Taj Mahal: The Music

'Mumtaz tujhe dekha jab Taj Mahal dekha,
Phir aaj ki aakhon se, guzra hua kal dekha..'

It's been a long time since a soundtrack has so completely moved me - and of course, who else but Naushad could weave such musical magic? Some years back, it had been the music of Maachis that had affected me so - now it's the turn of Taj Mahal.

I haven't seen the film, but the songs are so exquisite that I almost don't need to (of course, I will at some point). These are some of the highlights:

'Apni zulfein' is a beautiful ghazal sung by Hariharan - the sweeping strains of the strings at the beginning of it recreate the Mughal era in an instant. I've probably been singing this one in my sleep, I've listened to it so many times! The accompaniment is uncomplicated so that you can concentrate completely on the lyrics - which are in turn simple but so much more effective for being so.

'Mumtaz tujhe dekha' is another where you can immediately visualise the aged and imprisoned Shahjahan looking out towards the monument to his lost love. It is extremely touching, and leaves you with an aching inside - through Hariharan's voice you can feel Shahjahan's longing. How he would have swapped the creation that took over 20 years to build in an instant for the return of Mumtaz Mahal.

'Yeh kaun mujhe yaad aaya' is a classical number by Ajoy Chakraborty. It is overwhelming - completely heartrending. Best listened to at night to get the full effect (and the tears..oh yes, you'll cry). Definitely my favourite on the album because of the sheer effect it has on me. There is very little background music - just Chakraborty's excellent conveyance of separation and pain.

I've never been to the Taj Mahal - it always struck me as just another fancy building, but this music alone has forced me to reconsider that notion. I'll be reading up on the love that inspired its building for sure, and no doubt paying it a visit very soon...

Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story
Music Director: Naushad
Lyricists: Naqsh Lyallpuri and Syed Gulrez