Vinnai Thandi Varuvaaya aka VTV

To say this was one of the most eagerly awaited album by Thala would be an understatement. The signs were just all over the place and too much to ignore.  What with stunning teasers.. Thala at helm.. Gautam menon.. the man behind some gr8 movies and awesome love songs… the wait was agonizing.. The leaked Hosana bit did dampen spirits.. but we all awaited the day of launch.. And it then it happened.. Of course.. mp3 was out within a day.. yet the loyalists bought the original CD and then. what else.. endless looping of the brilliant songs that made up this album.. 7 in all.. Each one a gem in its own right… Yours truly was in a trance for 4 straight days… looping VTV day in and day out.. Aaahh.. the ecstasy.. And then on the 5th day.. on a whim.. I didn’t listen to the album at all… In fact didn’t listen to any other music either.. Finally at around 6 in the evening.. gave up and switched on the music… The moment Benny went Aaahhaa… Adadaaa…  The lone tear in the eye was unstoppable.. the heart.. lightened as if it had been relieved of a heavy load.. The feeling was priceless…

Here’s a quick round-up of my take on each one of the songs. No it aint a review. As usual I am just gonna talk about what I like about each song.

Omana Penne…

The startup jingles are at the cutest best and Benny starts out impeccably.. You are lost by the time he finishes what he started at “Aaha.. Adadaa…” A soft yet foot tapping number.. The continuous singing.. the chorus.. the nadaswarm bit at the end stand out.. A very strong malayali flavour.. Instantly likeable.. the best part is Kalyani Menon’s bit…

Maragadha thottilil….. malayalikal tharattum….. pennazhage..

Madhanga thopukalil ….poonkuyilukal inachernnu….. pullankuzhal oothukayanu nin azhake…pennazhage…

The Omana penne chorus.. man… lowes lowes…  Love the way these lines are sung.. ARR the genius at work I say..

Kaatril.. asaigiradhun selai..

vidigiradhu en kaalai..

un pechu.. un paarvai…eee

nagarthidum pagalai.. iravai…

Anbil Avar..

The first time I heard this.. It reminded me of the Wedding Jingle from Unnale unnale [Remember Ilamai ullasam??]… I hardly paid any attention to the lyrice.. just tapped away to music..  Thamarai being Thamarai.. had to come up with…

Uyire.. unnai unnai endhan…

Vazhkai thunayaaga yerkindren yerkindren…

Inimel puyal veyil mazhai.. paalai solai ivai ondraage kadappome…

Unna thaandi edhayum.. ennaal yosanai seiyya .. mudiyadhey mudiyadhey…

These lines somehow found their way into my ear drums and ever since I couldn’t think of anything else.. went mad about this song as well.. Chinmayee.. I guess has sung in her original vocie for the first time ever… And at times.. Devan does make us feel like he’s still not out of the Smai yaai yaai yaai hangover.. Nevertheless.. The aforementioned lines make the song an absolute must hear.. and while at it.. tap away to glory if you must! And oh.. if it aint obvious yet.. It screams it’s a wedding song.. the lyrics… the nadaswaram.. the piano..the feel..  it’s all there..

VTV

Aah.. Here is when all the real fun begins.. Kathik at his soulful best.. And lyrics that are just out of the world… a bit of guitar twanging … some piano thrown in..and an in sync chorus just at the right places..  there you have it.. A perfect melancholy.. A stunner of a song this one is.. Karthik utters each word ever so softly.. As if.. if uttered a bit more harshly the word would squeal.. never mind as long as the desired end result is for all of us to fall in love.. over and over again.. with the song of course

Uyire.. neeyum… naanum…. pirindhadhu puviyeerpu maiyathil dhaane…

Iru dhuruvam serum andha or idam.. ange dhaan naam serndhome..

Inimel naanum neeyum pirivadhillai.. anbe... [The end of this line is the cue for you to melt! ]

I have been mumbling this one line for about a gazillion times now..

Hosanna..

What can you say about a song  with an opening line like “Yen idhayam.. udaithaai norungave.. yen maru idhayam.. tharuven.. ne udaikkave…“

You can only expect a song in the same league as the previous one.. and thats where Thala comes in.. throws in a bit of rap and peppy singing and lo and behold.. Oooh ooohh.. ooohh sana… oh sanaa… ooohh oohhhh…….

