Producer: Kumar Mangat
Director: Vishal Bharadwaj
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Naseruddin Shah, Deepak Dobriyal
Music: Vishal Bharadwaj
Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Suresh Wadkar, Rekha Bhardwaj, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Rakesh Pandit, Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Bharadwaj

With two of the critically acclaimed movies under his belt this composer turned director Vishal Bharadwaj is coming out with a different genre of movie ‘Omkara’. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s classic ‘Othello’ this movie boasts of an ensemble of talented actors from Ajay Devgan to Kareena Kapoor, Saif ali Khan to Viveik Oberoi, Naseeruddin Shah to Konkana Sen Sharma. Music is by Vishal himself. Veteran poet Gulzar pens the songs.

Catering to a different movie like this the tracks may obviously be beyond the grasp of ordinary moviegoers. The songs in this classy album are mainly raga based and have a certain rural feel to it.

Set in the rustic interiors of India all the songs in this movie reflect the barren and rusty mood of the place. Title track ‘Omkara’ crooned by Sukhwinder Singh is the prime example of the above-mentioned fact. This track sounds like a number picked from a drunken night out of men in the village. The entire music, rendition and rhythm have a certain rural feel to it as a result it captures your heart fast. But this cannot be said of the lyrics. The complex verses of Gulzaar take a number of listening before it gets properly digested. To be short, this song sets the mood for the rest of the album.

Next track ‘O Saathi Re’ has a different feel altogether. This classical number has a certain Vishal Bharadwaj stamp all over it. Sung in a low-pitched voice by Shreya and Vishal this track is completely soaked in passionate love and unfathomable intimacy. Master of verse Gulzar’s lyrics furthers this feel of obsessive love. Those who love pure music can have a nice time with this song.

  Now let us look at the third track. An item number featuring Bipasha Basu, this song stands apart from all her early numbers. Set in the rural interiors of central India it exudes with rustic energy and feel that is the mark of the place. The song in discussion is ‘Beedi’ crooned by Sunidhi, Sukhwinder, Nachiketa and Clinton. Coupled with great choreography and camera work this song is sure to catch the eye of the masses. Watch out for this rustic dance number.

The mood takes a sudden turn with this Suresh Wadkar solo ‘Jag Jaa Ri Gudiya’. Composed as a situational number this easygoing track with its regular beat creates a soothing atmosphere all around it. Even with all these qualities it goes above the heads of average music buffs. With such highly poetic verse this song caters to the tastes of the classy audience.

‘Namak Issac Ka’ is another situational number composed in typical rural music style. Rekha Bharadwaj and Rakesh Pandit lend their voice to this raga-based track. This ‘mujra’ has a certain old world charm attached to it. After listening to this prolonged number you may get curious to see the placement and picturisation of this one.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s solo ‘Naina Thag Lenge’ takes you through a new musical experience. This classically inclined romantic track moves you so much so that you go on listening to this number. On the whole a nice piece of music that goes perfectly with the mood of the album.

‘Lakkad Jal Ke Koyla Hoye Jaaye’ is a somber and sad track in the voice of Rekha Bharadwaj. You cannot but applaud the beauty of this well- knitted poetic piece. Each words impregnated with meaning further strengthens the feel of the song. Unfortunately this is another classical number meant for a selected few. This holds no meaning for those who doesn’t know the knitty-gritty of Indian classical music.

This album concludes in a tragic note with the instrumental piece ‘Tragedy of Omkara’. The one and half minute long instrumental piece starts as a slow number but gains in pace on its way to finale. Overall this musical gives a nice end to the tale of tragedy.

By and large, the music of ‘Omkaara’ is not certainly meant for the masses. It may garner nice critical acclamation. Even then there are two tracks  ‘Beedi’ and ‘Namak’ that may go well with the ordinary music buffs. On the whole this is a nice album to get you acquainted with the wealthy musical tradition of India.