L for Luka Chuppi (#AToZChallenge)

Rang De Basanti was a path-breaking soundtrack in Rahman’s Bollywood career. Each and every song had a flavour of its own. Rahman added yet another dimension to music by introducing western influences and interweaving them with Indian traditional music. Though the album didn’t turn out to be addictive on the first listen, it soon gathered more and more listeners with its slow poison factor.

Luka Chuppi from Rang De Basanti is an unconventional song. It’s also highly situational and it’s liable to be enjoyed only by a few. The song portrays a mother losing her son and her feelings of sorrow are painted beautifully. Lata Mangeshkar yields the megaphone. Even after all these years, her nightingale voice sounds fresh and fruity. She emotes well to Prasoon Joshi’s lovable lyrics. Rahman lends his voice alongside Lata and it’s a refreshing change from other stereotypical duets. His silky voice flows like honey and wraps the tune in warmth.

Moving on to the orchestration, Rahman keeps it minimal. The focus is more on the composition and lyrics, that the instruments don’t have much impact. The mellowed tabla beats add to the beauty of the song and some clean guitar strums are visible in the prelude and interludes. The swara aalaap towards the end of the number is an innovative thought by Rahman. My favourite lines,

“Kya bataaon maa kahaan hoon main

Yahaan udne ko mere khula aasmaan hai…

Tere kisson jaisa bhola salona

Jahaan hai yahaan sapno wala…”

Listen to this emotional here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNr4Hy7vIHw

A couple of peppy Rahman songs in L:

Ladio from I
Lattoo from Ghajini

Happy Listening!

Love,

Kavya Janani.U