Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi

Article Updated 17 September, 2008 09:49:32 PM IST

Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi

Music composer, old warhorse, Ravindra Jain resurrected a rather down and out Rajshri Production banner with some soul touching and traditional music in their super hit, Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao starrer, 'Vivah'. Obviously the music to the follow up project, 'Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi' is expected to be on the same lines as their previous hit album. And, naturally the banner has once again chosen their lucky mascot, Ravindra Jain to provide music and lyrics for the project. However, we must add here that it's not the talented director Sooraj Barjatya at the helm of affairs but an outside director, Kaushik Ghatak, who has been assigned the task of direction. So, lets check out in detail the latest offering from this prestigious banner.

Some lovely sitar strings sounds commence 'Mujhme Zinda Hai Woh', a pleasant sounding romantic composition with a nice melodic feel to it. The song appears twice in the album , the second is merely an extension of the first number. Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal come together in a number that has an old world charm written all over it, with its superb lyrics and lovely traditional instruments. Shreya's semi-classical touch to the song lend class to it and Shaan with his youthful exuberance is superb as always. Ravindra Jain proves that age is no barrier when it comes to romance as the poetry that he has penned for the number is delightfully simple yet appealing. "Mujhme zinda hai woh, Usme zinda hoon main, Meri duniya hai woh, Uski duniya hoon main".

'Dekhe Akele Humne Solah Mele' is once again pure, pristine number with the classical Indian raga as its backdrop. A pining for the beloved number, Ravindra Jain-Rajshri style the composition has a very rustic feel to it, reminiscent of the 'Saawan Ko Aane Do' and 'Chitchor' days. Shreya gets to render a number which makes maximum use of her singing prowess and she delivers, no doubt. Its targeted at the Hindi heartland audience and that is where it will work.

Rajshri's favourite, Suresh Waadekar has been assigned the task of rendering 'Mandir Hai Ghar Yeh Hamara' and true to its title the song is a short, situational track about how pure and like a temple the home is. Suresh, who is himself a good 'bhajan' singer is apt for the number and lyrics even more apt.

'Dono Nibhayein Apna Dharam', begins with shehnai strains and religious verses depicting a marriage ceremony, 'bidaai' to be precise . It is another very typical Rajshri-style number. A situational track that talks about the loving couple being together in thick and thin and following the promises and vows made to each other during their 'saat –pheras' at the wedding. Shreya and Shaan do the needful, though this time we have Suresh Waadekar ( has to be the voice of the father) chipping in as well.

'Sang Sang Rahenge Janam Janam' is again an extension of the above song, only the lyrics are different, catering to the demand of the situation.

Some nice religious shlokes (Sanskrit) herald another marriage ceremonial number, 'Banna Banni' (Bridegroom-Bride), a very common number heard during weddings in North India (specially Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh). The tune remains much in the same lines, folk inspired and so do the lyrics in the 'mukhda'. Only the lyrics in the 'antara' have been adapted to suit the mood, character and situation of the film.

Nice guitar strums and some lovely whistling sounds give way to 'Kya Soch Ke Aaye The', a number that takes one back to the Nadeem–Shravan and Anand Milind days. Even Shaan sounds more like Kumar Shanu with his prominent nasal twang. Coming to the song, it's nice to hear a pure, unadulterated, pleasant sounding, romantic number. Once again a situational track about the lead protagonist at a loss of words after seeing his beloved.

Famous 'qawwal' Farid Sabri announces in his typical style "Aankhon mein pyaar, Dil mein mohabbat liye hue", another festive composition 'Lo Ji Hum Aa Gaye'.The song takes the shape of a normal, routine 'qawwali' with its very typical 'ched-chaad' between the two sides, with each calling other names and trying to come up trumps although in a light hearted number. The duel has been well orchestrated giving it a nice qawwali touch. An interesting number that is bound to become popular during wedding and engagement ceremonies and will appeal to the women folk in general and add to the highlight of the movie. All great artists like Farid Sabri, Pamela Jain, Shaan and Satish Dehra provide the perfect background with full emotive singing.

Shreya's perfect honey sweet crooning commence 'Jhirmir Jhirmir Meha Barse', a take off on Rajshri's own number 'Bhisti Poore Tapur Tuper' (Paheli- 1977). A superb intermingling of some lovely classical singing by Shreya and trademark romantic number of the sixties, by Shaan (a la Rafi Saab style) are the highlight of the song. Shreya shows her hold over her vocals and Shaan too complements her perfectly. The lyrics too add to the old world charm of song and such compositions are a rarity, in fact they are instinct in these days. So, when another version of the same number comes up, don't mind, just go ahead and get into a romantic mood with this nice'hatke' rain song.

To bring the album to a close we have another Rafi Saab style romantic track, 'Neend Mein Hai'. In fact the musical arrangements, lyrics all take us back to the Rajendra Kumar era where light romantic tracks ruled the hearts. Though the chaste Urdu lyrics takes one by surprise here. The reason being that the whole album is full of Hindi and at times quite difficult to comprehend .Anyway, the song serves as a nice deviation and diversion for those romantic at hearts who miss the songs of the bygone era.

To sum up, let us return to how we started- Ravindra Jain and the resurrection of Rajshri banner through 'Vivah'! Just about two years back while reviewing the music of 'Vivah' we had predicted ( http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/31/7096/4/ ) – "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." And that is exactly how it went! However in case of 'Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi', one feels that the traditional bit has been overdone, musically. It will restrict the appeal of the melodious album to pockets. The lack of promos too do not augur well for the film. Unless and until Rajshri pull up their sock, the audio as well as the film may just miss the bus this time around, especially as there is no Shahid-Amrita pair also!

Rating : 6.5/10

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