Ulavacharu Biryani Audio Review

Movie: Ulavacharu Biryani - ఉలవచారు బిర్యాని 

Music: Isaignaani Ilayaraja

Director: Prakashraj 

Producer(s): K.S.Ramarao ( Creative Commercials )

Cast: Prakashraj, Sneha,  Samyuktha Hornad and Mandya Ramesh

One of its first of kind, a movie made as Trilingual which is a remake of Malayalam Film, Prakashraj directs and acts in this movie named in Telugu as Ulavacharu Biryani. In Tamil titled as "Un Samayal Arayil" and in Kannada as "Oggarane" . The film as caption says "Love is Cooking" is about a romantic story of two couples falling in love through their common interest which is food. The film story line sounds interesting. Sneha after a long gap acting in this movie as co-star to Prakashraj.

Prakashraj directing his third film, says he is enjoying directing movies which gives him chance to spend time with his family, identify something new in him and do something on his own. He pairs up with Ilayaraja again with this movie after his earlier movie "Dhoni". Though the movie didnt enjoy success, the music and movie was critically acclaimed. Prakashraj shows great respect and devotion to Ilayaraja and seems like he enjoys getting every opportunity to work with Ilayaraja. 

This movie has Chandrabose as single card lyricist. Prakashraj is known for having good lyrical values in his movies and obviously with Ilayaraja at the helm the expectations are more. Need to see how good he extracted lyrics from Chandrabose who these days is very limited in showcasing his skills by writing some words to tunes just to fit them in other than having great lot of meaning in those lyrics. The singers list consists of few less heard names, few regulars and Kailash Kher. There are only 4 songs in this movie which tells, they should be well made for situations as it defies regular commercial song count.

The movie visuals so far shows lot of cooking and visual feast of food. Whether music is able to create audible feast or not, lets see. 

1. E Janmame Ruchi 

Singer(s):  Kailash Kher

Lyrics: Chandrabose

There were many songs on food and food items that Andhra is famous for. This song is about different food choices Telugu people can enjoy. Chandrabose tried more of rhyming words and having a pattern. He was successful in listing few famous items added to the tune of Ilayaraja, will make listeners to go get them right away.  Visuals of this song also show lots of cooking during this song and this is really a feast in waiting.

Coming to singing, Kailash kher has a unique voice which suits perfectly for few types of songs very well. However not sure whose decision was to make him sing this song. The making video shows he struggled to bring stress on words/emotions that Ilayaraja wants. His voice suits the tune but the words from his voice doesn't fit the song, there by the song lost its charm. He mercilessly killed the words. The list of killed words might be longer than the song itself :(. The only times the song will appeal to listeners is interludes. 

The song is full of Telugu native food items doesn't sound like Telugu at all with Kailash Kher singing the song, there by the enthusiasm to hear the song again will disappear. The visuals show that this song is worth watch on screen.

Not sure why makers didnt take enough care? If this happens to Ilayaraja, then we can forget about Telugu Songs in future. We might need to start a Facebook page to "Save Telugu Song". 

2. Theeyaga Theeyaga    

Vibhavari & Ranjith

Lyrics: Chandrabose

Ilayaraja had luxury of singers at his hand who could make justice his tunes. We can see the difference of yesteryear singers and Ilayaraja tunes of that time versus current tunes and singers. The earlier generation singers not only did justice to his tunes, they elevated the songs to an extent that the song lived for many years. However the current singers are not even able to match his tunes. That shows clearly sad state of singers, even though there are thousands of singers coming thruough talent shows, they aren't any good singers that can sustain and meet singing challenges from music directors like Ilayaraja. Why does హృదయం sound as రుదయం? Even written in other language, the word shouldn't change.  Ranjith and Vibhavari lack energy and enthusiasm, unable to provide the feel of the mood of the song. Clearly this song could have been better for the tune that was composed. The humming is typical of Ilayaraja that sounds so pleasant.

3. Telisee Teliyandila

Singer(s): Karthik & Ramya NSK

Lyrics: Chandrabose

Ilayaraja has a unique signature tune for every movie, whether it is part of BGM or a song.  I guess this song is that signature tune. Its amazing to see how he comes up one everytime,  inspite of working for 950 odd movies. Each of them are different and makes mark. The start of this song is that tune I guess and instantly catches up. The guitar is always better at Ilayaraja. The tune will be so involved into the movie that this will fit the mood. He uses these tunes as BGM in many movies for few scenes too. I am not seeing the original Karthik  these days. Something is missing in his singing lately. Ramya too could have done a lot better than the way she has sung. In spite of having everything in this song, feels like something is missing that doesn't make this song hook listeners instantly. May be need couple of times listening is required.

4. Raayaleni Lekhane

Singer(s): Sarath

Lyrics: Chandrabose

Chandrabose who wore a different cap in this album has done decent job for the songs. This song is another example of being able to step aside from his usual non-sense lyrics he writes. Ilayaraja could have done tonnes of songs with this emotion and he does once again yet another time in great style. Guitar sounds so powerful. Sarath sounded like Yesudas a bit, which is limited to voice not singing wise.  His singing lacks power but within his limitations did fine. As always with Ilayaraja, the guitar bit in the ending again touches. A short song though.

Pick(s) of the album: Telisee teliyandila, Raayaleni Lekhane

Raja/Raj combination once again did justice to the movie with music providing support to the theme of the movie. The songs will suit the movie, but with changing times Ilayaraja moved to different style of composition which I guess will be liked by limited audience.  Not sure how much the general audience will like this music, The music will be embraced by Ilayaraja fans, but even they will have problems with singers being clearly the weakest link for this album. Prakashraj as a director he got what he want, depends on how he added visuals to these songs to make them more watched in theater.  

Some on in Audio release said, Ulavacharu a andhra dish and Biryani being Telangana dish, Ilayaraja became bridge between those by becoming "meegada". Not sure what it meant, as said by movie makers, this movie is not about regions. Anyways all the best to the team.