Music Review: Saakshyam (Telugu)

Composer(s): Harshavardhan Rameshwar
Listen to the songs online here: Saavn

Soundarya Lahari, its cringe-worthy mix of Telugu and English lyrics aside, makes for quite an engaging Carnatic fusion in Jithin Raj and Aarthi's rendition. Design Your Destiny is steeped in EDM influences and assorted traditional South Indian percussion, but this time around the lyrics work much better ("Design Your Destiny/ Decide Chey Nuvve Nee Fate Nee…," so goes the line). Ishq Karle's middle eastern spin gets pitch-perfect vocal support from Ranjith, Yadhu Krishnan and Janani, even as it builds into a rousing crescendo of sorts. Dung Dung Dung Dung sounds as if Bangalore Days' Maangalyam was given a Punjabi-folk makeover, but to give credit where it's due, the tune is peppy and Padmalatha, M. M. Manasi and Ananthu lead with their infectious singing. If Cheliya Choode fills the mandatory folk song requirement and is run-of-the-mill, Shivam Shivam (and its equivalent five constituents, referring to the five elements of nature) does the impossible by roping in S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Bombay Jayashri, Hariharan, Kailash Kher and K. J. Yesudas for what's an aptly fiery classical composition. Harshavardhan Rameshwar, in his sophomore outing after Vijetha, shows he cannot be written off just yet.

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