Music
A World of Music
A. R. Rehman
Sony Music (5 CDs + DVD), Rs 399/-

Bollywood movie soundtracks — A. R. Rehman’s finest collection beginning with CD 1 that has the amazingly tuneful Dil Se (Dil Se), Rang De Basanti (Rang De Basanti), the lovable Chinamma Chilakama (Meenaxi) and Mitwa (Lagaan). There are a few underrated tracks on CD 2 like Warriors in Peace, a Hindi track composed by Rehman for the Chinese movie Warriors of Heaven and Earth. The score is very impressive with a Czech film orchestra, Japanese taiko drums, the flute and the duduk. Look out for Hello Goodbye (Ayithe Ezuthu) and So Gaye Hain (Zubeidaa). The eight instrumental tracks on CD3 include commendable scores from his 2002 West End blockbuster, the musical Bombay Dreams. There’s also the very captivating Missing from his 2006 album Vande Mataram and the chill-out Rangeela theme song.

CD 4 continues with a string of Bollywood toppers including songs from Dil Se — Jeeya Jale Jaan Jale to Chaiya Chaiya. CD 5 has hits like Tu Hi Re (Bombay), Roja (Roja) and the patriotic Maa Tujhe Salaam. The DVD has 8 videos and includes Rehman talking about the making a few of his hits.

While the effort is good, sadly the collection is mish-mashed and follows no order, no set of time of release, genre or even singers and language. The compilation also strangely does not feature any songs from Taal or Tanha Tanha (from Rangeela). But all said and done, it’s a collection worth investing in and money well spent on a genius who has very few misses and more hits.