Rajesh Roshan: An Unsung Legend

There are films that you wait for. And then when they live upto your expectations, the impressions left by the film linger on with you for a long time. 'Kites' is one film I've been waiting to watch for a long time. Hope it lingers on with me when I am done with watching it. But here I won't talk about the film but one of its unsung heroes. The film's music composer Rajesh Roshan who has yet again delivered a melodious score that keeps growing on you as the days pass by.

Rajesh Roshan will always be very special in my life as he's the man who gave my favourite song 'Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye' from 'Jurm' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_mtmnptlTA). Yes the song is inspired by the English number '500 Miles' by The Brothers Four (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLeyCX3Em-c&feature=related). But I genuinely believe that the ornamentation in music arrangements done by Roshan makes the Hindi version a romantic delight. 'Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye' is the only song I know by heart and can sing in full without forgetting a single line even if you wake me up in the middle of the night.

Rajesh Roshan has given us fantastic melodies over a career spanning four decades. He may not be the most flambouyant music composers but he has definitely updated with time. What he has done with 'Kites In The Sky' is incredible. When composers are doing all sorts of gimmicks to attract attention, Roshan conceives a soft, soothing number that plucks the guitar of your heart and caresses the romanticism within. The music arrangements have an old world charm and will be one of the songs that will linger on for many years to come. Most of the songs in 'Kites' are carefully manicured melodies (unlike 'Krrish' which had an average music score).

The music score of 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai' became very special because of the outstanding stuff that Roshan extracted from Lucky Ali. 'Na Tum Jaano Na Hum' and 'Ek Pal Ka Jeena' can set your heart on 'fire' anyday.

One of the most beautiful western songs ever created in Bollywood is 'My Heart Is Beating' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QLLOLsqzhQ). Sung by Preeti Sagar, this Rajesh Roshan number is hummed-n-sung till today. 'Choo Kar Mere Mann Ko' from 'Yaarana' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5-eJPTimXE&feature=related) is an ode that every lover must have sung for his/her beloved. The simplicity of the music arrangements, the beats, the sitar section and meaningful lyrics. It will never die.

Now, I will wrap up by talking about three of my personal favourite Rajesh Roshan songs. 'Ghar Se Nikalte Hi' from 'Papa Kehte Hain' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1lR5JBU9sc) is a tastefully written song by Javed Akhtar that celebrates the lover-just-around-the-corner. Udit Narayan's honey soaked voice and once again the simplicity in the song makes it a treat.

'Aaina Mujhse Meri Pehli Si Surat' from 'Daddy' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auk9mqmZtPQ) is a timeless song that is elevated by Anupam Kher's performance, classy lyrics and from-the-heart singing of Talat Aziz. Roshan excels by blending ghazal feel of the song with Western and Indian orchestration.

'Sheeshe Se Bani Ek Ladki' from 'Dastak' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFUaiBW18V4) is marvelously written by Javed Akhtar, fantastically sung by Kumar Sanu (Why is he not singing any more?) and the whole construction of the song in terms of music instruments and arrangements blows you with its simplicity. I am sure Sushmita Sen still treasures this song as it was her first film.

Rajesh Roshan in my opinion is an unsung hero who has tirelessly re-invented himself. He is a legend in his own right who has gifted music that will last for a long time. Hats off!