Baadshah (Telugu) - Audio Review

Movie: Baadshah (Telugu) - 2013

Music: SS Thaman

Director: Srinu Vaitla

Producer: Bandla Ganesh

Cast: Jr NTR, Kajal

Srinu Vytla is on a dookudu, with his last hit. Seems like he got the formula for success. The expectations are huge based on trailers, posters, videos released so far. NTR is wanting a huge hit for himself. Post Dammu, his fans are too looking for a movie that would answer his critics and anti fans. So far everthing is looking promising and everyone is eagerly waiting for the music which they can cherish till the movie arrives.
 

Thaman who is on the roll, released music of movie Shadow for Venkatesh couple of days, listening to the music, we can expect what is going to come out of his pocket. Positive side of Thaman is that he never disappoints anyone including his critics.
 

Without going much details of Thaman's team lets look for this songs, as he has his standard persons, Daler Mehendi, Jaspreet Jasz, Baba Sehgal, Suchitra and Shefali. With this combination of lyricists RJS, Bhaskarbhatla, we already know how the album is going to look like, lets complete the formality.

1. Sairo Sairo

Singer(s): Rahul Nambiar, Ranjith, Naveen
Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

 

This song was leaked earlier before the audio release. Somebody when this song was released said, this is inspired as if this was the only song he got. The song starts with a catcy tune and beats for a promising song, but then Thaman kicks in with his standard template music, The singers were fully energetic, but something is missing. Instruments are louder than 3 singers. అణిచా has become అని చా. When they said Saira in between not sure why they end with Sairo. when will these lyricists stop going behind prasa. Dil me hai dum, kyon hai ye gum? Sairo, Yaaro - may be that's why Saira has become Sairo. The chorus or singers in interludes just said whatever they wanted. Anyways this song is loud, powerful, energetic perfectly suits NTR. Fans only care about that much and rest of us has to go with that. Fans dont worry, We feel your heart.

2. Diamond Girl
Singer(s): S.T.R, Suchitra
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Shadow had Naughty girl, this movie had Diamond girl. Pattern is same, style is same, sounds are similar. I am getting tired of listening the singers singing in same style. High pitch, voices changed. Thaman is the only music director who had only one pattern and is stuck to it. People are expecting variety, but Thaman only produces variety in sounds and singers. The interlude again he made different sounds with his new synthesizer he bought few months ago.  Is STR chosen just because its NTR movie? STR for NTR rhymes? I was thinking what was STR for MTR until I heard closely. Why Simbu had to sing with a fake style accent I dont understand, may be Thaman can explain. Simbu otherwise can sing much better than what he sang in this song. RJS was a usual, wrote whatever he wanted. As per Sirivennela garu's prophecy, if things are going the way right now, after a year or so, Telugu songs revolve around just 30-40 words. With RJS type of writers and Thaman kind of music directors it is already happening.

3. Baadshah
Singer(s): Hemachandra, Shefali Alvarez, Geeta Madhuri
Lyrics: Viswa

One more high volume, high paced, High pitch everything high song. If we forget about tune sounding familiar, Geeta Madhuri's singing, the rest is treat for fans. But the song appears that it has ended soon may be because of the pace. Srinu Vytla and NTR can elevate this song and add value to this song, normally otherway happens where song elevates the scene. The future of song depends purely on picturization.

4. Banti Poola Janaki

Singer(s): Daler Mehndi, Renina Reddy
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Oh Boy, isn't there any better singer than Daler Mehndi? He sounded so irritating when he was saying Deniki and Janaki. Thaman has to be commended for successfully reusing the tunes from different songs. He for sure knows how to make his life easy. If any one answers correctly how many inspired songs that this song consists of, they can get a bumper prize from Thaman. Mass song perfectly apt for NTR and his dances.

5. Welcome kanakam
Singer(s): Sowmya, Jaspreet Jasz
Lyrics: Bhaskara Bhatla

Again there is nothing new in this song. Jaspreet was horrible when he sings Telugu. Sowmya mostly sounded like Geeta Madhuri, may be its Thaman's magic. Thaman is making a point to prove that changing a song here and there will become another song. He knows Music is nothing but playing around with Keyboard to get different sounds and then playing with seven notes to make a tune. He is trying to make a template and changing here and there. Thats why he is so consistent in his music. Once again a loud song for fans, masses, NTR's choreographers. As said in earlier song, "Shana" will be one of the 30-40 words that will be frequently used in Telugu songs.