Vijay prakash pops out with Andha neram andhi neram.. and then there’s no looking back.. An awesome fast foot tappy number… makes you hum it over and over again… Blaaze’s rap bit is really good.. it fits in perfectly.. Suzanne D mello with here Ooohh.. Sana.. bit is good too… the best part.. undoubtedly has to be..

Vanna vanna pattu poochi poo thedi poo thedi angum ingum alaigindradhey..

oh sottu sottai thottu poga megam ondru megam ondru yengengo nagargindradhey..

Oh sana.. pattu poochi vandacha..

Oh sana megam unnai thottacha…

Oh sana… en meedhu anbu kolla…

Oh sana.. ennodu serndhu sella…

Oh sana.. um endrum sollu porum…

Oooohhhh sanaaa….

Kanukkul…

This is the brat song of the album.. At first.. I didnt quite like it at all.. I brushed it off as yet another “Yethi yethi” types.. Oh I was soooo wrong…

Un nanban illai.. naan un vaanin nila…

Un nanban illai.. nee en uyirin vizha..

How can lines with such a profound thought be a brat piece..And then there is

Anbe ododi.. vandu en kannai paarthu…

kadhal dhaan endru.. solli en kaayam aatru..

Such lines make it a gr8 song.. I somehow don’t like the “hey hey” at the background.. and one thing that never happens in the album so far happened for this song.. Simbu’s face pops up in the mind and that is definitely not what you want when you are getting lost in Thala’s album..

Mannippaya…

Hmmm.. Where do I start.. what do I say about this song.. Which things do I laud? What do i say is not so good.. Shreya.. Thala.. Sad song.. perfect lyrics.. just the right amount of music.. thirukkural set to music.. and in what style.. Take a bow thala.. I can just go on and on..

Kadalinil meenaga irundhaval naan..

Unakkena kadal thaandi vandhaval naal..

Thudithirundhen karayinile..

Thirumbi vitten en kadalidame…

It all starts here.. with these lines.. and goes on to wring the lump out of your heart.. Hear it 50 times.. you will cry at least once thinking of someone and some incident.. if not.. sorry boss.. music aint your cuppa..

Oru naal sirithen..

maru naal verutthen…

unnai naan kollamal kondru pudhaithene.. mannipaaya??

Eppudi madame ungalala ippadi lam yosikka mudiyidhu?? Ippudi ketta mannikkama dhaan irukka mudiyuma.. If that was for the women.. the men folk make a strong statement with..

Tholai dhoorathil velicham ne..

unnai nokkiyee… yenai eerkiraaai..

melum melum urugi urugi..

unnai yenni yengum idhayathai enna seiven…

Ippudi lam ketta naanga enna saar badhil solluradhu…

Anbil thodangi..

Anbil mudikkiren..

En kalangarai.. vilakkam nee..

And then come the thirukkurals.. in a carol style.. I totally look fwd to the kurals each time.. Adhu eppudi saar.. room pottu ukkarndhu choose panningeela?? the best  kurals??

Anaivarum urangidum.. iravenum neram..

enakkadhu thalai anai nanaithidum neram…

I dunno.. At this stage.. I am out of words for this masterpiece.. \m/ Bow to thee.. .Thamarai… Rahman and Gautam Menon for putting this together..

Aaromaley…

First few times.. I absolutely didn’t like this song.. It took me a while to realise the beauty that this song is.. Pink Floyd or not.. I lowes it.. And Alphons Joeseph.. ivvalo naal enga saar irundheenga… The guitar twangs.. the awesome voice.. the chorus.. these are the most important things in this song.. An out and out malayalam song.. Cant wait to see where and how they’ve fit this song in the movie.. The “swasthi swasthi” jingle lingers long after you’ve hit the bed for the night…

I don’t understand even a single word.. But the soul.. the life.. the I-dunno-how-to-name-it-in-Alphons’-voice just excites you beyond words and then “Swasthi swasthi” bit comes up…

Phew.. It’s so hard to stop writing about this album.. I wont rate it.. But it definitely ranks pretty high in the list of All Time Favourites.. Wont you agree??

Rambari!!

