G.V. Prakash-Na. Muthukumar combination has proved of its success relentlessly with previous albums. Sounds like ‘Narthaki’ is a musical-dance drama as the title ‘Narthaki’ (starring Aashish and Kalkai in lead roles) itself signifies and so are the songs. The album has some famous brands on tracks like Naresh Iyer, Tippu, Unni Krishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, Vijay Yesudas, Vijay Prakash and others.

The Destiny...
Vocals: Naresh Iyer, Saindhavi

Experience the carnatic feast by G.V. Prakash. The music director gears up for a radically distinctive work. The songs take off with Naresh Iyer’s chanting accompanied with a prelude on flute and sustained notes on Tambura. A minute later, it’s a complete show by Naresh Iyer, Saindhavi and chorus. The highlighting USPs of song is the instruments of flute and Mridhangam. ‘The Destiny’ is purely for the ardent admirers of Carnatic music.

Poovin Manam Poovil Illai...  
Vocals: Tippu, Harini

A poetic beauty indeed!!! Na. Muthukumar’s finely exquisite lyrical lines are evident from the opening lines ‘Poovin Manam Poovil Illai’ itself. The real life couple Tippu and Harini has delivered the song at their best (call it best on-track chemistry). Especially Harini is mellifluous with her crystal-clear clarity. The song is loaded with lots of instrumentals in the accompaniment, but is played mildly, thereby gaining more grandness for the vocalisms. Much alike the previous number, G.V. Prakash makes best usage of flute and Mridhangam with slow-strings heard throughout the song. The vocal parts and rhythmic patterns heard in interludes are reminiscences of ‘Pookal Pookkum Tharunam’ (Madharasapattinam with the same combination of Harini and GVP). The song is a cherry-pick of this album.

Vaan Mazhaiyin Thuligal...
Vocals: Unni Krishnan, Sudha Raghunathan

The song sticks to the same musical genre as the other songs in the album with GVP making use of same instruments. But sudden introduction of Chenda Melam evokes our interest. The vocalisms by Unni Krishnan and Sudha Raghunathan are good at places. But the loud rhythmic sessions trivialize their finest renditions. The highlighting traits of the song are the mild notes of vibes played along with the vocals that embellishes the song.

Jai Jai Madha Sonthasi Madha...
Vocals: Vijay Yesudas

Sounds like a situational track focalizing on father’s farewell to daughter for her journey of revival. Vijay Yesudas croons commendably, but the music is a little loud, perhaps demanded by the situation. The song lacks the basic feel of emotions that are very well delineated through Na. Muthukumar’s lyrics. Maybe with visuals, we can expect some better results. The song’s reprise version is heard during the end of album with the different title ‘Pooyevaa Magale Pooyevaa’

Chinnanchiru Idhayathil...
Vocals: Vijay Prakash, Prashanthini

G.V. Prakash utilizes newfangled rhythmic pattern completely dissimilar from rest of the songs. The mellisonant duet has Vijay Prakash rendering with a different style. The young and vibrant playback singer is far-famed for his high-voltage numbers like ‘Veera’ (Raavanan), ‘Hosanna’ (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya). He has attempted something new like crooning with his bass voice, but gradually touches higher octaves at places. The rhythmic aspects and mild instrumentals enhance the intensity of romantic feel delivered through the singers. The song sets into our senses like slow poison and it’s gonna be a special melodic delight for the listeners.

Verdict: Having churned out back-to-back chartbusters with ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’, ‘Madharasapattinam’ and ‘Aadukalam’, G.V. Prakash has boldly taken up an experimental project. Hats off to GVP for his endeavouring attempt on trying new genre of Carnatic, which is precisely rare of its kind in Tamil film industry. With ‘Poovin Manam’, ‘Vaan Mazhaiyin Thuligal’ and ‘Chinnanchiru Idhayathil’ being highly noticeable numbers, the album can expect some good responses.