EXPECTATIONS
This is one team that is always ready to bend the way
Hindi film music is perceived, conceptualised and
presented. Time and again Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj
have created a kind of musical outing which sounds
absolutely fresh and yet bears their trademark quality
stamp. Also, the power of soundtrack which is made as a
result of their collaboration belongs to the kind that
doesn't just loose itself amongst all the noise created
by beats but also has a lyrical tale to tell. One
doesn't expect anything lesser from Ishqiya.
MUSIC
Ever since the release of Kaminey, it has been
established that Vishal Bhardwaj is a strong admirer of
Quentin Tarantino. This is evidenced once again in the
opening sound of ' Dil To Bachcha Hai' (first
in the original and more prominently in the 'remix version')
with clear influence of Tarantino. Due to the country
flavour of the film, the music too carries a similar mood.
One can be assured that even Rahat Fateh Ali Khan would have
been challenged by the way he is required to render 'Dil
To Bachcha Hai' since it is a complete departure from
the sufi numbers that he has been singing (on a rather
successful note) off late. Gulzar's lyrics make you play the
track repeatedly to get the crux of the matter while the
music reminds one of the kind of songs that Mukesh used to
sing for Raj Kapoor in his earlier days.
The only track in the album which has
it's eye on the commercial sales is ' Ibn-E-Batuta',
which pretty much appears to be kind that would gain an
entry during the early part of the film. One has to a Google
search though to explore the real meaning of 'Ibn-E-Batuta'.
While one of the links indicates a namesake mall in Dubai,
the top search result indicates that 'Ibn Battuta' is the
name of a Moroccan Berber Muslim scholar and traveller who
is known for the account of his travels and excursions
called the Rihla (Voyage).
Going by the theme of the song which has Sukhwinder Singh
and Mika pairing up for Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi,
one makes a fair assumption that the song takes the viewer
through their bird like journey in the free world where they
are living life on their own terms. A rhythmic track that
appears in as many as two 'remix versions', 'Ibn-E-Batuta'
is no 'Dhan Te Nan' [Kaminey] but still the
most 'commercial friendly' number that Ishqiya has to
offer. Also, there is this intrinsic 'desi' touch (which
unfortunately looses it's way in the 'remix version') in the
song that strikes most.
However, if one is really looking for something magnificent
musically, it's the two songs that follow next - ' Ab
Mujhe Koi' and ' Badi Dheere Jali'.
Sung by Rekha Bhardwaj, these are sheer gems and while they
have a class appeal prevalent from first till the last note,
they boast of that quintessential Vishal Bharadwaj and
Gulzar which is as much uncompromising as a Bollywood
soundtrack could promise.
'Ab Mujhe Koi' is a beautiful laidback track which
moves at such a smooth pace that one can hardly sense any
ups and downs. That's the beauty of 'Ab Mujhe Koi'
that it can be kept in repeat mode and you won't even
realise when it has begun, come to a conclusion and started
all over again. 'Badi Dheere Jali' has a slightly
more classical appeal to it and begins with a brief 'alaap'
by Rekha before she embarks on a musical journey (with a
hint of Western fusion to it) that lasts for as long as 7
minutes. This one would of course not come on lips of a
regular Bollywood follower but would be grabbed by the
connoisseurs of quality Indian classical music.
OVERALL
What would immediately attract a music lover to Ishqiya
is the credit details that include Vishal Bhardwaj and
Gulzar. However, even their hardcore fans would have to be
cognizant of the fact that Ishqiya doesn't promise a
popular soundtrack a la Kaminey (which had 'Dhan
Te Nan' as it's anchor) or Omkara (which picked
up beyond the rage created by 'Beedi Jalaile').
Instead Ishqiya is more rooted in it's appeal and
maintains a classical touch for most it's part.
OUR PICK(S)
Ibn-E-Batuta, Ab Mujhe Koi
  
Download Songs of
Ishqiya:
IN 160Kbps :
Ishqiya (2010) ~160Kbps [DM]
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