Ajooba hai … a song that features Seven Wonders of the World

 

Hi everyone!  today I am going to share my review of a song that is on my favourite list since I watched it on my Television Screen. And this is the one that is mesmerized my senses from then. The song’s name is “Ajooba hai” in Hindi and "Poovukkul" in Tamil from the movie “Jeans”.

 

'Jeans' was released in April 1998, and it is the most expensive movie of its time. The movie was filled with romance and comedy. Written and directed by S. Shankar and the production by Ashok Amritaraj and Murali Manohar. Three actors had the double role Prashanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Nassar. While the Supporting cast was Lakshmi, Radhika Sarath, and Raju Sundaram. The movie is released in Tamil and Hindi languages.

Let’s focus on the song “Ajooba Hai”,  In this review, I will talk about the Hindi version of the song. It is a very special song picturized in Six Countries, and each frame of the song is captivating. The song is sung by ‘Hariharan’ and ‘Sadhna Sargam’ in the Hindi version. The Tamil version is performed by P. Unnikrishnan and Sujata Mohan. Lyrics of the Hindi version are from Javed Akhter while in Tamil were penned down by A.M. Rathnam.  The Hindi version's lyrics are provided by Javed Akhter whereas in Tamil, A.M. Rathnam wrote them. From its first beat, the music of A.R. Rehman enchanted the listener. 

The screening of the seven wonders of the World is a distinguishing feature of this song. As for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who won the Miss World 1994 competition, she's so beautifully photographed as six queens. Miss World's beauty was praised in lyrics as the eighth wonder of the world.

Each building of Wonder is screened beautifully with a glimpse of modern and Ancient eras.

The song opens with the sight of The Great Wall of China with the gleaming lights all over it, it seems like a flowing river of floating lights.

The first sound to listen to is the iconic Chinese bells, flute and music, then start the lyrics ‘Wǒ ài nǐ’ which means ‘I love you’ in Chinese. Here Aishwarya is dressed like the Chinese Queen, ‘Zhao Feiyan’, the costume designer made significant work and detailing here. The setting of the frames is so aesthetic that it owes you to the ancient time when a queen in her true glory rules China and she celebrates her glory there with her whole beauty.

Moving forward to the next destination, The Eiffel Tower, France

The mesmerizing view of the Eiffel Tower, and here the female protagonist’s costume has a geometrical design that truly symbolizes the base of the Eiffel Tower.  And also here the back in time scene, Aishwarya Rai is dressed as the Queen of France, ‘Marie Antoinette’ as you can see in this picture.

Let’s go to the next Wonder that shows in the song, The Empire State Building, USA.

Since the song is the depiction of the female Protagonist as precious and beautiful as any wonder of the world can be, at the Empire State Building, Aishwarya Rai’s dress is resembling the architecture of the Empire State Building. The Steel Grey colour dress and the jewellery and the persona of Aishwarya Rai are complementing the structure of the Empire State Building. The scene of the viewing gallery enhances the effect.

The song takes you to another Wonder, The Taj Mahal, India.

Here we can see the modern and back-in-time mode of the female Protagonist, and she is showcased as the Mughal Empress, ‘Mumtaz Mahal’, in front of her memoir ‘The Taj Mahal’.

Costumes in both times are so detailed and well-researched. The motifs and cuts of the dresses dwelling you in the song. The screening of the Taj Mahal with its ambient white colour marble is soothing to the eyes and refreshing. Also, the colours of the costumes choose wisely and supporting the background.

 

The next stop is the Amazing ‘Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’. Here the queen is projected as the symbol of Beauty and glory, ‘Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra’.

This gorgeous Egyptian queen is known for her Beauty and Former Miss World is the best choice to show this attire. The modern and back-in-time frames are also there in this sequence. In this part, the amazing views of the pyramids are the USP in line with the Aishwarya Rai attire and the camel-riding men in the background sets the ancient time effect. The shots of the ‘Great Sphinx of Giza’ and the walk of the queen are so exquisite. The shots in the black night sky enhance the Gold Color attire of Cleopatra, which was perfect for the viewer's imagination.

When the lyrics say ‘bansuri ka ye sangeet ajooba hai’, the smile of the Former Miss World with a flute sound is so much appealing. Hats off to the Choreographer. This complete package is creating the breathtaking metaphor of a time when Cleopatra rules over Egypt.

Exploring the next Wonder of the World, ‘The Colosseum of Rome, Italy’.

When the song reaches the Colosseum, having the gladiators with their amours and shields, the female Protagonist, welcomes you in disguise of Queen Isabella. The theme of modern and back-in-time is intact and Aishwarya Rai is looking gorgeous in the attire of Queen Isabella, the costume and jewellery along with the Crown are intelligently designed.

 

The last wonder to be explored in this song is, ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy’. The queen projected as the sign of wondrous beauty is, ‘Margherita of Savoy from Italy’.

The ballroom dance on the Lawns of ‘Pisa Cathedral’ symbolizes the elite class parties. Enchanted frames give you a slight Disney ballroom dance feel. Indeed, perfect picturization here. The cinematography and overall editing of this song are remarkable.

When we listen to the lyrics I observed that each line is embedded with nature wonders.

As says in second stanza:

Daali mein mehak hoti hi nahin

Kaliyon mein mehak aa jaati hai

Yeh bhi ajooba hi hai

Saagar se ghata jo uthti hai

Meetha paani baraasti hai

Yeh bhi ajooba hi hai

Jangal mein jugnoo ko dekho to yeh socho

Yeh roshni is mein aayi kaise

Tan mein jo hai jaan woh kis tarah hai

Man mein hai armaan woh kis tarah hai

Keh bhi do yeh bhi to koi ajooba hai

Dharti se ambar se parbat se saagar se

Hamne suna pyaar ajooba hai

Pehli nazar mein hi jo dilon mein ho

Har woh qaraar ajooba hai…

 

In the next stanza, the lyrics say that the female protagonist’s beauty is the 8^th Wonder of the World.

Kehne ko saat ajoobe hain

Par shaayad log yeh bhoole hain

Ek aur ajooba bhi hai

Resham resham chandan chandan

Tera mehaka mehaka yeh badan

Koi ajooba hi hai

Aankhon ke neele darpan

Honthon ka yeh bhigaapan

Yeh roop tera ajooba hi to hai…

 From music to lyrics, costumes to choreography, cinematography to editing, the song is truly a masterpiece of its time and till now.

Every frame has its definition and meaning. Never get tired of watching and listening to it.

If you feel the same, let me know…

Eagerly waiting for your response.

......reviewed by Afshan Saleem