Music Review of Black & White

Article Updated 13 February, 2008 09:46:22 PM IST

Music Review of Black & White

Writing down the history of music in Subhash Ghai's movies would be like writing a thesis, such is the enormity of the endeavor. Just like his films, his music too is lavishly arranged and larger than life. The end has always been grand, and his music mostly tops the charts and stays there for while, even when the film has not worked. But Black & White is not the usual run of the mill commercial stuff and hence the showman has chosen Sukhwinder Singh, as the composer. Giving him support is Ibrahim Ashk as the lyricist, who we remember for his lyrics in songs from Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Kyon Chalti Hai Pawan and Ek Pal Ka Jeena. Sukhwinder has churned up a few albums in the past,(Halla Bol was his latest) and has disappointed. So let's see if Ghai with his keen music sense is able to help Sukhwinder give us something worthwhile to hear.

Sounds of a heartbeat, Sukhwinder's pleasing alaaps and nice harmonium piece commence 'Main Chala', an extremely melodious, philosophical number. Sukhwinder's tune is simple and pleasant, his rendition superb. The use of electronic flute, the melody and the rhythm which show subtle changes (from slow to fast) that end in a lovely crescendo is well done. Though a slight hangover of Rahman's 'Aye Ajnabi' (Dil Se) is evident in parts, but on the whole it is a superb number and the theme of the song is reminiscent of Yesudas 'Ek Akela Is Shaher Mein'. It would not be wrong to rate the Sukhwinder number right up there with it. The song about a stray mind wandering aimlessly in search of a goal has been penned beautifully by Ibrahim Ashk who shows his class once again. "Ajnabi raaste, Ajnabi hai jahaan, Main kahan se kahan aa gaya hoon yahan, Saat rangon ki hai, Teri duniya haseen, Hai ujala kahin to andhera kahin, Kahin shaam hai, To seher hai kahin."

Sounds of a train passing by and Shreya Ghoshal's perfect alaaps commence her version titled 'Main Chali'. Though the melody and the tune remains the same, the lyrics are different and make it more of a romantic number than a philosophical one. Hearing Shreya is an added pleasure as she gets to showcase her talent to the hilt with perfectly rendered high notes.

Sukhwinder's Punjabi connections come to the fore again with the superbly crafted 'Peer Manava', a celebratory, festive number. It is a purely Punjabi folk based number, though previously heard in a few Yash Chopra movies, as a background song. The number is a situational one and will be used as per the demand of the subject and will therefore be appreciated only after the movie releases. Sukhwinder is good as always. Shradha Pandit sings tunefully but her vocals are shrill. Jaspinder Narula is sorely missed here.

'Peer Manava-Remix' by DJ-A myth is a good fusion of folk and popular music. The English lyrics used here give it that hip hop touch, though the repeated "Main vaari jaavan" in between was not needed.

Subhash Ghai's Karma gave us a beautiful patriotic song, 'Dil Diya Hai', which is popular even today. It appears that 'Yeh Hindustan Hai' has all the right emotional condiments to go straight into the hearts of all Indians. Udit Narayan is back after a long hiatus and it is wonderful to hear him emoting as he sings. A lesson or two for the artists who are new to the profession. Sukhwinder's tune is flat though and in parts reminds us of Jagjit Singh's nazam 'Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti'. Ibrahim Ashk deserves all the credit for the deft writing that is so touching. "Jise log kehten hain hindustan hai, Yahee apne khwabon ka pyaara jahan hai, Kaee mazhabon ka yahaan ek nishan hai, Yeh Hindustan hai, Yeh Hindustan hai." Wonderful thoughts on national integration. We advise the government of India to use it as their official song in promoting such.

Jagjit Singh's rich, sonorous vocals reverberate with patriotism as he renders the simple version of 'Yeh Hindustan Hai'. We use the word simple here as there are negligible musical addendums, only the maestro's vocals dominate the proceedings. That is the highlight of this piece, which is capable of igniting patriotic feelings through Jagjit Singh's highly emotionally charged singing. The lyrics convey a special message of sensitive and humane way of reforming the misguided terrorists - "Andhere mein jo aaj bhatke hue hain, Hamare hi bhai hain, Bahke hue hain, Sahi raasta unko dikhayenge hum, Lagaayenge seene se, Samjhayenge hum, Hamara chalan to bada meherbaan hai, Yeh Hindustan hai." Once again, hats off to Ibrahim Ashk for the wonderful lyrics and the noble thoughts.

Lovely flute notes commence the Sufi styled devotional track 'Haq Allah'. The track is dedicated to one of the most popular and famous Sufi saints of all times, Hazrat Nizamuddin Chishti, also known as Nizamuddin Auliya. The last two albums, both Jodhaa Akbar and Halla Bol had Sufi songs dedicated to saints and it appears that it has become a norm to have a Sufi based track in albums. But we don't mind at all as it provides variety and gives opportunity for some lovely qawwali. This number is more of a geet than a qawwali. The climax of the song is especially good as Sukhwinder's singing picks up pace and percussion instruments rule the roost.

Listed as 'Haq Allah-Part II, one expected an extended version of the above number, but it isn't. It is more of a remixed track, as it starts of with Sukhwinder singing in his so familiar and loved Taal style. It is extremely racy and incorporates "Ali Ali" and also "Wahe Guru, Satnam, Satnam" and "Hari Hari" to give the song a nationalistic flavour. The number is situational and is sure to come at some important juncture in the movie, that too in the background. Though frankly speaking, this version is more dramatic and better than the first one which was a bit too flat, in terms of rhythm.

Is it the nightingale herself, Lata Mangeshkar, rendering the last song of the album, 'Jogi Aaya'? No, it is Sadhna Sargam at her excellent best in this pure raga based composition with a heavy semi-classical backdrop. It is quite a challenging number as it has some very high notes which only singers of the caliber of Sadhna Sargam and Sukhwinder Singh can do justice to. The song is similar to Manna Dey's classic number 'Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Payaliya' (Mere Huzoor), but it may be because the raaga is the same. Nonetheless, a superlative effort.

'Jogi Aaya-Remix' by DJ A myth is a routine job. There was no need for a raaga based classical backdrop song to be remixed, but because of marketing concerns it is done. It also serves as a space filler.

To sum up, Sukhwinder has done a good job, though not an excellent one, as this is not a commercially viable album. The problem with Sukhwinder is that he is still trapped in the 70s and 80s and instead should try to evolve with time. The songs are melodious and situational and as Subhash Gai himself says, "Here is music for music lovers to listen and enjoy, with a deep sense which comes with lots of colours in this film called Black & White, ironically."

Rating: 7/10

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