Over the last one year or more, if there is one movie that has been in news since the day it was launched then it has been Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s Devdas. First topic of discussion was the movie`s theme. Then came Bharat Shah`s arrest. Close on the heels of this, fire occurred on the sets of the movie. But despite all odds, Sanjay Leela Bhansali finally completed his magnum opus Devdas that everyone is waiting with bated breath.

All the compositions by Ismail Darbar are classical based. Lyrics by Nusrat Badr are very rich in content whcih are quite appreciable. Bhansali`s favorite Kavita Subramaniam is Madhuri`s voice in the movie whereas new find Shreya Ghoshal is Aishwarya`s voice. It is a good indication to have roped in a newcomer for five tracks in the movie and Shreya doesn`t disappoint. She has a flawless voice, which is quite easy on ears. Listen to her in the dance competition song Dola Re Dola between Madhuri and Ash and you just can`t stop raving about her voice. Don`t know who wins the dance competition finally but at least in the song Shreya does give tough competition to Kavita, which is no mean achievement. The best track of the album that also features KK.

Silsila Ye Chahat Ka is a solo by Shreya which is about the girl waiting for her man to come to her. But it`s surprising to see it featuring as the first track of the album as there are even better tracks like Dola Re Dola, Maar Daala, Bairi Piya and Morey Piya. Maar Daala is an excellent song that takes one back to the good old days of Pakeezah and Umrao Jaan. Now this is one of those mujras that we were waiting for so many years. And Ismail Darbar and Nusrat Badr give that to us. Sound of tabla and ghungroo make it a perfect number to listen to and Kavita Subramaniam justifies her decision to sing selected numbers only.

Bairi Piya is a dute by Udit Narayan and Shreya and is something on the lines of Ankhon Ki Gustakhiyan in terms of romanticism. A sweet number that should cause a few hearts pounding. Kaahe Chhed Mohe, which is sung, composed and written by Pt. Birju Maharaj, is 100% classical. It seems to be dance class in progress where Madhuri Dixit is the student to whom Kavita Subramaniam lends her voice. Madhuri Dixit too makes a debut behind the mike with rendering a few lines as interludes and plays her part quite well.

Chalak Chalak is the number picturized on Shahrukh and Jackie where they sing about what happens after a few drinks!! Interesting!! The number sniffs of another Dholi Taro Dhol Baje in the making...not content wise, but rhythm wise!! Music wise Hamesha Tumko Chaha (Kavita and Udit) reminds of Oh Ramji Bada Dukh Dina..Tere Lakhan Ne from Subhash Ghai`s Ram Lakhan. Interestingly that number too was picturized on Madhuri only. A slow number which is good but just for hearing. Won`t find too many people really humming this one!!

Solo Woh Chand Jaisi Ladki by Udit is a kind of number that we have seen Sonu Nigam singing for so many months now. Well, the song is indeed soothing and the lyrics too are worth mentioning. A good song. Morey Piya that has lyrics by Sameer and sung by Jaspinder Narula and Shreya is another classical based number, which is situational.

Devdas - The Theme composed by Monty and rendered by Rashmi Sharma, Supriya and Raghav is in one word - HAUNTING which has superb orchestra arrangements. It is the very same theme music that we all heard in the first promo of Devdas.

Devdas can be considered to be one of the toughest assignments that a composer can get. In fact quite a few composers may even shy away from handling such a prestigious project. When writing the review itself required so much of understanding and study then it can be very well understood that how much of research and hard work may have gone in for composing these tracks. But Ismail Darbar who is just two films old (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya) does a commendable job here.

Though the music is good, it is quite classical in approach which may appeal only to purists in the beginning, but will definitely catch up with the masses too once the appropriate publicity is done.