This man works wonders, album after album, and never fails to disappoint
listeners. Music maestro A.R. Rahman has done it again. He returns after
"Guru" to compose the soundtrack of "Jodhaa-Akbar"
that has already been showered with praises.
Packed with two instrumental numbers and five tracks, "Jodhaa-Akbar"
has the makings of a hit.
Elaborate arrangements include the trumpets and the drums in "Azeem
O Shaan Shehenshah". It is a wonderful composition and Mohammad
Aslam and Bonnie Chakraborty, who have sung it, have done justice to
the song. Lyrics by Javed Akhtar are up to the mark.
Sonu Nigam and Madhushree render a romantic piece titled "In lamhon
ke daaman mein" that initially seems like any other track until
it picks up pace. Javed Akhtar pens noteworthy lyrics while Rahman's
music keeps the standard you expect from the maestro himself.
"Jashn e bahaare", sung by Javed Ali, comes next. The soft,
serene and romantic piece displays an ideal fusion of Ali's vocals with
string music. There's also a "Jashn e bahaare (instrumental)",
which gives the flute a key position in the track.
Rahman finally makes his presence felt in areas other than compositions
by singing "Khwaja mere Khwaja". His rendition coupled with
the harmonium, tabla (percussion) and claps make for marvellous music.
One begins to wonder how a qawaali could impress to this extent that
it ensures immediate gratification to everyone. "Khwaja mere Khwaja"
(instrumental) is as good as the previous instrumental number belted
out.
"Mann Mohana" comes in the end as an average number. This
track, rendered by Bela Shende, is not too bad but after listening to
the other numbers in the album, one would prefer placing it at the bottom
of the six.
Rahman has once again proved that what he composes is of a completely
different genre, standard and calibre. He stands in a place where there
can be no competitors; his is a level that cannot be matched.