Ishqa Ishqa - Rekha

An album by Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj is automatically an assurance that it would be a commendable one. Gulzar has previously worked with Vishal on other non-film albums such a 'Boodhe Pahadon Par' and 'Sunset Point'. The two have collaborated once again for 'Ishqa-Ishqa', an album that served as launch pad for Rekha Bhardwaj.

'Ishqa-Ishqa' is an album with Sufi poetry by Gulzar. Sufi poems are not composed in the customary style of qawwalis and there's a modern feel to the music. A refreshing feature of the album is the jam sessions in the, songs with musicians Sivamani (percussion), Niladri Kumari (Sitar), Hitesh Sonik (guitar), Dominic Fernandes (Bass) and Ronu Majumdar (Flute).

Rekha Bhardwaj gets you into the groove with the captivating ?Tere Ishq Mein?. The controlled execution of this catchy number begs for repeat listening. The title track is upbeat. Certain lines make you feel deeply. 'Kab din gaya . . . shab kab gayee. . . . tere ishq mein'.

Rekha takes center stage with her ?Teri Raza?, a simple tune with lyrics that will pleasingly acquaint a lay listener with Sufism.

The finest moment of the 'Ishqa-Ishqa' is the breathtaking song ?Roshni?. This haunting number is augmented by Niladri Kumar, whose Sitar aptly compliments Rekha?s vocals, It also has an exciting jam session by Niladri and Sivamani, the percussionist.

On the dark-sounding ?Chingari?, Rekha Bhardwaj?s low octave rendition is welcome change. The lonely feeling is depicted exceptionally well in ?Raat ki Jogan?. The video, a very controversial one, was pulled off air because it depicted political intervention (itseems). Not many ever got to see this video.

My personal favourite is ?Rahu Rahu?. This is a masterpiece repeat listening song. With each session, you?ll like the song even more. Lyrics is spell bounding. ?Dastak deve aur koi na aavey'. The staidness of ?Rahu Rahu? is infectious, particularly the chorus of this unique song. The singer picks up the pace in ?Jogiya?, transcending to frenzy with ease.

The music of 'Ishqa-Ishqa' by Vishal has been carefully crafted, and Gulzar?s insightful verses form the core of the album. 'Ishqa-Ishqa' has showcased a singled with a unique voice quality. Rekha breathes passion in each song with her touch of improvisations. 'Ishqa-Ishqa' is definitely an album to be treasured.

The video was also neat. For the song, ?Tere Ishq Mein? they have a Sufi Kathak dancer, Manjeri swirling through while they show different painful scenarios. Wish we got to see more of such good quality videos.

Be sure to read the first write-up on this album, ?Come, fall in Love!? by Rekh. It?s technically closer than this write-up. You'll find a link to it at the bottom of this page.

Please note, there is a shortage of this album, especially CDs. I had to run around a lot to get a copy. Can you believe it, Music World ran out of copies! On questioning, they said that it had to something with Music Today?s decision to release lesser number of copies.

Nevertheless, if you would like to listen to WMA version (can play on a computer and on certain players), let me know. I can help you get a CD. If you are in Bangalore, even better! It's important to spread education, love and good music.

Tracks-------------------Duration

1. Tere Ishq Mein----->5:34

2. Ishqa Ishqa-------->4:47

3. Teri Razaa---------->6:56

4. Roshini-------------->5:55

5. Chingari------------->4:23

6. Raat Ki Jogan------->5:55

7. Rahoo Rahoo------->6:24

8. Jogiya---------------->5:30

On a boring sunday I rummaged through my bhaiyu's cd collection & was surprised to find one of Gulzar's album! My bhaiyu is a techno-trance freak so what in the world is he listening to Gulzar for? When I checked the cd it read Gulzar's Ishqa Ishqa...hmmm I thot, someone maybe in love! Before I could ask him about that I decided to check the songs, being a huge Gulzar fan that I am & as usual was not disappointed with what I heard!

raakh se rukhi, koyal se kaali, raat karte na hijaraa wali....

tere ishq mein tanhai, hamne bahot behlaiya tanhai tere ishq mein...

teri jusju karte rahe, tere rubru baithe hue, marte rahe tere isha mein...

ishqa ishqa:

This is a more happy in love kinda song where the lover doesn't mind trodding the difficult path or even melting like a candle, just to be in ishq!

chaave chaave yeh parchaave, chunte chunte chalte rahiye, moam ke jaame pehne pehne dhup lage toh galte rahiye...

teri razaa:

A beautiful devotional song surrending oneself to God.

meri umar toh ek miyaad hain tere karz ki jo chuka nahi, meri ruh mein jalta hua ek chirag hain jo bujaa nahi...

roshni:

This song has to be heard to get the actual feel of it. Lovely inspirational words with beautiful music, it motivates one to keep the flame burning.... come what may.

jaa atki pai daal pe, patjad bheje koe, preet pake naa dhup se kaise kundan hoye..

chingari

What is this love? This song explains the pain/heartache one feels when in love but away from the desired one.

kaisi laagi yaari, chingari chingari ude chingari, phank bina parawaq dikhawe, palak japak chup jaawe..

raat ki jogan

The singer wonders about jogan who night after night looks forward to return of her lover.

kyu udata hain roj dhua, kya yeh roj pakati hain, tarron ki chingari se suraj ko sulgati hain, bawari raat ki jogan..

rahoo rahoo

Another birah [separation] song where the lover sings out while waiting to hear from his/her beloved.

yeh birah kaatiya, palchien peeda chatiya, aadhi raat ghan roj jagawe, dastak de aur koi na aawe...

jogiya

This is a song I'd probably sing in my old age [bahot time hain abhi].... a typical mast-maula type song, lost in the love of God.

choga pehen jogi sa, dard sehan jogi da, dard bahbut maili main, rang tere rang gaya...

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My Word:

Until recently the one-n-only non-filmi song for me was Pyar ke pal sung by KK but now that has been replaced with Tere Ishq Mein, which going by the way I hum it whole day.....will stay for a long time. Usually, such music has a select class who genuinely appreciate poetry but if you ever bought a album for just one song then do get a copy of this for Tere Ishq Mein song, its worth all the money spent n more. Aur waise bhi, kabhi kabhi bhagwaan ko bhi yaad karna chahiye! lolz :o)