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A Bhangra blast
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The Pasha of Pop, Daler Mehndi, is back with another dose of Punjabi sounds.
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BOLO TA Ra Ra', `Dardi Rab Rab Kardi', `Ho Jayegi Balle Balle', `Tunak Tunak Tun' — four hit albums back-to-back, a couple of Hindi film `item' songs and an album every single year — that's Daler Mehndi for you. Bringing the Punjabi `bhangra' genre of folk music to the rest of India with `Bolo Ta Ra Ra' in 1995, and selling a record number of albums in the strangest of places like Kerala, where people couldn't distinguish bhangra from batata wada. Daler triggered an onslaught of Punjabi music and accomplishments.
There was a time when every Tom, Dick and Harikumar released a `bhangra album'. But Daler `paaji' held his ground for a few years with songs such as Dardi Rab Rab, Ho Jayegi Balle and Tunak Tunak Tun. What followed was a frantic juggling of music companies (he finally has set up his own) and the album Nabi Buba Nabi, which landed him into big-time controversy due to lyrics that provoked religious sentiments.
Nachne Shaam Kaure and Ek Dana evoked just about mediocre responses — but with `Mojaan Laen Do' (Daler Mehndi Music Company, Rs. 55), where he introduces a new genre of folk music called `rabibi', Daler hopes to recreate his energy and magic. "Rabibi", according to `paaji', is "a revival of a traditional form of singing with a mix of Sufi and Arabic rhythms".
The Arabic strain is evident throughout the album, but most of the tracks proceed at a frantic pace like there is no tomorrow. Shama Paiyan is very catchy and infectious and makes you want to tap your feet and dance, but with its excessive pace, it is just impossible to even follow the beats. Piplan Di Chhan continues the same trend while Hai Ve Ranjhna has a bit of international feel to it.
The last couple of albums featured Daler in a somewhat husky, deep voice, but with this album, we get to hear his old Ho Jayegi Balle Balle voice back again.
It is interesting to know that Daler graduated to the `Pasha of Pop' status from being a taxi driver. Born in Patna, he was part of a family that sang regularly at the local gurudwara. He was a disciple of Ustad Rahat Ali Khan Sahib of Gorakhpur.
It was only a matter of time before he bumped into composer Jawahar Wattal and set the cash registers ringing.
He has interests outside of music too.
His concern for environment led him to form the `Daler Mehndi Green Drive' in Delhi, as part of which over 3.5 lakh trees were planted.
Other initiatives like the `Kargil and Gujarat quake relief fund' followed, making him one of the very few stars in the entertainment industry to pursue serious welfare initiatives.
Coming back to the album, the `rabibi' music does sound very interesting, ideal for your car stereo.
We do like your pacey songs, `paaji', which have been your trademark, but try not to give us such breakneck speed next time. We want to dance to your music, and our hands and legs can move only so fast.
A. VISHNU
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Metro Plus
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