Rangasthalam Audio Review

Movie:            Rangasthalam ( రంగస్థలం )
Producer(s):  Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Sankar, Mohan Cherukuri

Cast:              Ram Charan, Samantha Akkineni,Aadhi Pinisetty,Jagapati Babu

Direction:      Sukumar
Music:            Devi Sri Prasad

1. Yentha Sakkagunnaave
Singer: Devi Sri Prasad
Lyrics: Chandrabose

Sukumar has always been top notch director for selecting right songs for his movies. And saying DSP as his soul, both sync so well that whenever they are in such sync, the output will be these type of songs. This song can easily be said as one of best made songs in recent times, whether its in musical sense or lyrics wise. However any brand new singer whose voice is like the voice who sang the starting alap of the song "Seetamma vakitlo sirimalle chettu" type voice would have made this song live for ever. 

DSP has got the right mood of the song, but he has lot of limitations either singing, or pitching or expressions. The starting guitar beats are perfect setting either for the song or the pitcurization. The beats and guitar go hand in hand for a while and DSP start is also very good. The problem comes only when he elevates the pitch. The chorus sounds a lot better. Not sure why Chandrabose writes everything in slang except for "sakkagunnave", I expected "Enta sakkangunnave". At some places, DSP was not able express properly. Actually even though his comparisions are fine, he reminds me of Vairamuttu, he is known a lyricist with formula. Like Kannuku kaatuka andam song, he finds one phrase and with that formula, he keeps writing which all are beautiful. Just as a coincidence, I felt Chandrabose followed the same route. Not to limit this song, but the entire song is comparison on the same lines. 

Very few songs these days touches the heart. May be due to loud noise, repeated tunes, singers messing up entirely or bad lyrics with mixing other languages. This one sure does. Reason is tune and lyrics are written close to Telugu nativity. The second interlude for example is perfectly made. Just imagining the beauty of Godavari, or a village and listening to the interlude makes one feel nostalgic. The beats that accompanying the interlude are so soft that doesn't disturb the feel. This is what all DSP and Sukumar are about. Chandrabose had to just cater there needs to get fame for himself. He easily recovered some damage of his image with this lyrics. While listening to this song and enjoying, if each time the listener thinks that how this song sounded without DSP, thats not their fault. Just saying :) :) 

2. Ranga Ranga Rangasthalaana

Singer: Rahul Sipligunj
Lyrics: Chandrabose

Rangasthalam is the stage for drama. Our life is nothing but drama, where we dance to the tunes of destiny. On a bigger canvas, yes we all are artists performing our characters in the drama directed by director called the invisible Supreme Self. Chandrabose again gets the formula based lyrics by telling each instrument we use is coming from one or other God/Goddess. Basically telling we are not capable of acting on our own and we cannot control anything in this world. For enacting this drama, yes we dont come prepared. We just be there and everything happens on its own. That has been told very well in the song. And no bigger drama is there without reference of Ramayanam and MahaBharatam. However "padi talalu unnavadu Ravanudu, chedu talapu leni vaadu ramudu", comparison doesn't sound very well. 10 heads doesn't mean one will have bad thoughts. Chandrabose might have gone with praasa for tala, talapu. A different comparison would have clicked very well. But who cares. The references are nicely tied up in this song. Chandrabose succeeds in that aspect. Also vinapadettu kaadu, kanapadettu kottandi, is very apt for the movie, where lead is more comfortable seeing than hearing. Well said. 

DSP continues his magic with this song taking help from Rahul instead of singing himself. Again the beats are perfect, the singing is much better. Rahul mixes the slang at some places and non-slang at places written by Chandrabose, very well. The interludes are typical village beats. More heard in southern part.  This song gels well for a stage play scenario, the dungroo is heard in few hindi songs, but thats ok, it goes well too. 

3. Rangamma Mangamma
Singer: M M Manasi
Lyrics: Chandrabose

Now comes the typical DSP, who is best not only at melodies, but these type of songs. This song will keep everyone on toes. Chandrabose goes back to what he is known best for. Oorko bettaduuuuu, is typical DSP style of extending. Manasi's voice kind of suited the style of the song. The song aimed at masses as the lyrics say so. Sometimes Chandrabose doesn't write it with inherent meanings. Of-course he reaches his goal though. The complains from female lead can be told with subtle meanings but Chandrabose has a different style of writing such songs.  DSP weaves magic in the song, with his typical style of tuning this song. This song will be another feather in cap for DSP. He made is so appealing to mass, that they will embrace it right away.

4. Aa Gattununtaava

Singer: Shiva Naagulu
Lyrics: Chandrabose

When there is a confusion among people that colludes to choose between the right and wrong, this songs comes into picture. This is typical way of explaining people in villages how to make right choice. Chandrabose even though goes the formulatic approach, he uses that effectively to explain what is in offering between the good and bad, so that it will be easy to understand.  However he uses words Baddamu, just for Abaddam, even though its not opposite like other words. Kallu ki virugudu majjiga, Chandrabose might have meant, if you get drunk and spoilt there, we can set you right with offering butter-milk. Which means even if you are spoilt, we have ways to fix you. Shiva Nagulu shows the prowess what a folk singer can offer. The authentic voice is real strength for this song. The folk song always brings the electrifying power. Its pretty sure this song will remain close to the listeners.

5. Jigelu Rani

Singers: Rela Kumar, Ganta Venkata Lakshmi
Lyrics: Chandrabose

This song brings back the DSP the perfect item song maker. His initial days of item songs were just fantastic, mainly the ones that were offered to Sukumar. He finally gets there after loosing that track. This song is not perfect singing wise, but this is what required for these type of songs, as it sets the mood of village atmosphere, the recording dances, where the song doesn't matter, the atmosphere is more important. The song sets it perfectly. Chandrabose too goes back to his specialty area, writing these kind of songs with great skill. Rela Kumar did very well compared to Venkata Lakhsmi. However she brings the rustic nativity that gels well with song. In the name of different sounds of singers, people go else where. This album proves how singers like Siva Nagulu, Rela Kumar, Venkata Lakshmi can bring authentic Telugu sounds which the industry is missing past decade. 

Pick(s) of the album: Entire album

Its been a while that one had offered a complete hit album. DSP/Sukumar did couple of times, but lately DSP has reduced his offerings to 50% unlike his initial days. This album is hit in entirety much before the movie released and post release this just got better. Hope DSP/Sukumar continue their contribution to music world like this as long as they make moves either together or individually. Hope DSP re-records Enta Chakkagunnave with some different singer just to see how it sounds different.