(This article is sponsored by Sounds of India)

 Music by The Late Madan Mohan ( recreated by his son SanjeevKohli)

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Veer Zara is a Yash Raj production with an interesting storybehind its music. The songs are based on unrecorded tunes created by Madan Mohan( who died in 1975) and have been recreated by his son Sanjeev Kohli 9 anexecutive at HMV records)

To jog thememory, some of Madam Mohan’s famous songs are “Aye dil mujhe bata de” by themelodious Geeta Dutt. “ Zaroorat Hai” by the legendary Kishore Kumar and thepiquant “Jhumka Gira Re” by the inimitable Asha Bhonsle.

However,Madanji is remembered for his long and fruitful musical association with LataMangeshkar with such gems as “ Tu jahan jahan chalega” from Mera Saaya, “ AapkiNazron ne samjha” from Anpadh, “ Baiyan na dharo” from Dastak and “Yun hasratonke daag” from Adalat.

In Veer–Zara, we are presented with a selection of his melodies in 2004, a uniqueevent in itself which has generated considerable press. Lata Mangeshkar isfeatured prominently in this album in a salute to their long professionalrelationship.

The album starts off with a bang! “ Tere Liye” featuring themellifluous and woefully underutilized Roop Kumar Rathod and Lata Mangeshkar. The opening notes are brilliant and the music, the lyrics and the singers transport the listener to a wonderful listening experience. This song isundoubtedly the star of the album and well deserving of its spot at the top ofthe album. Lata sounds just wonderful in this song!

The song “Main Yahaan hoon” is rendered by Udit Narayan. Udit makes a valiant effort butthe song seems to be at a low pitch for him and he struggles to make himselfheard in the lower octave. The music is humdrum and doesn’t make an impression.

“Aisa deshai mera” (you guessed it!) is a song singing the praises of one’s ‘des’ andthe beauty and wonders of one’s country and one’s people. The song isadequately performed by Udit Narayan, Gurdas mann, Lataji and Pritha majumder.

Udit andLata team up in this next number “Yeh hum aa gaye hain kahan” which is aromantic duet and has an old-world charm to it. I still feel the pitch is toolow for Udit in this album and he sounds unusually subdued. Lata sings easilyand seems to be having a good time.

“Do pal”features Lata and Sonu Nigam. It is great to hear Sonu breath life and emotioninto this song about the brief intersections in the road of love.

Side B starts off with a monotonous monologue by Yash Chopra(I couldn’t understand a word) but then eureka! a beautiful number by SonuNigam blooms forth. “ Kyon Hawa” is a lovely number with lilting music and Sonu is in his element. Lata provides nonverbal humming support. This is the secondbest song in my opinion.

“Hum tobhai jaise hain” by Lata is a mistake with a forgettable melody, a younger voice may have salvaged this song,but Lata singing like a 18 year old (BAD CHOICE!!) sounds forced, strained andplain tired.

Next in thealbum is a a Quawwali by Ahmed and MohdHussein” Aaya tere dar par” which is a cookie-cutter Quawwali. Nothing new, nothing unusual. Slow start, crescendo to a emotional fast-clapping finale.YAWN! If you want to hear a great quawwali, reach out for “ Meenaxi” and listento “ Noor-un-ala”( Music by A.R. Rahman) DIVINE!!!

The lastsong is “Lodi” by Gurdas Mann , Lata and Udit which is a energetic, folksynumber guaranteed to liven the spirits. Gurdas Mann goes for it, Udit ablysupports and Lata seems to be giggling and having a ball in this song.

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