Producer: I-Dreams
Director: Arjun Sajnani
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Nagarjuna, Prabhu Deva, Milind Soman, Raveena Tandon, Sonali Kulkarni, Mohan Agashe, Amitabh Bachchan
Music: Sandesh Sandilya
Singers:  Jaspinder Narula, Sultan Khan, Chithra K S, Kay Kay, Alka Yagnik

I Dream Productions ‘Agni Varsha’ is based on Girish Karnad’s play ‘The Fire and The Rain’ which in turn is derived from a story in Mahabharata. Director Arjun Sajnani has roped in great poet Javed Akhthar and gifted music arranger Sandesh Sandilya for this periodical movie. Javed Saab is excellent as usual. Sandesh too strives to do justice to the lines of veteran lyricist.

Chitra and KK start the proceedings with the honey-coated track ‘Dole Re’. KK sings in a mellowed voice that comes close to the vocals of Hariharan. Chitra is as usual excellent in her rendition. Javed Akhthar’s lyrics are meaningful and enjoyable. The sound of the drum is heard throughout the song which mars the beauty of this classic track to an extent. On the whole this song gives a nice start to this beautiful album.

Next one ‘Prem Ki Varsha’ will have its life only inside the movie. Once out of the situation it meets the same fate as of a fish out of water. Musically this has its place in between lullaby and romantic track. Alka Yagnk croons this extremely slow number. Once again nice and beautiful lyrics. Sandilya’s music too needs a mention. It is effective and perfectly fits in to the scheme of things.

With each passing song the periodic feel of the track increases. This one ‘Din Andiyaare’ crooned by famous classical performer Ustad Sultaan Khan is composed as a ghazal. Javed Saab’s lyrics are poignant and impregnated with meaning. Sitar is the key instrument used in the background musical arrangement. It’s sound gives a classy feel to this track. To sum up, this song is a must listen for all those who love ghazals.

After ghazal it is the turn of a folksy track ‘Chal Re Saajan’. This one is faster than the rest of the tracks. Jaspinder Nerula renders this raga based number with characteristic ease. While the sound of sitar provides the background for the last track, tabla takes the center stage here. Javed Saab’s lyrics tread over the off beaten path. Nothing great about this situational number.

Last song of this above average album ‘Aanchal Ki Chaaya’ is a devotional song rendered by Pamela Jain. She is the one who lends her voice to most of the Rajesh Roshan musical compositions. Javed Akhthar’s lyrics are classy and rightly fit in to the situation. Once again Sandilya comes up with a nice musical composition. Even though this track moves slowly, it goes straight down your heart.

By and large, Sandilya needs a row of applause for his efforts. To give each song a different feel is not an easy task and this gifted music composer has ingeniously decorated each of the lyrical pieces in a different musical style. The sad part is that these songs cannot be enjoyed by the ordinary music buffs. This classy album boasts of a number of great raga based numbers.  Those who love classical and periodical music should definitely have a copy of this.