6. Rangoli Ragoli
Singer(s): Divya Kumar, Sonu Kakkar, Baba Sehgal, M.M.Manasi
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

I heard that Thaman gave around 50 tunes for a single song, before NTR selected one, Not sure which one of these. I don't see any song worth of that hardship. The problem I have with hearing Thaman's music is that all of them sound same, all singers sound same or every song appears to be heard somewhere. On the top the multilingual lyricists, just adds multi-lingual words. This song is fast, out and out mass song, passable song for normal audience. Movie might add some value to this song if there are some dance movements aimed at fans. Not sure where is Baba Sehgal in this song. Happened same thing for Shadow too.

Pick(s) of the Album: None - For Fans - Sairo, Badshah.

I might be running out of words writing the same stuff after listening to each and every movie of Thaman, but movie makers, directors, Thaman and audience are not. If Thaman doesn't change( I doubt if at all he knows something else other than doing the same songs), he cannot stick to the industry too long. Getting top hero's movies, will make him unnoticed if movie is hit, but when movie's fate is otherwise, he will get noticed. With this kind of mediocre music he is giving, if he is getting too many offers, that means its not just about his music, there is some other factor. I guess this will remain as one of the lowest quality album of NTR. This music will be if at all hit, it is becaue of fans or movie's success. Non fans of NTR can easily stay away from this album.

Shadow (Telugu) - Audio Review

Movie: Shadow ( 2013 )
Music:  SS Thaman
Director: Meher Ramesh

Producer: Paruchuri Prasad

Cast: Venkatesh, Tapsee, Srikanth, Madhurima

 

Touted as costliest film of Victory Venkatesh, Shadow, movie comes after super hit SVSC. Venkatesh plays a role of Mafia Don, Tapsee Pannu playing female lead, is directed by Meher Ramesh known for stylish making of movies. Produced by Paruchuri Kireeti under United Movies banner. The audio is launched on 15th March 2013 and is all set to be released.

 

Thaman has a busy week ahead first releasing Shadow and then the other prestigious project "Baadshah". Thaman is know for his standard template Out of the Box music. Each time we hear his music, the expectations is whether he offered different music by disappointing us or by sticking to his template music there by there are no surprises. Lets see. Chandrabose is a single lyricist. We all know how chandrabose writes lyrics. Lets see whether he deviates or stays put. For Venky calibre artists, music doesnt impact the success of the movie anyways.

01 – Shadow

Singers : Baba Sehgal, Naveen
Lyrics : Chandrabose
 

Thaman Scored this title song, the most electrifying way, suprisingly not heavy, loud he used to. The issue is that its his template music. Chandrabose again tried to put in words to the tune whether it rhythms, rhymes or not he doesnt care all finally ends with "He is the Shadow". Rest all some illogical words. Trying to find something is a useless task. These two have re-defined the Telugu song to Telugu words with some noise. Tried hard to find Baba Sehgal in this song.

Ilayaraja in one of the concert said, every song has its own identity, if one song reminds another song then the song is the other song, not this song. There cannot be two same songs. This is the first lesson current crop of Music directors should learn. They might not be tired of making the same music again and again, infact its easy for them, but we cannot hear the same again and again. This is what happens to this song.

This song you can hear, but cant like, you can like but you cant enjoy, you can enjoy but you cant hear, because Oh NO "He(Thaman) is the Shadow" :-)
 

 02 – Gola Gola
Singers : Ranjith, Ramya
Lyrics : Chandrabose
 Chandrabose is trying to compete with Ramajogayya Sastry which is a futile attempt. RJS has made a brand of himself in multi lingual lyrics. The sounds in between was it kissing or Pedavi virupu? As said before any singer when they sing Thaman's song sound exactly the same. It doesnt matter who sings, his tunes maintain the same standards. Finally Thaman only ends this Gola by agreeing it is Gola. :-)

03 – Pilla Manchi Bando Bastu
Singers : Rahul, Suchitra
Lyrics : Chandrabose

The tune and singers broke the words into multi dimension pieces. "Got it" guys. BTW Suchitra has become a permanent singer in Telugu industry. Chandrabose garu, have you tried any time to write without prasa, ఎత్తుకెలత , నిన్ను లేపుకెలత నా చేతికి చిక్కినాదే చుట్టుకొలత. కొల్ల గొడత ఈడు దుళ్ళ గోడత నీ కంటికి నిద్దరింక ఎల్ల గొడత. Then ikkado, ekkado, pakado -and many more. Ravi teja is named Mass Maharaja, but I think you should get one too. What is the big deal any way. Coming to Thaman, cant say anything about his music, its like saying same thing again and again. Singers let down this song big time.

