A. R. Rahman's music in Delhi-6 is a blend of Indian and Western sounds, with 'desi' emotions

MUSIC REVIEW

A.R. Rahman received the Best Music Direction Award in the Filmfare Awards 2010. On the other hand, Mohit Chauhan and Rekha Bhardwaj won the Best Male Playback and Best Female Playback Awards respectively, in the same Filmfare Awards. Javed Ali, Kailash Kher and Proshoon Joshi were also nominated for the Filmfare Awards in various categories. For the International Indian Film Academy Awards, the album was nominated for the categories of Best Music Direction, Best Lyrics, Best Female Playback, and Best Male Playback.

Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6, which was released in the year 2009, was decorated with the brilliance of A.R. Rahman's rhythms and melodies, ultimately letting it achieve influential success in terms of its music. A.R. Rahman composed and directed the Soundtrack of Delhi-6 with Prasoon Joshi's lyrics. Prior to Delhi-6, A.R. Rahman collaborated with Mehra on his film 'Rang De Basanti'. Delhi-6's soundtrack was released at the Indian Idol 4 competition on 14 January 2009. The soundtrack of the film received positive reviews from major critics from all across the world and went on to receive many awards.

The first soundtrack, according to the official track listing, is 'Masakali', which features Mohit Chauhan on the lead vocals. People say that whenever Rahman wants to do some magic, he brings in Mohit Chauhan. Rahman's unique and funky arrangement in this song, with orchestral elements, which was layered in limitation, gave birth to a song that was meant to be grooved for a time unknown to humanity. The song follows a free trajectory, which is addictive right from the first second. The sudden Indian Dhol drum patterns add a tease of dance groove, which Rahman kept to a minimum. The song was a hit right off the bat.

The second track is 'Arziyaan', a qawwali. The magical combination of Javed Ali and Kailash Kher transcends a listener to a heavenly experience. As the genre demanded, the track was well-backed by the tabla and the harmonium. Along with it, Rahman glued some soft pads which created an ambience, capable of isolating a listener from the woes of life. The claps which keep the rhythm flowing glued the lyrics and music in perfect sync. Javed Ali and Kailash Kher presented the nuances of Sufism with such elegancy that even after a decade; people embrace it with the same respect.

The third song, 'Dilli-6', the title track, was a tribute to the city. This alternative funky song fuses multiple genres from a sprinkle of rock to rap and hip-hop. The artists featured on this song are Blaaze, Benny Dayal, Tanvi Shah, Vivian Chiax, and Claire. Vivian Chaix, Claire wrote the French lyrics for the song. Rahman incorporates some groovy bass lines. As the song speaks of the lifestyle in Delhi, Rahman makes sure to compliment the same attitude and style with his beats, and he does it flawlessly. This song was surely meant to be chanted by youngsters of the city.

The next track features A. R. Rahman on the vocals himself. Other artists on the song are Benny Dayal and Tanvi Shah. The title of the song is, 'Rehna Tu'. Rahman makes use of some 808 drums and puts some laid-back guitars throughout the track. This calming number is an oxymoron in the thought that the lyrics weigh a lot even though the music is quite laid back. The track was hitting the right spots in one's heart when they are holding on to hope in romance. However, this song received varied reactions.

The fifth track of the album 'Hey Kala Bandar' didn't create much of a buzz in terms of numbers. However, the style incorporated in the track wasn't much explored by music directors back then, unlike Rahman who was used to experimentation. This hip-hop track features Karthik, Naresh Iyer, Srinivas, Bonnie Chakraborty, and Ember. Rahman uses a simple drum pattern, with the vocal composition meant to be groovy, addictive and funky. He also incorporated some electronic hi-hats fills and rolls, and drum breaks wherever he found it necessary. The vocals underwent experimentation in terms of production too. The song received mixed reactions.

The next song is 'Genda Phool' for which Rajkat Dholakia is credited as the co-composer. The song features Rekha Bhardwaj, Shrraddha Pandit, Sujata Mazumder, and Mahathi. This track is a modern folk tease, to which Rekha Bhardwaj does prime justice. What's surprising is the western music arrangement that Rahman underlines in this folk number, but then again Rahman is known for doing it and he doesn't let us down. The song is fun throughout and a perfectly chilled track to enjoy while you are leisurely basking on a break from your routine.

The next song is 'Dil Gira Dafatan', which was sung by Ash King and Chinmayee. This song sets the ground for that moment in the film when you would like to drown deep into the lyricism of a pioneer. Proshoon Joshi's lyrics are the highlights here. Ash King holds up the composition with the appropriate gravitas that the lyrics demand. Chinmayee, with her backing vocals, puts a sublime base to the song. 'Teri khamosh julfon ki gehraiyan hei janhan, dil mera uljha huwa hai wahi", with words such as these, Proshoon Joshi give the listeners a ballad to remember forever. Rahman continues his musical plays on the track with an interlude, which was a fusion of Indian and Western arrangements.

'Bhor Bhaye', the eight-track of the film's soundtrack features Shreya Ghoshal and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. This comes off as a surprise piece in the album, which had so many western sound arrangements. This Indian classical number based on 'Raag Gujri Todi' was the icing on the cake for classical music enthusiasts. Shreya Ghosal and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan did what they do best and the track turned out to be overwhelming.

The ninth track of the film is "Aarti (Tumre Bhavan Mein)" which features Rekha Bhardwaj, Kishori Ashok Gowariker, Shrraddha Pandit, and Sujata Mazumder. This track is where Rahman puts in a moment of devotion and spirituality. This short prayer song is very soothing and has a calming influence on a listener. The 'taals', the harmonium and the symphony of the many vocalists featured on the track are key to a heavenly experience.

The last track of the soundtrack is 'Noor'. This is a short couplet narrated by Amitabh Bachchan. Proshoon Joshi demonstrates his poetic abilities in this short track.

To sum it up, the album was a perfect blend of Indian and Western sounds, however, with pure 'desi' emotions.

A.R. Rahman received the Best Music Direction Award at the Filmfare Awards 2010. On the other hand Mohit Chauhan, Rekha Bhardwaj won the Best Male Playback and Best Female Playback Awards respectively, in the same Filmfare Awards. Javed Ali, Kailash Kher and Proshoon Joshi were also nominated for the Filmfare Awards in various categories.

For the International Indian Film Academy Awards, the album was nominated for the categories of Best Music Direction, Best Lyrics, Best Female Playback, and Best Male Playback.

The album is not limited to these two awards. It was also nominated and won various awards in the 2nd Mirchi Music Awards and Star Screen Awards.

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