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Chella kutti – Theri (Tamil – G V Prakash Kumar)
Usually, fans expect a VIjay-sung song in all his films and Theri is no different. G V Prakash Kumar hands over the soundtrack’s best to the film’s hero, who along with Neeti Mohan does a very good job, no doubt aided by some snazzy digital corrections by the composer. The song is a frothy, catchy reimagination of MS Viswanathan’s Sippi irukkudhu muthum irukkudhu from Varumayin Niram Sigappu, but set in Goa! It’s an interesting idea and works easily, given the bouncy nature of the song.
Komala henne – Godhi Banna Sadharna Mykattu (Kannada – Charanraj)
That mouthful of a film name simply means, ‘Wheatish complexion, average build’ (pretty close to Tamil, now that you know the meaning – ‘Godhumai vannam, sadharna udarkattu!’) used to describe Anant Nag who suffers from Alzheimer’s and goes missing. Charanraj’s music is phenomenal all through the soundtrack, and much like his erstwhile band’s (Thaalam, featuring Charanraj, Job Kurian and Yakzon) style of music. Charan even gets his Thaalam buddy Job to sing the soundtrack’s best, Komala henne, a breezy, immersive melody with a highly inventive anupallavi.
Ishq anokha – Ishq Anokha (Indipop – Kailasa)
Ishq Anokha is Kailasa’s 5th album. While the first 3 albums – Kailasa, Jhoomo Re and Chaandan mein – were brilliant, they seemed a bit lost in the 4th, Rangeele. With Ishq Anokha they get their mojo back! The title song is the pick of the album, with Kailash Kher’s dependably earthy vocals leading the way as usual and beautifully takes off as he goes, ‘Le tu nadiya magmaati’. But equally important for the band’s sound is Paresh and Naresh Kamath’s musical imagination – they bring the trademark mod sound to the very-desi tunes making it a fantastic combo.
Adiye unna – Vetrivel (Tamil – D.Imman)
Adiye unna is an Imman special all the way. The nuanced tune is reminiscent of Ilayaraja’s heydays – a bit like of Kadalora Kavithaigal’s Adi aathaadi – while Imman, in his trademark style, layers it with a highly enjoyable profusion of strings and flute. Sathya Prakash and Vandana Srinivasan seem to be thoroughly enjoying the singing part of it. Imman’s work in the interludes too deserves a special mention.
Vaathe Poothe – Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti (Malayalam – Sooraj S Kurup)
Malayalees seem to be tired of getting their stock of adipoli songs from neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. So they produce the occasional adipoli kuthu like Neram’s Pistah and that Rockaankuthu from Premam where they borrow our Anirudh to sing it. Sooraj pitches in that space with Vaathe poothe that sounds like it could easily be part of a Ajith starrer, introducing Thala in super slow motion! Vidhu Prathap & Sooraj S Kurup are perfectly in sync singing this song with manic energy and the right musical banter between them.