Chaiyya Chaiyya / Don't Stop MASHUP

Awesome job!

Another Waka Waka?

There is a lot of hullaballo about Rahman's theme song for CWG. I understand it is not as peppy as what he churned out for Slumdog Millionnaire or Taal. Obviously, we would expect more from the man who turned out tunes like Jai Ho. Looking at the theme song it is no where near to what was expected. Can it be pepped up? Yes. A lot of things to be made to make it better. Like all other things that are going wrong with the CWG, theme song seems to follow.

Comparing it to Shakira's Waka Waka is ridiculous. You can't make any song or product have a cult following just like that. You cannot repeat the same again. Rahman might turn out something better but not another Waka Waka. But cult following cannot be orchestrated so easily. Cult following is based on several factors that garner special attention at different levels in different spaces at the same time. In Shakira's song, for example, it had a mass appeal addressing a sport that has worldwide acceptance and most importantly hit the chord right away.

Rahman seems to have a different idea altogether in what a theme song should sound like. Check BSF theme song he composed recently. His music needs to be marinated to get to your nerves. Unfortunately, no one at the CWG have the time or patience to do so. Nor does the audience.

Asking Rahman to reconsider and pep up the song is a right decision as it makes me a consumer, someone who is paying for the song and then if I am not satisfied, I have the right to send your product back if I am not satisfied. Knowing that there cannot be another Waka Waka, I expect the tune to be catchy and hep. AR... do your magic.

Swagatham

Heard about the controversy about the theme song for Common Wealth Games? Here is the song video. You can download it from here.

Will it build up on you like his other compositions? Would it be a forgettable experience? Can it beat Shakira's Waka Waka?

I personally feel the controversy is just a stunt while the song seems a bit slow. I would have preferred something like Jai Ho to carry the CWG theme. Knowing Rahman and his magic, this should do too. Waiting to see the result. Fingers crossed.

Raavan

Raavan is released and is all set to become one of the biggest blockbusters of all times for it has all the elements needed to become one. Mani Ratnam, Shyam Kaushal, A R Rahman, the Bachchan ensemble, Gulzar and a lot of hype, PR and what not.

An interesting debate is about whom we would be primarily watching? Abhishek or Vikram. Most of the people I have seen are voting for Vikram, for better acting(?), experience and raw passion that is expected of the role. Poor Abhishek seems to be long way down the class in comparison. That's bad news for him and good for Vikram. Now that is a southside view and hopefully it differs as we go north. Good luck to the team of Raavan and here are 10 reasons why you should watch it. Anyone from the north, chip in with your views.

Brands losing in comparison have to be careful as to what they are being associated with. Being asociated with less mature equals less trust which translates to less chances of me, the consumer, picking your product up. Being associated with more mature, more trustworthy and more bankable, as Vikram stands for in this case(at least in the Southern belt), is very important as it means your brand has higher chances of being picked up. For Raavan, Vikram being in a Telugu/Tamil movie as the hero translates to better turnouts in the audience and better reception and that is what Mani wants to do. Good move Mani.

Pic is from here.

Hum seema suraksha dal

Thanks to Rahman Border Security Force (BSF) has a theme song - Hum Seema Suraksha Dal to which they will be marching now. The Oscar winner composed this song for free. Shot exclusively at training centres and Wagah Border the video captures life of a BSF Jawan. Rahman is also going to meet them at the front and perform live to boost their confidence. Good job Rahman.

Wah Rahman

Its official now. Rahman wins 2 oscars for the best score with Jai Ho and sound mixing? from Slumdog Millionnaire. This would bring in a change in the way Indian music is looked at. So Rahman, we are not happy. This is just a beginning. We want more!

Jai ho! in English

Check my attempt at translating Rahman's 'Jai Ho' to English at the end...

