Highway : Music Review

Patakha Guddi (Female) - the very first release from the album which I fell in love with, instantly. Nooran sisters (Jyoti and Sultana) who rocked in Sound Trippin', gets a fabulous bollywood debut with this song. The odd sounds, of strings, sounds actually good over the time. And the 'clap' like theme that is present throughout the track, marks surprising presence in two other tracks too. Maybe it symbolises the continued journey of characters. What makes you fall in love is the words. Maine to tere utte chhadiyaan doriyaan ! As if she and the almighty has become one, so much that she need not worry of anything coming her way. And the same tune, goes startling makeover and ends the track with fab humming by ARR. Lovely. This is again after Phir se udd chala (almost) where we do not have the first stanza getting repeated.

And the same formula is used in Mahi Ve as well. First lines stay at first only. And doesn't get repeated. Even more (sweet) surprise is how the track ends without the tune with which the track starts. A song, perfect for journeys, objects passing by your window, and soaked in the musical journey. (personally, love to shout-out along with while riding bike) Irshad Kamil's words get perfect voice as ARR sings this wonderfully penned song. (Don't know why ppl finding the tune average!). Ah, and the last stanza where he sounds so different, backed by trademark violins, and brilliant words. Goosebumps - meri khamoshiyon mein hai tu bolta - and first class concluding violins. Sigh.

Kahaan Hoon Main : this, despite being 'heard before' Rahman song, took time to grow on me. Jonita Gandhi's lovely crooning perfectly creates picture of a girl, lost in her thoughts, in a new world. Alongwith lovely background of piano, loved how the song rises from 1: 40. Tunewise it reminds me of Kahin To (JTYJN). Soothing listen this one is. (Wondering if Jonita has sung any other songs or this is the debut?)

Wanna Mash Up : When I first read the title, instantly thought came to mind about mashed-up songs. (blame it on Tseries). Thankfully though, this is totally different than what I expected. 'Shout it out loud' it says. And it is - a track worth it. Dubstep induced rap by Kash, krissy and Suvi, instantly takes you to Endhiran. Even at one place you go and sing 'r u just a robo toy'.. Despite, this one - is so much fun.

Sooha saaha : Lauded as Alia's debut as singer. I was a little apprehensive about this one. Not a fan of her at all (and I know that fact is going to be changed after watching her Ali-powered performance, oh and I won't say a bit about autotune, as I am technically illiterate ;)) Beautiful humming start and minimal arrangement - vintage Rahman ! Zeb excellently put her voice in a continued manner, without a pause. And in second stanza, you realize why ARR chose Alia to sing. Childlike innocence reflects here, which was required by the song. By the time the track reaches its climax, those silent violins makes it altogather a serene experience. (At places it reminded me of Sakhi Piya - Khoya Khoya Chand, same Raga maybe?)

Patakha Guddi (Male version) : Sweet surprise how this one starts. I thought - if the first version is so perfect then how different another version can be? But Rahman proved me wrong.  (Only later I knew that this - is the original version that was planned for the film, and later on he chose Nooran sisters as the story is about a girl !). At first listen, honestly I found his pronounciations really funny, that I even tweet OMG what is this ? But by the time the track progressed - and you know how he adds his variations. His trademark crooning - here 'ali ali' + new stanza in between +  big rocking surprise + how it comes gradually to main tune + the 'Jugni rukh peepal da hoi' stanza (especially how he says 'koi' in Ghar bhi rakh sake na koi), saai re... o mere saaiyaaan, maine to tere tere utte chhadiyaan doriyaan. Gosh, there is so much to love in this track. (That complaint about his pronounciation goes invisible by the time I repeat this every time, finding new layers in just one song). Still, I so wish if Rahman had sung it as a duet, with Sukhi or Kailash or even Javed ! (Interestingly, milliblog posted similar status, with names of Hans Raj Hans and Gurdaas Maan, if happened, this Patakha would have been more awesome) And did i forget to mention interesting use of harmoniums?

Implosive Silence : Silence can be musical. Who else but Sir can make you convinced on that? This one, hummed by Jonita, takes you to a different world. Close your eyes and you are there. Open your eyes and still you are there. Reaching there, while objects passing by (that sound, just like one by one pillars on side of the track, are passing).

Tu Kuja : Another one that did get least attention by me, initially. Thought its typical (even lyrics). But I was wrong. When heard in silent atmosphere, with headphones, the electronic arrangment is killer. Add to that Sunidhi's flawless rendition. Kashmiri folk gets Irshad's touch with some typical words, this takes time to grow. And when it does, it gets stuck in your head. And the humming of Rahman (right before second stanza) haunts you for long. This, is something Sunidhi deserves from ARR. Wish we can hear more from the duo.

