Vivah

Article Updated 04 October, 2006 01:47:27 AM IST

Vivah

Rajshri Productions' association with Ravindra Jain goes decades back. He was instrumental in giving them some beautiful and melodious hit music in their films like 'Nadiya Ke Paar', 'Akhiyon ke Jharonkhon Se' and 'Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye', to name a few.

Ever since Sooraj Barjatya took over the reigns of direction, he brought in new music directors like Raam Laxman who along with Sooraj's lucky mascot Salman Khan gave some huge hits like 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', taking Rajshri to dizzying heights. Then Sooraj tried to be radical and failed with 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon', even though the music by Anu Malik became quite popular. Now, Sooraj has gone back to Rajshri's trusted old warhorse Ravindra Jain to bring back the magic. Let's see for ourselves whether this strategy worked.

The album starts off with a simple, easy to hum, melodious track 'Mujhe Haq Hai', which is a soft, romantic composition. Lots of Indian musical instruments like 'sitar' and 'tabla' have been liberally used in order to give it the traditional touch, which forms the crux of Sooraj's movie. The signature tune of 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' present in the background and Amrita Rao trying to look like Madhuri (in the promos) makes us nostalgic. Udit Narayan and Shreya Ghoshal sing well in combination.

The next number 'Do Anjane Ajnabi', sung once again by Udit and Shreya, is a true to life situational track, which happens an innumerable number of times in the traditional Indian household, when the boy first meets the girl (whom he knows only through the photographs). All those familiar with Ravindra Jain's style of music will immediately recognize the tune, which he has used here, remember 'Saahiba'? But more than the tune, it's Ravindra Jain who deserves credit for the very apt lyrics, which convey the message clearly - "Dekhi hai tasveer hee, Aaj milenge darshan, Hai re, Badhne lagi hai uljhan, milker kya bole."

The third song commences with a few couplets, "Haar ko jeet banakar badi sachchayi se, Prem ne dil pe wo chahat ka asar dala hai, Aaj inkar ki soorat hi nahi hai koi, Haar heeron ka nahin phoolon ki jaimala hai." After the first two leisurely-paced romantic tracks, the third track, 'Milan Abhi Aadha Adhura Hai' is more pacy and rhythmic. But don't jump to any conclusions, as it's still a very traditional Indian composition, as far the tune and the 'shudh' Hindi lyrics go. Udit and Shreya go through the motions effortlessly.

After three songs by Udit Narayan, it's Babul Supriyo's turn to lend his voice to the next number 'Hamari Shaadi Mein'. It's a sort of composition that we have come to expect post 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' and which women love and patronize. A typical song 'n' dance, fun filled number with Babul Supriyo giving all he has to get the listeners in a celebratory mood. Though the tune turns out to be a rehash of the famous Punjabi folk that has inspired songs like 'Teri Rab Ne' ('Suhag'), the most recent being 'Pyar Karke Pachtaya' ('Pyar Ke Side Effects'). But it's Ravindra Jain's lyrics once again that steal the show here - "Hamari shaadi mein, Abhi baaki hai hafte chaar, Chaar sau baras lage, Ye hafte kaise honge par, Nahin kar sakta main, Aur ik din bhi intezar, Aaj hee pahna de, Teri gori baahon ka haar."

Two extremely talented and lesser-heard singers today, Suresh Wadkar and Kumar Sanu come together to sing this very emotional, at times serious, at times humorous number 'Kal Jisne Janam Yahan Paya'. Once again, this is another song that will be loved by the womenfolk (we are talking about the traditional Indian women here), as it is a trademark Rajshri song; a simple, sweet, neat little number. Ravindra Jain incorporates his old tune from 'Ankhiyon Ke Jharokon Se', namely 'Ek Din'. As with the previous two numbers, the lyrics (as the two respective fathers-in-law recollect their children's childhood days) are the soul of this composition. Sample some very cute lyrics, "Prep se leker primary tak, Primary se phir dasvi tak, School mein chodha, School se laya, Barson maine ye niyam nibhaya."

'O Jiji' is another situational track and quite a unique composition. In fact it is a different kind of teasing ('ched-chad') composition. The lyrics and the style of singing is more in form of a conversation between the two sisters ('jiji' meaning 'didi' or elder sister in North India) and therefore it's not as rhythmic or even melodious. The tune of 'Do Anjane Ajnabi' is present here and it lends a good effect. Shreya's vocals suit Amrita Rao's voice to a "t" and Pamela Jain gives good company.

When the song 'Tere Dware Pe Aayee Barat' commences, it appears to be a faster or a remixed version of 'Hamari Shaadi Mein', but the remaining song is as different as chalk is to cheese. The composer Ravindra Jain joins Sudesh Bhonsle to sing this track, which can be also be classified as the title track. More was expected from this 'shaadi' number, as it's not dramatic, pulsating or even rhythmic, but it does fit in with the theme of the movie.

The very famous devotional number (Bhajan) 'Ram Siya Ram Siya Ram Jai Jai Ram' forms the base of another devotional track 'Jai Gauri Maa', rendered to perfection by Pamela Jain.

'Savaiyaa-Chota Sa Sajan' is a short composition, sung and composed in a 'bhajan'-like manner, but it's a highly emotionally charged song that will definitely turn out to be a tearjerker in the movie. Both Suresh Wadkar and Aparna sing from the heart.

The last track 'Savaiyaa-Radhey Krishn Ki Jyoti' is a devotional track sung well by Shreya. The lyrics are in 'Brij bhasha', which lends authenticity to this track.

Before we sum up, the MP3 carries most of Rajshri hits over the years ("Musical Journey"), while the CD pack carries a bonus 'Badhaee Ki Shehnaaiyan' by the late Ustad Bismillah Khan and also some tracks from Vasant Desai's 'Goonj Uthi Shehnaai'.

'Vivah' may not appeal at the first hearing and in fact it won't be wrong to say that it is out of sync with times. But Sooraj is basically trying to target his traditional Rajshri fan base and he succeeds in that. His target audience will love 'Vivah', though reviewers may not. However, the overall success of the album will obviously depend on the outcome of the movie. If that happens, Rajshri will be back on track, after their recent debacles.

Rating: 7.5/10

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