04 – Naughty Girl
Singers : Geetha Madhuri, Haricharan
Lyrics : Chandrabose

Thaman looks like he is experimenting his new instrument he got few months ago. He is trying out all different sounds. Coming to Geetha Madhuri, her voice many times sounds too childish, and when she changes her voice it doesnt sound good at all. Girl or Gaal both are same anyways. Chandrabose, tried to use the Gabbar singh famous dialog, and movie titles just to prove he is upto date on movies as well as Venky's movies. Haricharan, the way he said Naughty girl was so funny. This song can easily skipped one for Geeta Madhuri singing and the experiments Thaman did for the song, both irritates us. Most amaeturish ever song by Thaman.

05 – Aythalaka
Singers : Hemachandra, Simha, Vandana
Lyrics : Chandrabose

Teenmar, not sure how many understand what it is, but lately every one is uses left and right. Now dinka chikka is making rounds. Anyway, what is song about that uses all rhymes and alphabets only chandrabose or Meher Ramesh should know. Tried to imitate Gangham style in between or want to remind this has something in the movie? Mass song that goes so so. Simha I thought was limited to stage shows, but made to movie somehow. Not sure how. Hemachandra lost identity in the crowd. Anyway an energetic song, standing out of the rest of the songs. Only relief in the album.

06 – Revenge of Shadow (Instrumental)

Revenge of Shadow, the label is looking fancy. Why the slow down while signing "Ganesha" something the movie should tell us. Yamudu, Narudu, Sivudu, then Ganesh and the revenge of Shadow ends and is the album.

Pick(s) of the album: Aythalaka and then I would say revenge of the shadow as it was the shortest.

Thaman should have completed winding up composing songs for this movie in a day, there by saving lot of time to Producer and Director. He is exactly where he started his career. He didnt move a single inch and is not getting things right even after doing so many films. But he is the leading music director in Telugu industry, which shows the sad state of Industry and audience eventually loosing to know what good music is all about.

Good luck and God Bless Telugu Films Music !!!
 

Sri Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya - Audio Review

Movie: Sri Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya ( 2013 )

Music: Naga Srivatsa

Director: JK Bharavi

Producer: Jayasri Devi

Cast: Kowsic, Nagarjuna, Mohan Babu, Sri Hari, Kamalini Mukherjee

Lyrics: JK Bharavi

Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya is the foremost Guru of the world who propagated Advaita Siddanta. During his short life of 32 years, the achievement He made leaves people awe struck. His knowledge is immense and his works are unlimited as it takes many lives for a normal person to understand his works at basic level, imagine how he wrote those many commentaries, stotrams, slokas and many more.  It is said he completely mastered all Vedas at the age of 8. His childhood is fascinating as is his life. Born in Kerala to Sivaguru and Aryamba, lost his father at an early age. It is believed that when his parents didnt have kids, they did pooja and Lord Siva appeared in dreams and asked them whether they would need many children with no or little intelligence yet long life or one children having short age but will be a great philosopher. Sankara was born when his parents chose later. He forced his mother to let him to become sanyasi when he went to river and crocodile will not leave until he takes sanyasam. His another story about kanakadhara Stotram where a lady who has nothing at home to offer Sankara other than amla fruit. Then impressed Sankara sings Kanakadhara Stotram and a rain of golden amla fruits astonishes the lady. Sankara wanders whole India widely spreading Advaitam, completing his works as per his Guru's orders and eventually establishes four maths.

It is very difficult understand his life and works, then to make it in a presentable mode to whom it will be very difficult to understand and who expect commerical elements in a movie. An earlier attempt to convert His life into movie critically successful, but it didnt reach audience as it was made in Sanskrit. Another attempt now to make this movie is commendable, but the success of the movie depends on how many are inspired by Adi Sankara rather than the money it collects. Such is the greatness of the works of Adi Sankaracharya.

Latest attempt by JK Bharavi who is the main person behind Raghavendra Rao/Nagarujana devotional movies creates lots of doubts as the earlier movies lacks spiritual depth. He is known in the industry who possesses the capability for making such movies. But this movie will be extremely challenge for him as it is not easy as Sankara to write in simple slokas with immense meaning. The adding of commercial elements as seen in posters, trailers doesnt show any where close to the initially made movie in Sanskrit with Sarvadaman Banerjee as Sankara was immense drama got many national awards, was critically acclaimed.

