Cast: Siddharth, Prithviraj, Vedhika, Anaika Soti, Nassar, Thambi Ramaiah, Ponvannan, Singampuli, Mansoor Ali Khan, Babu Antony

Direction: Vasantha Balan

Music: AR Rahman

Lyrics: Valee, Na. Muthukumar, Pa. Vijay, Arunagirinathar

Label: Sony Music India

• VAANGA MAKKA VAANGA, Singers: Haricharan, Dr. Narayan; Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar – An emphatic rendition by Haricharan with superlative dynamics. What a great time he’s having with Rahman over the past few albums. He’s flourishing as an exemplary talent under Rahman’s tutelage!
• AYE MR. MINOR!, Singers: Haricharan, Shashaa Tirupati; Lyrics: Pa. Vijay – AR Rahman’s tongue-in-cheek homage to his own ‘Hello Mister Edirkatchi’ from the classic ‘Iruvar’. Shashaa Tirupati is here to stay. After the heavenly Vaada Vaada in Kochadaiiyaan, now this brilliant number alongside Haricharan. Her vocals stand tall and her non-chalant rendition enriches song’s atmosphere beautifully. No wonder if it ends up as the underrated track of the album
• SANDI KUTHIRAI, Singer: Haricharan; Lyrics: Pa. Vijay – It’s only two days back Kollywood fraternity celebrated CV Sridhar’s classic Kaadhalikka Neramillai and this track is straight out of one of the evergreen songs, Maadimele composed by Vishwanathan-Ramamurthy for the film. Quirky rendition, foot-tapping tempo, inventive tune – A riotous ARR fusion. As someone said on Twitter, ‘Sandi Kuthirai is ARR on dope’. We couldn’t agree more!
• YAARUMILLA, Singers: Shweta Mohan, Srinivas; Lyrics: Pa. Vijay – An enchanting melody with beautiful lyrics by Pa. Vijay. Shweta Mohan makes a memorable comeback in an ARR album after the mesmerizing Innum Konjam Neram. Though her pleasing vocals leave a resonating effect, the best portion of the song comes from Rahman’s grand and imposing intermezzo from 2.40 to 3.25
• SOLLIVIDU SOLLIVIDU, Singer: Mukesh; Lyrics: Pa. Vijay – The song has three moods; three transitions. Mukesh’s mind-boggling dynamics between each passage = guaranteed goosefleshes. The first part (upto 2 mins) is a combined victory of Rahman’s pulsating score and Mukesh’s throbbing vocals; the second transition (from 2:00 to 2:48), comparatively, is quite short but Mukesh absolutely dominates here from the word go. The most sweeping part of the song starts at 2:53 – Mukesh’s soul-stirring rendition and Pa. Vijay’s evocative lyrics may leave you teary-eyed by the time the song comes to an end. A knock-out performance from Mukesh!
• THIRUPPUGAZH, Singer: Vani Jayaram; Lyrics: Arunagirinathar – Perhaps the most expected soundtrack of the album considering the fact that this is Vani Jayaram’s second song with AR Rahman after Idhu Sugam from ‘Vandicholai Chinnarasu’. The serene vocals of Vani Jayaram, set to a simplistic compostion, are sure to tickle the divine soul in you. One of those songs which gravely leaves you wanting more!
• ALLI ARJUNA, Singers: Haricharan, Bela Shende; Lyrics: Valee – Dissecting this song has to be the toughest job for a critic in a long time. It’s a 10:28 min track, an amalgamation of eight short bits fusioned together in an outstanding flow. The first 30 seconds of the Gettimaelam instrumental set the perfect start to the song followed by Haricharan’s rhythmic singing (Vandhanam Vandhanam); the lyrics appear as if AR Rahman invites us to get ready for the 10 minute musical extravaganza. After a 2 sec pause at the 1 minute juncture, Rahman blows you with his dexterity in flute (able to find a slight resemblance to the flute interlude in Thenkizhakku Seemaiyile?). Then comes Haricharan’s utterance of Vaalee’s trademark lines to showcase Arjunan’s falling-in-love moment – which pretty much constitutes the third bit Yaadhavanam.  Now, Rahman goes bonkers and plays around with his instruments to produce an enjoyable, cantillating fourth bit Alli Varugiraal. Bela Shende’s solo rendition for the fifth bit (from 3:40 to 5:19) Priya Sakhiyae may appear unstimulating but nevertheless she has reasonably managed to kickstart her proceedings. The sixth bit Kanna Kanna starts off like the glorification of Arjunan, but ends up as Arjunan’s pleadingness to Kanna to unite him with his love – Haricharan has nailed it. Bela Shende’s gorgeous vocals and Haricharan’s sullen recital form the shortest and perhaps, the sweetest bit of the song – Naan Annathooviyil (seventh). Now, the Gettimaelam plays again signalling a wedlock this time. It eventually culminates in the closing Nenju Porukkudhilkaiyae bit which thrives on Haricharan’s soaring vocals.

– Surendhar MK

Follow @MadrasBachelor

Kaaviya Thalaivan Songs Review Rating: 4.5/5