Sound Byte

Paheli, T-SeriesWITH hits such as Jism and the critically-acclaimed Rog to his credit, south Indian composer MM Kreem always generates great...

Paheli, T-Series
WITH hits such as Jism and the critically-acclaimed Rog to his credit, south Indian composer MM Kreem always generates great expectations. But while his classical-based score for the Shah Rukh Khan-Rani Mukerji starrer Paheli doesn’t disappoint, it doesn’t rise above his earlier work.

A range of voices from the Hindustani classical genre, including Pandit Kumar Gandharva’s granddaughter Kalapini Komakali and Shruti Sadolikar, have been tapped for the folk-based soundtrack.

Sonu Nigam opens with Dhire Jalna, an ode to love and time, each duelling with the other. The duet with Shreya Ghosal begins as a cajoling love song that builds up to a dhol-shehnai fuelled frenzy.

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After a folk blast in Bunty Aur Babli, Gulzar has penned some lush lines like Kangna re kangna re, kirnon se sab rangna re…, for a track on bangles, and you actually hear the colours of Rajasthan in Kangna Re. Not one, but five singers outdo themselves in rendering this one, and therein lies Kreem’s strength. He’s cast the voices superbly, so that they balance each other instead of fading out. Known to be partial towards ghazals, Kreem has done a brilliant job of Khaali Hai Tere Bina, sung by Hariharan and Bela Shende, with syrupy flute interludes.

If the ghazal spells inebriation, the festive Phir Raat Kati is like the Ganges in flood. And what do you know, Sunidhi Chauhan actually delivers the folk number, along with Sukhwinder Singh, without any trace of her signature Western twang.

Though she appears briefly, Sadolikar lifts Laaga Re Jal Laaga, which also features Kreem and Sonu.

Kreem has a rich timbre and a traditional voice that suits ghazals and ballads. On the whole, there are no duds in this album, but it takes a while for its appeal to sink in.