Producer: Christian Colson, Paul Smith, Tessa Ross
Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Imran Hasnee, Irfaan Khan, Madhur Mittal
Music: Rahman AR
Lyrics: Gulzar, Raquib Alam

When one listens to all the 12 tracks on the album, one quickly realizes that no one could have done justice to this international project of such a unique and complex subject but A.R.Rahman. From the first note of the first song O..Saya to the last note of the last song Jai ho the album engulfs you and takes you on a journey of immensely varied themes, moods and rhythmic ecstasy. Collaborating with the popular and talented UK based M.I.A (Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam) also helps. Much has been written and discussed about the movie and its music and the early Golden Globe predictions, perhaps even the Oscar. However one thing is sure, this album does not need any award to recognize the diverse and immensely enjoyable music on display.

The start itself is exhilarating. O..Saya starts with a constant drum beats with Rahman’s vocals, later on joined by M.I.A. The track keeps you enthralled with its constant beat perhaps signifying Mumbai City’s constant need to keep moving. Once the tempo for the album is set with this track it becomes completely compulsory to experience the whole album in a go. The first of the thematic track Riots continue from where O..Saya ends. The blend of African and western percussions with electronic sounds creates a splendid trance. The second thematic track Mausam & Escape brings Rahman’s expertise in composing fusion music to the fore. An amazing amalgamation of the sitar and various western arrangements makes this track one of the best fused music arrangements in a long time.

The overtly political Hip-Hop Paper Planes by M.I.A. is already a major hit in U.K. Indian listeners wanting to experience something new are in for a treat with this track and its remix version. However I can’t help but notice that the ringing cash register sounds are an exact lift from Pink Floyd’s Money.

An out and out Bollywood song Ringa Ringa is the only misfit in the album. The song might be required but it breaks the whole novel experience with this Choli Ke Peechhe inspired song. Alka Yagnik sounds terrible and the same goes for Ila Arun. The original was a much better effort by them. Even the lyrics are similarly raunchy by Raquib Alam which a few years ago would have raised many prudish eyebrows.

With Liquid Dance everything is back in its place. The classical vocal alaps and sargams by Madhumita and Palakkad Sriram are woven into western classical interludes with modern beats. Like the earlier thematic track this is one of its kinds with a completely different style of fusion. Millionaire is another thematic track but quite different from all the others. Powered by just electronic beats and some heavy Synth sounds it’s a non stop rhythm and beats for a short duration. Blaze sings the Hip-Hop and Blues genre Gangsta Blues. Up until now nobody even thought that Rahman could compose such a genre and with such novel sounds. This exceeds the repertoire of this genius.

For the last two songs and one thematic track Rahman returns to do in what he excels. The English ballad Dreams on fire sung by Suzzane D’Mello is India’s answer to any international composer. Soothing, Simple and yet mesmerizing the song takes you higher and higher as the lyrics suggests in the song. The thematic song Latiqa’s Theme is actually the same melody but just hummed by Suzzane with a different arrangement of the music. If Dreams on Fire is good then just the humming in this track sounds even better.

When O..Saya started one thought the pulsating and heavy rhythm could not get any better but with the last song Jai Ho Rahman manages to go even further. Mahalaxmi Iyer, Tanvi Shah and Sukhwinder Singh will make India proud as Indian vocalists. This is a pure energy song of celebrating a hard fought victory. You can almost sense the protagonist’s victorious joy in this song. From the lyrics by Gulzar, to the singing and its original tune, all gels well to end the album on a high note, almost a crescendo.

Slumdog Millionaire might not be everybody’s cup of tea but it will manage to force its way as a cult classic, perhaps even a very popular one wit prestigious awards.

Jai Ho Allah Rakha Rahman!