Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has become quite a rage in neighbouring India with an unparalleled voice – perhaps he got his impeccable vocal talent in his gene pool courtesy uncle Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Just when his numbers were topping charts and he was getting best playback singer nominations in top award shows, he was caught on an Indian airport carrying extra cash. He was arrested and austerely encountered before being released, disappointing his fans and leading the media to declare all was lost.
But he’s back and that too with a bang. The very people who shunned him are singing along his tunes as his songs from upcoming Shahid Kapur-Sonam Kapoor starrer ‘Mausam’ hit the charts.
From the opening strums of the acoustic guitar, ‘Rabba Mein Toh Mar Gaya Oye’, is immediately inviting and sweet on the ears; Rahat’s voice is gorgeous on this track both conveying the lovesick and sadness. The song brings to mind ‘Ajj Din Chadeya’ by Rahat from ‘Love Aaj Kal’, which is a worthy comparison in showing the great music Pritam is capable of. The very rustic dholak beat that mixes with the very modern sounds of the guitar works very well for the song and makes the track lovely even when Rahat is not singing. Rahat brings something different to each track he is given. This retread is no different and he sounds very comfortable on the track.
The rollicking Punjabi track, ‘Saj Dhaj Ke’, opens with women singing a traditional sangeet verse, and when Mika enters, you can just feel your shoulders rise to join in the fun occasion. The composition of the tune is great, the dhol and whooping in the back make it a very informal and fun Bhangra track.
Ustad Sultan Khan opens the song, ‘Ik Tu Hi Tu Hi’, and then Hans Raj Hans takes over and turns the song into such a haunting affair. The song tells of separation and despair, but unlike other songs jammed into the film, ‘Ik Tu Hi Tu Hi’ is a cut above the rest.
The Reprise track with Shahid Malliya taking over is an interesting because Malliya’s voice really evokes the sadness and loss of the lyrics. The next is the ‘Mehfil Mix’, which opens with some upbeat chords and the Wadali Brothers guest on this version, and it brings the track to another level of brilliance.
Ustad Rashid Khan who created the haunting ‘Aaoge Jab Tum’ from the ‘Jab We Met’ soundtrack sings ‘Poore Se Zara Kam Hai’. The lyrics are utterly beautiful and though they sound like they belong in a Rajesh Khanna film, the simplicity of the lyrics for this film conveys so much. This song definitely belongs to the same league as some of Pritam’s best songs.
‘Aag Lage Us Aag Ko’ starts powerfully with another underutilized singer Karsan Sagathia leading the track.
The one club number ‘Mallo Malli’ surprises one by not being one of those oft-repeated Pritam compositions we hear so often. The lyrics have a Punjabi style and getting Tochi Raina to render them instead of a Neeraj Sridar works so well on this track.
The soundtrack to ‘Mausam’ is going to be a sure delight for both Rahat and Pritam fans. Watch out for this one.
