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CHORDS AND NOTES

KANHA BHI DIWANA HAI

Santosh, Rs.35

It is one of those routine spiritual offerings that usually crop up during the festival season. Therefore, the timing of the release of this VCD is a bit perplexing. All the bhajans in this VCD are in praise of Lord Krishna, the ever green and the most popular God in the Hindu mythology. Some of the bhajans are very pleasant to hear, especially the `title song', "Kanha Bhi Diwana Hai", "Mein To Hoon Tera ghulam", "Mujhko Bhi Tera Deedaar Ho Jaaye".

And, of course, a few of the bhajans have a distinctly familiar ring about them, may be due to the fact that the producer has flicked a filmi tune here or there and incorporated in these bhajans.

Anyway Raj Khanna, the brainchild behind this offering can be forgiven for some minor acts of plagiarism but what is terrible is the irritating commercial advertisements that have been included at the end of almost every song. Frankly what kind of advertising mileage a Padmini Tea or ICICI will have from these VCDs is difficult to fathom. Yet, the VCD is still passable. After all who gives you a VCD for Rs.35 these days?

15 PARK AVENUE

Shemaroo, Rs.149

Normally VCDs take quite some time to hit the market after the film's release. In between, there is often a flourishing market of fakes and counterfeits. Taking no chances, Aparna Sen's 15 Park Avenue which hit the silver screen just a couple of months ago, has not been released as video CD. Starring Shabana Azmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rahul Bose and Waheeda Rahman in lead roles, this film takes you into the world of a patient of schizophrenia.

With the lead cast supporting the director's vision, it is quite a moving saga. The qualities of visual beauty and fine audio remain quite undiminished in this CD. Go for it. It is not a bad bargain for a leisurely Sunday afternoon with your family. And that is saying quite a bit considering most of the films these days are not meant for family audiences!

MY TRIBUTE

Manorama Music, Rs.125.00

This is K. S. Chitra's tribute to M. S. Subbulakshmi. And Chitra has chosen the best possible way to do it. She has dedicated nine of the legendary singer's krithis and bhajans, rendering them in that magical MS style, trying to be as faithful as possible.

Like Chitra says in a short tribute at the beginning of the album, she, like millions, had grown up listening to this heavenly voice, these krithis and bhajans immortalised by MS. Chitra has chosen to recreate the charm of such krithis and bhajans like `Broohi Mukundeti... ,' Bhavayami Gopalabalam... ', `Kaattrinile varum... ', Bhavayami Raghuramam... ' and `Kuria onrum illai... ' the one with which MS used to usually conclude her concerts.

What gives a different colour, a modern touch to these songs is the use of different musical instruments. For those who have listened, time and again, to MS sing them in concerts with the traditional `kutcheri' instruments as backup, this version may not appeal at first hearing. But it is sure to grow on you.

SHAADI SE PEHLE

TIPS

After taking the country by storm with his nasal effects, here Himesh Reshammiya is Reshmmiya of the old. The ethnic effect is back with a strong Punjabi influence. There is "Mundeya" by Sunidhi Chauhan to help Mallika Sherawat gyrate on screen.

If Punjab is here, Sukhwinder Singh can't be far behind. There is "Ankhiyon Se Gal Kar Gayi" sung by Singh in his inimitable style with Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi proving ideal foils. Daler Mehndi is increasingly getting selective to good effect. Here he excels with "Tutya Ve".

Inside the Punjabi cover, Himesh has managed to sneak in western influences in terms of beats and Sameer has kept the antaras simplistic giving songs a wider appeal. "Bijuriya" by Alka Yagnik disappoints. An entertaining album but doesn't match the standards set by Mukta Arts in the past.

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