Nov 24, 2006 12:10 PM
3656 Views
(Updated Dec 09, 2009 03:07 PM)
This new Album of Jagjit Singh , singing Gulzar’s poems has been released with huge fanfare and lot of drama. An impressive well designed container is having an audio CD, a video DVD, and 12 page glossy printed book of lyrics costing Rs.450/- is made out to be a collector’s item which it is not.
The glossy black book has a few printing errors that spoil the lyrics which are any way difficult.
I heard the audio CD two to three times , I could not make any head or tale of the songs since by the time I understand one line , the next line comes with totally different words that have no connection to the previous line and while you are still struggling to make a meaning out of the verse, it is over. Next verse has no connection to the previous verse.I had to use the book of lyrics
Jagjit’s ethereal voice and beautiful orchestration is the only saving grace.
Gulzar abrogates to himself the fancy pseudo intellectual pedestal and tries to be a Satre or Kahlil Gibran, and fails miserably.
The supposedly piece-de resistance of the album is Triveni, a new form of 3 lined poetry invented by Gulzar is a pain. It is difficult to compose because of the metre and sounds imbalanced.
Jagjit has lost his innovativeness and novelty, but still continues to rule the market because of the TINA ( There is no alternative) factor . This album too sounds like you have heard it all before. Same type of tunes, same beats, same orchestration, same format, and same vintage Jagjit.
Let us now review the album:
The songs are preceded by a recitation of Gulzar in his deep sonorous voice which is impressive.
Jindagi Kya hai: A triveni . Each verse is independent , the poem has no common theme or thread, unfit to be called a Ghazal. ” Jindagi kya hai janane ke liye, jinda rehna bahut jaroori hai” a profound statement, so meaninglful when it comes out of a Swami Sukhbodhananda , or Sri Sri Ravi Shanker; but here, it sounds so trite and stupid like a shair painted on back of an auto-rikshaw!
Aap agar in dinon: Another passable poem. Not worth writing about.
Sehma Sehma: Musically superb, sung with lot of feeling & expression, beautifully recorded. Sounds like you have heard it before. Average https://lyrics.
Phoolo ki tarah: Faster pace, zanier beat, a typically Filmy composition if sung by someone else. Jagjit’s voice saves it. “ Alfaz parakhta rehta hai, awaaz hamari tol kabhi” says it all about this album. Even if the poetry is disappointing, Jagjit voice alone is the redeeming factor.
Naz uthao: Good ghazal, Classic format. Saxophone sounds jarring, violin or flute could have been better. Good composition.” Na jane ungli chhuda kar” is a beautiful thought.
Kya batayen: Reminds you of “ log har mod pe” from Beyond Time, an old album. Virodhabhas has been used as an alankar.
Hai lau ki: Average “chalta” number.
Teri soorat: another triveni. Collection of verses. Good poetry, well rendered, average composition.
Though the album deserves to heard , just once, but the price is not worth paying.
