As a UK born and bred Punjabi and more importantly a Rahman Ji devotee, I’m loving Nimma Nimma and I’m not being biased at all :D
Rahman Ji, the saviour of the music scene here appears in his Bhangra Puyal avatar that was last heard in Katiya Karun.
WRT his early days, Rahman Ji used to make music for himself and this was vital as it projected his sound but now he makes music with utmost connection to the project e.g. Senmozhi, Sadda Haq, Dotted line and now Nimma Nimma. If you don’t call this sinking into character then I don’t know what you call it.
Now to represent Indian culture via Bhangra in the Olympics might seem absurd to some people, but IMHO Rahman Ji has worked very behind this project and the research done shines through in the form of Nimma Nimma.
The largest subgroup of British Indians are those of Punjabi origin (representing approximately two thirds of direct migrants from South Asia to the UK), combined with Pakistani Punjabis they number over 2 million in the UK and are the largest Punjabi community outside of South Asia. The Punjabi is currently the second most spoken language in the UK.
Bhangra itself was developed in the UK during the 1980s and there is an extremely large number of Bhangra artists that cement the UK as the stronghold of traditional Indian music outside of India via the means of Punjabi Music.
Some of the pioneering Bhangra artists who built a strong foothold include Chaani Singh and his band Alaap, Heera, The Sahotas and Malkit Singh. The sound this lot put forth was of live bands blending local Rock and Pop with traditional folk and raga based compositions.
Nimma Nimma clearly reflects the history of Indian music in the UK and not only that, Bhangra itself has become a global ambassador of Indian music.
So to shun Rahman Ji and say he is losing his charm is pure nonsense. This composition certainly drowned me in nostalgia and reminded me of my family gatherings at parties and other events.
I don’t know who the singer is. I wouldn’t call this an uncanny imitation of the artists mentioned above and though the verses are clichéd the chorus is really catchy and for Rahman Ji it’s a first of a kind. Be it the trumpet in the prelude, the backing vocals, the keyboard orchestration, etc. The complete package of this will be cherished in days to come.
But to be completely honest with respect to Rahman Ji, this time round and probably being the first time I’ve felt more emotionally inclined rather than musically. But it fits in well with the theme and its portrayal in the Olympic opening ceremony had me stunned as it was mixed with Rap artist Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers. Wow, what a combo... First M.I.A, then Dido and now Dizzee.V
There will never be another Rahman Ji. :bow:
Vazhga thalaivARR
http://soundcloud.com/arrahman/nimma-nimma-london-2012