With sheer delight we present this edition of the Tunes Weekly, which features an intoxicating mix of music genres in the five songs we have picked – each one highly different from one another. There is a romantic duet, a haunting track, a groovy Punjabi-flavoured song, a soothing tune and a techno kuthu number.
Let’s hear them.
Para Para... (Kammatipaadam)
I wonder how filmmaker Rajeev Ravi narrated the scenario of this song to musician John P. Varkey that the latter came up with a haunting, addictive track. The song takes its time to evolve. John sets the mood, a murky one, with the very beginning of the song and it gets registered on your senses. The chorus comes to the front gradually as we, the curious listeners, go along with the track. By the time we hear ‘Para Para...’, we know that it is taking a different route soon. The enchanting folk-ish singing makes way for the powerful male chorus, with Anoop Mohandas (Vidwan lead singer) leading the vocals. The punchy lyrics of Anwar Ali are neatly arranged by John P. Varkey and the song rushes to an end as we fall in love with it. We are left with the only one option then – play it again, letting ourselves fall in a trance.
Arikil Pathiye... (Oru Murai Vanthu Paarthaya)
Composer Vinu Thomas has carved out a neat album in latest film Oru Murai Vanthu Paarthaya. We had another number from the film featured in the last Tunes Weekly. For ‘Arikil Pathiye...’, the composer hands over the mic to the trusted Najeem Arshad who sounds splendid. Sangeetha Sreekanth's rendering in the charanam is equally endearing. Vinu relies on simple keyboards and fabulous violins throughout the song, keeping its romantic tone intact. 'Arikil Pathiye' is lovely work from Vinu.
Ud-daa Punjab... (Udta Punjab)
You might have heard the addictive 'Chitta Ve...' from Udta Punjab, the latest album from one of the best musicians of current times – Amit Trivedi. The title song Ud-daa Punjab... is another peppy track from the soundtrack and is sung with all the zing needed by the composer himself and another composer-singer Vishal Dadlani. The song, when it comes with the mandolin sounds and the percussion, makes you move yourself. The rap bits in the interludes is a fine deviation from the Punjabi-flavoured tune. Ud-daa Punjab... is Amit Trivedi in top form.
Tu Hai Toh Main Hoon... (Waitng)
Soothing music at its cradling best, that's Tu Hai Toh Main Hoon... Composer Mikey McCleary extracts delicate vocals from Anushka Manchanda and Nikhil D'Souza and the soulful tune makes us smile. The singers deliver the track in wonderful unison and Mikey works his simple arrangement around their vocals. A heart-warming number this is.
Aaravalli... (Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran)
What can Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, dappankuthu and trance music possibly result in? One of the best dappankuthu songs of 2016! Composer C. Sathya brings on board Vijayalakshmi for this fast number and boy, she does a cracking job. As her vocals begin to entertain us, Sathya brings in the surprise element – a fine layer of techno fused with the racy kuthu beats. Vijayalakshmi's powerhouse rendition is ably backed by the other singer V.M. Mahalingam. We are tripping big time on this techno-kuthu number!
Bonus track
Binaural – relating to sound recorded using two microphones and usually transmitted separately to the two ears of the listener, Google tells us. We're no expert to comment on the technical side of this work of Tonic & Sonic Productions. But, we tell you – this is blissful and as original as it can get. Kudos to composer Allwin Johnny and producer Shankar Varier!
