Heavy Rotation: Deepankuran, Govind Vasantha, Prashanth R. Vihari & More
Winter solstice may be here, but the flurry of new releases hitting Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam remains steady even as we are ready to bid 2018 goodbye!
Isai, The Journey of Ayya (Seethakaathi) - Govind Vasantha admirable's run in 2018 shows no sign of stopping. And in Seethakaathi, the Thaikkudam Bridge violinist and singer whips up a frenzied fusion of punchy, stadium-rocking anthems (Ayya) and poignant melodies (Avan, sung by Agam frontman Harish Sivaramakrishnan, Uyir, and its instrumental variant Theme of Seethakaathi), punctuated by a gorgeous assortment of violins and veena that's both deeply tuneful and melancholic. However his real talent for atmosphere comes through shining in the instrumentals The Journey of Ayya and Isai, the latter's rain-like leitmotif so utterly sublime and gorgeous (noted flautist and Malayalam composer Vishnu Vijay does a marvellous job playing the instrument), it's hard not to be swept away in a downpour of emotions.
Mere Naam Tu, Husn Parcham, Ann Bann (Zero) - In Husn..., Ajay-Atul spin a rhythmic Middle-Eastern flavoured beat, throwing in Bhoomi Trivedi's (of Ram Chahe Leela fame) vocals for a seductive twist, but Ann Bann is where things get a lot more interesting, and a lot more sprawling and orchestral, which Kunal Ganjawala aces sans any hitch.
Bindhast Houn, Mazi Pandhari Chi Maay (Mauli) - Ajay-Atul take their patented sounds to next level in their latest Marathi outing, with Bindhast's sweeping Celtic flourishes and Mazi Pandhari's bhajan-like tune emerging the easy standouts.
Neer Kanikayil (Ente Ummante Peru) - A short three-song soundtrack that checks all the typical Gopi Sundar checkboxes, but this soft, breezy melody sung by the composer is a refreshing listen.
Kooti Kanasugala (KGF Chapter 1) - For what's one of the most highly anticipated Kannada films of the year, Ravi Basrur and Tanishk Bagchi deliver a largely lacklustre album that, its thematic nature aside, offers little else. The highlight of the album is Kooti Kanasugala, a lovely melody sung by Ananya Bhat. The only problem? It's criminally short!
Njanundivide (Pretham 2) - Yet another short soundtrack, this time comprising of only one song, but composer Anand Madhusoodanan crafts a pensive strings-laden piece, with Nidhin Raj's rendition hitting all the right notes.
Omal Thamara, Aathmavin (Njan Prakashan) - Omal Thamara is a mighty engaging mix of folk and classical elements, propped up by Yadhu S. Marar's superb singing, while Aathmavin is serene, in signature Shaan Rahman fashion, aided by spectacular vocals from Goury Lekshmi.
Nenjinullil, Muthu Muthu Radhe, Mangalakaaraka (Thattumpurathu Achuthan) - Director Lal Jose, known for his frequent collaboration with Vidyasagar, goes for Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri's son Deepankuran, and the man delivers and how. Nenjinullil evokes memories of Vidyasagar's Poovaasam from the film Anbe Sivam, but lilting it is all the same. Vijesh Gopal-sung sindhu bhairavi raga-based devotional composition Muthu Muthu Radhe offers a lovely throwback to Alilakkanna Ninte, even as Manjari and Aavani confidently lead Mangalakaaraka, yet another bhajan-like track with a groovy rock base.
Samayama, Palukave, Telipo Telipo, Dheemaga, The Spirit Of Anthariksham 9000KMPH (Antariksham 9000 KMPH) - Prashanth R. Vihari, in his third outing as a composer, continues to carve a niche for himself with an exceedingly beautiful blend of strings-driven melodies (courtesy FAME'S Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra) that sound Ghibran'esque, by turns layered, unpredictable and enchanting. If Harini makes a welcome return in Samayama, Anurag Kulkarni, Manisha Eerabathini and Benny Dayal lend rock-solid vocal purchase to the unconventional tunes Palukave, Telipo Telipo and Dheemaga.
Bhantureethi Koluvu, Ramanna Katha (NTR Kathanayakudu & Mahanayakudu) - Scoring music for biopics is tricky to pull off, but Keeravani delivers an apt, situational score that traces N. T. Rama Rao's journey as an actor-turned-politician who went on to become the Chief Minister of Andra Pradesh not once, not twice, but thrice over a period of seven years. But it's K. S. Chithra, Sreenidhi Tirumala and Sunitha who breathe life into the lovely classical-soaked melodies, making them captivating just as they are soulful. The hamsanādam raga based rework of the Tyagaraja kriti Bantureethi Kolu is like nectar to the ears and delectable beyond words.
