Yuvvraaj - Music Review

Hope I got the name right.. all this numerolgy thing is driving Bollywood directors crazy I think. How else do you explain the spelling of new Subhash Ghai movie "Yuvvraaj" !!!

Anyways, getting to the point.. Music for the movie is given by my favourite A R Rahman.

I have always been wondering how on earth music directors keep coming up with tunes and compositions, none better than maestro Rahman himself. This is his 4th album of the year and he keeps bettering himself and re-inventing himself all the time.

As I write, I am listening to the songs and as is the usual case some of the songs registered immediately and some are growing on me gradually. My favourite at this moment is "Zindagi". Melodious track with a melliflous voice of Srinivas. Lyrics is topnotch ,cant expect anything else from Gulzaar though.

Next on my list is "Dil Ka Rishta". A difficult structure to the composition , that makes it hard to take instant liking to this song. But repeated listening makes you come back to it again and again. Will have to wait and watch the picturisation of the song.

Another surprise is "Manmohini Morey". A semi classical song with strong vocals from Vijay Prakash. Since the time I watche a youtube clip of him singing in sa re ga ma , I have always been on the lookout for songs by him. So moment I saw his name against this song , couldnt resist listening to it straight away. He does not dissappoint.

To hear Alka Yagnik was a pleasant surprise. I have not been a big fan of hers, but do like some songs of her. She has done a good job , but I think her days in the industry are numbered.

All in all, worth a hear .. rather repeated hear.

Long live Maestro , Long live Music.

Jamboo Savari

Old habits die hard. And in this case it should also :). I was desperate to see the famed howdah that goes around my favourite city Mysore on Vijayadashami day and trust Doordarshan to help me out and they did :).

I could not believe my eyes when I got to know DD Chandana is broadcasting the Dasara procession live via a webcast (http://www.mysoredasara2008.com/webcast.html)

I become very nostalgic during festive season as it makes me miss home. Dasara is one of the festivals. I remember the pustaka (books) pooje that is performed at home for eveyday during the navraatri period. This is symbolic of worshipping wisdom and goddess saraswathi. The entire town seems to be decked up for the festive season, temples are bustling with people offering various pooja's and archane's for the well being of family and friends.

Jamboo savari is the clumination of the famed naada habba ( state festival of Karnataka ). I loved watching the magnificent golden howdah being carried by the majestic decorated elephant and also wonder how the whole thing would have been at the peak of Mysore Maharaja's reign. So to see the procession live , just the way I used to do it in my childhood, sitting in from of my work PC was very surreal. Thank you very much for everybody involved in making this webcast happen.

Jai Chamundeshwari, Jai Karnataka

A Wednesday - A review

Its not a coincidence that I have chosen today to review a movie that I watched recently.
Name of the movie is "A Wednesday". Theme is fight against terrorism. But more importantly the means adopted to counter terrorism would have saddened Mahatma Gandhi. May be not , looking at spate of recent bombings across India, Gandhi might have been a bit sympathetic towards the means portrayed. Hypothetical , but very relevant discussion I guess.

Coming to the movie , the plot is unique, well executed and very relevant. I was both shocked and satisfied by the climax. Its totally unexpected. I am not going to reveal the climax and spoil the fun.

Anupam Kher as the police commissioner of Mumbai , is the ideal police commissioner that every city would want to have. He is quick to respond, level headed, knows what he wants to do and is in total control. How I wish we had such courageous , intelligent and passionate cops around us.
Naseeruddin shah fits the role perfectly. Watch him in the climax when you realise what he is upto and his exchanges with Anupam kher. Hats off Naseer.

All in all a brilliant movie and thought provoking storyline.

Please do yourselves a favour and watch "A Wednesday".