Re: [arr] My opinion on VTV

[ichord]

Fantastic review, Gayathri!  Really enjoyed reading it!!

--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, Gayathri Chandrakasan <gayathri_c...@...> 
wrote:
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> Thanks Vithur :)
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> --- On Fri, 1/15/10, Vithur <vith...@...> wrote:
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> From: Vithur <vith...@...>
> Subject: Re: [arr] My opinion on VTV
> To: arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 2:51 AM
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> Nice review Gayatri.... well written. 
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> On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 2:56 PM, Gayathri Chandrakasan <gayathri_ck17@ 
> yahoo.com> wrote:
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> Though it has just been two days since I bought the cd, nevertheless for some 
> reasons, I feel as if I've been having an age old "relationship" with the 
> album. To tell the truth, when I first heard the songs, I did like the album 
> for the overall presentation. However, as the songs kept playing in my cd 
> player, I noticed that there was something extra special about this album. 
> The more I listened to it, the more I'm engrossed with it. And the more I'm 
> engrossed with it, the more I'm unwilling to part from it. In fact, I happen 
> to come across a mail written by our fellow friend who claimed that he now 
> takes a longer route back home in order to have some time alone with the 
> soundtracks. The moment I read it, I just couldn't help but smile...because 
> that's exactly how I felt when listening to the album myself...to spend some 
> time alone with the album and to uncover the truth of what's making it so 
> spellbinding! 
> 
> The followings are merely my thoughts on my "new-found friendship" with VTV. 
> I'm not a professional commentator nor do I have a profound knowledge as far 
> as music is concerned, thus kindly pardon me if there's any inaccuracy or 
> mistake in the expressions and words used below.
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> 
> 1. Omana Penne
> Omana Penne starts on a blissful tune coupled with the soothing voice of 
> Benny Dayal. I've always preferred Benny in soft melodies rather than in  
> fast beats or folk numbers. And as expected, Benny has done a wonderful job 
> here.  The first saranam was given an "under-water- singing" effect which 
> reminds me of Blue, nevertheless the similarities ends there. 
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> The Kerala portion on the other hand, has a heavenly rhythm which leaves you 
> asking for more. It's always a privilege to hear ARR's usage of ethnic music, 
> even if it's only for a few seconds and he has done an excellent job here as 
> well. And needless to say, Kalyani Menon was the perfect choice for this. On 
> a further note, the nadaswaram used throughout the song was just mind 
> blowing. Initially I had my doubts if the real nadaswaram was used for this 
> particular number nevertheless clarifications given by fellow friends and a 
> quick check with  ARR's official website cleared my doubts. Kudos to ARR and 
> Natarajan for churning out an essentially ethnic and yet modern tune. Omana 
> Penne is definitely here to stay!
>  
> 2. Anbil Avan
> The techno sound at the prelude seems to have traces of Santhipoma of Enaku 
> 20 Unaku 18. To tell the truth, I didn't find this song to be particularly 
> astounding at first. However, repeated hearing has made me to change my mind. 
> Trust me, this song is "highly addictive". Devan did a great job, needless 
> to say. I couldn't think of any other singer who would have given the song 
> the same level of energy that Devan accomplishes.  Nevertheless, I must say 
> that Chinmayi was a revelation. I've always had difficulties identifying 
> Chinmayi's voice as she has the talent of modulating her voice texture and 
> style according to the mood of each and every song of hers. While she was 
> soulful in Oru Deivam (Kannathil Muthammittal) and angelic in En Uyir 
> Thozhiye (Kangalal Kaithu Sei), here she seems to present a western-based 
> singing. In fact, when I heard this song for the first time, I had mistaken 
> Chinmayi's voice to Vasundhara Das'. A check on the credits
>  revealed the truth. She sounds amazing!
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> 
> Coming back to the music arrangements, ARR has again surprised everyone with 
> his choice of genre for a song such as this. The song basically expresses the 
> lovers' dreams of their marriage. While most would  have settled for a 
> melody for such a situation, ARR decided to grant a peppy, foot-tapping 
> number. And what an apposite choice that was. He effectively brought out the 
> elation felt by the lovers in a vivacious manner, while the inclusion of the 
> marriage tunes at the interludes provided a wonderful, jubilant feel to it. 
>  
> 3. Vinnaithandi Varuvaya 
> I was pleasantly surprised that ARR used Karthik instead of Hariharan for 
> this soothing number.  This would have been a cake-walk for Hariharan who's 
> a master in playing with the ragas. Nevertheless, I must say that Karthik has 
