Rang De Basanti

I was finally able to get the songs of Rang De Basanti downloaded. Being away from the country, also keeps you insulated from the latest buzzing trends, happenings, media focus out there. One might think that, thanks to the internet, you are aware of the important news, the hottest tunes, the latest releases and the juiciest gossip. Well, the distance sort of leads to a disconnect wherein, some of the news just doesn't reach here. Even if you have cable here (I don't), they don't show the latest trailers and you have no clue what sort of movies or song are 'in' at the moment.
I knew Rang De Basanti was creating a bit of a scandal since before it release and have been closely following the news, reviews, interviews and box office report. I must admit, that I can't wait to see the movie.


Yet, I am ashamed to discover the soundtrack so late. I can't say it is mind blowing, but the goodies are just awesome. Again, I don't know what's the buzz there in India, but I can confidently say that Rubaru is a classic. For its simplicity, catchiness and youthfulness, it will remain entrenched within mainstream youth culture of this generation. The simple lyrics just blow you away - why hasn't anyone used the kind of imagery that Prasoon Joshi has? Pathshala again embodies the defiance of today's youth in a frothy, fresh lingo. Loved the Oh, Oy!! Oh, Oy!! bit in the remix. Blaaze and Mohammad Aslam have been doing the rap act for Rahman for sometime now (Love Birds, being the first?) and they are justifiably good at the English, rap bit.
Tum Bin Bataye is a haunting melody that stays with you in spite of the awkward lyrics. Madhushree sounds like Alka Yagnik at her peak. Good, silken vocals take command over the tune beautifully.


Aamir Khan in Lalkaar sounds so different from Siddhu of Kya Bolti Tu. Well, true that he is chanting rather than sn't singing, but still, the voice of Lalkaar demands attention and threatens rebellion. Very good chorus arrangement on this one - the chorus starts one stanza after Aamir and towards the end of the song, both are marching along menacingly in harmony.


Rang De Basanti, the title song, is again a great bhangra number. Daler Mehndi is top notch. The chorus is what has me hooked to the song. This is second Rahman song, with Rang De Basanti in it - first being in Legend of Bhagat Singh.


Haven't been able to download Lukachuppi, but only thing I dread is Lata Mangeshkar's shrill old vocals. But, the man who can make a frog sing in tune, can sure iron out any blemishes in the songstress's performance.


Again, some pathological ignoramuses have gone ahead and said "I don't find anything special with the music". That too, to a Rahmaniac.


Thank God, they didn't unfairly accuse him of repetitiveness. Again.




PS - Lukachuppi is now on my laptop. I won't know how it was picturized(I am guessing, it plays at the time of Madhavan's death). However, yes, as Gaurav pointed out in the comments, it is a touching song. I like the way a mother-son dialogue is woven into the song.

The song starts with the mother beseeching the son to come home. Its getting too late and she misses him terribly. The son recounts how happy he is under the open skies, flying around and discovering new things. But by the end of the second antara, the son is telling her, inspite of all the pleasures in the whole wide world, he is still saddened by her absence. Jaltarang and guitar at the start and tabla, harmonioum towards the end, support and embellish the song, just so. Nice.