Uyyala Jampala - Audio Review

Movie:           Uyyala Jampala ( 2013 ) - ఉయ్యాలా జంపాలా 
Music:            Sunny MR

Director:        Virinchi Varma

Producer(s):  Ram Mohan P, D Suresh Babu and Akkineni Nagarjuna

Cast:               Raj Tarun, Avika Gor

Producer of sensible and successful movies Ashta Chamma and Golconda High School, has combined hands with two biggies of Film Industry Suresh productions and Annapurna Studios to offer his latest venture called Uyyala Jampala. The trailer released some time ago was a pleasant surprise not only in the form of content, but also interms of cast. Raj Tarun who is known for youtube viewers for his numerous short films, seeing him as a lead for this movie was very pleasant to see. Then the female lead Avika Gor known for TV viewers for her role in Baalika Vadhu ( Chinnari pellikooturu ) and then with fantastic village back drop, a cute short scene on female lead has instantly caught audience attention. The movie is based on relationship of bava maradalu, which again fascinates Telugu audience. With producers background and sensitivity, the movie is expected to create wonders. Ram Mohan's earlier movies were musical hits too. Ashta Chamma's songs were heard for much more longer time than the normal life of any telugu movie in terms of songs. With all these positives obviously the songs and the movie created interest among viewers/listeners alike. 

Sunny MR made debute in Telugu Film Industry with "Swamy Ra Ra" and this is his second film in Telugu. With his first movie he showed some promise and said he is going to stay here. Need to see how he composed music with such huge expectations for this movie. There are 5 songs in this album and most of the names associated to the lyrics and singing are less heard in Telugu. Himabindu and Deepu lent their voice for a song. Sunny sang a song and there is a Hindi song too which was sung by Arijit Singh. Major pie in lyrics went to Vasu Valaboju again a less heard name.

With all positives about the movie, lets see how music did.

01 –  "Uyyalaina Jampalaina"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju

Singer(s): Harshika Gudi, Anudeep Dev

Uyyala Jampala are such a fascinating words for telugu audience as they have great memories woven around these two words togather. Have to mention the positives of the song before going further as Sunny did a commendable job.  The lyrics are very decent. However the lyrics were not done justice is sad part for the lyricist. Sunny has provided a slow rhythmic melody with interludes are so perfect and the foot tapping rhythm accompanying the song perfectly, appears a great feel good song. The song catches slowly and ends on a great note. All this is based on tune composition. The singers doesn't have problems with singing as such. The title of the movie and song with this is a great start. 

However this song is perfect classic example of the current sad state of Telugu music. A Telugu song is best known for the words and its bhaavam ( meaning ). The melody of words in terms of music is what Telugu song is about. Lately in the name of trendy catchy music, in the name of appealing the audience is going in some direction which is getting beyond control and someone needs to bring it where it belongs to. The singing has been so alien to Telugu that the words has lost the nativity and the meaning is gone for toss. 

This song is well made, but what hurts is the singing. The composition stands out as top class but the tune and words doesn't match there by lost its soul. This song will be good to listen and watch, but audience cannot croon it as words are broken to fit the music. Few examples "నీతో ఊ   గమని "  "ని  చూపులే "  "స్వయం"   "వరం " ,  "న పై  పడే " "న గుండెలో" "న ఊహలో "  "చెయ్ చాస్తే" "చందా మామ", "పొయెదె  ముంది " "రెపంటు" "మ పంటు" "ఉండా  లిగా "  " న పాదమే" "ఎద లా". Once cannot break these words or cut short the words or give space between them. This reverts back the feel that song has created as listener tries to assemble the words. Thats' all about the synatax of the song. Since listeners got used to these type of songs having said all things, this song is done much better and if picturization helps, viewers will forget the issues with the song.

02 – "Lapak Lapak Ayipothundi"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju

Singer(s): Harshika Gudi, Bindu, Deepu

I guess this song is between the lead who want to irritate female lead by pretending that he is in love with some one. A teasing song probably, as the mood of the song says that. This song is a typical Ram mohan types. He is fascinated with vintage music in the contemporary times. In ashta chamma the song "Hello antu pilichi" was so well made song. In that lines, this song doesn't stand out as such but will impress to some extent. Since a situational song this will be enjoyed on the screen. Ram mohan/Virinchi needs to be appreciated for having this type of songs in the movies. This slow melodious song will appeal on the screen. Deepu and Himabindu will take care of issues with words that earlier song had. They did justice to the song along with Harshika. Could be an enjoyable song on screen. People might enjoy this after seeing on screen.

