http://music.binaryturf.com/guru-by-ar-rehman/

Guru by A.R. Rehman

No popular musical reference would be complete without the mention of the
legendary A.R. Rehman. I share a very special connection with Rehman's music
touches some never reached corners of the heart and expresses and draws out
emotion like none other. As a run follower I also find it in order to
mention that all his music is not as effective and at times doesn't even
sound like music. But look at the marvel, his reputation as an artist and
his recognition as a master remains unfazed. He is a musician whom the highs
and lows don't affect. His music style is unique and very distinguishable
than the lot while he does direct a variety of melody and musical genres
with ease and equal effect.

Let me divert a little and mention another artist without which the mention
of A.R. Rehman is incomplete. That would be none other than Sonu Niigaam (or
Nigam). Sonu's musical prowess can't really be praised enough. However in
the current context, Sonu is to Rehman what Kishore was to R.D. Burman.
Sonu's perfection in vocals and the quality of his voice is a surreal match
made in heaven. Together they create magic. While this cannot be established
as the popular opinion, and facts stands as witness. A south Indian movie
dubbed into Hindi – "*Duniyan Dil Walon Ki*" rose to popularity at the time
of release. Most of us will recall the songs like "*Mustafa Mustafa* don't
worry *Mustafa*". However there were other songs that never saw the light of
the day. I liked "*Ja Ri Ja Ae Hawa*" and "*Oh Meri Jaan*" - both rendered
with the divine perfection and melody. The album is extinct and after
hunting for several years, I did manage to find a seller selling it online.
I finally had it imported from the UK for several times the price in the
Indian market.

My bond with the music is more special than with other albums of Rehman. For
me it's the musical of a life time. I had just undergone engagement to my
then future wife. Emotions of a lifetime bond with the melody and got framed
into unforgettable memories. They touched and embedded deep and flow out
when I experience the melody again. While not every song in a Rehman-album
is close to the heart, those which are leave an ever lasting impression. You
won't ever stop being fond of them. Let's go through Guru.

*Barso Re* - The not so melodious songs of Rehman aren't necessarily devoid
of the sweet, melodious preludes and pieces that captivate the emotional
pleasure. The song has markedly difficult to produce vocals and is
punctuated with steep highs and lows. Rehman's songs are "contextually
targeted" to mention an analogy with today's online advertising. Songs,
lyrics and expressions form a part of the movie's story. The song is just
what its purpose is – to carry the story forward. It emotes the feelings of
a young woman in love, enjoying the virtues of the nature and dancing in
rain.

*Tere Bina* - The song has two versions - the other in the form of "*Ay
Hairathe*". The song is special in the sense that a slight alteration to the
lyrics and the musical "*bhaav*" sets the two versions aside - both emoting
love - one with a personal companion and the other with the divine. This is
the sweetest and the most melodious in the album, however it will be
difficult to say which version is better. The vocals are rendered by none
other than Rahman himself who may not have the finesse of the classical
vocalist but has an established hold on the notes while also known for his
reach to the higher octaves.

The song "Tere Bina" is dedicated to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saab - fondly
remembering his association with me through this decade.

-AR Rahman

*Ek Lo Ek Muft* - Nothing much in this song to write back home about except
the fact that it does its duty and carries the story forward. Thankfully
it's a Rehman creation so not all that unwelcome as another song could have
been had it come from a different director.

*Mayya* - I'd like to commend the singers and Rehman for this song. While
the melody is beyond the tastes of the Indian audience, it is accurate and
relevant to the context. Vocals like these are a task and can be testing on
the abilities of the singer. However in today's digitally advanced
technically influenced studios, there's little that would be impossible. And
we'd never come to know for sure whether it's the art of a singer or a
technically sound audio engineer.

*Aye Hairathe* - The song slowly fades in and is a perfect pleasure to
listen to. With all the ease in the rhythm, in the accompaniment of modified
bass instruments rendered by a legendary classically sound artist Hariharan
the song is nothing but perfect – perfect to listen to, perfect for
inspiring vocals and perfect in melody and emotion. The lyrics depict two
romancing lovers. There are several fine and beautifully rendered "*murkis*"
which jell perfectly with the melody and carries the mood to a more
pleasurable state. Alka has contributed with her unique ease and melody in
vocals perfectly complimenting Hariharan's finesse in this memorable song.

*Jaage Hain* – The song comes with a warning which sounds out-of-place in
the musical context - this song is extremely depressing and may have unknown
effect of the faint at heart. The effect is devastating on even those better
and sound at an emotional level. The saddest lyrics I've come across coupled
with the most depressing music induce and captivate the emotions and remind
of moments where you dreamed of things which never witnessed the light of
the day. They put you into the shoes of a person at loss of dreams,
achievement, hope and beyond. It leaves you wounded and possibly imagining
and dreaming of fulfilling the dreams in a reincarnation or second life. It
is one song which it extremely easy to relate to as disappointments and
set-backs form the background of every human soul. The voice of Rehman as
the song concludes adds pain while the chorus induces a sinking feeling and
pinches you to realize that you've been carried far and deep.

This album is a must have for all Rehman fans. I'd have loved a song by Sonu
Niigam but then Rahman can be too particular about minute details and his
choices.


-- 
regards,
Vithur

ARR in my Heart;
His Music in my Blood;

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