Heera : Vintage Rahman. Yet again. This one, is goosebumps galore. Shweta Pandit sings Saint Kabir's verses in such a low key, almost whispering voice. Sounding extremely effective for the theme the song has. And the arrangements - sigh. This is Rahman, we have loved since years. Minimal, piercing, rich and gorgeous. A sound we heard in Zubeidaa (Door kahin..) and Lagaan (Spirit of Lagaan humming). That - divine touch.

Running out of words, but, yes, this is experimental Rahman. But still, he touches all the right chords. Touching corners of your heart.

My Picks : Patakha Guddi, Tu Kuja, Heera, Sooha Saaha, Mahi Ve.

Tags : A R Rahman, Music Reviews, Music review of Highway, Highway music review, Highway songs list, Highway songs, Alia Bhatt debut singer, Zeb Haniya, Tu Kuja meaning, Tu Kuja means, Kashmiri folk, Heera by Saint Kabir, Sant Kabir, Jonita Gandhi songs,

Filmfare Awards 2014 : Winners

Best Production Design : Acropolis Design (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)
Best Sound Design : Bishwadeep Chatterjee and Nihar Ranjan Samar (Madras Cafe)
Best Cinematography : Kamaljit Negi (Madras Cafe)
Best Editing : Aarif Sheikh for D-Day
Best Costume : Dolly Ahluwalia for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Action : Thomas Struthers and Guru Bachchan for D Day
Best VFX : Tata Elxis for Dhoom 3

Best Background Score : Hitesh Sonik for Kai Po Che
Best Choreography : Samir and Arsh Tanna – Lahu muh lag gaya for Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela
RD Burman Award : Sidharth Mahadevan
Best Playback Singer Female : Monali Thakur for Sawaar Loon (Lootera)
Best Playback Singer Male : Arijit Singh for Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2)
Best Lyricist : Prasoon Joshi for Zinda - BMB
Best Music : Jeet Ganguly, Mithoon & Ankit Tiwari for Aashiqui 2

Lifetime Achievement Award : Tanuja

Best Actress in a Suporting Role : Supriya Pathak Kapur for Ram-Leela
Best Actor in a Supporting Role : Nawazuddin Siddiqui  for The Lunchbox

Best Screenplay : Chetan Bhagat, Abhishe Kapoor, Supratik Sen and Pubali Chaudhari (Kai Po Che)
Best Story & Best Dialogue: Subhash Kapoor for Jolly LLB

Best Actress (Critics) : Shilpa Shukla for BA Pass
Best Actor (Critics) : Rajkumar Rao for Shahid
Best Movie (Critics) : The Lunchbox

Best Debut (Male) : Dhanush for Raanjhanaa
Best Debut (Female) : Vaani Kapoor for Shuddh Desi Romance
Best Debut Director : Ritesh Batra for The Lunchbox

Best Film : Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Director : Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Actress : Deepika Padukone for Ram-Leela
Best Actor : Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Tags : Filmfare awards 2014 winners, winner list 59th filmfare awards

Sooha Sahaa [Highway] : Meaning, Translation

Well, that is the next track from A R Rahman's Highway soundtrack. Surprise is that - Alia Bhatt sings this lullaby ! Now this - is getting interesting day by day.

I googled a lot to find the meaning of this weird sounding-rhyming words. Took help of theBollywoodFan-as he masters the language. But still, no conclusion on the exact meaning. Lets wait for the full song to be released.

Meanwhile, I zeroed on following meanings -

One -
Sooha - Red
Saaha - Rabbit

Does it make sense? Well, lets see, if its a lullaby - yes it does.

Another one -
Sooha - Overlooked
Sahaa - Endurance

Again, this one makes sense too. Looking at the storyline.

Now over to the Highway team, when they will release the film.

Update : Yes, its red rabbit. Irshad Kamil tweeted it. 

Tags : Sooha Sahaa meaning, translation, sooha means, sahaa means, suha saha meaning, highway translations songs, rahman, irshaad kamil, alia bhatt first song. 

Filmfare Awards Nominations 2014

BEST FILM
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Chennai Express
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela
Raanjhanaa
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

BEST DIRECTOR
Aanand L Rai (Raanjhanaa)
Abhishek Kapoor (Kai Po Che)
Ayan Mukerji (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)
Rohit Shetty (Chennai Express)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela)

Screen Awards 2014 winners

Best Actor (Jury Award)
Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Best Actor (Popular)
Shah Rukh Khan for Chennai Express
Best Actress (Popular)
Deepika Padukone for RamLeela and Chennai Express
Best Actress (Jury Award)
Deepika Padukone for Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela and Chennai Express
Best Director Award
Shoojit Sircar (Madras Cafe)

Patakha Guddi (Ali Ali) : Highway : Song, Lyrics, Translation

Haan, Mitthe paan di galauri,
Lathha suit da Lahori,
Fatte maar di billori,
Jugni mel mel ke, kood faand ke,
Chauk chakaute jaayein..

