GADAR

Starring: Sunny Deol, Amisha Patel
Directed by: Anil Sharma
Music: Uttam Singh
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Audio: Zee Records

Finally Sunny Deol, apna Punjab da puttar, is back, this time opposite a non-Punjab di kuri, Amisha Patel, a heroine that is almost half his age! The authenticity of the Punjab setting is cemented with fellow Punjaban, Uttam Singh providing the music. So lets see what the 'Dil To Pagal Hai' composer has treated us with this time.

Udit Narayan opens the album with the Folk version of 'Udja Kale Kawan'. Anand Bakshi has written simple, Punjabi style lyrics to, which Uttam Singh has composed beautiful flowing music. The simplicity of the music suits the village setting of the movie. Two other versions of the song follow.

'Main Nikla Gaddi Leke' is another simple song with simple beats. The lyrics tell of how the hero has fallen in love, but he uses a peacock as a metaphor for the object of his affection. This is a typical happy-go-lucky number, the type which is synonymous with Udit Narayan, but it is pleasant to listen to and the cheering of the crowds after the chorus adds to the general party-like, peppy ambience of the song.

'Aan Milo Sajna' is a classical song and although it is quite harmonious, it is not your typical filmi gaana. The primary instruments used are harmonium and tabla, so the voices of Parveen Sultana and Ajoy Chakrobarty carry the song and give it melody. However, if you're of a younger generation and are used to listening to the usual filmi masala gaana, then you might get a little bored half way through this, but its worth trying to listen to.

Udit Narayan does an amazing job with the Search version of 'Udja Kale Kavaan'. You can sense the pain and anguish with the irregularity in his voice and when he breaks off crying you can really empathise with him. Nihar S., another child singer, has a surprisingly strong voice too and really carries the song well. Although her role in the song was short, Alka also made quite an impact, but this is definitely tests Udit Narayan's abilities and again, he rises successfully to meet the challenge.

'Hum Juda Ho Gaye' is the only average song on the soundtrack. Udit Narayan is ok and Preeti Uttam just seems to be wailing throughout the whole song. She should definitely stick to faster paced Punjabi tunes. Rakesh P. just odles throughout the song and doesn't have any lyrics. It's a more serious song, so the beats are harsher and you can imagine what Uttam Singh was thinking when he composed it, but it just lacks the traditionalism that dominates the rest of the album and it doesn't flow very well.

The Marriage version of 'Udja Kale Kavaan' is by far the best! This is a classic Udit/Alka duet and combined with the traditional music and beautifully romantic lyrics, this is definitely a winner! You can really sense the happiness in their voices and through the simple lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Child-singer Nihar S. also demonstrates much potential.

The 'Tradional Shaadi Geet' is a compilation of Sithnis that make you want to tap that spoon on the dholak and do some gidda! Preeti Uttam basically sings how the girl is too good the man she is about to marry. Her wonderfully authentic Punjabi voice and her enthusiasm are great! The only bad thing is that its way too short!

The opening of 'Musafir Jaane Wale' sounds a lot like 'Churaliya', with the tapping of the bottle, but we soon hear Udit Narayan singing seriously and Preeti Uttam singing in a more dreamlike state. This slower paced song has well thought out lyrics that are sound as though they are situational. This is a pleasant number and one that is just easy listening.

After such musical debacles like 'Farz' its nice to see Uttam Singh back on his 'Dil To Pagal Hai' track with this soundtrack. Although it isn't up to par with 'DTPH', it definitely shows the potential for Uttam Singh to regain a spot as a top composer. To be fair, the style of music for 'Gadar' is also completely different, in the traditionalism and Punjabi themes. Uttam Singh has composed brilliantly traditional music, to which Anand Bakshi has written well thought out lyrics and the combination is a real pleasure to listen to.

REVIEWED BY PUJA VEDI