Gangubai Kathiawadi/ film soundtrack

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Gangubai Kathiawadi/ film soundtrack

Music: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Label: Saregama India 

Rating: ****

The music of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's films has invariably been rooted in traditional sounds with vibrant rhythms and bursts of energy. In most cases, they have translated into cinematic grandeur, matching his subjects.

Thus, on his latest Gangubai Kathiawadi, one gets a fair mix of songs in styles like folk and ghazals, presented of course in a package that's very typical of Bhansali, who has helmed the music himself.

The film is based on the life of Gangubai, played by Alia Bhatt, who enacts a madam in a Kamathipura brothel. Of the two videos out, 'Dholida' initially reminds you of 'Dholi Taro Dhol Baje' from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Yet, the song is different notably for Alia's marvellous garba dance, Jahnvi Shrimankar's befitting vocals and Kruti Mahesh's lavish choreography. While Kumaar has written the main lyrics, the Gujarati lines are by Bhojak Ashok 'Anjam'.

Bhansali's favourite singer Shreya Ghoshal does an outstanding rendition of 'Jab Saiyaan', where A.M. Turaz writes, "Jab saiiyaan aaye shaam ko, toh lag gaye chand mere naam ko, sar pe rakh naachi phir main, har jalte hue iljaam ko". The song, filmed on Alia and Shantanu Maheshwari, has some exquisite harmonium and sarangi.

A clear highlight is Neeti Mohan's singing on the Kumaar-penned 'Meri Jaan', which has a hint of intoxication and some yodelling to boot. Archana  Gore and Aditi Paul combine on 'Shikayat', singing Turaz's lines, "Suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai, toh unko hamse mohabbat bahut hai". The song has a courtesan aura, with intelligent lyrics, perfect choruses and handclaps.

On 'Muskurahat', Arijit Singh sings, "Muskurahat ko bhi aane pe mazaa aane lage, gham ko bhi itni khushi do woh muskuraane lage", expressing Turaz's lines with the right amount of melancholy. The song is reminiscent of Lata Mangeshkar's 'Rasm-e-Ulfat'. Finally, there's the group song 'Jhume Re Gori', penned by Kumaar, which again brims with foot-tapping rhythmic energy.

Over the years, Bhansali has paid special attention to the quality of music. After working with Jatin-Lalit, Ismail Darbar and Monty Sharma, often involved externally, he began composing himself. The advantage of such an approach is that the music blends naturally with the narrative, and one attains a signature sound. However, there are also chances of repeating familiar styles, which is evident on 'Dholida' and 'Jhume Re Gori'.

Yet, each song has its strengths, both in orchestration and verbal content. Let's see how that fit into the film.

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