Just like sweet 'paan' (leaf) of betel,
Wearing a long Lahori suit,
With cat like gaze (full of inquisitiveness) roaming here and there,
Jugni - leaping one place to another, meeting people,
Enjoying the fascinating new world.

(Jugni - often used in Punjabi folk, means innocent observer, here used as innocent-carefree-firefly like girl)
Maula tera maali,
O hariyaali jungle waali, 
Tu de har gaali pe taali,
Uski kadam kadam rakhwaali,
Ainweyi lok-laaj ki soch soch ke
kyun hai aafat daali,

God, is your gardner,
oh queen of the jungles and greeneries,
You give high five to any abuse coming your way,
His (God's) protection is at your every step,
Worthless thinking of what the world will think,
Why that tension should be on your mind?

Tu le naam rab da, naam saai ka
Ali Ali Ali Ali
Just chant name of your God, your Lord,
Ali Ali Ali Ali
(Ali-was cousin of Prophet Mohammad)

Sharf khuda ka, zarf khuda ka,
Nobility of the God, Wisdom of the God,
Ali Ali Ali Ali

Ali ho, Ali ho, Chali aur chali, chali, chali oo,
Ali Ali, teri gully, woh to chali, Ali Ali
Teri gully, chali oo..

Taking all that with her,
Here she goes to the place of God.

O Jugni oh, patakha guddi oh,
Nashe mein udd jaaye re haaye re
Sajje khabbe dhabbe killi ho,

Oh Jugni, you firebrand girl, (Guddi literally means a Kite-carefree flying)
Intoxicated you are flying,
Left, Right, up and down-all over the places around.

Maine to tere tere, te chhaddiyan doriyaan,
I have left everything on you (Oh Lord)
(as in, as a kite or a puppet, I have left all strings of mine in your hands)

Tu toh paak rab da baanka bachha
Raj dulara tu hi,
paak rab da baanka bachha
Uska pyaara tu hi
Maalik ne jo chinta di to, door karega woh hi

You are fearless kid of holy God,
His most favorite,
Fearless kid of holy God,
You are his lovely kid,
If he,God, has given the tensions,
Only he, will get them solved (so don't worry).

Naam Ali ka le ke tu toh, naach le gully gully
Le naam Ali Ali, Ali ho, Ali ho,
Tu le naam rab da, naam saai ka, Ali Ali Ali Ali

Chanting name of Ali, just dance all around
Just chant Ali Ali,
Just chant name of your God, your Lord,
Ali Ali Ali Ali

Jugni rukh beparda hoi,
Jis nu pooje ta har koi,
Jisdi fasal kisi na boyi
Ghar bhi rakh sake na koi..

Throwing away all restrictions, bare faced,
(still) everyone is worshipping her,
No one has seeded this plant,
and no one can keep her at home.

Rasta naap rahi marjaani,
Bhatti baarish da hai paani,
Jab nazdeek jahaan de aani,
Jugni maili si ho jaani..

Going places, she-the darer,
Water of the heavy rainfall,
When she will come nearer to the actual world,
She is going to get stained. 

Tu le naam rab da Ali Ali,
Chal khalle rann chali,
Naam rab da Ali Ali,
Har darwaja Ali,

Just chant the name of Lord, Ali Ali,
Lets go to the barren land,
name of Lord, Ali Ali,
At each doorstep, Ali.

Sai re... Sai Re..
Oh my beloved Lord, Oh Lord.

Maine to tere tere, te chhaddiyan doriyaan.
I have left everything on you (Oh Lord).

Tags : Patakha guddi meaning, translation, ali ali highway song translations, irshad kamil, nooran sisters, sultana nooran, jyoti nooran, sharf khuda ka meaning, jugni meaning

Screen Awards Nominations 2014

Best Actor (Female)
Chitrangada Singh - Inkaar
Deepika Padukone - Ram-Leela/Chennai Express
Nimrat Kaur - The Lunchbox
Parineeti Chopra - Shuddh Desi Romance
Shraddha Kapoor - Aashiqui 2
Sonakshi Sinha - Lootera

Best Actor (Male)
Aamir Khan - Dhoom: 3
Dhanush - Raanjhanaa
Farhan Akhtar - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Irrfan - The Lunchbox
Ranbir Kapoor - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Rajkummar Rao - Shahid
Shah Rukh Khan - Chennai Express