Random (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)

This is as random as I can get, given my current frame of mind. So I saw the movie everyone was HARPING about ever since it’s release a couple of weeks back (or has it just been one week?)—Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. And I liked it. It’s a simple movie minus any frills. Girl and boy are best friends and don’t realize that they are made for each other while the entire world around them seems to know the simple fact. Ya, no spoiler warning needed even. But there’s some freshness in the movie that makes you smile as you think about a couple of dialogues, and even the cliches make you take a trip down memory lane. Gen Y gets a new “hero” in Imraan Khan (Thank god for the extra “a” in the first name or I always think of the legendary cricketer first) and Genelia’s truly affable (her Hindi’s a bit Mac but yours truly has a Hindi diction about which the less said the better…so) and the Khans could’ve been a bit courteous to her and invited her to at least half the parties they attended post Imraan’s launch…

Anyway, my purpose of catching this movie before it disappeared from the multiplexes was two-fold: I wanted to hear the music on the big screen. Once, when i went to watch Yuva in a theatre, everyone hooted and whistled when the names of their favourite stars (read Abhishek Bacchan, Rani, Viveik or Viviek or Vivek Oberoi, and Kareena/Kareina) flashed on the screen. I was the only one to hoot when ARR’s name flashed on the screen. The morons thought I was slow. Ever since, the hooting has stopped but I had the irresistible urge to do it again yesterday. The editor however dunked a bucketful of ice-cold water on me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai was ruthlessly snipped off! Also, Kahin toh only plays for a little while a la a background score. Even ignoring the ARR fan in me, I could not help but wonder if the blossoming romance or the romantic inclination between the lead pair could have been showcased better. And why would you chop off gems composed by someone like ARR—songs that fit the context sooo darned well: I can SO picture Aditi singing the former and the helplessness and latent romantic feelings of the lead pair when playing the latter!

I know that Boss’ music is appreciated by those who have the sense and ability to comprehend and appreciate it, but there’s a little part of me that still craves for some mass appeal for ARR. That little prayer didn’t go unanswered I guess for in addition to a whole lot of people crooning to the songs in the movie hall, when I went to the planet M store in Inorbit (it’s more like an outhouse but who cares) to get a copy of the CD for my cousin dwelling in the United States of Amreeca, I couldnt find it. I must have been the first person to have an expression of wondrous disbelief writ on my face when I asked the helper: “Is the CD out of stock?” He smiled and nodded and I did a little woohoo and left the store humming…Jaane tu ya jaane na.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Musical nirvana

When it comes to music, in my opinion, the people in this world can be clearly divided into two kinds—the ones who truly understand A R Rahman and the others who don’t; the former will also claim to be among his ardent fans. Such is the magic of A R Rahman (There is another category, non-existent as far as I am concerned, comprising those who enjoy the odd ARR chartbusters. To the likes of such, keep moving…).

I started learning music at the age of four years. Back then, I did it just because my mother wanted me to and everyone else was into it. By the time I finished school, I was a trained singer and had participated in god-knows-how-many competitions (my mother was realllyy persistent), but I had yet to LOVE music with a passion that she did. Sure I sang with a lot of emotion while performing but that was just because it was the norm. Enter, A R Rahman. ARR, as we the fans fondly address him, changed all this and more—I was introduced to a whole new concept that was music.

At this point, I have written and rewritten (thank god for Ctrl Z) what I think can best describe ARR. In doing so, I have realized that it is most difficult to accurately describe a person you admire a GREAT DEAL. So let’s just get to what I find most fascinating about ARR. For one, I have yet to see the same kind of versatility in ANY other composer. He knows and appreciates the norms but dares to venture. His unusual compositions scream uniqueness, and when ARR speaks about some such songs being among his favourites, you can hear in his voice the rush he gets out of doing something different, radical. Change is inevitable—some fans accept it and some don’t. I am at a loss for words when those in the latter category claim that today’s ARR is different from the ARR of the Thiruda Thiruda days. But had he remained the same, the critics would’ve slotted him as something he was unjustly accused of anyway: repetitive (did I just hear someone say Himesh Reshammiya?). Moving on, ARR has matured as a composer, and it’s time we mature as fans too. Over the years, the audience at home has ‘come of age’ too. Else, instead of ARR making news today, 20 years from now on, young blokes shaking their head desolately would mutter that ARR had been ‘ahead of his time’.

As a rule, I never listen to ARR at work or any place where I am required to pay close attention for rather obvious reasons—With ARR’s music playing, I can think of little else. It’s amazing how the summoned sounds submit to ARR, the master, when he’s creating magic…be it the bold use of the Shehnai in Yeh Jo Des, the crisp jal tarang in munbe vaa, a South American acoustic instrument to recreate the magic of the desi iktaara, or something known as an Armenian Duduk (I hadn’t even heard of this instrument till I read ARR’s interview on Warriors of Heaven and Earth!!!). His unpredictability combined with sheer melody makes for a real ARR treat!

:: Sigh :: I haven’t even finished written a quarter of what I set out to write, but before I begin to sound like an obsessed fanatic (if I haven’t already) and a terrible bore at that, let me sign off…

As I type this, click-happy that I am, I have tuned into my collection and my head(phones) fill(s) with ARR music

:: bliss ::

Like God says, ‘There’s so much to hear’ 🙂 Period.

Deadlines make you stop with one endeavour and move on to the next. Otherwise there is no end to how much you can improve on what you create.

-A R Rahman