Sukhwinder Singh or Kailash Kher proves that more than just brand-name is required to churn a hit. ‘Who says only they can do justice to it? We can too’, is written all over it. Keerthi Sagathia’s voice is a welcome surprise. Trust him to give participants of reality music shows their well deserved break. :)

The next track, Behne De, is very obviously a song about breaking-free from the bondages set by society and life. Karthik’s voice is at its usual best. It has a very lilting tune with a burst of music in some places and is a good one to listen to when one is in deep thought or philosophical mode. Very good orchestration, indeed.

Next, is what I would say one of the best so far. Thok Di Killi by Sukhwinder Singh is, well, wow! It has Sukhi’s usual style of singing, but what make it amazing are the lyrics and the music. The song follows a rhythm till the end, along the lines of Jai Ho that makes you nod your head, dancing ishtyle. :)

Ranjha Ranjha is another amazing rendition by Rekha Bardhwaj, Javed Ali and Anuradha Sriram. This song starts a little like Maiyya Maiyya, but moves on to prove that it’s different. It’s like this romantic song that has a teasing and mischievous undertone. Something like Sandakozhi from Ayitha Ezhuthu, the mood similar to Raat ke Dhai Bhaje from Kaminey. A song that will make one smile thinking of their loved one.

Khili Re by Reena Bhardwaj, is a song that you would want to listen at the night in the darkness of your room, just lying down and closing your eyes. It transports you to this really calm world where nothing but love rules. The pieces of classical music in the background give it a very ethereal feel. Reena’s voice flows effortlessly, making us flow with it. For a person of British origin, she has done complete justice to it, announcing to the world of her roots. Hope she sings more in the future.

The last song has come so soon. :( Kata Kata by Ila Arun, Sapna Awasthi and Kunal Ganjawala, is that taunting song sung by friends announcing their dear friend’s exit from bachelorhood, something like Yaaro Yaarodi. Brings a smile to your face, dunnit? :)

The very first line ‘Kata Kata Bechara Bakra’ sums it all up. The rhythm of the song would not fail to catch your attention. The beat is a kinda similar to Rukumani Rukumani and the opening tune kinda similar to that of Dhol Baje from Yuva/Ayitha Ezhuthu, yet different in its own way, making it a very upbeat number. The very less often heard voices of Ila Arun and Sapna Awasthi show yet again what they are capable of. Their voices lend an unadulterated folk feel to the song. An absolute fun and catchy number, on the whole.

Left to me, I would say all of Rahman’s compositions are gems. :P But seriously, this album slaps onto your face the proof to all his fame and acclaim, making you say ‘Man he does deserve it.’ I doubt any other composition would encompass such a wide variety of music, solely for the sake of the power of music, rather than just mass appeal.

Bottomline – Catch it! Not one to miss. :)