Reena mecareena‘s Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson) origins are really hard to ignore, and a bit strange, given this is by Ilayaraja! Still, it’s a catchy, easily likeable song, sung with the right enthusiasm by Piyush Kapur. Vibhavari holds the lovely, bordering-on-melancholy melody of Edhuru choosthunna beautifully together and the composer’s legendary sound is in full display in the interludes. Tholi paruvam picks up steam only when the violins kick in, at the end of pallavi, while Maatallo cheppaleni is Karthik’s show all the way; he breathes life into the incredibly pleasant possibly Kalyani raaga based tune and elevates it! Kanulu kalanu piliche is vintage Raja – a wonderfully involving and waltz’y melody that the composer adorns with the choicest of interludes, even as Haricharan and Chinmayi are fantastic with their singing. Okasari O vayyari, despite the interesting rhythm and cool guitaring, has a was-hep-back-in-the-days tune, but Saradale gets four girls, Manasi, Ramya, Rita and Reena for a thrumming tune that they rock together. The short title song, both versions, is odd, to put it mildly. After starting the year with a bang (Shamitabh), the veteran composer closes the year with a bang too, with an inimitable showcase of great tunes!
Keywords: Abbayitho Ammayi, Ilayaraja, 200, #200
Listen to the songs: