All you need to do to enter is comment on this post and answer the following question: Which is your favorite soundtrack with lyrics by Gulzar? A list of his works is available at this Wikipedia link. Comments must be received by February 9 at 1:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time!
It dominates any discussion on new soundtracks, and while it's too early to draw conclusions on where this Vishal Bhardwaj offering stands in terms of its lasting appeal and appropriateness to the film it's in, there's no question the lyrics (Gulzar) to it are among the most hopeful we've come across since the last collaborative effort between Bhardwaj and Gulzar, that to Ishqiya (2010). The soundtrack to the upcoming multi-starrer 7 Khoon Maaf -- based on Ruskin Bond's short story, "Susanna's Seven Husbands” -- is a mixed bag of sorts. There isn't one genre of song that stands out as dominant, but trademark Gulzarisms (okay, can I please coin the term already?) are well on display throughout, and make for an irresistible soundtrack.
I’ll get to the song that’s the subject of this post, but first, a few comments on the rest, with snippets from the lyrics.
“Darling,” which appears twice with slightly modified lyrics and tempo, features two of the darlingest vocalists for the kind of song it is. Usha Uthup (brilliant, here) and Rekha Bhardwaj serve up a duet in what reminds me of the kind of song I’ve heard live during weekend house parties in Bombay and Goa. “Darling, let me lock eyes with you; Stop me not, let me love you,” go the base lines. “I’m a mere slave, let me dress the princess,” says she in one version. “Darling, let the slave acquire *some* control over her heart,” in the other.
“Bekaraan” (Boundless) is a beautifully worded love song, and it’s where Bhardwaj’s instrumental arrangements shine through. Respect as a product of love is its central theme – “My eyes bow before you” – and that really is the best kind of love, isn’t it? “Tell time to let me caress your fleeting glances.” As it refers to the boundlessness of the character, it also hints vociferously at being out of control and having a strong desire to retain some of it. It also indirectly alludes to the income demographics of the characters, which are sure to play some part in the film.
The heart starts to attain significant prominence with “O Mama”. “My heart only thinks with the heart now; My heart often scratches my head now.” For whom, we ask? “A cat-eyed meow-type chick!” K.K., as reliable as he has quietly been for some years now in Bollywood rock, the perfect choice to sing this.
“Awara”( Wanderer) has Master Saleem pulling off some extremely heavy classical vocals that are atypical of film sound. “The branches don’t meet, the roots don’t hold. What a purposeless season, (like) a dry leaf.” The song offers the first hint of serious angst.
Suresh Wadekar sings a beautiful love song that has the ambiance of a Jack Johnson track, seemingly blending casually into the background of any romantic setting, that of a lunch or dinner date, say, with glass separating a couple from the ocean. (Excuse the ridiculousness of these settings, I’m just documenting what my initial impressions are for each of these songs – I could well be way off. But can't you hear the silverware striking glass in the background here? It's perfect for that setting! :D) “Tere Liye” (For you) is subtle but splendid. “For you, I have (wedding) carriages full of sweet moments in my words.” Am I a poet then? Regardless, “I” am well written!
“Dil Dil Hai” (The Heart is a Heart) by Suraj Jagan would fit right into Kaminey (2009) or even Dil Se from Dil Se (1996), both with songs written by Gulzar. “Deserving a hundred heavens, it (the heart) is shore to the drowning. The most ignorant of the foolish, the most intelligent of intellectuals.”
The angst continues
and ends with the kind of song that, as a stand-alone piece of art, is simply marvelous, no matter that it’s oh so full of despair! A prayer for death, perhaps fitting in a film with ‘seven murders’ in its title. The kind of prayer that's disliked by the deities, yet of no less significance than, say, the self-discovery and self-regulation that would help avoid putting one in a situation of such despair to begin with. (But perhaps I’m getting ahead of things here, crediting the self with more control than we have in actuality.)
"Yeshu" by Rekha Bhardwaj has many bests of the album. Arguably the best vocals. Excellent lyrics. Most definitely the best musical score, with changes in tone and pitch at exactly the right points in time. A quick search of the term Yeshu reveals the historical significance of the word, some of it controversial. Most agree it refers to Jesus Christ. For the purposes of this translation, then, let’s use the word 'Savior'. You can see the song could just as well be addressed to any deity of a school of religious thought that advocates for belief in an afterlife. Here are the lyrics and my translation:
Click to enlarge
I've used the marketing term 'peak of inflated expectations' before to describe the hype cycle of an upcoming film. Vishal Bhardwaj is known for quality, complete cinema, and the expectations are no different here, especially given the star-studded cast with major acting chops. The soundtrack fulfills the brand promise, and if there is one quality that stands out this time besides the lyrics, it’s that it is exceptionally well cast, with the right tones and voices accompanying the songs. This one’s a keeper for its completeness, and for the credibility it tries to restore to an industry with flailing lyrical aspirations.
Excellent lyrics, fine music, perfect casting. Be sure to check it out.
Official film website: www.7khoonmaaf.com
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THE CONTEST
(Please read this section carefully)
A big thank you to Sony Music India for sponsoring this contest. Hope you avail of the chance to win one of these 7 Khoon Maaf CDs. Again, there are several copies of the soundtrack to give away, so have at it!
How to Enter
Again, all you need to do to enter is comment on this post and answer the following question: Which is your favorite soundtrack with lyrics by Gulzar? A list of his works is available at this Wikipedia link. Feel free to discuss why it is your favorite, and any of your favorite Gulzarisms!
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify to win a prize, you must:
1. Submit your entry by Tuesday, February 9, at 1:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time.
2. Reside in India. Per distributor's rules, contest is open to Indian residents only -- in your comment, please specifically note that you live in India. (I hope those of you outside India participate in the discussions, though. I trust we're always down to comment on Gulzar's songs!)
3. "Like" the Sony Music India page on Facebook at facebook.com/sonymusicindia
4. Be willing to e-mail me your name and mailing address in the event you are selected as a winner. I will then forward your mailing information to the distributors, who will mail you your prize. Please also see notes on winning and privacy below.
Winners
1. Winners will be selected judgmentally by me.
2. Winners will be announced on Thursday, February 10, in the comments section of this post, in the post above as well, and via a link in the sidebar. Please visit this blog on February 9 to check if you are a winner.
3. If you provide your e-mail address or blog/Twitter link in your comment, I shall contact you directly.
4. If you do not provide any contact information, and do not respond to a request (via announcement at this blog noted in #3 above) to e-mail me your information by Friday, February 10, at 1:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time, your prize will be forfeited to another contestant. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Please feel free to link to this post and re-tweet if on Twitter.
Good luck, everyone! Let's see how many Gulzarisms we end up with in this discussion!
Notes on Privacy
* I am in no way affiliated with Sony Music India or any Sony Corporation subsidiary or affiliate, or with the film 7 Khoon Maaf and any media partners.
* Should you choose to provide your e-mail address in the comments section for purposes of this contest, it will be available to the public domain.
* If you are selected as a winner and e-mail me your name and address (a requirement to receive your prize), I shall, upon forwarding your information to the distributor, delete your information from my mailbox.
* As the blog’s disclaimer in the sidebar suggests, your participation in any activity or communication here, or at sites linked to from here, is entirely voluntary, and absolves me and this blog of any liabilities related to resulting damages, no matter how material.
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