I was asked by my good friend and eminent vocalist Naeem Babloo to comment on the fact that some people are of the opinion that the song “Jai Ho” from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” is a bhangra number.
It seems that whoever is classifying “Jai Ho” as a bhangra number is simply responding to the heavy drum presence in the song. Bhangra does have its own signature heavy drum (dhol) sound but its timbre is very different from that played in “Jai Ho”. The Punjabi dhol, the mainstay of bhangra, has a distinctive shell ring to its sound. This has become even more pronounced with the use of the new plastic drum heads. Moreover, the attraction of bhangra is marked by a certain devil may care bent in the lyrics. This may even border on the insouciant. There is nothing mystical or devotional about bhangra. Modern techno-bhangra being generated by synthesizers has departed a lot in the matter of the dhol sound. But, the playful aspect of the lyrics and the music remains the same.
A.R. Rehman’s music is mostly eclectic and innovative but the final sound is unmistakably rooted in the place of his birth—Chennai, Tamil Nadu. And, it would be reasonable to conjecture that the sound of the drum in “Jai Ho” is certainly that of the “Parai”—a heavy leather drum about which more can be read here. The “Parai” is part of a very ancient mystical and devotional tradition. And, it is not difficult to see how this sits so well with the theme of “Slumdog Millionaire”. Of course, there is no way to judge from the soundtrack whether a real “Parai” was played or whether the sound was generated from samples or synthesized.
As a nod to changing times and tastes, and realizing the tremendous potential of electronically generated music, Rehman fuses elements of trance and hip-hop in his music. “Jai Ho” is a good example of the former. It must also be added that the phrase ‘Jai Ho’ is variously a salutation and an exhortation. It means victory or long life. Clearly there is nothing flippant about it.
So, the final verdict from here would be that “Jai Ho” may be considered anything else but bhangra.
clementjohn 