"Oh maajhi re...." - decoding a masterpiece!

There are two versions of a certain story. The story of the song "O Majhi Re" from the film "Khushboo". The first one goes something like this - it was raining all night and R.D.Burman, the legendary composer, was not able to sleep. The raindrops falling on the window panes were producing some very deep, throbbing sounds. They resonated in the ears of the great musician. An idea was born!

Pancham liked the sound very much. He was a creative genius. For him, it was just a matter of mixing his own emotion with the emotion of the ambiance. He recorded the sound, enhanced it and used it as a beat together with his ordinary percussion.

The other version of the story says that - he used bottles with different levels of water and produced a series of haunting beats. Same effect was produced as described before. Whatever be the original source, it points out two things. Firstly, the creator is skillful and imaginative. Secondly, the creation he has made is unique in some way.

From rhythm to tune. The masterstroke in this song is R.D.Burman’s innovative use of ethnic, traditional Bengali "Bhatiyali" tune. This is a song of the boatman (“maajhi” in the native term). These kinds of folk tunes inherently contain a mixture of pain and separation. They are old tunes handed over through generations and their themes have not changed over the years.

In the movie sequence we can see a boatman visible. His presence makes the choice of the genre credible. The lead actors too produce great emotion on the screen. The song appeals visually too.

Apart from picking up this folk flavor, Pancham also used his tune-design skills to perfection in this song. If one hears minutely one can find out how effectively the notes are used. While some have more emphasis and thrust, others are kept soft and serene.

There is a great interlude music in this cult song. The piece alone could have been converted to an independent song. This is one piece of interlude that never goes over the top. It makes sure that Kishore Kumar's voice comes back at the right pitch and takes forward the song. Only a great composer who is at the peak of his performance can be so sure about his or her composition.

Gulzar has been as a master story-teller. And of course, he is one of the finest Hindustaani poets of all times. The earthy feel of "Khushboo" needed earthen words. Hence came "Saahil", "Kagazon ki kashti", "Sahaara", "Kinaara", "Majdhaare". These are words and expressions that reflect our everyday life. Through these words the poet establishes connection between us and the boatman. Even if we read just the poem without the tune, it will offer the same feeling of pain and agony of separation.

For someone who had shared a long association with R.D. Burman, it was not difficult to understand that this tune required a watertight meter. Throughout the song, words and notes reach an absolute assimilation. The choice of words is spot on!

Kishore Kumar's understanding of human emotions came directly from his own life experiences. He has himself often mentioned that in his interviews. He was an actor and he knew how to express pain and anguish. He gives the right flow and thrust to every word. When he sings "O Maajhi Re", it pierces through the heart of the listener. The singer never goes over the top, he keeps true to the tune, to the words and to the very significant boatman (Maajhi).