Contributed by Avinash Ramchandani
avinash@indolink.com

Maachis undoubtably was one of the best albums of 1996. Although it didn't receive the award for Best Music Director in the Filmfares, Vishal Bharadwaj did receive the honorary R.D. Burman award in the Filmfares. The album starts out with the chartbuster, "Chodh Ayaye Hum" which has excellent lyrics and superb music. Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Vinod Sehgal and K. Kay sing the song splendidly.

"Tum Gaye" is sung by Lata Mangeskar and Sanjeev Abhyankar, and Hariharan separately. Hariharan provides depth in the song, while Lata Mangeshkar sings with her expertise and sweetness they both deliver with my favorite of the album.

"Yaad Na Aaye", "Aey Hawaa", "Pani Pani Re", and "Behj Kahaar" are all Lata Mangeskhar solos. Lata Mangeshkar, at the age of a senior citizen can still sing like she is sixteen. But the experience in Lata's voice can only come from singing from her, with over fifty years of experience in the industry. Out of the four solos, "Aey Hawaa" and "Pani Pani Re" stand out as lighter, sweeter songs than the other two. Vishal's music is superb. Gulzar's lyrics are superb, much better than anything that Sameer or Dev Kohli can produce. (referring to "Pardesi Pardesi" from Raja Hindustani by Sameer and "Oonchi Hai Buliding" from Judwaa by Dev Kohli).

The final song is the other chartbuster of the album, "Chappa Chappa". Hariharan and Suresh Wadkar both sing the song superbly. It has a traditional Punjabi beat, and no Western interuptions are involved.

The compact disc also includes several pieces of Vishal's music in the movie, which are as good as the songs also. If you don't have this album yet, go and get it!

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