Nov 21, 2003 11:14 PM
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(Updated Nov 21, 2003 11:14 PM)
Kiske liye raah chalte ye jhooti hansi
Kaise sahein telephone ki khaamoshi
Soone bistaron pe so rahe
Beeti khusbuon ko ro rahe
Neeche sadke kehti hain aa kood ja…
Ominous, dark and bizarre. The soundtrack of Paanch treads a path Hindi film music has never travelled. This path leads to a world that is as cynical as it is electrifying. Its inhabitants are vile men and women devoid of a conscience. Its structures are intimidating edifices of deceit and facade.
The three individuals responsible for this trip – composer Vishal Bhardwaj, writer Abbas Tyrewala and director Anurag Kashyap – suggest that it’s time we went beyond hearing angelic voices cooing “aaa...” when the Manish Malhotra - dressed boy’s heart flutters for the boob-top clad girl who is ‘modern with traditional values’.
For those not clued-in, Paanch is the astounding debut film of Anurag Kashyap. It talks about the depths of treachery that the frustrations of urbanism can sink you to. The film impresses you like the scorching catharsis of a tortured soul. It’s only screenings have been at film festivals, private shows and even a film appreciation course. The reasons: to begin with, the censor board thought it is too negative for the masses. The makers put up a fight and won. Now nobody is willing to risk his money in distributing it.
The first track is ‘Main khuda’ sung by K.K. which is truly exhilarating. It has two versions, the other sung by Asha Bhosle.
Har sparsh mein khichaav hai
Har dosti mein tanaav hai
Dua bhi main, dava bhi main
Meri dava mera ghaav hai
Aadhi roshni aadhe andhere
Saari zindagi yun na bitaao
Saans lo, dum bharo
Chilla kar sabse kaho
Sar jhuka, khuda hoon main
Aasmaano pe khada hoon main
Main khuda..
Loud music often becomes noise. Over here it is riveting and conveys an undeniable spirit of rebellion.
The next song is ‘Kya din kya raat’ sung by K.K. and Hariharan, whose lyrics I quoted at the beginning. Its unobtrusive music and sinister lyrics convey the essence of the movie. ‘Ankhiyan chipki’ is a catchy blend of heavy electric guitar and Indian folk, the latter being rendered by Ustad Sultan Khan.
‘Tamas’ and ‘Paka mat’ focus on more acoustic sounds. While the music is low-key, the luring aura of gloom and pessimism still persists. Finally, there’s Dominique’s ‘Paanch theme’, an interesting blend of rock, opera and Latin music. The album has 7 tracks, most of them with rock influences.
It’s a pity that Paanch still struggles to find a release while every day we are bombarded by clips of Shahrukh Khan singing “pridy woomaan” and making the same faces that he’s been making for the past 10 years (to give him his due, there’s an added bonus : the American flag in the background). Anyone with a taste for the eccentric or the dark should give this a try.
