Jil Jil Jinga

Song : Jil Jil Jinga
Movie Name : Happy days
Singer : Krishna Chaitanya, Kranthi, Aditya Siddarth, Sashi Kiran
Music Director : Mickey J Meyers

Film with new comers - done.
Music with new singers - done.
College theme based movies - done.
Comparing an upcoming music director to Rehman - done.
Introducing meaningless new words in a song - done
Living up to expectations in spite of having many cliches - not done

I saw this movie last weekend but missed the beginning and this song. It still climbed up to my favourites based on a trailer of this movie (that I saw after I saw the movie itself). The credit for this one goes to the music director and the director!

My favourite part of this song ?

"Jil jil jinga !!"

Other recommended listens from this movie - Oh My Friend, Arey Rey, Happy Days.

Listen to this song at

Jil Jil Jinga from Musicmazaa.com

Top Listens

After not posting and not listening to songs for a long time, I got some time recently to catch up on a lot of new songs. So here goes my list

1. Song : Vennelintha Vediga, Nee Kallathoti
Movie: Tulasi
Singer : Venu, Sunitha & Sagar, Chitra
Music Director : Devisri Prasad

Almost everything in SDZ was panned excepting for the music. Riding high on the success of that album, Devi delivers sweet music in Tulasi again. Vennelintha vediga is an ordinary sounding tune but catches on very fast and makes you croon along with it. Nee Kallathoti has an unusual rhythm and Chitra is very

2. Song : Sathyam Emito, Gonna gonna gonna, Khiladi Koona
Movie : Athidi
Singer : Deepu, Usha & Navee, Rita & Karthik, Rita
Music Director : Mani Sharma

Mahesh and Mani combo has made it a habit to deliver and how! This album has some instantly likeable numbers like "Khiladi Koona" and some songs that grow on you like "Gonna Gonna". Sathyam Emito is another feather in Usha's cap. Looks like Mahesh is set to wipe out the bad memories from Sainikudu.

3. Song : Minnalgal Koothadum, Engeyum Eppthum
Movie : Polladhavan
Singer : Karthik, Bombay Jayashree & SPB, Sunitha Sarathy
Music Director : G V Prakash Kumar & Yogi B

Minnalgal is one of those songs that will stay with you for a good number of days with its haunting appeal. Bombay Jayashree's low pitched voice and Karthik's soulful rendition make this a treat for the ears. Engeyum Eppothum shows how some tracks can retain their freshness over years no matter how badly you remix them. SPB's golden voice is the saving grace of this remix.

4. Song : Ticket to Hollywood, Jhoom, Bol Na Halke
Movie : Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Singer : Neeraj Sridhar, Alisha & Various artists & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahalakshmi Iyer
Music Director : Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy

Ticket to bollywood will make you smile inspite of its nasal rendition by Neeraj if you know the context of the song. Jhoom has 3 versions and all of them are peppy and nice. This is one of the few finales I have enjoyed in the recent movies I saw. Bol Na Halke is an awesong song! If you havent listened to it yet, please do!!!

5. Song : Saawariya, Jab Se Tere Naina, Thode Badmaash Ho Tum
Movie : Saawariya
Singer : Shail Hada & Shaan & Shreya Ghoshal
Music Director : Monty Sharma

Saawariya is a peppy number that reminded me of "Dillagi" from "Dillagi". Jab Se Tere Naina has been blessed to have Shaan render it. With each peak scaled, Shaan raises the bar on his expectations and meets them effortlessly. Thode Badmaash Ho Tum is very nice to listen inspite of sounding like a typical Sanjay Leela Bansaali song. Good debut for the MD!

Minnalgal Koothadum

Song : Minnalgal Koothadum
Movie Name : Polladhavan
Singer : Bombay Jayashree, Karthik
Music Director : G V Prakash Kumar

The boy who sang "Thiruda Thiruda" (and starts "Chikubuku Rayile") has indeed come a long way from that. Right from his first album - Veyil, he has been compared to his uncle Rehman and his music has been called Rehman-esque although I think its far from that. Afte Veyil and Kireedom, GVPK doesnt disappoint in Polladhavan either. This song has a haunting feel inspite of the hip-hop-ish loop used for rhythm.