03 – "Nijamga Idi Nenenaa"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju, Rambabu Gosala

Singer(s): Harshika Gudi, Sunny MR

Another vintage song. The start of the song is so interesting, though it doesn't appear fresh once the song starts. The instruments kind of dominate the singer. This style of saying Nijamgaa has been dominant now a days with every other singer. Harshika could have said the words openly, lacks clarity. Sunny once again did great on this song too, except for instruments dominating the singers. The western folk is nicely made for this telugu native song. Chorus is well mixed with instruments. The subtle play of instruments in later half of the songs is also well made. Alaap and instruments were kind of competing at one stage. With small issues, this song doesn't go where it belong to. Could have been well made.

04 – "Mana Bandham"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju

Singer(s): Sunny MR

Pathos needs not only the tune, but the words too and an expression. Except for these two, the song again is well made. Vasu Valaboju has done a good job in lyrics department, keeping everything simple, yet communicative, but its music department wasted the lyrics. Sunny comes out as winner as composer, but fails as a singer. Not in terms of singing the tune in shruti, but in terms of expressing the mood of the song. He needs to realize what nativity means. 

05 – "Der Tak Chala (Hindi)"  

Lyricist: Ashish Pandit

Singer(s): Arijit Singh

Not sure what this song is about in a movie having Telugu nativity as back drop. May be used as a background song for some scenes. Seems an extension of song #4. This song is another nice composition from Sunny, which suits better in Hindi than Telugu. This shows the tunes are not made for Telugu, Tunes are just made and trying to use them where ever possible. Whatever is the history, this song is good to listen irrespective of movie.

Pick(s) of the album: Lapak Lapak, Nijamgaa Idi Nenenaa, Der tak Chalaa

Rammohan clearly misses the magic of earlier movies, if not at-least the initial movie he made. Sunny MR on other hand doesn't have any issues with the composition of songs, but the issue is how they are presented to audience. Sunny MR if he would have taken care of the issues here and there, this album would have done lot better than expected. This album is classic example of changing times, which is not appreciated by traditional music conservatives as it creates fear among them of loosing the glory of the Telugu song. It is very unfortunate that this happened even with big production houses are associated with this movie.

The reason I guess is that either producers/directors are fine with this style of presentation as audience don't care anymore or they are not present at recording to take care of such issues, These are the days when Music director or lyricists are not available most of the time during recording to see whats going on. SPB in one of recent Padutaa teeyaga said that when he sang for Greekuveerudu, the music director gave instructions over phone how to change style of pronouncing the song. Good luck to Telugu songs and Telugu movies. Hope someone will revive as life goes in full circles and until then, this album should not have any issues.

1 Nenokkadine - Audio Review

Movie:     "1" Nenokkadine ( 2014 )
Music:       Devi Sri Prasad

Director:   Sukumar

Producer:  Ram Achanta, Gopichand Achanta and Anil Sunkara ( 14 reels )

Cast:          Mahesh Babu, Kriti Sanon

Prince Mahesh Babu is roaring high at box office despite mixed critic response on Businessman. He is saying that he is number 1 and he is only the one. Working with Sukumar and 14 reels set the bar very high. Fans are eagerly waiting for the audio after breif trailer that made fans frenzy to see their Prince as rockstar. The music bit from DSP set the expectations sky high. Sukumar is known for his fantastic sense of music and his combination with DSP never failed so far in terms of music. DSP surprisingly never worked with Mahesh during his decade long career. Mahesh after back to back movies with Thaman, I guess due to Sukumar, had to work with DSP. 

Mahesh had transformed himself with physical appearance and with him projecting as rockstar, the film is expected as feast to fans. His tweets also support the same. DSP with Sukumar had set a very high standard. As said earlier, there was no equivalent movie interms of music after Arya2 in telugu industry. It might be a exaggerated statement but unfortunately lately the music directors and lyricists have let down the Telugu music to the lowest standards. Let see whether both Sukumar and DSP crossed/met/let down their standards with this movie.

Its all Chandrabose's show in lyrics department. But after listening to songs, it appears either DSP or Ramajogiah sastry might have helped in couple of songs. With theme of the movie being different, the album will probably not appeal broader audience. However if fans and youth are satisfied the music is sure shot hit and Mahesh will take care of the rest. Lets see how the songs fared. There are only 5 songs which means the formula is ignored, may be one of the mood is not required for this movie.

