Music Review: Kaaviyathalaivan (Tamil)

Composer(s): A. R. Rahman
Listen to the songs online here: Saavn

Opener Yaarumilla is a mesmerizing melody, oozing an old-world charm but at the same time incorporating elements of sufi and an orchestration that is notably majestic in the second interlude, with Shweta Mohan (backed by Srinivas) rendering it beautifully. The harmonium, veena, flute and tabla make for a lovely mix, I must say.

The retro-styled arrangement of the jazzy Aye Mr. Minor!, with its strings and bongos, is playfully wonderful, though I doubt whether such a composition had its place in the 1930's, the period the movie is supposed to be set in. That aside, singers Haricharan and Shashaa Tirupati are fantastic, channelling the required mirth and playfulness required for the song.

Vaanga Makka Vaanga's mridangam-morsing-laden orchestration is marvellous and works as a fitting folksy tribute to the theatre troupes and nadaga sabhas of the bygone era. And Haricharan and Dr. Narayanan make it sound all the more welcoming and joyous with their superb singing. Sandi Kuthirai is rock 'n' roll at its best. The tune is once again a little ahead of its time I suppose, but Rahman makes it up with a bubbly and effervescent arrangement that gets pitch-perfect vocal backing in Haricharan.

Mukesh's cadence and inflections are downright commendable in the rousingly orchestrated Sollividu Sollividu, while Vani Jairam is effortless in her rendition of the devotional chant Thiruppugazh, the minimal use of veena, cymbals and mridangam lending it a blissful touch. Alli Arjuna, the dramatisation of Alli and Arjuna's marriage, is marked by dexterous transitions across eight short tunes and top-notch performances from Haricharan and Bela Shende, and it would be an understatement if I were to say that one could easily visualise the entire act on stage.

In his return with yet another period film this year after Kochadaiiyaan, composer A. R. Rahman conjures up an epic retro musical extravaganza with Kaaviyathalaivan, its distinct musical leitmotif manifesting in full glory.

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