Entertainment - Music Review - A.R.Rehman's Yuvvraaj

Gaurav Malani

The opening track Main Hoon Yuvraj basically works as a prologue to the following track and is designed as a dialogue monologue in Salman Khan’s trademark anglicized accent. Rahman derives the instrumentation from the Fifth of Beethoven, a 1976 composition notably used in several English films. But one can associate the theme piece as a trademark tune used in the background score of several Bollywood action-drama potboilers of the 70s and 80s. The track gives the sketch of Salman’s spoiled brat character (in the film) and makes way for a more melodious song number to follow.

After group performances in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Golmaal Returns , Benny Dayal gets his first lead playback song with Tu Meri Dost Hai . The song opens with an eloquent alaap which forms the base tune of the track. Expect it to catch up as a ringtone soon and win major mobile downloads. The cheerful tune is drenched in melody and is of the instant smile-inducing variety. Shreya Ghoshal adds to the mellifluous effect while Rahman makes a late appearance for a short portion.

Tu Muskura relies strongly on Alka Yagnik’s soulful singing and has minimal musical arrangements with an unadorned yet effective tune. Javed Ali lends good support to this most poignant number from the album. What gives it an extra sheen is the flawless classical alaap rendition towards the end, Rahman’s major asset.

Shano Shano is an instantly infectious disco dance number where you identify Sonu Nigam’s vocals amongst the horde of six other wide-range singers. An intermediate interlude reminds of Rahman’s earlier composition Chori Pe Chori from Saathiya . The remix featuring Ember, ironically has lesser instrumentation and gains its distinct identity with the beat pattern and rapping giving it a rock feel, as against the disco genre of the original. Salman Khan’s voice bits are synthesized to better effect as against the first track.

Gulzar is at his usual best with his choice of unusual words and their phonetic tweaking in Mastam Mastam . Sonu Nigam does an immaculate attempt at mouthing the tongue-twisters and Alka Yagnik, too, is decent enough. The music has tap-dancing arrangements with a perky and youthful chorus, something that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy had employed in the song Aao Milke Gaaye Aisa Gaana from Armaan.

Dil Ka Rishta is seemingly conceived as a climax opera act comprising the three leads Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan and Zayed Khan who play brothers in the film. Heavy on orchestration, the song has Sonu Nigam taking the lead with able support by Roopkumar Rathod. A R Rahman chips in for the more demanding classical rendition. The backing vocals by six singers are more significant that mere chorus notes and works wonderfully for the song. Dil Ka Rishta has the right measure of zing and never founders on energy.

Manmohini Morey has chaste classical singing on a contemporary backdrop by Vijay Prakash, in the likes of maestros akin to Ustad Sultaan Khan. This small piece is a gem for connoisseurs of classical music. Zindagi is a sad number about looking life in retrospect but doesn’t get outright depressing. Srinivas goes mellow on singing this comparatively conventional number from the album.

Yuvvraaj , predominantly designed as a musical, wins half the battle with a spectacular soundtrack. Rahman and Ghai team up for the best of contemporary and classical compilation. Yuvvraaj is a majestic musical treat for Rahman fans.