Thanks to twitter, I am learning a lot of new things.. News.. Facts.. Web comics.. Songs.. Yes all of them and even more.. What makes me do this post.. is well.. A song that made me sing and dance for a while. In my song recommendations, I’ve managed to raise a few eye brows by talking about telugu/malayalam songs. Those brows will now hit the ceiling. This song “Rambari” is Sinhalese song sung by Lahiru Parera. I chanced upon it and since there.. there’s only been “Rapata tapata rapata tapata rapata tapata rapa tam tam”

Check out the video here

You wont understand a word of the lyrics, unless you are Sinhalese. But that doesn’t matter. The beat is lively, makes you want to get up and shake a leg and of course.. Its an instant mood changer. Glum? listen to it.. Happy.. Oru kuthu kuthunga boss..

And after listening to it, you’d inevitably feel like singing along. Here’s making life easier for you.
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab

Rambari Kiyapan Umbe Nombare
Thanduri Kamuda Noda Barabare
Vakare Kauda Inne Jaramare
Ampare Malli Nidida Kamare(Wedida Manda)
Jambole Wage Inna Sundara
Sambole Kotala Gamuda Lunu Dama
Dangolle Mama Awith Maha Kuna
Gas Palle Idan Bomuda Ra Pera

Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab

Enna Malli Enna Malli Negitala
Menna Malli Menna Malli Rasa Katha
Pan Bage Kapala Ganna
Plain Tea Wak Karala Ganna
Enna Malli Enna Malli Negitala
Enna Nangi Enna Nangi Hedadama
Eliwenakam Sindu Kiyamu Rok Wela
Loke Thiyena Hodama Somiya
Eliwenakam Ape Joliya
Ganna Nangi Ganna Nangi Ek Wela

Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab

Kannadi Dammath Ne Heda Wade(A A)
Kauda Meka Baraganne Anthime(Me Me)
Lori Bage Mata Dunnath Hutapate(A A)
Mehema Katak Dakkema Ne Me Rate(A A)
Hummanen Wathura Bomuda Sobana
Hada Pane Wiridu Kiyamu Ranjana
Lori Bagen Raumak Yamu Re Wela
Maradanen Parata Kamu Lanwela

Rukman Daman Rukman Daman Rukman Daman Daba Dab Dab
Rukman Daman Rukman Daman Rukman Daman Daman Rukman

Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab

Sellam Walin Rata Hollapu Lokusira
Ethule Idan Iye Ewith E Hora
Eha Gedara Megi Akkata Hari Hina
Mata Nam Ne Dirawanne Oya Katha
Murali Damma Hodata Dusra Ambarala
Sanath Gehuwa Thithata Ane Ne Hina
John Cena Kala Hodata Pereida
Eth Wahale Hilen Wathura Geluwa Re Pura

Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab
Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapata Dapata Rapa Dab Dab

And where was I.. Yeah.. Enna malli enna malli negitala…

Surili Akhiyon Waale…

Ws are currently swooning to the awesome tracks from Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya and a couple of good ones from My Name is Khan. Meanwhile, we are yet to come out of the Veer hangover. Thanks to this song. Sung by Raahat Fatheh Ali Khan and interludes by Suzzane De Mello… the more I listen to it, the more I fall in love with Sufi music.

Starts off with a soft notes and gradually picks up some tempo.. and then comes Raahat’s husky voice.. there is something about this man’s voice.. his voice suits the ballads and the sad numbers to the T and this song is custom-made for him.. the yearning in the voice.. the lyrics wherein the protogonist is  searching  for his elusive sweetheart.. a perfect ballad.. a bit of opera chorus.. guitar twangs.. and did i mention voice?
The perfect melancholy for the night.. and then there is a bit sung by Suzzane.. perfect.. cant ask for me.. On the down side.. This song does sound incredibly familiar to Salaam aaya.. nevertheless.. a gr8 melody to be ejoyed in solitude..

Surili akhiyon wale….
Suna hai teri akhiyon se….
Behti hai neendein….
Aur neendon mein sapne….
Kabhi to kinaro pe….
Utar mere sapno se….
Aaja zameen pe aur mil ja kahin pe…..

Mil ja kahin ..
Mil ja kahin samey se pareh….
Samey se pareh mil ja kahin….
Tu bhi akhiyon se kabhi meri akhiyon ki sunn….

