Kisna Music

"Kisna - The Warrior Poet" is Subhash Ghai's forthcoming ambitious venture and spearheading the music chariot for the former showman are Ismail Darbar and A. R. Rahman. When any composer shares credits with A. R. Rahman the winner usually stands out even before the release of the album. Not in this case. When a rising composer competes ably with the emperor of music, the result is a bonanza for music fans. Kisna is such a bonanza. Rahman's authority is proved with the heart of Kisna- its themes, and two tracks. One of them, unprecedented in English. Ismail Darbar rises in the rest of the album with his trademark melodies and musical/choral arrangements. Javed Akhtar pens the lyrics and as with some of his films lately is awe-inspiring. The variety and richness of his words are inspirational. The album boasts of all types of songs existing in the Indian music repertoire viz. mujra, antakshari, classical, conventional and Akhtar commands his expertise over all.

The album starts off with the (short version) Kisna theme which is a new composition by Rahman. Flute and piano form bulk of this melodious track.

"Hum Hai Iss Pal Yahan" is a derivative of the Kisna theme. Sung by Udit Narayan and Madhushree, this is a lilting melody hinting at some recent Rahamasque music mixing. Udit Narayan shows why he is rock steady after more than a decade old career with his subtle voice variations. Madhushree brings freshness into the song. It has unique music pieces between the singer stanzas. Rahman uses a "whiplash-clap" percussion for the first time along with bird-chirps. Overall a first rate track.

"Woh Kisna Hai" is Ismail Darbar's first track for Kisna. It sets up the mood of what Kisna is all about. Describing Lord Krishna and Radha this track is composed with the typical Subhash Ghai movie music stamp. It is a foot tapping track and an instant hummer. Sukhwinder Singh sings this track with vigour. Choral arrangements through the voices of Ayesha Darbar and S. Shailaja are very effective. Watch out for Ismail Darbar!

"Tu Itni Pagli Kyon Hai" is a romantic duet by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. On first hearing this track seems to offer nothing but by the end of it don't be surprised if you find yourself humming it. A lyrically unusual (unique) song.

"Aham Brahmasmi" is a spiritual song from Javed Akhtar. It talks about the choice of avoiding visiting temples for worship considering all gods inside oneself. Again a typical Subhash Ghai movie track musically. Sukhwinder Singh and Alka Yagnik accompanied by the effective chorus form the playback.

"Chilman Uthegi Nahin" is one of the best songs composed by Ismail Darbar in recent times. This song proves why Ismail Darbar is able competition for Rahman. Starting with a two liner by Sushmita Sen, this track is a conventional Ismail Darbar classical mujra composition. Hariharan, Alka Yagnik and the chorus of Ayesha & Ismail Darbar, S. Shailaja, Kailash Kher and Rakesh Pandit enhance this track. Grand orchestration, melody and tremendous lyrics make this track worth hearing again and again. This is a track which will stay with you after you've heard all the songs.

"Kahi Ujadi Mori Neend", sung by Ustad Rashid Khan is another masterpiece from Darbar. Classical vocals assisted by a choir-like chorus with chants of "Kisna" make this track an extremely worthwhile hearing experience. It is a Western & Indian classical fusion.

"My Wish Comes True" is Rahman's second and final track. Sung by Sunita Sarathy, the Sandeep Chowta find from "Bollywood Hollywood", it has English lyrics by Blazee. The tune is derived from the Kisna theme and extracts the most out of the singer through Rahman's usual high pitch tones. The choir extravaganza at the end of the song is its best feature. Rahman uses this a long time after Thiruda Thiruda (Chor Chor in Hindi). Similar to Taal, Ghai makes Rahman compose extended interludes.

This ends the first CD of the album. The second one begins with "Wohi Din Aa Gaya" a song sung by the bride describing her marriage day. Alka Yagnik does the honours backed by a predominantly male chorus. Another foot tapping number from Darbar.

"Ga Tu Aisi Dhun Mein" is an antakshari between the boys and girls of the Kisna age. Kailash Kher, M. Salaamat, Ayesha Darbar, S. Shailaja and Ismail Darbar play this antakshari at playback. Interesting lyrics by Javed Akhtar start at a conventional antakshari song but fuse the subject in the later stanzas. Truly talented writing is witnessed.

"Mantras I" and "Mantras II" are vedic chants rendered super-effectively by Vijay Prakash. A good drum/dholak beat is maintained throughout which makes them sound sensational. Inclusion of such elements makes this Subhash Ghai album unique.

"Tore Bin More Chain Nahi" is a purely classical song from Ustad Rashid Khan. This will cater to the niche appreciators of Indian Classical music. With the least background music, this song concentrates more on the lyrics and voice of the singer.

Three versions of the Kisna Theme end the album. "Kisna Theme (Flute)" has the flute rendition by Naveen, "Kisna Theme II" is a longer version of the theme involving a jugalbandi between the flute and the piano, the main instruments of this theme. This is the best version among the four. "Kisna Theme (Chorus)" is a choral version of the theme with the innovative "whiplash" percussion by Rahman.

Overall, the music of Kisna is first-rate and refreshing. A treat for the music-hungry fans of Rahman, Darbar and Ghai. A good album to end 2004.