Dor - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Iqbal pair of director Nagesh Kukunoor and actor Shreyas Talpade are back with Dor, an emotional tale of two women who are strangers but are tied by a common string (Dor)! Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag are the two women starring in this film presented by Sahara One that has music by Salim Sulaiman [who also composed for Iqbal] and has lyrics by Mir Ali Husain.

From a film like this, one doesn't really have any set expectations from the soundtrack. Awaiting a string of situational songs set to suit the film's backdrop [Rajasthan], one plays on the album. Result in the end is an album that caters only to a particular segment of audience.

Shafqat Amanat Ali [from Pakistani band Fuzon], who recently delivered a chartbuster 'Mitwa' [KANK] is seen in a different mood altogether in the song 'Yeh Honsla'. A spirited track about having a positive attitude and looking forward in future rather than loosing hopes, it is a song that is rooted in Indian classical music and has been orchestrated quite well by Salim Sulaiman. They maintain a smooth flow by keeping the instruments strictly in the background and that too in minimal doses. Salim Merchant too adds support to this poetic track written by Mir Ali Husain who keeps the philosophical mood alive. A 100 seconds sad version of the track comes in the end of the album which has Karsan Sargathia coming in for Salim Merchant to lend support to Shafqat.

It's rare to find Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal coming together for a song but it is made possible with 'Imaan Ka Asar'. On looking at lyrics, one expects another classical based number to be coming up after 'Yeh Honsla' but one is pleasantly surprised to hear a melodious soft track with western undertones, instead. The pacing is just perfect for this Indian-western fusion [something at which Salim Sulaiman are quite good at] and together they come up with an ear friendly composition that has an appeal for the classes. Though the song again has a philosophical mood and would appear as a part of the background score, in home music system it can be heard repeatedly at a low volume.

'Kesariya Balam' that follows next is dipped in Rajasthani folk music and Karsan Sargathia is a good choice for a song belonging to this genre. Salim-Sulaiman do show their versatility by coming up with appropriate arrangements for this track which moves at a slow pace. For the situation it should fit in well when the movie is on though one doesn't really expect many to play on the album just to check this song out. Another 100 second musical piece comes in the form of Dor Theme that again maintains a slow pace [with an effective use of an array of violins] to suit the film's setting.

Pratichee sings the celebration track 'Piya Ghar Aaya' which is about the homecoming of the loved one. The song maintains the Rajsthani folk flavor that maintains an authentic touch and reminds of the 80s when such songs were composed in abundance. Pratichee sings the song well in a carefree manner while letting her hair loose and makes way for a song that should have a colorful and bright feel to it. 'Allah Hoo Alaah Hoo' has an extended prelude that creates a base before the track picks up pace with Salim Merchant as the singer. A rhythmic sufi track in appreciation of the divine force, it is like dozens of other sufi tracks heard in the past but there is something about the tune that makes you give it yet another hearing in spite of the dejÀ vu feel.

For the lovers of classical music, there is Trilok Gurtu's 'Expression of Love' which comes towards the end. A love song that would be comprehended primarily by those who closely follow Indian classical music and are Gurtu's fans, it is certainly not for the 'aam junta' which prefers something different but not something on the lines of a track like this which requires a listener to have good knowledge about music to catch its nuances.

Dor as an album works only for those who are either followers of classical music or enjoy hearing songs with a Rajasthani folk music base. There is no doubt that composers Salim Sulaiman maintain good quality throughout but overall the album caters only to a niche audience.