Jaane tu kahan hai…
Udti hawa pe tere pairon ke nishan dekhe…
Doondha hai zameen pe chana hai falak pe….
Saare aasman dekhe…
Mil ja kahin samey se pareh…
Samey se pareh mil ja kahin…
Tu bhi akhiyon se kabhi meri akhiyon ki sunn…

Will do a separate post on Raahat’s heart stealing numbers some time.

Until next time..

Ciao!

Salaam Aayaaa…

Salam

So we’re here in this shiny new space ear marked for my raves about music [mostly filmy of course]. While most of the earlier posts on heart stealing melodies have been imported here, I thought it would only be fitting to make a nice post on a beautiful song to kick start proceedings here..

Veer : A war theme movie starring Salman Khan with promos showing him flexing his chunks of muscles and screaming like a cave man.. One look at the promo and I thought.. I’ll definitely give this album a miss. One day later, I was to be proved wrong. The song in question is Salaam Aayaa.

I stood transfixed when I saw the promo for this song. Mellifluous voices in tandem, great instrumental arrangements.. the feel.. the yearning… the romance.. its all there and in right proportions.. Roop Kumar Rathod and Shreya Goshal.. It can’t get better.. can it?? The tune sounds a wee bit familiar but the handling of the drums the sitars and the flutes , the singing and of course.. the lyrics..make all the difference..
Dabi dabi saanson mein suna tha maine..
Bole bina mera naam aaya…
Palkein jhuki aur uthne lagi toh…
Haule se uska salaam aaya…

Jab bole woh, jab bole…
Uski aankh mein rab bole…
Paas paas hi rehna tum…
Aankh aankh mein kehna tum…
Dekha tumhe to aaram aaya….

Tum mile na mile, ye haseen silsile….
Waqt ke saqt hai ab ye pitt te nahi….

Haan tere bina saans bhi chalti hai….
Tere bina dil bhi dhadakta hai…..
Yaad nahi tha yaad aaya….

Din ki tarah tum sar pe aana….
Shaam ke jaise dhalna tum….
Khwaab bicha rakhey hain raah mein…
Soch samaj kar chalna tum…

Tere liya chaand bhi rukta hai….
Tere liya os teharti hai…
Yaad nahi that yaad aaya….

Wah Gulzaar sahab.. Wah.. You outdo yourself each time around!! Bow to thee!! Here’s hoping there are many more such gems to rave about!  And doing justice to all of the above is the video. Finally we have a cute video for a cute song!

Do watch it and swoon!!

And then there was music!

Lately a lot has been happening in life.. Too many things in my plate.. Too little time.. No seriously.. As it is I am this emotional person who wears the heart out on the sleeve and then ends up worrying. That not withstanding, there have been too many turbulences.. professional.. personal.. emotional.. shabba.. I need to take a break.. Sooner than later.. Not from this space though * Evil Grin *

Ok.. So far it sounded like a full-blown rant which I dont want this to be.. So moving on.. Whats keeping me going all through this is some cute moments.. some unexpected, unconditional love…  some really nice friends, looong detailed mails [that explains where all my creative juices went! ]  and of course.. MUSIC! Really cute mushy songs to keep me company..

Once, over a casual chat with Cont, I told him how “Nenani Neevani” was driving me mad! He was surprised that I listened to Telugu songs.. I was like Duh! Half hour later he sent me more songs that were good in his opinion. At first I didnt listen to the songs.. Cos my playlist was already brimming.. But then.. On a whim I loaded a few telugu songs sent by him and man.. I chanced upon “Naalo Nenena“. This is one hell of a beautiful song.. Set to tune by Mani Sharma… and sung by Hemachandra and Saindhavi.. this song is a part of a movie called Baanam. I have no idea about how the movie is.. but the song.. Maaannn..

It takes a while to get started.. A long instrumental prelude .. But hold your breath.. what follows is out of the world!  While Hemachandra is soft, glides effortlessly into the varying pitches and utters each word oh-so-delicately.. Saindhavi is her usual “ghaneer” yet soft self.. The instrument arrangement is very very mellifluous and soothing.. So much so that you’d fall in love with the violin interludes instantly…

Fav Lines: Manase Naadhi…Maate Needhi.. Idhem Maayo……

The second stanza which Saindhavi starts off is BEAUtiful!!! aweosmest..

