1971

There was a period between the mid and late 90s when films revolving around the war theme were doing well at the box office. But since the time J.P. Dutta's LOC-Kargil bombed it has been only downhill for movies belonging to this genre. Hence it comes as a surprise to see a film like 1971 being made and now getting ready for release. Now one looks forward to the direction of Amrit Sagar to see how he has tacked the subject to give it a treatment which is exciting enough to make audience flock the theaters and appreciate the film. Akash Sagar is the composer for this film that has Manoj Bajpai, Ravi Kissen and Deepak Dobriyal in the lead.

Get on the folks and add on the whistles for the quintessential Punjabi number that has been titled 'Bhangra Pauna'. Written by Dev Kohli and rendered by Kailash Kher, what is noticeable about the song is that it is almost unplugged with hardly an 'orchestrated' instrument in the background. There is just the lead voice, some background cheers and natural sound created by objects that are available on-the-location which make 'Bhangra Pauna' a different hearing experience.

The remix version which comes later is much more conventional since it adds on the sound created by electronic instruments in the recording studio with some 'dhol' beats in tow. Overall an entertaining number that but naturally makes your feet tap along!

One of the best songs to have arrived this year, 'Sehlenge Hum' is an excellent number conveying the pain in a manner that would make your heart beat a little slower. Moving at a very slow pace with a guitar and later violin creating a mesmerizing effect, it is to the credit of Shibani Kashyap who does a great job once again behind the mike. A haunting piece of work by lyricist Zahir Anwar that should make for a great background piece if it appears at just the right emotional junctures of the film, one wishes that it was promoted much better since it truly deserves to be heard by those who believe in giving meaningful and in-depth numbers a hear!

The sound of harmonium makes one wonder about the genre of the song 'Saajana' which comes next. Even when Harshdeep Kaur renders the words 'Saajana Saajana' to begin the number, one is not too sure where the song is headed. It is only when the female chorus arrives does one get an idea that this is the song of homecoming where the females are waiting for their hubbies to come back from the war. A situational number by Dev Kohli, it is not the kind that you would be looking forward to playing on in your music system for hours at stretch.

An 'Arabian Sunrise' version of 'Saajana' comes later which is heavily spiced up with western arrangements and comes as a true 'Club Mix' version. Call it ironical but this is the one which sounds much better on audio and even reminds one of the sufi numbers that were heard in Vishal Shekhar composed 'Musfair' a few years back, most notably being 'Zindagi Mein Kabhi Koyi Aaye Na Rabba'!

A choir comes next with 'Kaal Ke Antim Palon Tak' which is worded by Dr. Gopaldas Neeraj. A patriotic number which begins on a vociferous note and shifts pace towards its latter half, it should make a good impression in theaters due to its haunting appeal.

There are three theme instrumental pieces that follow next. First to come is 'Main Title' which shares it's music with that of the opening of 'Sehlenge Hum'. Truly impressive and bound to make you sit tight on your seats due to the elaborate arrangements that the musical piece comes with, it also reminds of the theme music of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black' that had similar undertones.

Next to come is 'Prelude To The Snow' which takes off from where 'Main Title' had left and carries on the haunting effect with the help of violins that play a major role in majority of this album. The music takes different shades as it moves towards the middle of its 3 and a half minutes duration and makes you dwell deeper into the narrative due to effect Akash Sagar creates through his composition. In fact as the music continues, one can't help but make comparisons with such theme tracks that are often heard in Hollywood war movies. A very good piece.

Lastly comes 'Honour The Heroes (Theme Of 1971) ' which begins on a passionate note with an elaborate orchestra in full bloom even as the base tune remains the same as the 'Main Title'. There is a distinct war feel to the entire composition as one can sense an adrenalin pump amongst the audience if the music plays at just the right time along with the war scenes! There is a surprise though as at the very middle of the theme piece, the music shifts gear and from being vociferous, it turns sober and sad with only the violins on the forefront. Yet another very good musical piece by Akash Sagar.

The music of 1971 surprises since one had started hearing the album with zilch expectations. While 'Bhangra Pauna' succeeded in getting you interested in the album, 'Sehlenge Hum' was a smashing song to come next. Later towards the end of the album, three musical pieces to follow helped to a great extent in making you involved in the proceedings and look forward to what Amrit Sagar has to offer in 1971.