Aug 21, 2013 10:12 PM
2474 Views
(Updated Aug 21, 2013 10:09 PM)
So the Coke Studio India is back and after the disastrous first season and average second season, this time producers have roped in some of the finest composers of industry including the legend A.R Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Ram Sampath and many more.The first episode consisted of Rahman which comprised of total 6 songs, 1 which was aired only online and not television.
Our expectations and excitement increases as soon as we see with name AR Rahman, such is the power of a legendary composer.He increased his standarads with MTV Unplugged last year and this time he does the same.Let us check out each song by detail
1) 'Zariya' The opening song of the season created more buzz prior to its televison debut, the views on youtube surpassed the most successful song of Season 2.This time Rahman brings the Nepalase nun singer Ani Choying Drolma, jordanian beauty Farah Siraj together to make some melodious fusion.The song starts with buddhist chants by Drolma intersected by Hindi phrases song by the chorus when Farah Siraj bursts into her famous song 'Reedah'.Arrangements in the second half seem to be bit abrupt but eventually it lives upto its expectation.
2) 'Nan Yen' This tamil song is sung by Rahman itself and his sisters Rayhanah and Issrath Quadri.It is a nice soothing folky song with beautiful use of keys-strings combo in background.Overall a nice song but could have been better.
3) 'Aao Balma' Just if you were thinking that the buzz was getting low, you should rethink once again.Aao Balma is a splendid track and is one of the most beautiful songs of this season, sung by Padma Bhusan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, his four sons and a grandson.
This song signifies the beauty of voice of 3 generations when sung together.Despite his age, Ustad gives a fantastic performance.Matching him at every step is Prasana with his superb improvs in 'kalyani', a raga in which this man has given awesome fusion piece to us.Also when the teen sensation Mohini Dey's bass joins Shivmani's percussion is particularly super! This simply just cant be ignore!High on energy and orchestral extravagance!
4)'Ennile Maha Oliyo' Second tamil song sung by the two sisters is much a simpler and subtle song.Again the Prasana's carnatic guitaring is awesome.The percussion adds to the mystical quality of song, almost evoking the temple feeling.This is one also is one of the great songs from album!
5)'Jagao Mere Desh Ko' This song can be termed as Rahman's independence gift to us.It adapts Rabrindranth Tagore's famous lines and Prasoon Joshi doing the hindi adaptations.Riding high on strings in the initial half when Rahman sings in bengali, joined by Suchismita Das, the songs brilliant moments begans in the second half where Suchi is joined by Prasana's guitar making it look like a jazz flavoured jamming.
Also in the end, we see some funky rapping by Blaaze, who most of the times sounds annoying.This also is one of the best songs in the album.
6) 'Soz O Saalam' Surprisingly the best song was not made for the tv but was aired on youtube.Sometimes the power of music is such that it feels like god comes right through us and this song is perfect example of it.Sung again by Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan and his grandson Faiz Mustafa, do exceptionally soulful job to this song.This song is just like a prayer, close your eyes and just let it enthral you!
The song ends with Rahman's genius-the continuum fingerboard, a fitting finish to a lovely piece and to the episode.Here I would like to say that Rahman is one of the only few people in the world to know how to use that instrument.Only negative for this song is that it ends much early than expected!
Top Songs- Jagao Mere Desh, Aao Balma and Soz O Saalam.