Daivam Varamayi Dorikindani…
Naalo Sagamai Kalisindhani….
Melukuva Kaani…. Hrudayani….

Chiguraiponi Sisiraani….

Maname Saaksham..Maatey Mantram
Premey bandham…..

As usual I don’t understand a word of it! Not that I care..

The next song has been doing the rounds in the FM radios a bit.. “Oru Kili Oru Kili” from “Leelai“.. A new male voice [Sathish Chakravarthy who also happens to be the man behind the tune] and our new Melody Queen Shreya Ghoshal team up for this soulful and haunting melody. It’s more like a ballad.. The way Sathish sings “Vazhigiradheyyyy Vizhi vazhi.. ” tugs at your heart.. The tune is slow and yet fast paced.. Yes.. It’s more like a fast paced melody.. but at no point you feel that speed to be jarring or out-of-place..

Fav lines:

Enakku naan alla … Unakku thaan endru unargiren… Nizhalena thodargiren…

Kaadhal thaan… Ennalulum oru vaarthaikkul varathadhu…

Kaalangal… Sendralum andha vaanam pol vizhaathadhu…

If you listen to Bollywood music, you’d have already heard this song and chances are you are as mad about it as I am. Before I say a word more, let me just state a fact for the records, I am crazy about Atif Aslam. Just about any song he sings manages to put me in a trance. From “Tere Bin” right up till this one, each song has a special memory attached. No surprises here.. “Tu Jaane Na..” from APKGK! Phew.. I am not gonna describe the song or the music or the singer.. Just one word.. Mesmerized! The chorus prelude.. The longing in Atif’s voice.. the lyrics and a simple tune do the trick! And thankfully, for once, they’ve managed to shoot a decent video for a good song.

Fav Lines: I could go on and quote the entire song.. But then..

Kaise batayein.. Kyun tujhko chahe.. Yaara batha na paayein!!
How do I tell you.. why do I love you.. My love.. I am unable to say!
Baatein dilon ki.. Dekho jo baki.. Aake tujhe samjhaein….
The feelings of the heart.. That still remain.. I will come and explain them to you!
Tu Jaane naaa…

Nigaahon dekho meri jo hai bas gaya..
The one who has managed to stay in my eyes..
Wo hai milta tumse hubahoo..
He/She resembles you to the last detail..
Jaane teri aankhein thi ya baatein thi wajah..
Dont know if it were the eyes or the words that were the reason..
Hue tum jo dil ki aarzoo…
Why you became the object of the heart’s desire..

If you thought the was an emotional overload.. Wait till you hear this one.. This one is the icing on the cake. Cal, I can never thank you enough for suggesting this song. Well, its pretty straight forward. The song is from an upcoming Tamil movie called “Naanayam“. Music by James Vasanthan.. So no doubts here that this is the stand-out-most-melodious song of the album. But wait.. That is not all. Its sung by SPB and Chitra. Not thats a heady combination and they dont let you down at all.. Not one bit…

Right fro the flute prelude.. till the last second.. you’d be hooked on to it! Chitra with her usual bubbly voice which brims with excitement and SPB with his konjals and improvisations..Its vintage Chitra and SPB at their best.. Beautiful lyrics.. really… it can’t get better than this.. and of course.. the lilting tune.. The song canters a bit in the introductory stanza.. By the time Chitra finishes the first line you ought to fall in love.. with the song of course.. It’s from the “Na na na ” humming that it picks up pace.. No just there.. All “Na na na”s in the song are lovable..

Fav Lines:

Yen unnai paarthen endre ullam kelvi ketkum
Aanaalum nenjam vanthu nerathai nesikkum

En veetil neeyum vandhu serum kaalam ekkalam?
Poomalai seidhey vaadudhey..
En methai thedum provai yaavum selai aagadho..
Vaaradho annalum indeeeyy..

The jerk SPB gives after this line sends my heart into somersault.. Anga eppudii??

Andraadam pogum paadhai yaavum indru maattrangal…

Kaanaamal ponen paathiyil…

Nee vandhu ennai meettu selvaai endru ingeye…

Kaal noga kaal noga nindrene…

After a long tiring day, put there 4 songs in your ipod.. with noise cancellation headphones.. you should be in 7th heaven.. No less..

Enna baass paisa vasool ah??