RADIO SARGAM SPECIAL REPORT: Music Release Function of Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story

Bollywood filmmaker Akbar Khan released the music of his epic saga ‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story’ at a gala event in Mumbai. The entire star cast of the film, including Zulfikar Syed, Sonia Jahan (who makes her cinematic debut with this flick and is the grand daughter of the popular Pakistani singer late Noor Jahan), Manisha Koirala and Arbaaz Khan were present at the occasion. The veteran maestro of melodies Naushaad Sahib and many other personalities of the film fraternity (such as Feroz and Fardeen Khan) also attended this ceremony.

Delivering a speech, Akbar Khan said, “The message of my film lies in love that lives through the rise & fall of empires and is unruffled by the tide of time. Taj Mahal makes a living example of an eternal love and unsurpassed beauty.”

According to Khan, it was only Tansen, Beethoven or Naushaad who could compose the music of his film and he was only left with the last choice.

The soundtrack’s composition is not only soothing, easy to ears and melodious but also hummable. The legendary musician Naushaad - who has scored music for over 70 films - has arranged the tunes for the film's soundtrack. The music conveys the theme and mood of the bygone era perfectly, touches the heart and penetrates the soul.

A Mashreq Communications’ presentation, the album of Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story has been released, marketed and distributed by Times Music jointly with the home label Mashreq Music.

Being laced with eight main tracks, the play list features the biggies in singing world from Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Preeti Uttam (the daughter of musician Uttam Singh) and Ajay Chakraborty (the virtuoso of classical singing and music) respectively. In fact, singers Hariharan and Preeti Uttam injected life in the event by doing a live performance with a live orchestra rendering the theme track, ‘Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha, Jab Taj Mahal Dekha’.

Expressing some words on his music and the film itself, the ailing Naushaad Sahib stated: “After a long hiatus, I have scored the composition for Taj Mahal and do appreciate the efforts of Akbar Khan for making this historical love story flawlessly and creatively. His movie is a result of his sheer love, passion and dedication towards his goal. Akbar has an in depth knowledge of history and every character of the film. As far as the music is concerned, I have consumed my best to compose what Akbar had in his mind. Melody is the chief focus of my composition for the album and I hope my attempt to arrange the fitted tunes would be liked by the music aficionados."

Times Music has also released a double CD pack, which includes nine ‘Themes’. No schedule of release has been revealed yet but the film is expected to come out in theaters in this summer.

WRITTEN BY GOHER IQBAL PUNN (Bollywood Analyst)