DAMAN
Music: Bupen Hazarika

After 1993´s Rudaali, Bhupen Hazarika reteams with director Kalpana Lajmi for her new flick, Daman. There is not much hype surrounding this film, even the trailers seem rather vague, so one does not really know what to expect except that Raveena looks ravishing in her gorgeous in her wedding attire. It has been a while since Raveena has had more to do in a film than prance around in a couple of songs, so this movie is vital to her career. And as we all know, if the soundtrack to a film isn't good, then the likelihood of the movie being a hit is not very high, so lets take a look.

The album opens with the voice of Jaspinder Narula singing 'Bhagwati Songs'. It is a pleasant surprise to see her taking a break from singing her more vivacious Punjabi numbers to do this inspiring religious number, especially since she does it so well. The song is quite intense and Jaspinder's strong, robust voice suits it to a tea.

'Sun Sun Goria' is a very fresh, upbeat wedding song sung flawlessly by Alka Yagnik. It has wonderfully traditional beats and great lyrics, which Alka sings with her celestial voice, so keep your finger on the rewind button. Its by far the best song on the album and is sure to be around in the charts for a while.

Hema Sardesai provides the vocals for 'Sar Sar Hawa', which is yet another enjoyable, spirited song. It is the contrast of the deepness of the men's back-up vocals and the youthful innocence of Ms Sardesai's otherwise masti-filled voice that makes this number curiously unique.

The next song, 'Gum Sum' sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy is a mellower track. Kavita has done an average job and it is the exceptional composition of the music that carries the song. It seems that Lata Mangeshkar would have been better suited for this one, with her more versatile voice. The music director Dr Bhupen Hazarika sings an Assemee version later in the album. Even though you can't understand the lyrics, his voice sounds very traditional and authentic and fuses well with the instruments. It has much more character than the Hindi version and provides for good, soothing listening.

'Bahar hi Bahar' sung by Dominique and Shaan is a funky, almost retro number, complete with an electric guitar and a saxophone. Dominique and Shaan both have quite young and invigorating voices which energise the album, but its not one of the better tracks.

The only other duet in the soundtrack 'Hu Hu Pagal Pawan' with Kavita Krishnamurthy and Ishaan. Their voices compliment one another well to enhance the romantic mood of the song, but it still lacks the joie de vivre which Hazarika is trying to achieve.

I'm not sure why 'Sar Sar Hawa' sung by Hema Sardesai is repeated again in the soundtrack, but I'm not complaining. The more you listen to this number, the more you want to listen to it again and again.

After the dull, uninspiring music Bhupen Hazarika provided for M.F Hussain's Gaja Gamini, he proves he has not quite lost it and still has musical potential, with Daman. He focuses more on simple melodies and traditional instruments and does an amazing job with a couple of tracks, but he's going to have to work a little harder to make a real mark in Bollywood.

REVIEWED BY PUJA VEDI