Nandamuri Balakrishna is arriving with his favourite genre Mythology and this time he has teamed up with director Bapu and paired up with sentiment heroine Nayantara. Let us see how the songs are. The music is by maestro Ilayaraja.
Jagadhanandhakaraka
Artist(s): SP. Balasubramaniam
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
A highlight song in the album, the track opens in the classical Veena note and it is balanced with a good tone of Tabla, guitar, violin and traditional instruments. The background beat is constant and the number is dominated by exceptional vocals from both leads. Though there is not much variety in the music, it is the soothing tone. The silver lining is the lyrics which has holiness in it.
Sri Rama Lera
Artist(s): Ramu, Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
An emotional number, the song takes off on a high pitch and the blending of flute, veena, violin, piano and Congo is decent. As usual, the opening notes are bright but they become constant on the lower and upper tracks after a while. The vocals have dominated the music again and both the singers invoked enough emotion to convey the feel. The lines have been woven well to bring the devotion in rhythm. Overall, a decent number…
Evadunnadu
Artist(s): SP. Balasubramaniam
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
A bit song, this is more of a track which is part of a dialogue. The music part is average with a regular beat of drums, tabla, guitar, keyboard and veena. The song belongs to S P Balu for his modulation and diction. One can also hear few words spoken by ANR. The lyrics are suitable to the situation and were well written. This song is picturised on Valmiki.
Sita Rama Charitham
Artist(s): Anitha, Keerthana
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
An energetic yet melodious track, there is a variation in the music and while at one point it slows down, it picks up depending on the notes. The same instruments like tabla, violin, drums and other folk instruments were used. Both the singers gave a classical touch to this track and it is more of an expression of a story. The lyrics didn’t have to work much as it was a narrative. This is an okay track.
Devullemechindhi
Artist(s): Shreya Ghoshal, Chitra
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
This is a typical Ilayaraja trademark song. To those who are familiar with his Tamil compositions, they must have heard this tune before. The choice of instruments and the flavour is more contemporary. It may not give you a devotional movie feel. The voices of both the female leads were in tandem and they rendered it decently. The lyrics are more of prose lines as it was another narrative. The moulding of this into a song is appreciable though.
Gali Ningi Neeru
Artist(s): SP. Balasubramaniam
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
A sad song, the tune is filled with nodes from violin, veena, guitar and a bit of western instruments. There is a good interloping of all the instruments to create a rhythmic melody. S P Balu has infused a good amount of feel in this and it has a touching effect. Though the words chosen in the lyrics are urban, they convey the essence of pain and parting in a good way. This song resembles ‘ye nimushaaniki emi jaruguno..’ from Lava Kusha as per situation.
Ramayanamu
Artist(s): Shreya Ghoshal, Chitra
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
This is another highlight song of the album. Rich in melody and vocals, the traditional beats of the music gives a nice effect. The usage of Shehnai, flute, tabla, veena has been quite high and they dominated the track. The voices were mellifluous and they simply merged themselves in the tune. The overview of Ramayana has been done crisply by the lyricist. Overall, an elegant melody.
Dandakam
Artist(s): Surabhi Sravani, Keerthana
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
A bit track, this opens on a high note and settles as it progresses. Ilayaraja kept the background score on a repetitive mode and slightly worked on the upper notes. The voices were classical and they gave a soft spoken touch to it. Not much work for the lyricist in this one.
Sita Seemantham
Artist(s): Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
An energetic solo, there is a good feel in the whole of the song and the music has a good impact though the instruments and the tune is similar to the other tracks. This gives a retro feel of the songs of 80s due to the choice of the beats. The song belongs to the singer as she has rendered with smooth melody and pitches good energy making it peppy. The lyricist has shown his poetic skills in this one and made his presence felt.
Rama Rama Ane
Artist(s): Swetha, Anitha
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
This is a foot tapping number. There is freshness in the opening and the composition has got some lighter taps to it. Ilayaraja has brought in a good tune by blending various instruments and the Dholak, Guitar and Tabla are effective. The intermittent breaks in between give the kick. Equally good were the vocals from both the singers and they gave that casual elegance to it. Lyrics were smart in this one and gave a mode of humour and naughtiness in it.
Kalaya Nijama
Artist(s): Tippu
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
A bit song, a new feel is given in this track due to the singer who has rendered it rather devotionally. There is a melancholic feel in the way the tune has been composed and the routine instruments were used in the track. This song belongs to the lyricist who has written some words with deep thoughts and conveys the confusion in an apt manner.
Idi Pattabhi
Artist(s): Swetha
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
This song reminds you of one of Ilayaraja’s old hits ‘chalti ka naam gaadi..’ as it has a slight tinge of that tone. The blending of instruments and the beats are in sync with each other and give a melodious effect. There is good energy and pitch in the voice of the singer and she has stressed at the right points to add that extra points. The lines have been written with a different approach and are easy to understand.
Sapthaswaradha
Artist(s): SP. Balasubramaniam
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
Yet another highlight track but in bit mode, the music has not much in this one but it totally belongs to SP Balu. With barely a Sitar on the backdrop, the track gets its real energy and life from the singer who voices out with good pitch. The choice of words chosen for this track are exemplary and has a divine flavour to it.
Shanku Chakrala
Artist(s): Swetha
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
This is exactly similar to the earlier number Idi Pattabhi in terms of composition and note. It is more like an extension to that song. As mentioned, the singer deserves the credit for putting on a accent and making the song lively. The lines for this are above average.
Mangalamu Ramunaku
Artist(s): Anitha, Keerthana
Lyricist: Jonnavithula
This is a total devotional song which will strike a chord with the devotees of Lord Rama. There is holiness in this one and both the singers gave their soul to it. Music took the backseat and had the regular instrumental beats. Lyrics are effective and the ‘Bhakti Rasam’ is felt in them.
Bottomline:
Since Ilayaraja is leading from the front in this, it is natural to have high expectations. But it must be said that apart from his trademark composition and beats which were heard during his golden era of 80s and 90s, the maestro has not delivered anything different. However, he has shown his experience and gave a balanced feel to the songs. The album gets its real strength from the singers as most of the numbers are classical, devotional and rich in melody. Those who have spiritual bent will definitely like it but music lovers may find this below the standards of Ilayaraja. This is worth buying as it comes as a breath of fresh air amidst the mass masala and item song frenzy.
