Khoya Khoya Chand - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Wednesday, November 14, 2007

When Sudhir Mishra's last directorial venture Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi released, ironically both the film as well as it's music was appreciated much after the film came and went off the theaters. Even though the soundtrack had arrived on stands months before the film hit the marquee, it started making an impression amongst the connoisseurs of quality music only later.

The same composer-lyricist jodi of Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire, who came into limelight after Parineeta and Lage Raho Munnabhai, is repeated for Prakash Jha produced Khoya Khoya Chand which is a period film based on the Hindi film industry of the 50s/60s. Since Shantanu and Swanand have demonstrated their stranglehold over period music in Parineeta earlier, there is little doubt that Khoya Khoya Chand would take one down the memory lane as well.

Two lyricists, Swanand Kirkire and Ajay Jhingran, get together to wear a different hat and instead come behind the mike for the title song Khoya Khoya Chand. A song which begins with a hint of jazz and transitions quite smoothly into a 'qawalli', Khoya Khoya Chand comes with a high lyrical quality and boasts of a catchy combination of rhythm and melody. Swanand and Ajay sing in perfect harmony and for a listener, it is a seamless composition to relish and give a repeat hearing. A good start which should make for a high intensity viewing on screen.

A bona fide jazz track set truly in the style of 50s is heard next in the form of Yeh Nigahein. One has heard of references to 'madhoshi se bhara geet' in the past. Well, Yeh Nigahen is a live example of how a song truly falls justifies such a reference. The choice of singers is apt here as Sonu Nigam, who has been quite selective of late, gets into a perfect Mohd. Rafi mode and pays a true homage.

On the other hand, Antara Chaudhary, who has been trying to make her presence felt as a playback singer for last 3-4 years, is quite competent too in Yeh Nigahein. She not just matches Sonu at every step but at places even leaves her stamp to make people stand up and notice.

It is a different Shreya Ghosal that one hears the moment she hits the first note for Chalo Aao Saiyan. A 'mujra' which comes with the expected sounds of 'ghunghroo' and 'tabla', Chalo Aao Saiyan is set in a semi-classical mode. A track which moves from being moderately paced to even slower as it reaches half way through, it turns out to be a situational piece which keeps the classy feel of the album intact.

Remember Hamsika Iyer who had sung the mesmerizing Chanda Re for Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire in Eklavya - The Royal Guard? She gets to sing one of the best tracks of Khoya Khoya Chand as the album gets into the jazz mode again. Hansika is excellent in 'Khushboo Sa' which has a haunting appeal to it with an all around combination of some very good composition and great arrangements (watch out for the saxophone here). The romantic track moves at a lively pace and forces a listener to give it a repeat hearing due to it's melodious nature and a 'Moulin rouge' setting!

With last couple of songs being female solos, it is time for Sonu Nigam to hold center stage with 'O Re Paakhi'. With a faint sound of piano in the background, this difficult composition requires Sonu to be at his attentive and engaged due to it's slow moving nature and a poetic feel. A sad track which again tales you back to the Mohd. Rafi era of the 50s/60s, 'O Re Paakhi' is a track that highlights the plight of a wandering soul searching for a stable ground.

Laced with a trademark Shantanu Moitra flavor, 'Sakhi Piya' is yet another track with very strong Indian classical music base to it. Shreya Ghoshal sings in a manner similar to 'Piyu Bole' [Parineeta] and one almost starts searching for Vidya Balan somewhere in the background. Pranab Biswas. Pranab Biswas keeps a strong hold over the proceedings with his classical rendition and ensures that there would be a pin drop silence when the track plays in the auditorium.

For the first time in the album, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghosal pair up for a song titled 'Thirak Thirak'. The musical built to the track reminds one of 'Hothon Pe Aisi Baat' [Jewel Thief] due to an elaborate introductory orchestra. The moment Sonu Nigam's voice is heard in 'Thirak Thirak', one is reminded of the title song Khoya Khoya Chand which has somewhat similar base to it. A celebration number about being happy in life while being a little high, 'Thirak Thirak' too keeps it's melody intact and doesn't get into a conventional hullabaloo that one associates with a celebration track.

Indian to the core and being honest to the music genre that was heard half a century back, Khoya Khoya Chand is yet another good addition to the portfolio of Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire. Khoya Khoya Chand is a highly classy album which gives a music lover something truly different to hear. Once the movie releases at theaters, the music too should see an elevation in sales.