Enkayaar, Bollywood Trade News Network

Sometimes the opportunities align themselves in such a manner that they become fortuitous and could have an ominous bearing. This seems to be the opportunity with GULAAL as well. It is releasing at a time, just after Holi and just before one of the biggest celebrations in India aka the elections would begin. It would also be the time when the universities all over the countries would be abuzz with elections for their Unions as also they would be trying to align there fortune with the political parties through the general elections. It indeed is a lethal combination in music what with Vishal Bhardwaj and Piyush Mishra pooling their talents to bring out an earthy music. Piyush Mishra'a oeuvre reminds one of the times when he used to perform on the stages of Delhi and used to mesmerize the audience with his sonorous voice, in the tradition established by Habib Tanvir through his famous play Agra Bazaar. Piyush Mishra has demonstrated it in an impacted manner both in Aarambh hai Prachand and in Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi jaaye bhi to kya hai.

Even Sahir Ludhianvi along with Mohammed Rafi and Guru Dutt where they alive would have been rather pleased with the modernist interpretation that Piyush has brought to "Yeh Duniya", it has such an earthiness that even the man at the end of the progress chain would develop an empathy with him. One cannot develop this connect unless one has spent the time on stage for quite a large time, and more so in the times when stage in Delhi was in its glory.

The choice of title GULAAL in itself is apt as GULAAL may be dusted off the surface where it is applied its effect remains, and if applied in liberal doses it can go into your head as well. Politics needs to be approached in the same manner, right now its pervasive influence has become so expansive that it has indeed gone into the head and turned most of the things on their head.

Even the copy writers of both Pepsi and Coca Cola would break their head as the signature tune of both the products has been utilized with a deadly effect in one song itself. From Beedi jalaile to beeda dooji thalli ka, following in the wake of Gainda Phool from DELHI 6 is indeed another mile stone for Rekha Bhardwaj and she is slowly emerging as the voice that would be trademark of the oral tradition of the Indian culture, as it has the earthiness that enamors and endears.

Vishal Bhardwaj as a music director reminds again of the debut album MAACHIS with the usage of instruments that define the culture of the place where GULAAL has been set i.e. in Rajasthan. Piyush Mishra, Vishal Bhardwaj and Anurag Kashyap can indeed emerge as the heady combination which could have tremendous impact on the Hindi cinema for the future. It is only hoped that Piyush Mishra would make his appearance on the silver screen a regular affair rather than having a fleeting appearance.