Then comes the Music Director Naga Srivatsa and singers. Didnt hear before about Naga Srivatsa. Its my fault that I am not hearing much music lately, we all know the reason. Have to listen to the album to see how he did. Lets see how the songs are.

1. Nithya Anandakaree

S.P. Balasubramanyam

This song is taken various stotrams, slokas written by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. 

Starts with first stanza Nithyaananda kari,Varaa abhya karee,Soundarya rathnaakaree, which is from Sri Annapurna Ashtakam. Sri Annapurna Ashtakam is written by Adi Shankaracharya to praise and invoke the grace of Mother Goddess Annapurneswari who is the presiding deity of Varanasi ( kasi puradheswari). She is the Mother who graces food to everybody.

Then jaagratswapna sushuptishu sphutataraa yaa sam vidujjrimbhatae is from Manisha Panchakam, again the first verse. It is said that Manisha Panchakam brings in front the complete essence of Advaita Vedanta. Sankaracharya wrote Manisha panchakam is a strange way. When he was traveling to temple after taking bath, a chandala ( low caste ) with four dogs comes on his way, then as per those days custom, the chandala needs to give way, but he asks who should give the way, his body or his atma, then Sankara realizes he is none other than Lord Siva and answers HIM in these panchakam ( five versus). 

Then it starts with versus Nama Sivabhyam, Nava Youvanabhyam, Paraspara slishta Vapurtharabhyam from Uma Maheswara stotram. The significance of this stotram is that Sankara praises both Uma and Maheswara at the same time. 

Then punarasadange puNyatarange jaya jaya jaahnavee karuNaapaange is from Sri Ganga Stotram. Written to praise Ganga purifies who read this as Ganga does to her devotees. 

Then comes the verse from Viveka Choodamani Jaati neeti kula gotra dooranam Naama roopa guna dosha varjitam. Viveka Choodamani is considered as one of the greatest work of Sankaracharya, which tells Vivekam is the jewel and main weapon in attaining moksha. This consists of 580 verses in Sanskrit.

Then comes the famous Nirvana Shatakam. Aham Nirvi Kalpi Nirakara Roopi, Vibhuthwascha Sarvathra Sarvendriyanaam. This is the last verse in Nirvana Shatakam which each verse ends in Shivoham, meaning I am shiva. The background of this is fantastic will give goose bumps to any person. Adi Sankara is in search of his Guru wandering then a sage comes and asks Sankara, "Who are you?". Sankara answers in 6 slokas, which is Nirvana Shatakam or Atma Shatakam.

Then the verse from Kasi Panchakam, Kasyam hi kasathe kasi kasee srava prakasika 3rd of the famous 5 slokas where Sankara says he himself is Kasi. Kasi (Varanasi) is known as a place where one attains moksha instantly upon death. Kasi has such a place where people go to seek liberation. However Sankaracharya says in his own way about Kasi.

4:35 minutes of songs touches various works that Adi Sankaracharya has done in his 32 year old life. His life is so fascinating for any person who is trying to follow the spiritual path. His works are great inspiration for attaining knowledge, the path and thereby helping to achieve the final goal/destination. 

Bringing various works into one single song is like bringing sea content into a glass. This song should for who has never heard or read Adi Sankara, will be an inspiration forget about the tune. If not SPB like singer, the current generation wouldnt have even pronounced properly these slokas. They would have easily changed the words and there by the meaning. When Sankara brings great philosophy into a 5-6 stanzas, each word is equally powerful. Thank God that SPB is alive to sing this song for us. 

When we get such a beautiful work togather, all music director has to do is to carry the essence of each stotram or sloka thru his music. However this is just rendering of these with some background music. There is no mood or emotion to the song. However in such a magnanimity of the verses, nothing other than Sankara come into mind, thanks to SPB for his rendition.

2. Laxmi Nrusimhaa

Tippu

Tippu makes a point that the current age singers can only sing simple commercial songs, They are not good if any there is a deviation. A little high pitch, they strain, Gamakas are not easy, Tough words gone case. This song reminds Keeravani's earlier devotional movie. Again why Naga made this song as  sad sounding not sure. Tippu added extra feeling to the song, not sure why. Karavalamba stotram is made most unpleasant to hear. 

3. Srikrishnaha

S.P. Balasubramanyam, Mani Nagaraj

One more song on Krishna. Appears a pathos, not sure why. Seems like the story is amended as Bharavi liked. This songs goes clue less the way it sang trying to find context for this song. SPB doesnt have much to sing. A short song goes fine.

