AUDIO/VIDEOSCAN
The Rain (Music Today)
ASC

INDIAN and Iranian music come particularly close because of the convergence of tradition. This similarity is brought forth in a fabulous way in this co-production between Indian sitar maestro Ustad Shujaat Hussain Khan and an equally brilliant kamancheh legend Kayhan Kalhor. Sandeep Das, a disciple of Pandit Kishan Maharaj, is on the tabla in this concert recording. The music they produce is sheer magic. No wonder, the album has been nominated for Grammy 2004. Vocals by Shujaat Khan are minimal. His sitar does the talking.

Call it producer Boney Kapoor’s eye for detail or a remarkable performance by music director Himesh Reshammiya, but this album is packed with exceptionally good songs.

Himesh has made his singers adopt a particular style in which they suddenly change the pitch of their voice. This makes female singers go a bit shrill but male singers leave a good impression.

The album showcases Alka Yagnik’s talents also. The album opens with Sarki chunariya re zara zara (Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan) and ends with Tere mere pyaar ke chand (Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam).

The best of the eight is Tere aane se (Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu), which also figures in a remix version. A very close second is Bade nazuk daur se (Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu).

Richa Sharma and Kunal have sung a duet, Nahi hona nahi hona. They handle it with aplomb. Lyrics are by Sameer.

Brahma Kumaris have come out with a full-length video CD on the subject of reincarnation. Based on a on a true account, the story revolves around a young boy. In his previous life, he was a business man in Amravati but was done to death by his brother. The memories haunt him in this life.

The CD tries to explain everything according to the teachings of the Brahma Kumari sect but that comes only towards the end.

The Hindi film with English sub-titles has been directed by Neelesh.

This feature was published on January 27, 2004