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Music Review: Guru (2007)

Producer : Mani Ratnam, G Srinivasan
Music Director : A. R. Rahman
Lyrics : Gulzar
Cassettes and CD’s on : Sony Music
Singers : Shreya Ghosal, Uday Mazumdar, A. R. Rahman, Chinmayee, Bappi Lahiri, Chitra, Maryem Toller, Keerthi, Hariharan, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Madhushree, Swetha Bargavee

Pure bliss! That is what you feel when you hear the music of the Abhishek-Aishwarya starrer Guru. Mani Ratnam and A.R. Rahman are back to create magic after Yuva, their last film together. To add on magic to the album, the soulful lyrics have been penned down by Legendary Gulzar. Here is a complete treat for your ears that you just can’t afford to miss.

Barso Re (Singers: Shreya Ghoshal and Uday Mazumdar)
Ratings: 3.5/10
The beautiful words strike you as soon as you are gripped by the soft yet powerful voice of Shreya Ghoshal. The “rain song” has the soft feel of gentleness that can only come from someone as great as Gulzar. Uday Mazumdar is heard just for a couple of lines in the song. A.R. Rahman’s composition has given the lyrics the right mood with some lively beats. Shreya’s voice captivates and is mesmerizing in this song.

Tere Bina (Singers: A.R. Rahman and Chinmayee)
Ratings: 3/5
Another captivating number with genius composer A. R. Rahman lending vocals to it. With a subtle “desi” feel to it, the song is a mix of Indian classical and Sufi. There is rawness both in Lyrics and the music that takes it to a different level from just being a love song. The latter half is crooned by famous Tamil singer Chinamyee.

Ek Lo Ek Muft (Singers: Bappi Lahiri and Chitra)
Ratings: 2/5
Gulzar dishes out another whacky song for the younger generation, after his aggressive Beedhi from Omkara. The rural appeal in the song gels well along with the fun element attached to it. The song has been sung by our very own Bappi Lahiri but lacks the punch of a real bone-tickler. The typical down south feel courtesy Chitra makes it an “ok-ok” number.

Mayaa (Singers: Maryem Toller, Chinmayee and Keerthi)
Ratings: 3.5/5
After a not-so impressive “Ek Lo Ek Muft”, the album dishes out a welcome treat for your ears. Slated to be Mallika’s item number in Guru, it has been sung by Maryem Toller. The song is one of a kind because of its ‘Arabian’ feel. The song is meant for a global audience as it is above any of the usual Bollywood numbers. At the latter half, we get mesmerized by the emasculate music by A.R. Rahman.

Ay Hairathe (Singers: Hariharan and Alka Yagnik)
Ratings: 3/5
Another song with beautiful lyrics blended with A. R. Rahman’s genius. The first half is sung by Alka Yagnik and then taken along by Hariharan. Hariharan fulfils the requirement of the Ghazal mode for Gulzar’s mesmerizing words.

Baazi Laga (Singers: Udit Narayan, Madhushree and Swetha Bhargavee)
Ratings: 2/5
The number is the sole disappointment in the album. The lyrics deals with gambling and money and has tried to be peppy. But, this time Rahman could not create a magic. The music is high paced and gets a little catchy at the latter stage. Udit Narayan and Swetha are the main crooners, while “Kabhi Neem Neem” girl Madhushree didn’t have much to offer.

Jaage Hain (Singers: Chitra, AR. Rahman and Madras Chorale Group)
Ratings: 4/5
Another delight for the listeners. A classy number with the grand musical arrangements and up-class appeal to it. There is a complete orchestra set-up belting out a magnum Rahman composition. The highly musical number is crooned by Chitra and AR. Rahman with the talented Madras Chorale Group as the chorus.

Overall, album Guru leaves you craving for more. With soulful love songs and a classical number like Jaage Hain, you can’t get any better. The success of the album will depend a lot on the audience’s taste and also the movie’s success at the box office. For me, it’s worth spending your money on!
Rating: 3/5

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