BIG Music launches soulful music of Amol Palekar’s Samaantar

In today’s world of remix culture, the pure essence of soulful music, non-synthetic sound has been lost in oblivion. BIG Music is bringing back the eternal melodies, magical compositions seamlessly weaved in filmmaker Amol Palekar’s latest creation ‘SAMAANTAR’, a BIG Pictures production that is all set to release on September 4, 2009. The music for this Marathi magnum opus starring AMOL PALEKAR and SHARMILA TAGORE was released amid much fanfare at Cinemax Versova on Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

Present at the music launch of Samaantar was the film’s entire star cast and crew– Amol Palekar, Samir Dharmadhikari, Aishwarya Narkar, Radhika Apte, Sandip Mehta, Rishi Deshpande, Makarand Deshpande, Vandana Gupte, story, screenplay and dialogue writer Sandhya Gokhale, lyricist Kishore Kada aka Saumitra, music director Anand Modak. The film is about two parallel lives crossing each other in the twilight of life.

Anand Modak has composed the music of Samaantar, while Kishore Kadam– both of whom were present at the music launch, has penned the soulful lyrics for the songs. Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal, who have lent their mesmerizing voices to the songs of the film, performed at the music launch of Samaantar.

Samaanatar presents an intense story through alluring characters of Keshav and Shama. Keshav’s melancholy amidst his busy surroundings is well carved by Palekar, who is acting after his last film Khamosh directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Thirty years after his Ankahee, Palekar has directed and acted in his own film. Legendary Sharmila Tagore who is acting in a Marathi film for the first time depicts Shama’s silent poise through marvelous performance. The two prolific actors have come together after their Bengali super hit film ‘Mother’ in late 70s.

For Amol Palekar, the music done by Anand Modak is completely in sync with the texture of the film. “Anand has capably conveyed the various emotions and changing rhythms of the script through his compositions. Anand’s strength is in his melodies rooted in classical as well as folk music,” he said.

Kishore Kadam who is immensely popular as “Saumitra” among the younger generations has penned the lyrics for all the songs in ‘Samaantar’. “These songs are based on the diverse modes of relationships. Amolda and Snadhyaji briefed me very clearly about the demands of the situations and emotions. That made my task easier as a lyricist.” Kadam explained.

Sandhya Gokhale who brilliantly inscribed music in the earlier screenplays written by her for films like Paheli, Thaang, or conceived Dhrupad music in Anaahat is very excited with the winning score of Samaantar. “This music which synthesizes sensitive poetry and unforgettable tunes will be etched in our mind forever,” added the writer who is also trained in Hindustani classical music.

“Nuste Nuste”, a song sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal in Samaantar, exudes hope while traversing through loneliness. This melodious song shot stunningly on scenic locations will surely hypnotize the audience for years to come. “Kay Jahale, tula manaa re…” is yet another song that will move the audience, touching their heart. The two talented singers brightened the music launch evening by singing these soulful songs.

Anand Modak, who has composed the music for Samaantar, said, “Many non-Marathi singers like Hemant Kumar, Manna De, Mahendra Kapoor had lent their voices to Marathi film music. I am grateful to Amolji who offered me brilliant singers like Shankar and Shreya. Their accent is as Marathi as it could be!”

“Navika Re hati tujhya…” brings out the authentic fragrance of a majhi (boatman’s) song that was immortalized by the late S.D. Burman. “I have experimented with the majhi rhythm and tune which suited the situation-taking place on the banks of river Ganges. Sudesh Bhosale has superbly brought out the pathos of the boatman’s yearning,” added Modak.

While hoping that the audience will patronize this fresh music richly, Mahesh Ramanathan, COO of BIG Pictures said, “We are proud to unveil a stupendous gift in the form of audio CD of Samaantar to eclectic music lovers.”