Mani Ratnam needs no introduction. The acclaimed director of both critically well-received films and box-office successes who presented films such as Iruvar, Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Nayakan, Thalapathi, Alaipayuthey and many more returns with his newest production “GURU”. The movie is rumored to depict the life of the industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani.

    The film consists of a stellar crew with lyrics by Gulzar and music by A.R Rahman, a Mani Ratnam favorite. So how’s the music of Guru?
The CD cover features Abhishek shorn of al facial hair and very simply made-up Aishwarya Rai. The movie also stars Madhavan, Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakraborty.

    The first track” Barso Re” opens the album with the lilting voice of Shreya Ghosal. The song has a range that exploits her vocal prowess. The music is folksy with dholak/drum beats that impart a lively feeling to this song invoking rain and the resultant spring. An excellent foot-tapping number.

    â€œ Tere Bina” is the best song in the album by far. Starting with “ Dum dara dum dara mast mast” as a choral chant, A.R Rahman renders this song with passion and love. He dedicted this song to the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The beautiful female vocals are by Chinmayee. The lyrics in this song are exceptionally good too. “ Tere bina beswaadi beswaadi ratiyan” WOW!

    Bappi Lahiri renders the vocals in “ Ek Lo Ek Muft”. The song is passable with Mr. Lahiri singing in a bhang- infused manner. The music is interesting with Gujarati folk lyrics and beat that take over. The overall effect is passable.

    Maryem Toller, an Egyptian vocalist sings the song” Mayya” with a Turkish/middle-eastern flair, her voice twining around the music. A.R Rahman’s music is not exceptional, but Ms. Toller manages to pull the song off, even managing to pronounce some Urdu tongue twisters.

    Ahhh! Now for a breath of fresh air! “ Ay Hairathe” is a pleasing song featuring the dulcet voice of Hariharan and Alka Yagnik. A. R Rahman introduces the chorus of “ dum dara Dum dara” seamlessly in this song as well with a completely different feel. A very lovely romantic number!
“ Baazi laga” has a period feel to it with Udit Narayan and Madhushree. The song is a desi version of “ Money money money”.  A light, fun song.

    Chitra and A.R Rahman present the dramatic “ Jaage Hain” with an orchestral symphonic backdrop. The music and the Madras Chorale group rule in this song.

    Overall GURU is a nice album with a couple of exceptional songs. As with most A.R Rahman songs, I suspect the songs will take hold with repeat listening and once visualized on screen.

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