印度電影 Movie kya hai ?

Salaam (2006) v.s. In Aankhon Ki Masti (1981)

  2006年的Umrao Jaan蓄勢待發了, 9月底印度發行CD, 10月4日英國預售,10月6日美國也正式開跑. 這是我第二次沒看過電影,先購買原聲帶.幸好不曾令人失望.

  Umrao Jaan既然取自URDU古典小說 ,歌詞 採 ghazal詩韻, 一如1981年的umrao jaan(本篇末附的樂評,似乎忘了舊版也如是,客氣忽略比較).當年的代唱Asha Bhosle聲音正是最佳狀態, Alka Yagnik以新人之姿同年出道. 回顧巧合, Alka Yagnik現今的聲音以及歌唱技巧正攀登到收放自如的巔峰. 今天晚上不住聽著CD第三首Salaam,幻想整個蒙兀兒的宮庭樂舞翩若游龍.

   Salaam取自 Umrao Jaan (Aishwarya) 為 群客畢集獻藝, 啟朱唇揚音律,旋及Nawab(Abhishek Bachchan)為之情生意動. 舊版此的歌曲 In Aankhon Ki Masti 在cd第五首.後者輕快自信,前者委約文欒. Salaam---好一句Urdu招呼語~ "今日的流行,未來的經典."

新舊詞曲對照如下

Umrao Jaan (1981,通常與Bazaar二合一市售)

1.Dil cheez kya hai asha bhosle

2.Justuju jiski hai asha bhosle

3.Kahe ko byahi bides jagjit kaur

4.Zindagi jab bhi talat aziz

5.In aankhon ki masti asha bhosle

6.Yeh kya jagah hai dosto asha bhosle

7.Pratham dhar dhyan-raag mala ustad ghulam mustafa khan, shahida khan, runa prashad

8.Jab bhi milti hai asha bhosle

9.Jhoola kinne dala shahida khan

Music: Khaiyyam  Lyrics: Shahryar, traditional

Umrao Jaan 2006

1. Ek Toote Huye Dil Ki - Alka Yagnik
2. A Foreward by Javed Akhtar  
3. Salaam - Alka Yagnik
4. Pehle Pehle - Alka Yagnik
5. Behka Diya Hamein - Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam
6. Jhoote Ilzaam - Alka Yagnik
7. Main Na Mil Sakun Jo Tumse - Alka Yagnik
8. Poochh Rahe Hai - Alka Yagnik
9. Agale Janam Mohe Bitiya - Richa Sharma
10. Agale Janam Mohe Bitiya - Anmol Malik


Music : Anu Malik
Lyrics : Javed Akhtar

以下為印度樂評 令人擊節讚賞~~

Comparisons are inevitable. Khayyam's music and Shahryar's lyrics are bound to be the yardstick for Anu Malik and Javed Akhtar. (極中肯)It goes without saying that JP Dutta’s team fails on all counts as compared with Muzaffar Ali's classic. But still, the efforts that have gone in making the music of ‘Umrao Jaan’ are notable for superlative production values and decent wordplay. My favourites would be Salaam, Ek Toote Hue Dil Ki, Behka Diya Hamein and Jhoota Ilzaam while Pehle Pehel, Main Na Mil Sakun Jo Tumse and Pooch Rahe Hain disappoint. Anu Malik has made a good attempt but he should understand that the success of the original Umrao Jaan lay in detailing like Asha Bhosle’s voice range, choice of Sarangi player like Ustad Sultan Khan and an element of understanding of great poetry which seems to be missing. Alka Yagnik is by far the biggest victory of this album as she sounds brilliant in all the songs. Can you buy it? Yes you can buy Umrao Jaan CD as it is a far better option than all those dhinkchak remixes and rap odes to nothingness.   

Ek Toote Hue Dil Ki Awaaz Mujhe Kahiye…Sur Jisme Hai Sab Gham Ke Voh Saaz Mujhe Kahiye…Main Kaun Hoon Aur Kya Hoon…Kiske Liye Zinda Hoon…

The golden ethnicity of sarangi delves deep in the recess of mind as Alka Yagnik’s austere vocals ask pertinently-abstract-questions in the black hole of an empty night. There’s no better instrument than a broken heart crying in the solace of loneliness. Most beautiful songs are created when they are not ornamented with undue orchestration. Ek Toote Hue Dil Ki is one such plaintive song. Although its two minute duration may be short, yet the effect transgresses all superlatives. Alka at her best.

