Composers are looking beyond mainstream Hindi cinema to venture into regional films. Images of school children submitting their examination paper and heading out into the open to celebrate summer vacations flit across the screen. Dressed in deep blue and off-white school uniform,the children head out running,playing,savouring chuski and having fun. The background score is hardcore rock,complete with electric guitar sounds and heavy drums. A strong male voice sings,Karuya danga,gheuya panga,pustak pati khunti la tanga/ Uthta-basta nasel aata abhyasacha salla/ Visaruniya sarya chinta,karuya karuya karuya ata kalla Titled Kalla,the song from the recently-released and critically-acclaimed Marathi film,Balak Palak,has been composed by the popular rock music-inspired duo Vishal and Shekhar. The trend of mainstream Bollywood music directors composing for regional films especially Marathi films can be traced back to Raam-Laxman. Their songs in Hindi films such as Hum Aapke Hai Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain were as famous as their music in legendary filmmaker Dada Kondkes films such as Sasarcha Dhotar and Hyoch Navra Pahije. Music directors such as C Ramachandran and Hridaynath Mangeshkar have also contributed to the Marathi films music. Now,more and more music directors are exploring horizons beyond mainstream Hindi films. Young composer duo Siddharth-Sangeet Haldikar,who have given music for Bollywood films such as Murder 2 and Aatma,are excited about their first Marathi film,Runh. When director Vishal Gaikwad approached us with the script,we were intrigued by it. It is a sensitive,real subject and we wanted to be a part of the project, says Sangeet. Another name to hop on to the Marathi bandwagon is acclaimed south Indian composer Ilayaraja. He will be composing music for Trupti Bhoirs latest film Touring Talkies. And if the promos are to go by,Ilayaraja seems to have hit the perfect note in catching the contemporary and popular aspects of Marathi cinema as well. He has used Hungarian and English musicians for the background score,and the entire soundtrack is inspired by the western country music, says Bhoir. Most filmmakers agree that bringing in a new musician adds a fresh perspective to the film. For instance,if one listens to the songs of Balak Palak,the difference is obvious. The rhythmic bass guitar,funky guitar riffs and raspy vocals make them more appealing to the cosmopolitan crowd. Haldikars say they will add more elements to the soundtrack of Runh,with a club song and a love ballad. They have also roped in singer Shaan for one of the numbers. Considering that the film revolves around the lives of the neglected third gender,the music is very contemporary.
