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news that Harris Jeyaraj had to make way
for ARR in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa sent
shock waves across many music lovers,
some unhappy, some happy and some anxious.
When I heard the news I was confused.
I have never been a great aficionado of
Gautham’s works and not a big enthusiast
of Harris Jayaraj either. I got to admit
though that I got hooked to Vaaranam Aayiram
songs. I wondered what would this GM+Th+ARR
combo give that would better VA. VA was
definitely not a path breaking album,
but when I played the album I never used
the forward option, a privilege I accord
only to ARR’s albums. Thamarai blossoms
the best with HJ. Her lyrics always found
better roots in HJ’s music to bloom
and smile with pride, more so in the romantic
songs. So the shock element doubled when
Gautham Menon chose ARR for VTV which
was a love story. We all know ARR tag
can shoulder any movie to transcend boundaries
and get a better reach in terms of visibility.
Brand ARR adds greater value to your product.
Was it more for marketing his movie at
a grand scale? The best thing about music
in a movie based on love story is the
opportunity to sing along the song from
the movie holding the hand of your beloved
or just a glance at your partner when
the song is played in your car. So what
did this new combo offer us??
Omana Penne
Singers: Benny Dayal, Kalyani Menon
Malayalam Lyrics: Kalyani Menon
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Starts strange but cute and then translates into a
rhythm song because of the simple percussion beats
that’s candy floss to the ears. Benny Dayal
deserves compliments for his easy singing so natural
to him. The beginning words of the songs are so unconventional
and yet Benny makes it sound very endearing. The “hey”
hey” chorus too blends harmoniously….
the nadhaswaram slithers into the background with
the violin bit that adds that extra zing to the “nee
dhaan” and both the instruments fade off so
uncharacteristically. Everything about the song is
cute, the singer, the rhythm, the instruments. The
song format is again so different. The nadhaswaram
intrudes surprise you all through the song. If you
thought this was the pattern, wait till the last pallavi
when the nadhaswaram makes a comeback and takes lead
with violins to support and carries on towards the
end of the song. Simple yet very pleasing… Rahman
tricks….
Anbil Avan
Singers: Devan Ekambaram, Chinmayi
It’s a breezy song, instantly catchy with the
arrangements, a tad loud that drowns Thamarai lyrics.
You have to strain to listen to the lyrics. Singers
do their job. The best part in the song is the fusion
of cello and the nadhaswaram. The song is so quick
that it’s gone before you begin to enjoy it.
Was that the reason I pressed the forward button.
Catchy… Rahman tricks…
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa
Singers: Karthik
Haunting guitar score starts this song… Karthik
is as good as he can be.. The music goes on to be
predictable and you suddenly feel uneasy with Karthik
trying to match the loudness and the shrillness of
the instruments played and again the lyrics sinks
in them. Haunting but no soul…. Rahman??
Hosanna
Singers: Vijay Prakash, Suzanne, Blaaze
English Rap Lyrics: Blaaze
By now it is clear that all the songs have catchy
starts. Very unusual of Rahman, not the songs that
take time to descend, beautiful lyrics start this
song. At last I get to listen to Thamarai., starts
as a lovely ballad. Special mention of the female
chorus amazingly sweet with the violins striking a
perfect match. Vijay is wonderful.. Blaaze is as Blaaze,
very competent…A very peaceful song.. Has a
very calming effect.. listen to the violins create
magic as Rahman crafts them layer by layer….
Don’t miss the soft strumming of the guitars
throughout and the flute just before the violins take
over just before the end of the song… The last
stanza the violins try to outdo each other bringing
the magic to end…. A superb team effort.. Rahman
magic.!
Kannukkul Kannai
Singers: Naresh Iyer
If the “Hosanna” just emptied my mind
and filled in it sweetness, this song jolted me out
of my senses. Outstanding violin piece shocks you…the
beats are standard matching the lead singer.. “Aye”
chorus has a tremendous effect on the song. Naresh
Iyer is brilliant. The violin pieces dazzle in this
song which otherwise could have been an easy miss.
Thamarai does her best.. Again the music, arrangement
and instrumentation is so overpowering.... you realize
why Rahman is so crafty.. Rahman tricks.
Mannipaaya
Singers: A.R.Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal
No different from the rest. Again a nice start. Shreya
to boot and Rahman for company. You start to soak
in this beautiful melody, minimal orchestration and
Thamarai takes charge with her soulful lyrics. You
can visualize Rahman playing the keyboard singing
the song. Again the violin bits are very pleasing,
it’s the charanam that takes a back seat, something
goes missing, you almost feel the flow lost somewhere…
more so after the chorus… full credit to Shreya
and Thamarai…Rahman?
Aaoromale
Singers: Alphonse
Malayalam Lyrics: Kaithapram
You straight away know that you are in for something
special… Powerful guitar strings opens up this
song.. a very western start with some stupendous singing
by Alphonse.. You feel it couldn’t have sounded
better in any language but Malayalam… and suddenly
creeps in the chorus, listen to the violin let the
guitar take lead in major part of the song and yet
command respect and a few parts before closing the
violin takes a surge, backs off and then returns again
once more in great grandeur.. Absolutely brilliant
composition.. Everything in this song is in perfect
harmony.. A near perfect song with some amazing singing…
The best of the lot…. Intoxicating…Repeat
it.. Rahman magic !!!
I have always wondered what is it in Rahman’s
songs that transcend boundaries and make someone who
don’t understand the language of the song appreciate
the song. Its his strong music sense.. his orchestration..
his crafty use of instruments that simply hypnotize
you and you just ignore the words.. It’s not
only that, it’s also the tunes that he crafts,
which in itself is so magical that any word would
weave in perfectly. It could be his shortcoming too..
“Mundhinam Parthene” from Vaaranam Aayiram
sounded so good with the music gently caressing the
words. Perhaps that’s why a non tamil wouldn’t
make much of the song. ARR is so good in his craft
that it would take something more than good to arrest
his music…That’s why he is the best in
this arena….
VTV in totality is a good album.. definitely not one
of the best from ARR.. It sure has its magical parts..
Yet the soul was missing that you usually associate
with a love story. No song to hold your partners hand
and look at. Aaromale gratifies the thirst for the
deserving more, Hosanna and Omana penne are decent
for ARR standards and the others are sheer Rahman
tricks..
Shreesha B.U
bushreesha@gmail.com
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