Monta Re - FTW

[Updated on 6/21 with acknowledgement from Amit Trivedi, the composer himself!]

My first experience with Baul Sangeet was during a Sufi concert, where Parvati Baul did a 30 minute gig. She was possessed and the audience spell-bound. While it was hard to make sense of the words, you could feel her longing for the divine conveyed through a deep mystic sense. 

Parvati Baul

That was then and quite frankly, I could have never imagined someone in Bollywood doing a Baul inspired track. But, lo and behold! Amit Trivedi creates Monta Re. He has been in my "watch out for" list ever since his Dev D debut. In past few years, he has composed some of the most refreshing and surreal tracks for movies like Wake up Sid, Ishaqzaade, Kai Po Che. While he has definitely carved out a niche in contemporary Indian music, our old friend called familiarity, did breed that hint of contempt. For me, that process kicks-off, the moment I can guess the composer after listening to the composition.With Monta Re, Amit Trivedi has well and truly broken those shackles. One could imagine that the challenge he overcomes here was two-pronged - create period music and create regional music. But for me, more than anything else, this composer has overcome himself with such quality track. He goes minimalist in terms of orchestra (in stark contrast to his usual self). The notes of ek-taara, coupled with percussions of a mere duggi, deliver the Baul punch instantly. You do hear a distinct ghungroo rythm too which completes the Baul ensemble for this track.

Swanand Kirkire, with his vocals, dons the garb of that wandering minstrel. His tonal quality perfectly matches the rustic needs of the song. As an aside, I so wish I could hear this composition in Kishore da's voice. In fact, Swanand Kirkire's humming right at the beginning of the track does remind me of Kishore. The way he croons the line "Disha Hara Kemon Boka, Monta Re" just wins your heart.

[Don't miss the complete lyrics with their meaning at - http://dunkdaft.blogspot.com/2013/05/monta-re-lootera-lyrics-meaning.html] 

Amitabh Bhattacharya has already proven his mettle with his contribution to several blockbusters off late. But with his buddy, Amit Trivedi, he shines his brightest. Amitabh's lyrics for this bi-lingual song are brilliant in their portrayal of innocence of a love-lorn heart. 

Watch out this space for musings on more recent music, coming pretty soon.

Cheers!