Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Music Review: Does Not Disappoint!

The expectations from the music of a Yash Raj film is always extremely high and when you add to that the fact that Laga Chunari Mein Daag is directed by Pradeep Sarkar, whose Parineeta was a soulful classic, the expectations rise even higher, especially since he has repeated his Parineeta music director, Shantanu Moitra. The title of the film itself stems from a classic Manna Dey song from the film Dil Hi To Hai, and leaves you to wonder what this album will offer. The listener will not be disappointed, although the songs will take a bit of time to pick up, but for those who yearn for original compositions and lyrics which allow songs to take the film ahead, this album is a winner.

The album starts off Hum To Aise Hain with Sunidhi Chauhan singing for Rani Mukherji and Shreya Ghoshal singing for Konkana Sen Sharma along with Swanand Kirkire and Pranab Biswas also adding vocal support. This number is by far the best of the album; banjo, flute, tabla, soft percussions and natural sounds are all supports for the vocals which dominate this number and both Sunidhi and Shreya carry the song off perfectly. The lyrics by Swanand Kirkire are truly original as not only are they poetic and fun, they set up the story of the film, establish the characters and the Benaras setting."Majdhar mein humri naiya, phir bhi dekho mast hai hum bhaiya. Hum to aise hai bhaiya. Arre hum to aise hai bhaiya", these lyrics essentially encapsulate the mood of the song, which in spite of not having any great melody, will have you humming the tune.

Babul Supriyo and Mahalaxmi Iyer take over the vocals for Zara Gungunalein Chalo which comes as a surprise because it starts in Italian (similar style to Do Lafzon Ki from The Great Gambler) which is a stark contrast to the very Benaras feel of Hum To Aise Hain. The use of the guitar is superb and the accompanying brass orchestra makes for a great overall composition which gives it a European feel and the song although modern, has a hint of the 70s romantic melodies to it which is a definite change from most of the recent numbers. Babul Supriyo and Mahalaxmi Iyer infuse the soft romantic mood required for this song perfectly. The lyrics are simple and apt for a number like this and help infuse the classic feel to it.

The upbeat momentum of the album takes a turn with Chunari Mein Daad, sung by Shubha Mudgal and Meeta Vashisht. Do not be mistaken, this song is not really like the original in spite of the fact that it has similar music and lyrics. The track is more of a fusion number with an almost"rap" like rendition by Meeta Vashisht which starts off the song and the original lyrics being sung by Shubha Mudgal. The song has a completely different, almost sinister mood giving it a trance like effect. Hats off to Shantanu Moitra for this unique composition which he has handled in a manner to absolutely avoid all comparisons with the original song.

Back to a romantic, fun mood with Ik Teekhi Teekhi Si Ladki, where KK joins Shreya Ghoshal for this song in which the lyrics are more interesting than the actual composition simply because one feels the characters and their relationship being established through the lyrics (guess is that this track will be picturized on Kunal Kapoor and Konkana Sen Sharma). The guitar, flute, brass and percussions are all used, but like Hum To Aise Hain, the vocals and lyrics are the main focus of this song. Watch out for the techno version of Hum To Aise Hai in the middle of the song.

A drastic change in mood with Ehi Thaiya Motiya which is a classical mujra number sung by Rekha Bharadwaj. Not a number for the masses, it is purely for those who enjoy Indian classical compositions and will surely be a situational mujra in the film. Rekha Bharadwaj carries off this very difficult number with aplomb.

The final track brings together Sonu Nigam, KK, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal (which in all probability brings together Abhishek Bachchan, Kunal Kapoor, Rani Mukherji and Konkana Sen Sharma on screen) for this fun,"cheed chaad" Kachchi Kaliyaan. The song starts off with a 60s style which very quickly changes over to an ultra modern composition in spite of very traditional lyrics. A truly unique composition in the way it combines a very traditional sound and feel with a modern fusion.

Laage Chunari Mein Daag may not wow you on your first listen, but it is one of those albums which grows on you over time. The combinational of Shantanu Moitra?s unique compositions and the complimenting unique lyrics of Swanand Kirkire lift the songs to a level that once the viewer sees them picturized, the songs will grown on them further.