Ahista Ahista - Music Review

By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau/Smash Hits - India
Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Himesh Reshammiya, man with golden kismet (lucky cap and enormous talent) hits the floor in flair once again with melodious tracks in a light-hearted love story 'Ahista Ahista'. Like some of his previous successful albums ('Aashiq Banaya Apne' and 'Aksar') this film has low profile star cast with an impressive musical soundtrack. Abhay Deol, nephew of legendary Dharmendra, strikes back as solo hero after been written off in his flop debut 'Socha Na Tha'. Soha Ali Khan, sister of Saif Ali Khan, plays his love interest in the film. She has mixed success and luck with her last release 'Rang De Basanti' being this year's biggest hit. It may surprise her fans that 'Ahista Ahista' is her first film as solo heroine after her dismal debut in 'Dil Maange More' (2004) opposite Shaahid Kapoor. Debutante director Shivam Nair paints this delightful love saga blue with his directorial expertise.

Irshad Kamil is the lyricist and not the Reshammiya's contemporary favorite Sameer for this music album that has 15 soundtracks. The album has additional two tracks ("Dil Naiyyo Mane Re" and its remix) from the super hit comedy 'Phir Hera Pheri'. Himesh Reshammiya's lucky mascot music company T-Series has the copyrights of the album.

Ahista Ahista: Irshad Kamil poetically conceptualized words "Yaadon Ki Parchaain, Tanhaaiyan, Tumse Hi Hai…" mark the nostalgic phase of romanticism in the highly impressive title track "Ahista Ahista". The loud pitch and nasal twang of Himesh Reshammiya rules the show but with softer and sentimental vocal ambience. The title track encapsulates the slow, stubborn and taciturn attitudes of lover towards his beloved in a melodious way. The electronically generated beats, sarangi strings, melancholic violin and acoustic guitar strumming strikes chord with aggravating high pitch Sufi styling of Reshammiya's singing. The stamp of conventional Pakistan Sufi Pop is dominant where the hard rock feel is amalgamated in poetically inclined lyrics. Once again Himesh Reshammiya has delivered the needful for the title track after the musical success of title tracks of 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' and 'Aksar'.

"Ahista Ahista (remix)" arouses extra ordinary sensual feel with loads of feminine sensual whimpers mixed with techno-generated disco beats. DJ Akbar Sami seems to have misinterpreted the sentimental finesse of this number by coagulating sexual flavors to the decent number. This may appeal to small segment of pop genre but it disappoints completely and sounds weird at many places.

"Ahista Ahista (unplugged)" is brief rendition of the "mukhra" of the original soundtrack with restricted musical arrangements. It may work as signature tune in emotional moments of the film.

Allah Kare: "Allah Kare", an improvised work of fusion summarizes the blessing of Almighty ("Allah") in the heart and soul of lover through meaningful lyrical work. Himesh Reshammiya's penchant nasal twang hits again but with different feel from the title number. The mellifluously rendered "Sarangi" sets the mood in between the "antaras" and "mukhras" of the soundtrack. The rhythmic tabla loop and high pitch guitar strings give the soundtrack contemporary westernized attire that matches with Reshammiya's voice. The extra repetition of "Allah Kare", refined Urdu lyrical work by Irshad Kamil and the usage of contemporary Indian musical instrument give it a traditional Sufi touch.

"Allah Kare (remix)" is modern-day club mix remix track with the title of the number "Alllah Kare" repeated with high pitched disco beats. This remix number by DJ Akbar Sami is better than his previous work. There is extra punch to make it rollicking with rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming mixed with heavy drumming and free flowing "Sarangi" work.

"Allah Kare (unplugged)" is the most audible version where the lyrics sound meaningful with limited usage of musical instruments. It reminds of some of the impressive works by legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Sufi works like "Allah Hoo" and "Ali Maula".

Love you unconditionally: The confirmation of lover to his beloved comes straight from the heart in rhythmic paced sentimental soundtrack "Love You Unconditionally". A fusion based number where keyboard generated electronic beats work in tandem with melancholic violin, light stringed "Sarangi" and high pitched guitar strings. Himesh Reshammiya sings this soundtrack in a husky manner followed by his high pitched loud singing. The lyrics "Love You Unconditionally" may sound weird but it might work wonder in the context of the story and the film. Reshammiya maintains his signature style of singing that has been appreciated in recent times and works well with musical arrangements.