Jai ho! jai ho!
aaja aaja jind shamiyane ke tale
aaja jariwale nile aasman ke tale
jai ho! jai ho!

ratti ratti sachi maine jaan gavayi hai
nach nach koylo pe raat bitayi hai
akhiyon ki neend maine phoonko se uda di
neele tare se maine ungli jalayi hai

aaja aaja jind shamiyane ke tale
aaja jariwale nile aasman ke tale

chakh le ha chakh le ye raat shahad hai chakh le
rakh le ha dil hai dil aakhri had hai rakh le
kala kala kajal tera koi kala jadoo hai na

kala kala kajal tera koi kala jadoo hai na

aaja aaja jind shamiyane ke tale
aaja jariwale nile aasman ke tale

jai ho jai ho
jai ho jai ho

kab se ha kab se tu lab pe ruki hai kah de
kah de ha kah de ab aankh jhuki hai kah de
aisi aisi roshan aankhe roshan dono bhi hai hai kya

aaja aaja jind shamiyane ke tale
aaja jariwale nile aasman ke tale

jai ho... jai ho... jai ho... jai ho...

Here it goes (Do suggest if I got something wrong)...
Jai ho!
Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

Drop by drop I have lost my life in faith
I’ve passed this night dancing on fiery coals
I blew away the sleep that was in my eyes
I counted the stars till my finger burned

Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

Taste it, taste it, this night is honey
Taste it, and keep it,
It’s a heart; the heart is the final limit
You dark black kohl
It’s some black magic, isn’t it?

Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

For how long, how very long
It’s been on your lips
Say it, now say it
The eye is downcast
Such lit up eyes
Are they two lit-up dimaonds?
Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky
Jai Ho!!!

Good luck Rahman for the Oscars!

Jai Ho India

Don't bother about the controversies that surround the PILs on whether its slum dog or slum dash! Rahman's Jai Ho is ringing out at all places in Republic Day celebrations. Seems we have a new anthem. Its a good song. Perhaps you should watch Slumdog Millionaire! Happy Republic day.

Lessons from Rahman

The Marketing lesson in Rahman is a lesson of openness and adaptability. Rahman's been open to experimenting, to altering what could be seen as moving away from purist forms. He's been a collaborator and has adapted to markets where Indian music in its natural form may not have been as acceptable. The key to Rahman lies in his combination of musical genius and a mind that has had no axes to grind, a mind free from the trappings of musical tradition and rules.

--- Buyer Behaviour

Slumdog or Millionaire?

A R Rahman becomes the first Indian musician to win The Golden Globe Award. Slumdog Millionaire made merry at this years version of the awards and won four of them. Hoping this would have a similar effect at the Oscars Rahman said it would be an honour for India, not just for him. The film captures the throbbing pulse of Mumbai. It is about suffering, hope and redemption. If Rahman's music in SM has made an impact in the West, it’s because it’s projected effectively. Though some of the songs are in Hindi, nobody complained about them being boring or incomprehensible. Jai Ho, the song which has been nominated for The Golden Globe, O Saya ... and Ringa Ringa ... which are influenced by Choli Ke Peeche are, for them, in a foreign language, yet they loved it.

It’s the way director, Danny Boyle, has put the film together. All the artist in the movie come up with extraordinary performances, especially the kids. At present it is at # 10 of the top 10 hollywood flicks of the week. Hope it continues a golden run at the Academy Awards and Rahman would be able to bring home the much awaited Oscar.

Un-Rahmanic

We all know how good Rahman is at surprising and touching your chords when it comes to music.

17 years later what has Rahman got up his sleeve? Can he surprise me again with his freshness? May be Yes. But I bet many of his listeners would be able to make out a Rahman song in whatever language it is. This particular song, Kabhi Kabhi Aditi..., from JTJN is not the same. Listeners cannot guess it to be from Rahman. Its good but its fresh, breaks the clutter and Rahman has created a song which is Un-Rahmanic and succeded in winning the audience.

Any Brand will succeed in gaining more land if it can move on and win more hearts, fans and create a fresh image in the consumer's psyche. Rahman is too good at it.