> done a commendable job. In fact, full credits goes to ARR for using Karthik's 
> voice in a very unconventional manner to such great effect. Instead of opting 
> for the open-throat singing (which I believe is Karthik's plus point), ARR 
> has brought out a rather husky side of Karthik here. Truly amazing!
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> ARR has used minimum  instruments here, letting the string arrangements to 
> do the wonders. And wonders they did! I was instantly attracted to it from 
> the first moment I heard it. In fact, I must say that I was amazed with the 
> whole presentation of this song. Definitely one of my favourites! 
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> 4. Hosanna
> Vijay Prakash is back after the amazing job rendered in Fiqrana. Among all 
> the songs, Hosanna attracted me from the moment I first heard it. The song 
> started on as a slow melody but ARR quickly transformed it to a 
> fast tempo at the pallavi. Vijay sounds refreshing and he seemed completely 
> at ease with the high notes. I especially loved the  way he presented the 
> "idhayam" portion which comes at the beginning and at the end of the song. 
> Absolutely delightful!
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> 
> By the way, who said Blaaze sounded repetitive?? I don't usually like rap 
> and I was never a big fan of Blaaze, but I dare say that he was great here! 
> He seems to have adopted a more "Caribbean" feel this time which sounded cool 
> to the ears. Suzanne on the other hand has added charm to the song with her 
> blissful humming and chanting of "Hosanna". A highly lovable number, I must 
> say!
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> 5. Kannukul Kannai
> The song started with great violin score coupled with the usage of percussion 
> at the right places. The beautiful string arrangements at the interlude needs 
> to be specifically mentioned here as I felt ARR has done a wonderful job with 
> them. Naresh Iyer was truly amazing! The boyish-sounding Naresh is now back 
> with a matured and well-developed voice and he handled the fast-pacy number 
> gracefully. I admit that the  lyrics of the song have yet to grow on me but 
> the amazing harmony of sounds projected here is too extraordinary to give 
> this a miss. Definitely has potentials to hit the chartbusters!
>  
> 6. Manipaya
> The moment Shreya Ghosal rendered the first line, I knew that this is going 
> to be a special number. But nothing prepared me for the surprise I was about 
> to face. The whole experience of listening to this song just left me 
> speechless. So much so that the moment the song ended, I had the urge to play 
> it again and again. Shreya was just amazing. She totally connected with the 
> song. Not only had she improve her pronunciation to perfection but the 
> emotions she conveyed through her voice was so intense that you can't help 
> but feel the pain and grief she executes soulfully. And ARR...what can I say 
> about him? He just took the song to a higher level with his emotive 
> singing. Truly, this song is just made for them. 
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> The lyrics didn't particularly sound poetic, nevertheless, they spelt out the 
> characters' feelings exceedingly well. The girl seeking forgiveness for 
> failing her lover, and the guy responding by attributing each and every 
> success of his to her was expressed poignantly here. In fact, the whole song 
> has a pathos feel lingering around it that eventually leaves you emotionally 
> drained. ARR has created a whole new dimensions to his music by not only 
> evading the usual pallavi-saranam- pallavi sequence, but by giving each and 
> every stanzas a life of its own. And adding to the magical effect is the 
> inclusion of the wonderfully crafted and meaningful Thirukural. What more can 
> you ask?
> I would whole-heartedly agree that this song is definitely the best of the 
> lot! Face it, "beautiful" is just too lame a word to define this song!
>  
> 7. Aaromale
> When Rahman infused rap into folk numbers, everyone was left awed by the 
> final product. So how would you respond now that he blends rock with ethnic 
> music? You can't respond, of course. You're just left flabbergasted with the 
> sheer brilliance of ARR. Alphonse was an apt choice for this number. His 
> powerful , solid voice suited the mood and style of the song marvelously. I 
> loved the slokas-like tunes which gives the song a native touch and ARR 
> inserts them well with the excellent support of percussion.  If there's 
> anyone who can blend rock and ethnic music exceedingly well, then it has to 
> be ARR. The more I hear this number, the more I'm drawn to it. Phenomenal!
>  
> Overall, Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya left me feeling completely contented and 
> excited. ARR has never failed to surprise me with each new projects he 
> ventures. This time around, I was not only elated, but I was thoroughly 
> absorbed and captivated with the final product. God bless ARR for triggering 
> a special feelings in our hearts through his magical music once again!
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> -- 
> regards,
> Vithur
>