My favourite part is in the stanza

"En paer kaettal un paer sonnaen pathattathilae
pakkathu veetil kolam pottaen kuzhappathilae"

Listen to this song at

Minnalgal Koothadum from Musicmazaa.com

Bol Na Halke Halke

Song : Bol Na Halke Halke
Movie Name : Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Singer : Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahalaxmi Iyer
Music Director : Shankar Ehsaan Loy

After a really long time, I have liked a non-Rehman hindi song. I was watching Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and was going on and on with my complaints on this movie when this song popped up and I just shut up to listen to it! The voices are very apt for this song and the tune is very very melodious. It changed my opinion on this movie too and I found myself supporting this movie while talking to my wife this afternoon. I am a bit late on listening to this song but it woke me up now and I am going to actively look for new Hindi songs to listen to now :)

My favourite part is the beginning

"Dhaage tod laao chandni se noor ke
Ghoonghat hi banaa lo roshini se noor ke"

Listen to this song at

Bol Na Halke Halke from Musicmazaa.com

Ninu Choostunte

Song : Ninu Choostunte
Movie Name : Aata
Singer : Siddharth, Sumangali
Music Director : Devisri Prasad

This song has been long due on my list. Some songs are popular for their pallavi but the charanams are very dull. Some songs pick up at their charanams and bring out the flavour in them. This is one such song, I guess its the second song sung by Siddharth so people were expecting the same magic that was in "Appudo Ipppudo" of Bommarillu. Devi has worked really hard in both songs to make people look beyond the obvious plain voice of the singer. Sumangali is gifted with a very sweet voice and she chips in very melodiously.

My favourite part

"Aada manasu kadaa...bayata padagalada ?
Antha suluvuga anthu dorakadu..vintha podupu katha!"

Listen to this song at

Ninu Choostunte from Musicmazaa.com

Mudhal Mazhai

Song : Mudhal Mazhai
Movie Name : Bheema
Singer : Hariharan, Mahathi, R Prasanna
Music Director : Harris Jayaraj

Harris Jayaraj is one of those consistent performers who wont settle for less. He will try and try and fight against mediocrity in any album. In Munna, he gave the memorable "Manasa" which was a very tough act to follow. In Bheema, he gives a "Manasa" kind-of song with "Mudhal Mazhai". From the end of the prelude, where the guitar picks up, you can tell that this is a catchy song and it sure is! I have been trying to get one peaceful listening of this album and when I did a few songs stuck in my head. For this particular one, you can see the "Manasa" type of charanam when Mahathi sings

" Edhuvum Puriya Pudhu Kavithai..
Artham Motham Indru Arindhen.."

Lovely song!
Listen to this song at

Mudhal Mazhai from Musicmazaa.com

Tella Cheeraku

Song : Tella Cheeraku
Movie Name : Akhari Poratam
Singer : S P Balasubramaniam, Lata Mangeshkar
Music Director : Illayaraja

For the last one month, I havent been listening to as many songs as I used to due to restrictions at work place. I reached a point where songs werent appealing any longer and it looked like I had almost weaned away from them. Then, all of a sudden this song pops into my head and I am struck by its beauty. Leave its alankaaraalu aside ("Nee thodu kaavaali ne thodu kovaali nee needa lo unna srungaarame"), the tune is extremely melodious and haunting! The use of flute in interludes followed by Lata and Balu's voice make this song a cherished one. Thank you for making my day, Raja!

Listen to this song at

Tella Cheeraku from Musicmazaa.com

Sriranga Ranga

Song : Sriranga Ranga
Movie Name : Mahanadhi
Singer : S P Balasubramaniam, Mahanadhi Shobana
Music Director : Illayaraja

The greatness of a music director is in trying to convey the mood of the film through his music. In my opinion, no one other than Illayaraja has been able to accomplish this. The story of Mahanadhi is, very crudely summarized, a happy story gone bad. Illayaraja captures that happiness in the family through this song - a child singing away happily. The first interlude is brilliant as the flute, veena and violin compete for presence in this beautiful song - the sharp breaks in the melody elevating the excitement in the song. The first stanza is sung by the girl while SPB takes over the second stanza and you can immediately see each note of the song stressed on adequately to show the intricacy of the composition.

