Marhabaa to the music of Jodha

Marhaba to the music of Jodha

Well, almost. They are taking their time, but the end is nigh. After bouts of helplessness, news is that the music of Jodhaa Akbar is likely to be at hand within the next seven days.

Three songs are playing on TV and radio spots, of which the radio versions, being almost full-length, have found their way online. "Marhaba" a.k.a "Azeem-o-shaan" is a regal and martial track blended with a melodic strain with interesting rhythm changes; Jashn-e-Bahaara is extremely dulcet as well as being simple; the most recent being Khwaja, which sounds like a trademark qawwali. All in all, has the makings of classic ARR. We'll know soon.

Coming back to the film itself, not completely sure about how the film's story is going to pan out (it looks to be sumptuously shot). I fear a "Rising" effect here: Akbar being made out to be this pan-Indian hero who battles for the sake of "Hindostaan". Akbar is one of my favourite historical characters, but from what I've read about him, I don't think he had an India-centric outlook, especially while consolidating power. The idea of "India" must surely have been a nebulous concept then (it seemed to have been so until the late 1800s, didn't it?) more akin to the idea of "Europe". Add to that the immense insecurity caused by Humayun's loss, Akbar's early ascension, the intrigues of the Lodhis, Hemu, and later the Rajputs. You really expect a young Akbar to say: "hum hindostaan ko galat haato.n me.n nahii.n jaane de.nge?" For that matter, some accounts I've read make Akbar out to be a squat, slightly ugly man with a mole on his face - a far cry from the outlines of a Hrithik.

Anyway, this is what is perhaps called artistic licence. At any rate, I'll treat Haidar Ali's (some of us may remember him from serials such as Circus and most recently from "Khoya Khoya Chand") story as a work of art rather than as historical document. However, I'm sure there'll be a few rumbles as the film's release approaches. Anyway, am mainly interested in the music, and the film itself is secondary!

Music Update: 11 Jan
Track listing is available here (flash content to be navigated, sadly). In addition to the three vocal tracks mentioned above (voices: a large-sized chorus, Javed Ali, A.R.Rahman respectively), there's a duet called "in lamho.n ke daaman me.n" (Sonu Nigam and Madhushree) and "mana mohanaa" (Bela Shende). Two instrumentals complete the lineup, a flute version of the qawwali and more interestingly, an oboe version of "jashn-e-baharaa". Do not know of any instrumental tracks in Indian albums to feature a solo oboe, so looking out for that one.