The vociferously aggressive tribal sounds and repetitive rendition of "unconditionally" mixed with high pitched disco beats mark the arrival of "Love You Unconditionally". A perfect track to shake a leg on dancing floors is another fine work by DJ Akbar Sami. The additional fast paced Latino tunes make it more upbeat and acceptable by the pop genre.

Ishq Ne Tere: After three consecutive tracks by Himesh Reshammiya, its melody time for KK to spell magic with his vocals in the melodious soundtrack "Ishq Ne Tere". This comes out as the most rhythmic and melodious track of the album with KK's voice matched with conventional style of Sufi music. Irshad Kamil's romantically cherished lyrics are additional boon to the number that lifts the spirit of the listener. Jayesh Gandhi's soft "n" husky voice sets the tempo for the song and later KK shows his class by punching lines "Ishq Ne Tere, Kar diya bekhabar….." KK's vocals show his panache of singing sentimental melodious ballads and give his finest work after "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" ('Gangster').

The rhythmic Latino style beach music with mild electronic beats sets the pace for the soundtrack "Ishq Ne Tere (remix)". Mood changes to groovy with slow "n" trendy flow of beats that catch listener's attention. DJ Akbar Sami shows his versatility in this number by shifting gears from high pitched club remix to slow paced remix work. GOOD SHOT!

Tanha Tere Bagair: The cool ambience of lofty landscaped scenario is felt with traditional "pahadi" music forming prelude to romantic duet "Tanha Tere Bagair". The situational duet is punched with Reshammiya's funky music and has been delivered through the voices of KK and Sunidhi Chauhan. It's an above average number and the first soundtrack with female voice. The rhythmic looping of auto-phonic musical instruments is a repetition to carry the entire soundtrack. KK delivers his best but the number is no match for "Ishq Ne Tere".

"Tanha tere Bagair(remix)" is contemporary club remix number with electronically generated beats to set up mood for the dancing floors. The traditional folk tunes are added to give it an ethnic with fashionable remix attire.

Aawan Akhiyan (Qawaali): The immaculately rendered "ragas", Sufi styled music; high profile Urdu lyrical work minces together in generating romantically oriented "Qawaali" number "Aawan Akhiyan". Himesh Reshammiya along with Jayesh Gandhi, Hashin and Aftab don their mentor Ustad Nusrat Ali Khan's singing style in describing the feminine grace of beloved eyes ("Akhiyan") in traditional "Qawaali" style. Irshad Kamil's lyrics score the maximum by unraveling the mysticism of pristinely divine eyes of the beloved in a poetic manner. Reshammiya maintains equilibrium between his traditional Sufi music and bunch of singing talents in chiseling out this melodious traditional soundtrack. After "Allah Kare" it's another soundtrack that reminds of immortal Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Sufi singing attire. After the "Qawaaali" track in 'Tathatsu' it's another treat for "Qawaali" lovers and this promises the best musical work in this genre in recent times.

Tum Jo Mile: Kunal Ganjawala's husky voice echoes out the pain, pleasure and ecstasy of togetherness in lovable romantic soundtrack "Tum Jo Mile". The rhythmic "Sarangi" phonates the love struck emotions that are coupled with extra elongated auto-phonic instrumental loop to give it a mesmerizing outlook. The hard rock metal feel can be felt through heavy acoustic guitar strumming and loud drumming in the background. The chorus violin adds opera touch to this mellifluously rendered solo romantic soundtrack. The title "Ahista Ahista" is loudly resonated to give it a nostalgic ambience in the soundtrack. It strikes chord with well balanced musical percussions and loud sound impact that are dominating throughout the album. The musical bondage of Kunal and Himesh' last produced "Jab Kabhi" ('36 China Town') has the similar musical flair that attracted listeners. This comes as another sure shot winner from Kunal's affluent singing style that made strong impact with emotionally seductive tracks in films like 'Murder' and 'Fareb'.

The added bonus tracks "Dil Naiyyo Manne Re" ('Phir Hera Pheri') and its remix version get space in the album but is no match for the musical eminence the album holds.

'Ahista Ahista' shows musical versatility of Himesh Reshammiya with tracks like "Ahista Ahista", "Aawan Akhiyan" and "Tum Jo Mile" and glorifies his different tuneful façade. The soundtracks are soft "n" sentimental rather than loud and garish but deserves all appreciation for delivering the needful. The music album of 'Ahista Ahista' will be another feather in Himesh Reshammiya's cap and producers can expect promising audio sales in coming weeks.

Good Musical show!