We keep talking about melody and the vanishing act that it has done in Hindi films of late. But there have been certain music composers, who no matter what, have refused to be anything but melodious. Such a man is music composer Ismail Darbar, the man behind the music of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas. There was a while when one thought that he and his musical genius had done a disappearing act, quite like melody. But he is back with a bang, with the music of Afzal Khan's Mehbooba. Darbar is in fine form here as he once again has a director who is interested in melody and music, as it was in the good old days. The film's lyrics have been composed by the late Anand Bakshi. The veteran, who has been the words behind evergreen songs of greats like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, Rahul Dev Burman and Shankar Jaikishen to name a few, does a fantastic job as always with this film's lyrics as well. The music of the film lives up to its promise and is enticing and melodious.
The album begins with the number'Tu Meri Mehbooba', which has a very catchy tune and has been sung excellently by Udit Narayan. The number is reminiscent of the kind of numbers composed a few years ago, in the era of the Nadeem Shravans and the Jatin Lalits. It is the kind of number which a singer like Udit Narayan is a past master at and he makes no mistakes this time as well, as he imparts his signature to this song as well. The singer continues his fine touch with the next number 'Khwabo Ki Rani Hai'. The song has been composed on a grand, almost epic level by Darbar. The sense of grandeur is maintained by Narayan's singing, making it a number which is very pleasing to the ears.
Darbar seems to have decided on Narayan for the songs of this film. 'Dilruba Teri Aankhe Palkhe' is the third song in a row, in the album sung by Narayan. This song too has a catchy melody but it lacks the grandeur and power of 'Tu Meri Mehbooba' and its overall apparel will definitely depend also on the manner in which it has been picturised.
'Yaar Tera Shukriya' sees Alka Yagnik joining Narayan a romantic duet. It is by far, the best song in this album. It is but inevitable that the coming together of Yagnik and Narayan is bound to evoke memories of an era gone by. Be that as it may, the song still manages to break through the web of nostalgia and weave a web of magic. This song has been sung with a lot of feeling by the singers, who have given it their all. It seems to capture the mood and flavor of the film perfectly. This is a number which is a triumph for the singers, the composer and the lyricist.
The inevitable item number or 'nautch girl' number makes it appearance with ' Babuji Bahut Dukhta Hai', rendered excellently by Alka Yagnik. She manages to capture the sensuous and playful mood of the song without a trace of vulgarity. She manages to render the song with grace and restrain. Another very catchy number. Yagnik is joined in the song by Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan, who sing a line.
The next song in the album 'Kuch kar Lo Kuch' has been sung by the versatile Sonu Nigam. In fact, the next three songs belong to him. Coming back to 'Kuch Kar Lo Kuch', this number to has that sense of epic grandeur. A lot of the song's mood and feel will obviously be supported by the manner in which it has been picturised. This song too has that evergreen quality to it and will definietly make for repeated hearing. Kavita Krishnamurthi makes a rare appearance in this album with 'Kuch Kar Lo',this song has three versions, one of which is a duet between her and Shankar Mahadevan and the last is a Kavita solo. While all three versions sound wonderful and have been rendered very well by the singers, it is this solo version which seems to stand out. The orchestration used by Darbar in this version has a stunning effect and probably adds to the song's beauty.
Darbar seems to falter to a degree with the next number 'Achcha To Ab Main Chalta Hoon', which has been rendered by Sonu. This is a song which more on the average side and does not have the sumptuous feel of the previous numbers. But all is rectified when the quawali 'Deewana Maine To Deewana' takes over with the voices of Aslam Sabri, Sukhwinder Singh and Sonu working their magic on the listeners. The quwali mode has been used well. Aslam Sabri is the life behind the song. Nigam and Sukhwinder provide good support.
The one thing that stands out in Darbar's music for Mehbooba is the sense of opulent grandeur that he imparts to it. The emotion of love and the beloved seem to acquire epic proportions in the film's music. That seems to work for some of the songs, but ultimately it will depend on the songs as they appear on the screen. Mehbooba's music has been tastefully done and songs are literally music to the ears. Barring a certain dated feel to the music, there is nothing which should stop the songs from being chartbusters. Full marks to Ismail Darbar for creating music which stays true to film's mood and feel.
