Basanti, music de

After his initial years, when it seemed he would create every memorable sound associated with that generation, something happened to AR Rahman. No longer did news of a new album merit an immediate sprint to a music store close by. Then came the songs for sepia-tinted films: memorable, some would say excellent, but a sameness came through on many, including the ones flavoured in Punjabi as well as the qawallis. Something was missing to me, and I couldn't figure out what it was. Meanwhile, it was back to Jatin-Lalit.

That was only until Rang De Basanti arrived. And in the middle of a particularly energetic song, I figured out what had been missing. Rahman, to me, is wonderful when he's disruptive. Disruptive with his beats, with his instruments, when his music is unpredictable. This has also brought about some of his unmemorable stuff, but then, you wouldn't have Rang De...

What a rocking album. More, on what it feels like, soon.