01 – Who Are You
Singer(s):  Devi Sri Prasad
Lyricist:    Chandrabose

The song for which trailer was released and revealed that Mahesh is going to rock. DSP starts this song with electrifying guitar bit, then claps and couple of introduction words in his own singing style followed by question "Who Are You", The supporting beats are going to move fans from their seats and go along with their hero. He provided a great start to the album and great start to the song. His singing was decent given the way he sings until guitar takes over in the interlude. Then DSP didnt add unneccesary shouts in between which makes this song much better to listen. In Interlude there comes the guitar proves DSP has really worked hard for this tune. This song without Hero on screen will probably provide 10% of the feel of the song. DSP provided an electrifying song after a long time. Its been a while that such song was heard in Telugu movies. Lyrics are not upto the standard of the song. Some odd comparisions/question marks, but who cares. Rocking song with rocking hero all that it matters. Even though Chandrabose is weak link for this song, definitely this song will rock and remain on charts for long time. Mahesh who is normally not known for great dance moves unlike his collegues, need to see whether he had something to offer in dance department other than his refined looks, package of physical presence in new rocking style. Whatever it is fans at the end of the song will say once more and while listening the song on the players will go in loop..

02 – HavnTuzo Mogh korta
Singer(s):  Neha Bhasin
Lyricist:    Chandrabose

DSP brings in a different flavor to this song. Havn Tuzo mogh korta seems like Konkani way of saying I love you. This is something female lead behind the Prince and the poster which caused controversy could be picturized as all things relate. Heroine behind hero in Goa, singing Konkani way and saying she is desperate for his style. DSP adds all different styles to this song which should appeal fans and youth alike. Neha Bhasin sang in Telugu mostly for DSP, her noted song was Niharika Niharika from Oosaravelli which is again by DSP. She tries to sing huskily, but that had become over dose with words. Heroine says rockstar nee style ki like kodta, DSP we will hit like button to the style of the song. 

03 – O Sayonara
Singer(s):  Suraj, Manasi
Lyricist:    Chandrabose

After providing feast with first two songs, seems like DSP wanted to take a break. He provided a routine song, but in between he did something better to the song in terms of interludes. The rest of song goes as per routine DSP song. Suraj Singing was not upto mark neither in pronounciation nor in elevating song. He just did his job. Might be this song situation didnt demand much from DSP. Sukumar wanted a different theme for this song. Benefit of doubt to DSP.

04 – You Are My Love
Singer(s):  Piyush Kapoor
Lyricist:    Chandrabose

This song for sure is aimed at youth. DSP once again did perfect justice providing a very good melody. This song somewhere reminds the standards of earlier movie of Sukumar-DSP. However Piyush should have sung better to make this song even much better to listen and feel. DSP provided everything for this song. Any melody lover will get hooked to this song. Sukku-DSP are known for this type of songs. The lyrics could have been more powerful and singing could have been much better. If not for these two issues, this song could have made excellent impact and could have stayed much longer. Even then this song is really well made song by DSP.

04 – London Babu
Singer(s):  Priya Hemesh
Lyricist:    Chandrabose

Sukumar and DSP created sensation in terms of item songs. They created trend across the globe with Aa ante amalapuram in Arya. So obviously there have to be expectations that they have to provide one such song in their album. But this song misses everything and ends up pretty ordinary song. Priya couldnt bring the vigor, energy, seductive effect. Lyrics also didnt support the song well. May be since its Mahesh's movie things might have been done careful. DSP did provide some changes here and there but that changes are not sufficient. 

Pick(s) of the album: Who Are you, Havn tuzo mogh korta, You are my Love.

Since this movies is made of different theme, having certain expectations of standards with the combination involved, it is very difficult for DSP to satisfy everyone. There are three songs which are clear winners and the other two are pretty standard DSP routine songs, This album will not be close to beating the standards DSP/Sukku set for themselves. However expecting every movie at a higher standard will be over expectations from the combination. DSP with this album proved that he needs right combination to bring the right talent in him. He is a rock star by himself and he didn't forget his main strength melody. Sukumar on the other side has been providing good albums and this one also will not let him down. This album appeals youth, fans for sure, However on the other side, there is a certain sect of listeners who are fan of Sukku/DSP combination. This album doesn't satisfy them as they expect the other two songs could have been better, even though they wont get disappointed. Finally what it matters is Mahesh and his fans got what they want,