For me the listenings of Paheli brings a refreshing change.. It is not
one of the Kaal Dhamaals, or Dhoom Booms or the suger coated sweetners like Kal ho na ho, K3G or Main Hoon Naa's that have dominated the music space in the recent years. Although being a rajasthani since birth, I am not too happy with a few plastique rajasthani folk adaptations in Paheli's compositions still I would like to comment, its one of the most honest (and authentic to an extent) attempts to create Rajasthani folk music that suits to a hindi film. MM Kreem's effort is commendable considering the fact that this was his first introduction to the music of Rajasthan with no background knowledge of it. The instrumental pieces, interludes in almost all the songs is are the highlights of the album. The musical pieces, the lyrics and the rendition all three departments stands out in their own regime and none of them outscores the other aspect.

The album starts with Dheere Jalna, a classy song, which sounds a bit
awkward in a few initital listenings, but manages to capture the
attention after a couple of listenings.. The song scores in all three
departments, the composition, the lyrics and the rendition. Sonu Nigam does a brilliant job and Shreya supports him well. The song showcases the talent of MM Kreem the composer specially the way he builds the tempo of the song and the interludes are very melodious to ears. and as for the lyrics are concerned, a song that captures the theme of the film beautifully.

"kaanch ka sapna gal hi naa jaaye
soch samajh kar aanch rakh-na
dheere jalna dheere jalna, zindagi ki lau pe jal-na"

The song is addressed for Rani Mukherjee, to whom a ghost poised as
her husband, when her husband is out for a log trip.. The song asks
Rani to take precautions in making relations with her disguised husband ("Soch Samajh ke aanch rakhna"). Kaanch ka sapna indicates the Ghost (Mirror image of her husband, as well a Dream (being a ghost)). Kaanch ka sapna also depicts that he dream is very fragile in nature and may not last for long.. "Gal hi naa jaaye" reflects coming to the terms, the truth.. and this time its not toot-na, aur chubh-na, but
gal-na due to the "aanch" factor (physics principle)..

The next one is "Kangana Re" is hummable and melodious song. All the singers comes good in the song and its surprising to find kalapani komkali (daughter of legendary classical and devtional singer Pt. Kumar Gandharva) in the list of singers

gulzar saab comes up with some interesting lines...

"Kangana bin marzi ke chhanake naa
Kangana bin arzi ke khanake naa
taane sunaave choodiyaan"

"dhanak tod laao to hum kangan pahanenge
saatrangi chudi pahanenge
Main ek siraa baandhu, tum doojaa siraa baandho
tab saat rang ka jhoolaa daal ke
rang rang rang rang gagan ko rangna re"

Khaali hain tere bina brings a heartening change.. It brings back the
old classy Hariharan, who was lost in techno fusion sounds after his
colonial cousins.. The lyrics are typical gulzarish in mood.

Then comes my favourite from the album, the theme song (which might be the sutradhaar song for the film) "Phir Raat Kati". This is the most near to what we call a rajasthani folk melody. It captures the essence of the folk music and tales from rajasthan very effectively. very beautifully executed and sukhwinder does a fantastic job to provide authentic sounds to the song.

"Deh ki reti ud jaavegi, preet sadaa reh jaavegi
Samay gujar jaavega babu, lok katha reh jaavegi
Maaruthal me baalu jab tak, unka naam rahega"

The instrumental version of "Dheere Jalna" is another highlight of the
album. A very different "instrumental" in respect to what we hear as
instrumentals in the recent years. Saarangi sounds coming out of
Voilins are beautifully done and full marks to MM Kreem for that...

Laaga re jal laaga is another beautiful piece of poetry.. a tribute to
mother nature.. Minnat kare is another pleasent to ears though its
very plastique folk.

Overall Paheli provides good listening for ears.. could prove to be a
disappointment for the tradional shahrukh fans who are used to
sugercoated sweetners.. but will hold good for anyone who has ears for good and authentic music... go for it...

enjoy!!!