Listen to this song at

SrirangaNathanin from Musicmazaa.com

Paada Vanthathu Gaanam

Song : Paada Vanthathu Gaanam
Movie Name : Illamai Kaalangal
Singer : Suseela, Yesudas
Music Director : Illayaraja

hindOLam
naTabhairavi janya

Aa: S G2 M1 D1 N2 S
Av: S N2 D1 M1 G2 S

By looking at the simple notes of Hindolam, one might incorrectly conclude that its difficult to come up with intense compositions but Illayaraja has time and again delivered beautiful songs in his own intricate way! This particular song is one of those lesser known ones (it was to me definitely) that fits what I am saying. The song is pure genius and in my mind compares with "Veena Venuvaina" of Rajan-Nagendra.

Listen to this song at

Paadavandha from musicindiaonline.com

Aade Paade Pillalam

Song : Aade Paade Pillalam
Movie Name : Preminchu Pelladu
Singer : S P Balasubramaniam, S P Sailaja
Music Director : Illayaraja

One thing that people tell me about listening to new music is that they have no visual to associate a new song with and hence its difficult to like the song. Well, here is one song that I have never ever seen the picturization for! It is one of my favourite songs from the Vamsy-Illayaraja combo and it has never ceased to amaze me. Some of the songs from this combination have a soothing effect and you can almost imagine the singers smiling while singing them :) If I had one wish, it would be to sing like SPB in this song!!

Listen to this song at

Aade Paade Pillalam from Raaga.com

Kalidasan

Song : Kalidasan
Movie Name : Soorakottai Singakutty
Singer : P Jayachandran, P Suseela
Music Director : Illayaraja

Kalidasan is a song I am sure almost everyone who has had a radio or a tv in their childhood would have heard (if they are atleast in their 20s now). I had to hunt for it on the internet to find out the details of this song. This song comes with its usual bells and whistles of a Raja song. The prelude will remind you of (Manasu Palike from Swatimutyam) but then the violins start followed by Jayachandran who takes off on a soothing note that will make you close your eyes and drown yourself in the melody! How can anyone not like this song ?!!

Listen to this song at

Kalidasan from Dhool.com

Mandram Vanthu

Song : Mandram Vanthu
Movie Name : Mouna Raagam
Singer : S P Balasubramaniam
Music Director : Illayaraja

The song is back in spotlight since I saw the trailer for a new movie Cheeni Kum (See it here and in particular scroll to 2:23 for the pleasant music). The interesting shift in your paradigm of the same song, when used in different contexts is to be noted. When SPB belted out this song, with a command in his voice that ruled over the accompanying instruments (for a change devoid of Raaja's flute and violins), the anguish conveyed was so painful. Silence was efficiently used in this song to convey the melancholic feeling. Enjoy this, till I come back with the new hindi version when it reases :)

Listen to this song at

Mandram from MusicMazaa

Top listens

Taking a page from itwofs Kartik's blogs, I have decided to put a list of my top recent listens. I am not sure how often I will put up a list of this sort, but my hope is to mention some of the songs that I have been too lazy to write about otherwise. The list is in no particular order.

1. Song : Kanivini Erugani, Preme Neramouna, Hi Lovely
Movie: Mayabazaar
Singer : Gayahtri & Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal & K M Radhakrishna, Vasundhara Das
Music Director : K M Radhakrishna

An honest attempt at a good album from this young guy. He has broken from his established trend to give very good music for this movie. The charanams are as interesting as the pallavi. Dont be scared of listening to a sad song for "Preme Neramouna", you will miss out on a good melody. Gayathri dazzles in "Kanivini Erugani".

2. Song : Pratidinam, Ninu Vethiki, Kuyilalo
Movie : Anumanaspadam
Singer : Unni Krishnan, Shreya Ghoshal & Vijay Yesudas, Shreya Ghoshal & Shreya Ghoshal
Music Director : Illayaraja

The prelude to the songs is enough for all IR-Vamsy lovers to start drooling over the picturisation of these songs! Shreya Ghoshal gets near flawless with her pronunciation and Unni Krishnan gets browny points for his rendition that suits Vamsy style!