Isai, The Journey of Ayya (Seethakaathi) - Govind Vasantha admirable's run in 2018 shows no sign of stopping. And in Seethakaathi, the Thaikkudam Bridge violinist and singer whips up a frenzied fusion of punchy, stadium-rocking anthems (Ayya) and poignant melodies (Avan, sung by Agam frontman Harish Sivaramakrishnan, Uyir, and its instrumental variant Theme of Seethakaathi), punctuated by a gorgeous assortment of violins and veena that's both deeply tuneful and melancholic. However his real talent for atmosphere comes through shining in the instrumentals The Journey of Ayya and Isai, the latter's rain-like leitmotif so utterly sublime and gorgeous (noted flautist and Malayalam composer Vishnu Vijay does a marvellous job playing the instrument), it's hard not to be swept away in a downpour of emotions.
Mere Naam Tu, Husn Parcham, Ann Bann (Zero) - In Husn..., Ajay-Atul spin a rhythmic Middle-Eastern flavoured beat, throwing in Bhoomi Trivedi's (of Ram Chahe Leela fame) vocals for a seductive twist, but Ann Bann is where things get a lot more interesting, and a lot more sprawling and orchestral, which Kunal Ganjawala aces sans any hitch.
Bindhast Houn, Mazi Pandhari Chi Maay (Mauli) - Ajay-Atul take their patented sounds to next level in their latest Marathi outing, with Bindhast's sweeping Celtic flourishes and Mazi Pandhari's bhajan-like tune emerging the easy standouts.
Neer Kanikayil (Ente Ummante Peru) - A short three-song soundtrack that checks all the typical Gopi Sundar checkboxes, but this soft, breezy melody sung by the composer is a refreshing listen.
Kooti Kanasugala (KGF Chapter 1) - For what's one of the most highly anticipated Kannada films of the year, Ravi Basrur and Tanishk Bagchi deliver a largely lacklustre album that, its thematic nature aside, offers little else. The highlight of the album is Kooti Kanasugala, a lovely melody sung by Ananya Bhat. The only problem? It's criminally short!
Njanundivide (Pretham 2) - Yet another short soundtrack, this time comprising of only one song, but composer Anand Madhusoodanan crafts a pensive strings-laden piece, with Nidhin Raj's rendition hitting all the right notes.
Omal Thamara, Aathmavin (Njan Prakashan) - Omal Thamara is a mighty engaging mix of folk and classical elements, propped up by Yadhu S. Marar's superb singing, while Aathmavin is serene, in signature Shaan Rahman fashion, aided by spectacular vocals from Goury Lekshmi.
Nenjinullil, Muthu Muthu Radhe, Mangalakaaraka (Thattumpurathu Achuthan) - Director Lal Jose, known for his frequent collaboration with Vidyasagar, goes for Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri's son Deepankuran, and the man delivers and how. Nenjinullil evokes memories of Vidyasagar's Poovaasam from the film Anbe Sivam, but lilting it is all the same. Vijesh Gopal-sung sindhu bhairavi raga-based devotional composition Muthu Muthu Radhe offers a lovely throwback to Alilakkanna Ninte, even as Manjari and Aavani confidently lead Mangalakaaraka, yet another bhajan-like track with a groovy rock base.
Samayama, Palukave, Telipo Telipo, Dheemaga, The Spirit Of Anthariksham 9000KMPH (Antariksham 9000 KMPH) - Prashanth R. Vihari, in his third outing as a composer, continues to carve a niche for himself with an exceedingly beautiful blend of strings-driven melodies (courtesy FAME'S Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra) that sound Ghibran'esque, by turns layered, unpredictable and enchanting. If Harini makes a welcome return in Samayama, Anurag Kulkarni, Manisha Eerabathini and Benny Dayal lend rock-solid vocal purchase to the unconventional tunes Palukave, Telipo Telipo and Dheemaga.
Bhantureethi Koluvu, Ramanna Katha (NTR Kathanayakudu & Mahanayakudu) - Scoring music for biopics is tricky to pull off, but Keeravani delivers an apt, situational score that traces N. T. Rama Rao's journey as an actor-turned-politician who went on to become the Chief Minister of Andra Pradesh not once, not twice, but thrice over a period of seven years. But it's K. S. Chithra, Sreenidhi Tirumala and Sunitha who breathe life into the lovely classical-soaked melodies, making them captivating just as they are soulful. The hamsanādam raga based rework of the Tyagaraja kriti Bantureethi Kolu is like nectar to the ears and delectable beyond words.
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