Dashavtar Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
Surprise surprise!!! And a big surprise at that. There was a time when Himesh Reshammiya used to have a dozen odd music releases happening with every passing month and still each of his songs would be talked about. Now even though he composes for one of the biggest projects coming out of India - Kamal Hassan's Dashavatar - there isn't much being spoken or written about, except for the glittering audio launch which happened a few days back.
The songs have been dubbed in Hindi as well for an all-India audience but surprisingly the promos have not yet come on air. Nevertheless, one is reasonably curious to see what does Reshammiya and lyricist Sameer have to offer in this soundtrack that has primarily been created keeping the South audience in mind.
It's a rocking beginning to Dashavatar which has Vineeth going solo for 'Koi Tumsa' (Come Dance With Me). However, one minute into the song and you know that the rhythm here is straight out of 'Why Does It Happen In Love' from the song 'O Makhna Ve' [Dil Maange More] which was again composed by Reshammiya himself.
However, leaving this little similarity aside, 'Koi Tumsa' stays on to be a bonafide Reshammiya number sans the composer himself coming behind the mike and letting his protege Vineeth hold center stage. The first runner-up of Sa Re Ga Ma Challenge 2005, Vineeth has sung for Reshammiya in Apne, Good Boy Bad Boy, Nanhe Jaisalmer and Shaka Laka Boom Boom and again gives a good account of himself here.
Since the film traverses across time and also has a 12th century setting, 'Om Namo Narayan' appears to be a number which is based in the era gone by. With a grandeur feel to it, the track should prove to be quite opulent when seen on the big screen, what with mega money going into the project making it a lavish affair. Hariharan is in the forefront of this devotional number which primarily has a situational appeal and isn't really a kind of number which one expects from Himesh Reshammiya.
With a 'Ashique Ye Meri' [36 China Town] feel to it, 'Oh Sanam Ho Sanam' is the best track to arrive in the album so far and for the first time one does miss Himesh Reshammiya's presence here as a singer. Though Shaan tries to be at his vociferous best, one is clearly convinced that with Reshammiya at the helm, the song would have managed to throw quite some punch.
Mahalakshmi Iyer makes a belated appearance (almost 4 minutes into 'Oh Sanam') and though lyrics here get a little too heavy due to a strong South Indian influence, it is the song's rhythm which makes one sure about the song's potential to rise up in the charts. The 'remix version' which comes at the album's end only consolidates on this thought further!
With a slight hint of Rajasthani folk flavor to it, 'Mukundha Mukundha' is a number in appreciation of Lord Vishnu. Crooned by Sadhana Sargam, this devotional track is easy on ears and even though it is pretty situational, one doesn't mind it playing here as a part of the album. Later towards the end, Kamal Hassan himself comes behind the mike to sing a couple of lines in the voice of an old lady. The song does carry core South Indian elements as well in the interim by means of arrangements but that doesn't hamper it's acceptance across different regions of the country.
Finally comes the much talked about item number which has been choreographed on Mallika Sherawat. Such is the speed and rhythm of the song that I found myself typing these very words too at a frantic pace! A non-stop entertainment number which has a Western base and arrangements to it, 'Hey Black Ho Ya White' is made of English as well as Hindi lyrics.
The number has a 80's disco feel to it and is sung with aplomb by Shalini Singh who has many a Tamil hits to her credit down south. 'Hey Black Ho Ya White' should certainly turn out to be yet another Mallika Sherawat dance hit after 'Maiyya Maiyya' [Guru] and 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' [Aap Kaa Surroor - The Moviee].
Dashavatar is a decent album by Himesh Reshammiya with songs like 'Oh Sanam...' and 'Hey Black...' turning out to be the best of the lot. While 'Om Namo..' and 'Mukundha...' have a devotional feel to them, 'Koi Tumsa' is a fine number to dance to. A song or two do come with a Himesh Reshammiya feel to it while giving Dashavatar a good mix of tunes. And for those who are looking for some bonus to add, there is an additional MP3 comprising of 30 Reshammiya hits from films like Aitraaz, Chura Liya Hai Tumne and Kya Dil Ne Kaha!
