Yesudas’ Kalyani Dharmavathi (see comments) in Ambe vaani and Kavalam Sreekumar, Sankaran Namboodri combination in Shabdhamayee (Shanmugapriya? Jonpuri? Raagavardhini – see comments) present the now-outdated, unadulterated filmi-classical genre. Ishtakkari, despite its neat anupallavi, has amazingly annoying backgrounds, while Manase manase evokes sleep, instead of the intended feeling, sorrow. Paattellaam is so very 80s, but is a fun listen at least for those interludes. Finally, Ilayaraja gets almost everything right – thanks to Sriranjani – in Vasandha nilaavin, with Madhu Balakrishnan’s glorious vocals. Given a script supposedly soaked in music, Ilayaraja perhaps was a natural choice. Sadly, the overall package concocted by the veteran composer doesn’t particularly excite.
Keywords: Jayaram, Vimala Raman, Girish Puthencherry, Saikumar, Suryan, Suriyan
Note: My raaga knowledge is rather limited and based essentially out of curiosity than any kind of formal training. Pardon me if you do not agree with the raagas mentioned. Request a mail/ comment with your point of view, in such cases.
