How can we not love Ravan?

Rahman's score in Ravan isn't exactly Roja stuff, but has enough to make it to your media player, discovers Kumar Saurav

Ravan
Label: T-Series
CD price: Rs 160

When the world was Jai Ho-ing, we knew Slumdog was one of Rahman's worst. They missed Roja, Rangeela, Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, Guru, Taal, Swadesh and Delhi 6. Thankfully, we have Ravan as an apology for that appalling score.

Fast and the curious
When the terrific trio of Rahman, Gulzar and Mani Ratnam come together, expectations are but sky high. Yes, the style sounds repetitive, but you don't mind that if it manifests into the urge of playing the tracks repeatedly. Like the opening number, Beera, which features in the telly trailers. The 3.15-minute track with tribal overtones gives you a snapshot of the storyline.
Singers Vijay Prakash and Mustafa Kutoane render soul to the composition and lyrics. Don't miss the additional vocals by Keerti Sagathia. Just in case you want to hum along, the lyrics go like thisu00a0-- Beeraa ke dus maathey, Beeraa ke sau naam, Chedhe jo beera ko, to dhumdhum.u00a0
We still aren't over Dil Gira Dafatan, and the Oscar winner gives us Behene De, a clear winner in the six-song set. Sung convincingly by Karthik and Mohammed Irfan, the music reminds you of Mera Yaar Mila De Saiyaan in Vivek Oberoi-Rani Mukerji-starrer Saathiya.
While the opening track rides high on percussion, acoustic guitar, xylophone and bongos, this composition has a very orchestra feel, with singers swinging swiftly from one pitch to another. Let's not talk about lyrics; Gulzar knows his job better than anyone else. If you appreciated Delhi 6's Kala Bandar, you would love Thok Di Killi, that is, if you can make your ears run as fast as the speed of the songu00a0-- 120 miles per hour. Even if part-incomprehensible, it is lovable.

Movers and misfits
The queen of rusticity, Rekha Bhardwaj, assumes charge of the next track, Ranjha Ranjha,u00a0 based on the famous Sufi line Ranjha ranjha kardi wey main, aappe ranjha hoyee, Ranjha Ranjha saddoni mainu, Heer na aakkho koi. Javed Ali, who renders the male voice, is quite a contrast.

Last and far from the least
One of Rahman's trademarks is a song that unfailingly gains popularity post the movie release. In Rang De Basanti, it was Tu Bin Bataye, in Delhi 6, Dil Gira Dafatan and in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, it was the title track. In Ravan, it is Khili Re, sung by Reena Bhardwaj. You tend to skip this track, so don't.
The next one is Kata Kata by Illa Arun, Sapna Awasthi and Kunal Ganjawala, a wedding song that advocates a man's undying notion of marriage as entrapment. Not in the league of Rukmani Rukmani, but worth that hear. Kunal Ganjawala, though, proves quite a misfit at places
If you've to rate the album, it will score somewhere around 8/10. Seven, if I'm strict. Greatu00a0 expectations, you see, lead to greater disappointments.