How this good effort went unnoticed?. Review on Mr and Mrs Iyer Songs

After watching the movie I was very much interested to hear its music album and it was a unique blend of gazal, western and traditional south Indian music. But I would recommend this album for only who have seen watching the movie. If you have seen this movie you would have never recognized these songs separately in the movie, it perfectly gels with the screenplay. It is apt for the situation and elevates the mood of the scene. No lip movements and hero and heroine singing type songs here instead all are shot as montages. You can enjoy the songs more with the visuals. Once you have seen the visual then you cannot stop listening to this song again and again because of the impact that the visuals give. There is something special about this music. I don’t know what it is? But yet it is haunting and soothing.

Music Direction is by Zaheer Hussain. Is he the famous tabla player Zaheer Hussain?. Please let me know if you know. The singers are strange to me but all have done a great job. The album has totally 6 tracks in which 2 are remixed versions. The other chief artists are Sarangi- ustad sultan khan, Roopak kulkarni – flute. Lyrics are by Jalaluddin Rumi (sufi poet), Devara Desimayya (10th century mystic poet saint).

Don’t look away

Singers: Samantha, Soumitra roy

Starts with soothing voice of Samantha and a bass rhythm in the background. There is no other lyric for this song except two phrases “Don’t look away” and “If I’d known”. Initial humming is soothing. The sound of some Electro metals blends well with slow soothing voice of Samantha. Then slowly the words “Don’t look away” sung in a slogan style all through the song which reflects traditional Tamil music. Then almost at the end follows the chant “If I’d known” in western style. The alaps of Samantha is great all through the song. A Hindustani alap and mild violins at the end completes the melody.

Theme music

Singers: Pandit Uday Bhavallkar

Starts with strong percussion strokes with strings and notes of chorus elevates the terror in the scene and then the violins adds to the tune and finally slowly the alap starts all having the drum beats as the background. Mostly this music piece is used in riot and its consequential scenes. The alap Pandit Uday Bhavallkar is great with perfect twists and elevates the mood. Can a human voice in an alap emote to this extent? May be because I am hearing Hindustani alaps and gazals newly only for past few days I feel it is too good from my knowledge on this genre of music.

If I’d Known

Singers: Zaheer Hussain, Samantha

I was thinking the best song so far that blended guitar and flute piece is “Vellai Pookal” from “Kannathil Muthamittal” but here is another one of same genre and equally great. It has a great guitar and flute piece blended together all through the song. Not only the instruments but also the tune is a perfect blend of western and classical music. These songs are similar to cross over films like this which have Indian people speaking English to tkae it to international audience. The combination of guitar and flute is always a treat to ears, western feel is by guitar and traditional feel is by flute. The voice of both Samantha and Zaheer is great. The English lyrics are pronounced with right accent. “Don’t look away” ending is great. The mild violin and piano interludes lifts the song a bit more. It takes you to the place and creates the ambience of mountain even without the visuals. Just listen it and feel yourself and that is what I can say.

Kithe meher ali

Singers: Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Zaheer Hussain

It is a good gazal number. It comes after the first riot scene in the bus is over and when Rahul starts to click stills on various things around. Among of the minimal instruments used Shenoy dominates and takes care of the sad mood of the song. Initially Ustad Sultan Khan starts and Zaheer takes over in the middle and ends the track. I admire is he the one who sung the English song. His voice, expressions, modulations are entirely different in these two songs. The mild violins in the background are hidden soul of this song. The photographs that Mr.Iyer clicks with this song make the visual so poetic.

The other two songs are remixed version of “Don’t look away” and “Kithe meher ali”.

There are only minute variations in these versions and so I leave it you.

Please go for this album if you like this movie a lot. Otherwise stay away from it. Listen it in raaga.com or musicindiaonline.com.