English Vinglish Music Review: 'English Vinglish' - Well Conveys Women's Emotions

This year can be categorized as a year of comebacks for yesteryear heroines. From Karisma Kapoor in Dangerous Ishhq to Preity Zinta's Ishkq in Paris and now the most awaited - Sridevi's English Vinglish. While others thought of making a comeback in all-commercial films, Sridevi decided to do a 'hatke' film directed by Gauri Shinde. Promos have already been creating a lot of buzz and there are quite a few fans waiting for the film's release. Since it's a theme based film, Gauri brings in Amit Trivedi, the man who has spun his magic in films like Udaan,Wake Up Sid or the recent Ishaqzaade to name a few. There are 5 original songs in the album with lyrics by Swanand Kirkire and a reprise version is added as well.

Album opens on a soft note with Dhak Dhuk that touches your heart. Song reminds you of Bengali music, specially the way 'Dhak' is sweetly pronounced by Amit Trivedi in a traditional manner. It's a complete three-sixty degree turn from a singer who has given Keh Ke Lunga to the music buffs not too many moons ago. His voice adds oodles to the song and makes it an appropriate beginning for an album like English Vinglish.

Manhattan opens with Sridevi voiceover as people around her try to break down the word Man-Hat-Tan and translate it in Hindi! It is imaginative lyrics from Kirkire's creative bag which carry the film's theme and describes why the place is so fascinating for people. Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes have given their vocals to this peppy Hinglish track that should definitely be worth a ride in theatres with audience looking at the city of Manhattan through a novice's (Sridevi) eye.

Album moves forward with Gustakh Dil in Shilpa Rao's voice. Just like the earlier songs, lyrics are very meaningful and convey the protagonist's state of mind brilliantly. This one is a soft and fast track at the same time, with rock band beats at the background. Shilpa Rao creates magic again after Yaariyan and makes you fall in love with the song.

Navrai Majhi is definitely an amusing experimentation by Amit Trivedi. The track begins with his mother Neelambari Kirkire setting the base in folksy Marathi style. Sunidhi Chauhan takes over from here and it is a change for her from singing so-called 'sexy tracks' to this fun filled folk song. As expected though, she does it all quite well. Also, it is the voice of Natalie Di Luccio, a multilingual singer from Canada who has performed with Amit on Coke Studio, whose crooning in the middle of the song catches listener's attention and makes the proceedings interesting.

Last but not the least is Badla Nazara. There are two versions male and female with Amit Trivedi and Shilpa Rao respectively. The composition is very peppy and it's the use of varied instruments which would catch listener's attention. Also, lyrics are of superior quality (yet again) and mixes English and Hindi quite effortlessly, case in point being Dheeme Dheeme Slowly Slowly or I Am Learning Vearning Seekho Seekho. Both versions are good, though it is Shilpa's voice that holds you better even as you imagine it being heard for Sridevi's character in the film.

As mentioned by Gauri Shinde herself, this movie is a dedication to her mother and people like her who may struggle to speak a foreign language. The movie definitely screams out loud that it's an outing with a woman's sensibility in mind and hence the music too well explores her emotions while communicates them seamlessly. However a fact that cannot be negated is that it is a male composer and lyricist who have captured the emotions brilliantly. Full credit to them and kudos for getting it right. Overall, aworthy album from Amit's talented bag with Swanand's poetic sensibilities intact which should help the film turn into a success as well.