Music Review: Bigil (Tamil)
Composer(s): A. R. Rahman
Listen to the songs online here: JioSaavn
After the techno overdose that was A. R. Rahman's previous collaboration with actor Vijay, Bigil finds the composer making a complete 180-degree turn with a local fare that's steeped in traditional folk, but an immaculately crafted piece of mass entertainment that's bigger and better in every way Sarkar and Mersal weren't.
Bigil, like most of Rahman's recent works, carries very little of his defining sound, but then what is music if there isn't any room of experimentation. Singappenney boasts of big power chords and a gigantic melody, but is dragged down by Rahman's disappointingly sub-par rendition, even as Shashaa Tirupati manages to hold it all together, just about.
Verithanam — sung by Vijay no less — starts off slow, but as the song unfurls, rattling drums come in and light up what's a joyous outburst of a folk piece. The thumping percussive beats make way for a gentle and dreamier harmony, with Unakaga featuring Madhura Dhara Talluri and Sreekanth Hariharan's flawless vocals laid over a stunning melodic backdrop that's a lovely assortment of kanjira, veena and flute.
Led by the ever-fantastic Chinmayi Sripada, Maathare — accompanied by a perfect sprinkle of pakhawaj, sarangi and orchestral strings — is lush as is it's serene, infusing the sublime melody with a sense of tranquility. Idharkuthaan, in Dhee's heartfelt rendition, builds along similar lines, before climaxing in a rousing horns-laden finish.
The soundtrack is bookended by Bigil Bigil Bigiluma, a hysterical thumper that blends clarinet, sax, flute and a barrage of accelerating and decelerating drums for a groovy foot-tapping kuthu. Bigil is Rahman's massiest outing to date, and he pulls off a tricky balancing act that swells with energy and style. It's an unalloyed delight.
Listen to the songs online here: JioSaavn
After the techno overdose that was A. R. Rahman's previous collaboration with actor Vijay, Bigil finds the composer making a complete 180-degree turn with a local fare that's steeped in traditional folk, but an immaculately crafted piece of mass entertainment that's bigger and better in every way Sarkar and Mersal weren't.
Bigil, like most of Rahman's recent works, carries very little of his defining sound, but then what is music if there isn't any room of experimentation. Singappenney boasts of big power chords and a gigantic melody, but is dragged down by Rahman's disappointingly sub-par rendition, even as Shashaa Tirupati manages to hold it all together, just about.
Verithanam — sung by Vijay no less — starts off slow, but as the song unfurls, rattling drums come in and light up what's a joyous outburst of a folk piece. The thumping percussive beats make way for a gentle and dreamier harmony, with Unakaga featuring Madhura Dhara Talluri and Sreekanth Hariharan's flawless vocals laid over a stunning melodic backdrop that's a lovely assortment of kanjira, veena and flute.
Led by the ever-fantastic Chinmayi Sripada, Maathare — accompanied by a perfect sprinkle of pakhawaj, sarangi and orchestral strings — is lush as is it's serene, infusing the sublime melody with a sense of tranquility. Idharkuthaan, in Dhee's heartfelt rendition, builds along similar lines, before climaxing in a rousing horns-laden finish.
The soundtrack is bookended by Bigil Bigil Bigiluma, a hysterical thumper that blends clarinet, sax, flute and a barrage of accelerating and decelerating drums for a groovy foot-tapping kuthu. Bigil is Rahman's massiest outing to date, and he pulls off a tricky balancing act that swells with energy and style. It's an unalloyed delight.
Comments
Post a Comment