Sound Byte

Udit Narayan has walked away with some of the best songs in the film. Yeh Tara Woh Tara8212;a gentle, addictive number that serves as an olive branch in the film, bridging the caste divide 8212;reaches its climax when children join Narayan. Though it could have definitely been shorter. Saanwariya Saanwariya by Alka Yagnik is perfect for those rainy evenings and reminds you of Rahman8217;s work in Tehzeeb.

Yuh Hi Chala Chal, which apparently is Shah Rukh Khan8217;s favourite track from the film, is a total mood swinger, with Narayan, Hariharan and Kailash Kher balancing the East and West. Its tempo makes you want to pack up for the great outdoors in a trailer, just as in the film. Aahista Aahista, a lullaby rendered beautifully by Narayan and Sadhana Sargam, has no frills, no funk, just simple melody. Rahman tries a bhajan with Pal Pal Hai Bhaari, where scenes from the Ramayan are enacted in the film. Singer Madhushree does a good job and Ashutosh Gowariker speaks Ravana8217;s lines. Says Rahman, 8216;8216;It was good fun working with him also because most of the times, he instantly recognises the raga.8217;8217;

There8217;s a bit of Rangeela in Dekho Na by Yagnik and Narayan. There8217;s an instrumental version of Pal Pal Hai Bhaari by Rahman8217;s loyal flautist Navin, who8217;s been with the composer since his first hit Roja. The album winds up with a shehnai version of the title track by Madhu.

But we wonder why there is no Maharashtrian folk music or even a few Marathi words in the lyrics, considering the backdrop8217;s a village in Maharashtra. But let that not stop you from picking it up.

Bride 038; Prejudice, Universal
WHERE8217;S Sonu8217;s Nayyo Nayyo spunk from Soldier? His Balle Balle doesn8217;t do a thing for you as far as Punjabi boosters go. Tumse Kahen Ya, Hum Na Kahen, a duet by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik, is another disappointment8212;the romance has been wrenched out.

By the time you hit the third number, No Life Without Life, you8217;re reaching for the stop button. It8217;s a nice idea to get singers Gayatri Iyer and Sowmya Raoh rapping, but the song falls flat. Iyer8217;s solo Payal Bajake is another Anu Malik number gone wrong. And then there8217;s Dola Dola, also by Iyer, a classical dandiya number, but this too sounds as if the soul has been squeezed out.

What happened, Malik?

Shaa Ra Ra Ra, DM Music-Son Libre
Now this is what Punjabi swing is all about. There8217;s no Bolo Tarara or even Jalwa in this one, but Daler Mehndi8217;s back with some wild music. The title track Shaa Ra Ra Ra is a huge hit and puts Mehndi back in the hot seat. He8217;s even got music for the hard core Maharashtrian masala buffs8212;Humne Pakar Li Hai, which is Maharashtrian folk-based. Expect loud horn blasts and Mehndi to compete at the next big fest.

Then there8217;s No 1 Papa and can you believe there are strains of Tequila on this one?

Of course, you just won8217;t believe it when you hear Funky Town between bhangra beats in Hauli Hauli and Those Were The Days is loud and clear in Ragdaa. Mehndi8217;s not trying to fool anybody8212;he8217;s just doing what he does best, which means pleasing the masses. Fortunately, the 8216;inspirations8217; end there. There8217;s Chhii Nna that sounds like a rehashed version of his own Balle Balle.

Get it if you8217;re a Mehndi freak.