EXPECTATIONS
From a movie that has terror as its background, you don't
quite expect a commercial score that would cut across
audience. With Kashmir as the setting, there is scope for
good music though but then it is mainly expected to be
situational and totally theme based. However, on closer
look, it comes to one's notice that the composer here is
Mithoon who has given some fantastic music for films like
Anwar and The Train in the past. Also, he returns
with his favourite lyricist Sayeed Quadri and that again
makes one look forward to what does the 'jodi' have in
offing for the music lovers here.
MUSIC
First thing that strikes on reading the credit details is
the album's duration. Despite only six songs here, the duration
is 41 minutes which makes every song lasting an average of 7
minutes. This is certainly far more than an average of 4-5
minutes that a regular song lasts. In fact there are a couple of
songs that run for more than 8 minutes each which makes one
wonder what exactly are they all about.
The question is answered with 'Madno' as the
opening number, a number which is as mesmerising as it gets. A
smooth flowing number, it has minimal instruments in the
background and relies totally on vocals by Kshitij Tarey and
Chinmayi. Instantly reminding of the superb tracks that Mithoon
had composed for Anwar - 'Maula Mere' and 'Tose Naina
Laage - 'Madno' is a pure piece of work that sets the ball
rolling for the album. Even though there is a touch of Kashmir
folk to the song, there is a definite originality about 'Madno'
which makes this Sayeed Quadri number special. Pick this one up;
a song like this would have been loved even if it was 10 minutes
long.
No wonder, it is repeated as 'Sajnaa' this time
with (surprise-surprise) Mika giving company to Chinmayi. This
proves yet again that given an opportunity, the singer has the
range to do something different than the 'mauj-masti' that he is
known for. Of course you do prefer the Kshitij Tarey version but
that doesn't mean that Mika version is any pushover. If not for
anything else, the song at least helps to keep the sound of the
album consistent by arriving twice.
The serene sound continues with 'Salaam Zindagi'
which has a bunch of Kashmiri kids kick starting the song with
their laughter. Soon after Arun Daga and Mohd. Irfan comes
behind the mike and pass on the message of unity in one voice.
With additional Kashmiri vocals by Salim, this track about
looking forward in life and saluting life is situational and
should play in the background. The song goes well with the
situation in the movie and the kind of setting Lamhaa
has. However, it doesn't quite have life beyond the film's run.
The sound of a chopper followed by a dialogue - 'Welcome to
Kashmir, yahan ka mausam aur mahaul kabhi bhi badal sakta hai' -
is an apt way to kick start 'Main Kaun Hoon'. It
isn't everyday that one gets to hear Palash Sen coming up with a
rendition for a Bollywood soundtrack. This is much reason to
rejoice as the singer comes behind the mike for 'Main Kaun
Hoon' which is written by Amitabh Varma. A soft rock track
which goes perfectly well with the theme of the film, 'Main
Kaun Hoon' looks at the state that Kashmir is in state today
and how it is being used as a target by vested interests. Play
this one on and you won't mind putting this on a repeat mode,
mainly due to it being easy on ears.
What is really noticeable about the album around this stage is
that it doesn't loose focus from the overall theme. This is
apparent in the way 'Zameen O Aasmaa' begins
because yet again the mood stays on to be soft here. With
Kshitij Tarey going solo for this almost unplugged track, this
one is a take on sad affairs that Kashmir is engulfed in. In
fact the protagonist here is shown to be urging God to drop
everything, visit Kashmir, have a look at its state and take
adequate remedies. Totally situational.
Last to come is 'Rehmat Zara' which sees a good
kick start for itself by means of some exciting beats that sets
the mood. With Mohd. Irfan and Mithoon coming together for this
high on energy song, 'Rehmat Zara' by all means appears
to be a Pakistani rock. A track that makes an instant impact, it
again questions the state of Kashmir. However, despite the theme
being repeated from song to song, this one is the best amongst
what one has heard so far and rest assured would play on for a
longer period of time provided a music video around this is made
pronto.
OVERALL
From theme perspective, Lamhaa works well and doesn't
stray even once. However, in the process of that happening, a
universal and penetrated reach of the album can't be expected
since not all would be enticed to play songs which have their
roots in the condition of Kashmir. Still, there are songs like 'Madno'
and 'Rehmat Zara' which should still manage to do quite
well, courtesy Mithoon and Sayeed Quadri, who do give audience
something to cheer about for long.
OUR PICK(S)
''Madno', 'Rehmat Zara', 'Main Kaun Hoon'
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