Ek Toote Hue Dil Ki seems to be a prelude for it is followed by a foreword by lyricist Javed Akhtar who introduces the cultural tradition of Lucknow during the nineteenth century in his poetic voice. Umrao Jaan Ada was the heartbeat of that era who dared to love. In spite of all social norms. But alas no one heard her lament.

Salaam….Tumhari Mehfil Mein Aa Gaye Hain…To Kyun Na Hum Yeh Bhi Kaam Kar Len…Salaam Karne Ki Arzoo Hai…Idhar Jo Dekho Salaam Kar Len…

It’s a catchy hook line that makes you start humming almost unconsciously. This semi classical mujra is a meritorious composition that has been written well. The tabla beats make you feel like galloping on the horse of fancy to a cloud of romance while the Sitar notes like the buds of innocence tickle the somber Sarangi that’s oozing with the harshness of realism. ‘Salaam’ will be remembered as one of the finest songs rendered by Alka Yagnik. For her voice is a unique mixture of youthful ebullience, evening pathos and practiced artistry. I think she deserves all the awards this year for this one.

Pehle Pehel is an extension of Salaam. Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar and the similar scale of Alka’s voice makes this song predictable. Even the lyrics lack the novelty-value of first two. Production values are high but then you come to expect nothing short of outstanding when you are making ‘Umrao Jaan’. This one doesn’t have a lasting value. Alka’s voice is fine, but what can a singer do if the composition lacks the Appeal-Quotient.

The acoustic guitar solo masquerading as a mix of ektara-sitar sets the tempo for Behka Diya Hamein. When the beginning is so impressive, there had to be something exceptional in this song. Choice of salubrious-vocals of Sonu Nigam serenading the pristine magnificence of Alka Yagnik’s is like the morning dew that makes you smile effortlessly. Use of chimes and Alka’s humming in the middle has been used to great effect. I am sure the picturisation on Ash-Aby will take it to another level. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are impressive. I would love to listen to Behka Diya Hamein again-n-again. It’s a winner all the way.

Jhoote Ilzaam Meri Jaan Lagaya Na Karo….Dil Hai Nazuk Ise Tum Aise Dukhaya Na Karo…

That’s vintage Urdu Ghazal poetry that comes forth for the first time in this album. Well done Javed Akhtar. Heard such stuff after a long time! Full marks to Anu Malik for getting into the skin of the nineteenth century in such a fabulous manner…The impromptu harmonium solo, classical scatting amalgamating beautifully with the confluence of Sarangi, Sitar and Strings playing in the background is an absolute treat. You feel like the night to prolong endlessly and let the music play in the air timelessly. The sincerity in Alka Yagnik’s voice is notable for she knows precisely how much weight has to be given to each word. Jhoote Ilzaam is a Play-it-again-Number!

Main Na Mil Sakoon Jo Tumse….Meri Justuju Na Karna….Does’t that remind you of Muzaffar Ali’s Justuju Jiski Thi Usko To Na Paaya Humne…Maybe it was not a good idea of getting impressed with the original. At the level of composition, once again, there’s nothing notable in this ghazal. Moreover, the usage of contemporary instruments is a big flaw. You just can’t experiment with period cinema that stands on its strong musical heritage.

Pooch Rahe Hain depends a wee bit too heavily on the magical tabla playing. But sorry to say guys, at the level of melody or composition, that hunger for something incredible is still not satiated. Akhtar’s poetry doesn’t really make you move. Malik’s composition lacks the soul one would like to associate with the idea that the song is based on. It’s a let down.   

Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya is a plaintive cry sung first by Richa Sharma and then by Anu Malik’s daughter Anmol. I would say the soul is very much evident in both these tracks. Richa’s husky angry voice is complimented well by Anmol’s child like plea to God not to make her a girl in the next birth.