Mangala Mangala

Any album from Aamir-A R Rahman-Javed Akthar team will create a huge expectations among the music lovers. That too after their mammoth success of Lagaan four years back. Also the comparison with Lagaan is inevitable. First of all I like to clarify one thing. Mangal Pandey is not another Lagaan. And it can't be, as the concept behind the two movies are entirely different. Lagaan shows the strength and the zeal of an 'underdog' youth - Bhuvan - who wants to achieve the impossible while Mangal Pandey is a real story about a young Indian who lit the fire for the freedom struggle against the English. It will be far more appropriate to compare it with Bose - The Forgotten Hero. In my opinion, it is not as good as Bose - best of its kind - and it will be difficult for any music director to give a better score for a patriotic movie than Bose. But Mangal Pandey's score which is nothing short of brilliance has its own moment and glory. Now to the songs...

Mangala Mangala - Kailash Kher
This is the signature song of this movie and has become popular even before the release. Well sung by Kailash Kher - disciple of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This song is more of a 'chanting' song variety and from the percussion itself we can feel and imagine the parade of the tuskers. A sure hit once the movie releases on 12th August. (Infact today the movie releases in Mayajaal, Ega and in Melody)

Kailash Kher sings the same song in two more versions - Agni and Aatma, with Sukhwinder Singh. Here the lyrics changes. Also the tempo becomes little slow. May be this two versions appear in the climax or when Pandey - walking in the shackles - was taken to the custody. Over all a very good song with good lyrics.

Main Vari Vari - Kavitha Krishnamurthi & Reena Bharadwaj
I thought this brisk song belongs to the qawwali genre. But some of the reviews have categorized this song as a 'Mujra'. I am trying to find the difference between a qawwali and a mujra. I will say this is my second favorite song in this album. A good rhythmic song and Kavitha has sung very well. This song will be classified as one of the best qawwali (or mujra) in the years to come.

Hole re - Udit Narayan, Madhushree, Srinivas, Chinmayi and to our surprise Aamir
This is an ordinary song. Nothing great about this song. Only surprise in this song is Aamir lending his voice. He didn't sing and he has just recited some lines. I am yet to trace Chinmayi's voice in this song. May be with the picturisation, it may sound better. One has to wait for the movie.

Rasiya - Richa Sharma & Bonnie Chakraborty
Really a special song which opens in an unusual manner and Richa's voice is wonderful and it falls under the 'Item Number' song category and we have to see how the director has used this song in the movie. This song is picturised on Amisha Patel and Toby Stephen (Who acted in 'Die Another Day'). I really like this song. Very very unique indeed.

Takey Takey -- Sukhwinder Singh, Kailash Kher, Karthik Das Baul
A good fast number where a lot of children - including Rahman's two daughters Raheema and Khatija - have joined in the chorus. Kailesh and Karthik join in this rhythmic number but it is Sukhwinder all the way. This song deals with Friendship, Love and honesty. A good meaningful song which is sung with a punch by Singh.

Al Maddath Maula - A R Rahman, Kailash Kher, Kadir & Murtaza
Yes this is an another Islamic prayer song and another excellent performance from Rahman as a singer. And this is my favorite and Rahman getting better and better in composing some devotional numbers. The way he chants 'Maula' is scintillating and this song is another feather in ARR's cap. Easily the best song in the album.

Overall a great attempt by the music director and the lyricist. Their effort can be felt in each and every song and it will become more popular with the visuals as most of the songs are situational ones. Also for the first time Rahman has recorded all the song in his newly built studio 'Shafee Studio 5' which he considers as a better studio than his Panchatham Recording - which is considered as the best in Asia. A good album for the hindi music lovers.