Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (soundtrack)
| Mr. and Mrs. Iyer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 18 January 2002 | |||
| Recorded | 2002 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 31:55 | |||
| Language |
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| Label | Sony Music | |||
| Zakir Hussain chronology | ||||
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Mr. and Mrs. Iyer is the soundtrack album to the 2002 film of the same name directed by Aparna Sen, starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Rahul Bose. The film score and soundtrack were composed by Ustad Zakir Hussain, featuring contributions from him, along with Ustad Sultan Khan, Samantha and Pt. Uday Bhawalkar. The album was released through Sony Music on 18 January 2002.
Development
Ustad Zakir Hussain composed music for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.[1][2] Bose introduced Hussain to Aparna and Konkana, when the musician was performing with Rahul Sharma for a concert at Kalamandir, Kolkata and influenced Hussain to compose the background score and songs to which he agreed.[3] For the first time in mainstream cinema, Hussain had sung for a part of the song. Hussain stated that he actually did not agree to sing for the film, and claimed that his vocals were used as a dummy track for a popular singer to record. After the track was recorded, the producers decided to go for Hussain's voice as a part of one song.[4] Ustad Sultan Khan performed vocals and played sarangi for most of the tracks and English singer Samantha had recorded two tracks as well.[3] The theme music of the film was performed by classical vocalist Uday Bhawalkar.[3][5][6]
Hussain considered the involvement to the film, as the story beings reminiscent of his childhood, making it more relatable. He recalled of how his father Alla Rakha would travel for concerts, while his mother would look after him and would miss his father; he actually pictured that scenario when Aparna narrated the script to him, which felt like reel became real, and ended up doing the project. He admitted that the main character was a musician and share something reminisicent of Hussain's childhood scenario with her family.[7]
Reception
Subhash K. Jha of Rediff.com wrote Hussain's songs and score punctuates moods with passion, adding "in knitting irreconcilable moods and atmospheric pressures, Hussain proves himself a fine craftsman."[8] S Sahaya Ranjit of India Today wrote "Zakir rarely composes music for films, so if you are a fan then this album is a must-buy."[9] Derek Elley of Variety wrote "[an] atmospheric scoring by Ustad Zakir Hussain can't conceal the awkward, issue-driven dialogue and wavering direction, showing influences from both the arty and commercial".[10] Madhureeta Mukherjee of The Times of India wrote "Zakir Hussain's drumming notes add more rhythm to the soul of the film."[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kithe Meher Ali" (Remix) | Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan | 05:19 |
| 2. | "Don't Look Away" | Samantha featuring Ustad Sultan Khan (on Alap) | 03:55 |
| 3. | "Don't Look Away" (Remix) | Samantha featuring Ustad Sultan Khan (on Alap) | 05:28 |
| 4. | "Kithe Meher Ali" | Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan | 05:08 |
| 5. | "If I'd Known..." | Ustad Zakir Hussain and Samantha | 05:47 |
| 6. | "Theme Music of Mr. and Mrs. Iyer" | Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pandit Uday Bhawalkar | 06:16 |
References
- ^ Kapparath, Madhu (16 December 2024). "Zakir Hussain: The tabla ustad's journey in photos". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ Priyadharshini, Apeksha (17 December 2024). "Zakir Hussain's Jugalbandi with Cinema". Outlook. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "Tuning in to Zakir's vocals". The Times of India. 16 December 2002. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
- ^ Dias, Nydia (19 December 2002). "Zakir Hussain sings for Mr and Mrs Iyer". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
- ^ "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 18 January 2002. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ Kulkarni, Poorna (12 March 2020). "Pt Uday Bhawalkar: Artists need to adapt with changing times". The Bridge Chronicle. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ "Q&A: Zakir Hussain". Rolling Stone India. 10 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ K. Jha, Subhash (3 October 2002). "Cruelly disturbing, fascinatingly lyrical". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ Ranjit, S. Sahaya (23 December 2002). "If you are a fan of Ustad Zakir Hussain, then Mr and Mrs Iyer is a must-buy". India Today. Archived from the original on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ Elley, Derek (25 August 2002). "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ Mukherjee, Madhureeta (21 January 2003). "Mr. & Mrs. Iyer". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.