Music Review: Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty

Ponnodu Poovayi, with magical orchestration and stupendous vocals from K. S. Chithra and K. J. Yesudas in separate versions, is captivating. Sung in different versions again, the percussion driven Kannaran Thumbi is middling but high on energy with Mano and Rajalakshmi doing the honours suitably. Slightly resembling Sandhikkadha Kangalil (180) in its arrangements, Enthe Hridayathalam is a fantastic listen with flawless singing from Madhu Balakrishnan and Jinsha K. Naanu. The fusion track, beginning in Tamil and later moving on to Malayalam lyrics, will definitely appease all the Carnatic music lovers out there.

Alka Ajith of Chirakengu (The Train) fame is excellent in Poovaname, a mighty expansive western classical that gets pitch-perfect vocal accompaniment in Anand Aravindakshan. The pathos soaked O Thingal Pakshi sung by Palakkad Sriram is absorbing, at the same time cleverly incorporating the sounds of a moving train. Dhak Dhak Nakdhik goes retro at places and Siyad K. delivers the goods with this song. Sharreth gets every detail right, right down from every minutiae in the arrangements to the singers, who give him exceptional support. A scintillating soundtrack from the composer who gave us the marvellous 180 last year.