Classic Revival

outcome is five ghazal tracks,which promise to give a new lease of life to the genre.

“This is not the first time that I have been approached to compose for a film. The moment filmmakers want a sufi effect in music,they turn to classical musicians like me. Till now I stayed away because I thought my style would get swamped under ten other pop and rock songs in a film,but when Pravesh came to me I liked his offer. I hope people appreciate my music,” says Khan about composing for Bharadwaj’s film that is slated for a June 25 release.

Set in London,the movie deals with adultery. Bharadwaj,who has assisted directors like Shyam Benegal,Gulzar and Govind Nihalani ,says,“I grew up listening to songs from films like Arth . I had heard Shujaat bhai’s music and knew that he would do justice to my venture. In the past few years there has been no ground-breaking music composed for ghazals and I wanted to give the film an old-world feel.”

The album opens with Ajnabee Aakhein,a sad ghazal sung by Roop Kumar Rathod and ends with the qawwali Maula by Richa Sharma. Also featuring in the album is the romantic ballad Behoshi Nasha by Shreya Ghoshal and Khan has lent his voice for Ai Khuda . “I have a raw,uncultured voice and it has worked in my concerts. I just gave a shot with Ai Khuda ,”

says Khan.

The composer confesses that classical musicians have been little snobbish about venturing into Bollywood. “Classical music is a complicated genre and there is a certain level of rigidity,so the composers do not enjoy making simple film music. Things are now changing because Bollywood is looking for new sounds that are different from usual,” says Khan,who got a Grammy nomination for his album

The Rain and recently collaborated with The Rolling Stone saxophonist Tim Ries for concerts across India earlier this year.

Khan was happy about being given a detailed brief by the filmmaker.

“I like working with a blueprint and with a limited brief. This enables one to work according to the requirements of the movie,” says Khan.