4. Soundarya Lahari

Ranjith

Soundarya lahari has such a divinity that one can hear from the start of the song Janani Janani from Thai moogambika composed by Ilayaraja. In that Siva saktya yukto yadi bhavati is from Soundarya Lahari written by Adi sankaracharya. This has immense power and meaning. JK Bharavi should have concentrated on this to get people aware of  the value of Soundarya lahari.

5. Laxmi Padmaalaya

Sharath Santoshi

Why one more sad singing? or singer voice sounds like that? There is no need for the singer to strain that much. Devotion is pleasant and the singing should be. 

6. Chiranjeevi About Jagadguru Aadi Shankara

Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi commentary, voice over will add more value thru his popularity, However it is obvious that he lost touch with film industry. India is  "కర్మ భూమి", not "ఖర్మ భూమి". Except that his small sweet commentary is nice.

7. Bhrama Ani Telusu

Sri Rama Chandra

Is this song for Nag who is casted as chandala, a song before he meets Sankara? If that is true, I Bharavi's imagination is more commercial. Srirama Chandra was funny at few places the way he sang. Nag Srivatsa made this as simple as possible, but need to see the context of the song with respect to the movie. 

8. Sivoham

Hari Haran

Nirvana Shatakam or Atma Shatakam gives immense pleasure and almost leads to trans if heard continuously in total peace. This is totally messed up by both Hari haran, he sounded foreign singing this song and Naga Srivatsa as didnt get this right. If anyone heard this as bhajan in any spirutual organization, or even here then they would get irritated with this tuning and singing. 

8. Om Namashivaaya

Karthik

Adi sankaracharya movie having a commercial song? Not sure whats in JK bharavi's mind. He is for sure behind something. Karthik might have been wondering which movie he is singing. Not sure from where JK Bharavi's imagination he got this song from. Difficult to understand unless seen in the movie.

9. Akhila Charachara

Unni Krishnan

Again JK Bharavi might have adapted this song and the lyrics shows the same. Unni krishnan shows how classical singer can make a difference. Song on Krishna, so flute has to be abundantly used and is used. Song is decent. Tune is as per standard template. 

10. Omkaram

Shankar Mahadevan

The moment Shankar Mahadevan sang so called breathless, he is know for singing all such kind of songs. No matter how proclaimed great singer he is his singing doesnt suit sanskrit/Telugu songs. He faults in pronounciation, his extra gamakas sometimes sound sarcastic doesn't sound native. I think the lyrics are by JK Bharavi, not sure about this as this song is complex in structure and Sankar Mahadeven took away the song from listeners by his singing and Bharavi complicates further.

11. Veda Thandavam

Why there is a hurry to sing. Veda's Thandavam doesnt need to be running away, I really doubt the concept of the movie maker. 

12. Bhaja Govindam

Madhu Bala Krishnan

Bharavi might have used MS Subbulakshmi's version as it is. These kind of movies cannot have pronounciation mistakes. Madhu bala krishnan did his best but couldnt finally present a better song. JK Bharavi added his own lyrics to Bhajagovindam. Whatever, its his movie, he can do whatever he wants. Naga Srivatsa deviated here and there just to make sure people are aware that he had composed this song.

13. Shankara Vijayam

1:40 may be a back ground music when Adi Sankara keeps winning the debates with other scholars and while he is traveling entire India one after other place. Nothing much to say about this song.

14. Yevadu Neevu

S.P. Balasubramanyam

Looks like a song for a horror movie. The chorus creates fear. Why so fierce questioning not sure. JK Bharavi is upto something for sure. Either he is completely lost in commercializing the movie or super brilliant. The tune doesnt have any pleasantness, Not sure where in the movie the occasion for this song comes? Is it when the debate is going on between Sankaracharya and other spiritual gurus or when Sankara is going in search of his own Guru or when a sage questions who are you to Sankaracharya, thats when he wrote nirvanashatakam?

Pick(s) of the Album: Nityanandakari

Any sincere attempt to bring life of great Guru's of India infront of everyone is commendable. However it is very important that the attempt has to be very sincere in undertanding the Guru and telling exactly the same what is told by Him. Telling in a way to reach masses is one side and telling the right way is another side. This is a very thin layer of sword if director makes any mistake, it will be total mess. The songs prove that director had been very liberal in making the movie, the songs brings in lot of doubt that whether JK Bharavi got the Sankara tatva right or he tried to commerialize too much to reach audience? Only movie can prove other wise.