Movie: Ramayya Vastavayya ( 2013 )
Music: SS Thaman
Music: SS Thaman
Director: Harish Shankar
Producer: Dil Raju
Cast: Tarak (Jr.NTR), Samantha, Shruti Haasan
Ramayya Vastavayya is the latest offering from Tarak ( Jr. NTR) who had a decent run at box office with Baadshah, and Harish Shankar who is sky high after Gabbar Singh. Both working together with Dil Raju raised the bar in terms of expectations to a new level. Dil Raju is known for a good musical sense and his music has been always decent.
With the pace Thaman was going, seems like it was a break compared to the number of movies he was doing. May be he took a break after Media providing feedback that his music was repetitive. Thaman has worked with Harish Shankar with Mirapakayi, NTR worked with Thaman earlier for Brindavanam. So this combination of Hero, Director, producer and Music director is nothing new. The question comes whether they made it right again or not.
In Lyrics department, Sreemani (Aaradugula bullet fame ) gets major pie, supported by Sahiti and Ananth Sriram. Singers are no surprises, atleast Thaman didnt sing which is good. Lets see how this combination worked.
1. Jabilli Nuvve
Artist(s): Ranjith
Lyricist: Ananth Sriram
In Audio review one of the guest was complimenting Thaman that till now he had problems listening to words in his music, but this movie he was able to clearly hear the words (Was it a compliment or complaint?). But hearing the words just will not be enough. Some nice lyrics needs justice in terms of emoting the feeling of the lyrics. This song doesn't do that. The tune selected has no relation to the words. There by the song loses its charm.
The starting tune is again rehashed by Thaman from his previous movie, then changed the gear. Ranjith singing wise was fine, but could not get the feel of the lyrics. He had trouble with few words. Thaman gives a catchy tune and as usual his high pitch fascination doesnt go away. He adds all elements in between. With whatever the issues in the song, this song is already a hit. When this song was released on YouTube there were 1.2 Million views and about 10k likes. I guess every credit has to be given to the new look of the Hero and the picturization and the lyrics by Ananth Sriram.
2. Pandaga Chesko
Artist(s): Kay Kay
Lyricist: Sree Mani
Another Thaman routine song. SreeMani who got fame for "Aaradugula Bullet" song, had this song with rhyming words ending with "sko" (స్కో ). So we will find all those words that song can accommodate not to worry too much about the meaning. There was a discussion why there are so many Hindi words making into Telugu songs. One of the lyricist explained that because of the tunes they are getting these days, it is becoming very difficult to fill in Telugu words. Hindi/English words has an advantage of fitting them so they are writing songs with more Hindi/English words in it. In this globalization everything is getting accepted. Youth is liking so movie makers don't have issues in continuing with this process.
Coming to song, Kay Kay has all the energy required for this song. Guess this song had got more pace than required could be that the Hero wanted this to showcase his dancing skills. The tunes/beats in second interlude is just typical Thaman. He never disappoints. Sreemani in second stanza uses "ted" in his praasa kosam prayaasa. Not sure why lyricists are so fascinated about the rhyming words forgetting about writing a meaningful lyrics that makes sense. Dont know who made festival of this song.
3. O Lailaa
Artist(s): Rahul Nambiar
Lyricist: Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar
Full mass song, could be feast for fans with Tarak lending voice in between. Perfect template music of Thaman. And he doesnt deviate an inch of it. In the pace and beat of the song, సొట్ట has become సొట and రకరకాలుగా has become రాకా రాకాలుగా and many such more. Thaman never gets tired of redoing his music. How many programs, how much feedback he gets he doesn't change, his music doesn't change. Tarak Sir మీరు ఏమి అనొద్దు అన్ని మేమే అంటాం, అంటున్నాం.
4. Neneppudaina
Artist(s): Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Sahithi
This song is touted as one of the best song by the director of the movie. He repeatedly said in each and every language he knows and in every program that the location were this song was shot, was never caught by camera. This song is so special to him :-) The visuals confirm that. This song (interlude) reminds a song in "Duet" of ARR, and other tunes reminds other songs, beats are beaten types. Harish Shankar told that he got this song composed quickly because of location and Thaman's turnaround for this song is pretty quick. Obviously, if he rehashes, it can be done in an hour or so. Thaman has redefined the definition of music and this song proves that. His fascination towards high pitch and the variations he provides in that is what he is about.
Shreya Ghosal inspite of singing over a decade in Telugu doesn't know the how to pronounce రవ్వంత, మువ్వంత, గువ్వంత. No matter how great she sings, how melody her voice is, if one lacks dedication to sing a song properly, then there is the turn off for the song. This is the difference between yesteryear singers and current generation singers. This generation never got the singing basics right. Shankar Mahadevan is right fit for this song and he does perfect justice. Of course he provides unnecessary improvisations which worked only at times. The chorus was much more pleasant to hear. This song will definitely get help from visuals.
Shreya Ghosal inspite of singing over a decade in Telugu doesn't know the how to pronounce రవ్వంత, మువ్వంత, గువ్వంత. No matter how great she sings, how melody her voice is, if one lacks dedication to sing a song properly, then there is the turn off for the song. This is the difference between yesteryear singers and current generation singers. This generation never got the singing basics right. Shankar Mahadevan is right fit for this song and he does perfect justice. Of course he provides unnecessary improvisations which worked only at times. The chorus was much more pleasant to hear. This song will definitely get help from visuals.
5. Kurrayeedu
Artist(s): Shankar Mahadevan, Suchitra
Lyricist: Sree Mani
Another template music from Thaman. Sreemani could do whatever he can in his limitation of the tune. But unfortunately had to hear all types of non-sense words. Suchitra sounds exactly like other songs of Thaman and for a minute we go back to that song. Shankar had to strain in this song. Thaman should have taken care of this. Another songs for the Hero to make his dance moves. Since hero will engage the viewers how this song fares doesn't matter.
6. Idhi Ranarangam
Artist(s): Ranjith, Rahul Nambiar, Naveen
Lyricist: Sree Mani
SreeMani after Attarintiki Daaredi gets another title song. As he has done in other song, he uses good words but overall looses the flavor to make them togather for a feel good song. The words individually sound good but somehow confuses listener when put togather. Thaman as usual reuses the song#4 and gives the pace and energy, but as one of the guest said, we cannot hear words so clearly when the song is made in hurry and sung in a hurry. I dont understand why all title songs have to be fast paced, high pitch and super fast beats. Anyways thats how music is made these days.
Pick(s) of the album: Jaabili Nuvve, Nenepudaina, Idi ranarangam ( taking away issues from the songs )
One of the guest who spoke in audio release function exaggerated during his speech that the songs of this movie are here to stay for 100 years. I really doubt these songs will stay more than 100 days or even till the movie ends its run at box office. Thaman inspite of media feedback, doesn't change. The music of this movie is exactly "As it is". His template music doesn't change, his rehashing/re-using tunes doesn't change. The only change was that he doesn't add sound effects to the singers voice which is replaced by high pitch singing. When the music definition is changed, the definition of success is also changed and this movie is success for all those who redefined these terms. Wish the film team a success run at box office as Dil Raju is known for it.
