music of soul

They are undoubtedly the kings of background score in Bollywood. No, I am not talking about Jatin Lalit. I am surely not.
Ok let me give you some hints.
Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi,
3 Deewarein,
Darna Mana hai…
Can’t guess? Ok some more hints…
Iqbal,
Being Cyrus,
Dor,
Still no answer? Ok last few hints…
Hum Tum,
Dhoom,
Kaal,
Dhoom 2

Rang any bell?
If not, I am sure you are ardent fan of Himesh. If you love good music, there is no way you could have missed music of this talented duo.
I am talking about Salim Merchant and Suleman Merchant of Salim Suleman fame. This duo has to its credit some of the best music in recent years, be it the background score or the soundtrack. They are the Badshahs of background music.

Background music is one of the most neglected areas in Bollywood. Moviemakers almost always ignored the importance of good background music in an effective storytelling. I cannot recall any director except Raj Kapoor who worked hard on the background score. He had an uncanny taste and understanding for music, and it was apparent from his choice of music for his films.

In recent era, Ram Gopal Verma, with his new style cinema, shows some promising work. Be it Bhoot or Darna Mana Hai, the background score in his movies has been really good. Sarkar cannot be tagged as classic without its background music. The feel of the movie is enhanced n-folds because of its background score. Some of the new age directors also have similar approach towards Background music and it is good for Bollywood.

Yesterday I watched Dor. It was a superb experience. Nagesh Kukunoor has always worked hard on his movies. Every minute detail is chalked out well. As most of his movies do not have songs and dance, due attention is given to background music. Iqbal, 3 Deewarein and Dor could not have been what they are without their background music. Especially Dor has shown the changes good background music can bring about in a narration. It is just amazing music with no nasal crooning singer or deafening sounds. It’s the sound of nature, the class of our tradition. Music is really worship of some god, and this movie has shown us results of exactly the same. Hats off to Salim Suleman for the superb work.

As I am writing this post, I am listening to the music from Being Cyrus. Listen to it sometime. You will surely relate to what I am saying.

ps: Most of these background scores are not available commercially. You can listen to them at the official websites of the movies. I wish music companies incorporated background score also in the music releases.