J for Jashn-e-Bahara (#AToZChallenge)

The alphabet J has a handful of songs and all of them are smashing hits. My pick is Jashn-e-Bahara from Jodhaa Akbar. I love Sufi music more than any other classical genre. A.R.Rahman lifted my love for Sufi by two notches with his soulful Sufi and qawwali compositions. Jodhaa Akbar was one grand album released in 2008, that was replete with Sufi songs.

Rahman indulges in composing a soothing melody that creates a bewitching harmonic atmosphere. The prelude consists of a lilting guitar section which paves way for a mellowed rhythmic progression. This soulful number is further enhanced by Javed Ali’s buttery voice. As a soloist, he does a fantabulous job in rendering Javed Akhtar’s aesthetic lyrics.

The lyrics speak about a budding romance in that vintage era. Urdu poetry is at its best and Javed Akhtar wins all our hearts with his verses. My favourite lines,

“Karte to hai saath safar

Faasale hai phir bhi magar

Jaise milte nahi kisi dariya ke do kinare…

Paas hai phir bhi paas nahi

Humko ye gham raas nahi

Sheeshe ki ek deewar hai jaise darmiyaan…”

Listen to this heavenly song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_E8euJ1sEg

Other evergreen songs in J:

Jaane Tu (both versions) from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Jab Tak Hai Jaan from Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire
Jana Gana Mana from Ayudha Ezhuthu
Jimbalakka from En Swasa Kaatre
Jiya Jale from Dil Se
Jiya Re from Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Jiya Se Jiya from Connections

Happy Listening!

Love,

Kavya Janani.U