3. Song : Tere Bina, Barso Re, Ay Hairathen
Movie : Guru
Singer : A R Rehman, Chinmayee & Shreya Ghoshal, Uday Mazumdar & Hariharan, Alka Yagnik
Music Director : A R Rehman

Its a testimony to a great music director. With a limited number of listenings, these songs have quickly caught on (more so after seeing the movie). "Tere Bina" reminds you of "Mangalyam" from Alaipayuthey in parts. Cant say enough about the singers - awesome job!!

4. Song : Nee Valle
Movie : Annavaram
Singer : Tippu, Kalyani
Music Director : Ramana Gogula

The expectations are high since "Pedavi daatani" of Tammudu and "Bangala Khatamlo, Aey Chiquita" of Bhadri from the Ramana Gogula-Pawan Kalyan combo. This song definitely lives up to that reputation. About the singers...why not Sunitha ??

5 feet 8 inches

Song : 5 feet 8 inches
Movie Name : Jagadam
Singer : Tippu, Priya
Music Director : Devisri Prasad

There's nothing more fun than seeing a hero rise! The hero in topic is Devisri Prasad. Even before the craze of Rakhi dies down, Jagadam has hit the markets. The album is a refreshing change for Devi, the songs are very light and breezy. This particular song is very funny but I have to particularly mention Tippu (who isnt usually talked about in my blogs). Tippu gives the right flavour to the song with this accent and makes the pallavi amusing!

Listen to this song at

5 feet 8 inches from MusicMazaa

Ninu Vethiki

Song : Ninu Vethiki
Movie Name : Anumanaspadam
Singer : Shreya Ghoshal, Vijay Jesudas
Music Director : Illayaraja

Truth be told, I still cant get Prathidinam out of my mind. After listening to a better quality recording, I cant help agree that this album has satisfied me completely! This song was my second favourite when I heard the album for the first time but I didnt like how Shreya Ghoshal said "Oh bala..". However, the prelude of the song is more than enough to please a Vamsy-IR fan like me. Vijay Jesudas blends in perfectly and the first interlude is vintage IR class. Coming to the raagam, it appears to be Sindhubhairavi to me (think "Oru Naalum" from Ejamaan and "Jagada Jagada Jagadam" from Geethanjali).

If I dont intentionally stop myself, the next entries in my blog would be "Ra ra Gumma", "Kuyilalo", "Rela rela rela" and "Mallello Illese". Kudos to the guys who brought this combination back!


Listen to this song at

Nini Vethiki from MusicMazaa

Pratidinam

Song : Pratidinam
Movie Name : Anumanaspadam
Singer : Shreya Ghoshal, Unni Krishnan
Music Director : Illayaraja

How long have I waited to hear another melodious song from the Illayaraja-Vamsy combo. This song is so beautiful and apt for a Vamsy movie! With Vamsy's creativity this song should be a treat for old school Vamsy lovers. I am particularly happy with Shreya Ghoshal singing this song as her pronunciation is getting better with every movie. My only complaint with this album, and a big one at that is the absence of SPB, Janaki and Chitra. I hope we have some more great songs to come from this great combination!

Listen to this song at

Pratidinam from TotalTollywood

Update (on Jan 26 2007) :

Turns out the song is a rehash of an old Raja's song from the movie Naane Raja Naane Manthri. The original is sung by P Jayachandran and P Suseela.

Listen to the original song


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Vasthava Vasthaava

Song : Vasthava Vasthaava
Movie Name : Rakhee
Singer : Jassie Gift, Srilekha Parthasarathy
Music Director : Devisri Prasad

Raasukuntu regadi matti
Kosukuntu tangedu poolu
Oodukuntu taataaku boora
Perantaale testaava ?

I was extremely critical of Devisri Prasad for his last 2 movies - Pournami and Bommarillu and didnt feel like writing anything about them. But Rakhee is really something! After Pokiri, I havent liked an album as much as I have liked this one. Vasthava Vasthaava is not the first song to like when you listen to this album but it has really grown on me. Jassie and Devi team up pretty well in this song as well and the rustic feel is awesome! I like the charanam lot more than the pallavi...esp when Jassie yells "Osini!" ha ha ha...

Listen to this song at

Vasthava Vasthaava from Musicmazaa