Shyam Benegal's mammoth-budget, historical war-epic, "Bose - The Forgotten Hero" in a way, completes Rahman's transition from a music director to a maestro.It is obviously is not a conventional, six-track filmi soundtrack, but rather a 20-track album with 7 vocals and 13 tracks from the film's score that immaculately express the mood and scale of the film.
Hitler Theme is an uneasy piece with short orchestral bursts, with a heavy dose of strings and timpani crescendos. As any piece of music trying to create an aura of Hitler's Germany would be, this too is a discomforting composition in the minor key.
Emilie Theme 1 and 2 are soothingly resonant western classical pieces. A stunning blend of violin solos backed by French horns and clarinets, these compositions and orchestrations would make any composer proud.
The Afghanistan Themes carry an eerie, epic-scaled feel, with pronounced percussion and razzy vocals. The Arabic style strings drive the piece with a keen Middle-Eastern flavor. Stunning vocals in the shorter, second theme exemplify vintage Rahman
War Theme and U-Boat Themes as the titles suggest, are pieces of the score for what could presumably be war sequences in the film. Rahman liberally plays with his brasses and timpanis as the strings help alternate the pacing of the piece between victory and tragedy.
Netaji Theme showcases Rahman reinventing himself to reach alternate dimensions as a composer. The signature strings and choir retreat into the background, creating a warm ambience for the flute to lead, impeccably supported by the clarinet. The theme repeats towards the end of the CD in a slightly different version led this time through string solos. The Mozart of Madras at his best.
The CD closes with Rahman's orchestral rendition of the national anthem,
Jana Gana Mana.
Undoubtedly, the finest version of the national anthem ever presented, this one is grand with heavily complex arrangements. Dont be surprised if this is the version that is used henceforth to represent Jana Gana Mana in its instrumental form at least. Spectacular.
Listing:Netaji Theme 1
Instrumental
Afghanistan Theme 1
Instrumental
Hitler Theme (Germany)
Instrumental
Emilie Theme 1
Instrumental
Afghanistan Theme 2
Instrumental
War Themes
Instrumental
Emilie Theme 2
Instrumental
Aazadi
Singers: AR. Rehman
Kadam Kadam
Singers:Vijay Prakash
Ekla Chalo
Singers:Nachiketa Chakraborty, Sonu Nigam
Hum Dilli Dilli Jayenge
Instrumental
Desh Ki Mitti
Singers:Anuradha Sriram, Sonu Nigam
Zikr
Singers:AR. Rehman, Rafi, Rakeeb, Shaukar Ali
Ghoomparani
Singers:Sapna Mukherjee, Satyanarayan Mishra
Durga Pooja - Rhythm
Instrumental