Yevade Subrahmanyam Audio Review

Movie: Yevade Subrahmanyam ( ఎవడే సుబ్రహ్మణ్యం )

Music: Radhan ( రధన్ )Director:  Nag Ashwin ( Nagi )Producer(s): Swapna and Priyanka Dutt ( Vyjayanti Banner )

Cast: Nani, Malavika Nair, Vijay Deverakonda and Ritu Varma 

After an year of oblivion, Nani suddenly comes during the Festival time with a fantastic onscreen surprise in the name of "Yevade Subrahmanyam". This title seems to be an inspiration from a song from Sidharth's movie KIKK ( Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam). Looking at the visuals of the trailer, first time everyone felt that wow factor in the movie and the trailer not only created the curiosity for the film but also ensured that everyone to plan to watch the movie in theaters, probably during the initial days of release. The reason is the question trailer has put forward "How far will you go in friendship and love, from the top of the world". The top of the world being Himalayas which has stunning visuals which very few has seen with their eyes.

Nani during Audio release mentioned all the difficulties that the first team of 30-40 cast and crew members had gone through during the 40 day stay in Himalayas for the shoot. This indeed a magnificent achievement by itself, but their hard work will make justice only if it is really justified in the story and audience embrace it, giving them a huge success. Director Nagi an assistant to Shekar Kammula for Leader and LIB is completely different in his thought process and is commendable for taking a different path for the first movie itself. He should be lucky that he good the producers, cast, crew that supported him so much. So he obviously has to do it right so that his future in the industry is secured.

Rathan the music director for the movie has earlier worked for Andaala Rakshasi. His first album was very impressive except for few issues which these days music director had. He being an ardent follower for AR Rahman, transformed himself from a sound engineer to Music director, again with the encouragement of ARR. He got this prestigious project which he should utilize to the maximum to go forward in the industry. This movie comes with a theme in the form of "Who are you", and music should match and represent the theme and the grandeur of Himalayas. Looking at the lyricists, we can tell that there are 2 class songs or lyric based songs ( Ananth Sriram ), 3 mass songs or youth targeted songs ( Ramajogaiah) and one lying somewhere in between (Vasishta Sharma). The issue with the singers lists is that it creates doubt whether they did justice to the songs. 

1. "Idhera"  

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Singer(s): Mohit Chauhan

This song after an excellent start is the biggest turn off I had in recent times. Expected a lot from Radhan, but this song put me into a false start. The song as such doesn't appear as bad song, but the singing does. This song is termed as favorite song of the movie team. Not sure why Radhan chose bad singer for a good tune he composed. This song has ARRish influence, but not sure why he chose to kill his song himself. I am having greatest issues with the recent film makers for killing songs as they like. Mohit is not a right fit for this song at all. Music has no barriers but song has as it has lyrics which have to be said right and sung with right energy levels. Else the song is garbage and can be thrown in trashcan how better it is composed, how well it is written or how good it is orchestrated. 

2. "O Kala"  
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram
Singer(s): Harini

Ananth Sriram has to be commended for sticking to his standards like his guru. The name tells us what to expect and he makes us comfortable. Radhan should understand how Harini makes the difference to song compared to Mohit Chauhan. He gives good tune again, but with a better singer there by we tend to like this song. Ananth Sriram adds life to this song. When one is capable of doing better not sure why they tend to chose wrong path? Rathan should realize the having a different voice to a song doesn't make the song different. A good melody which appears the ears. Harini has done well.

3. "Beautiful Zindagi"  

Lyrics: Vasishta Sharma
Singer(s): Nikhita Gandhi

Vasishta Sharma made entry in this album with his song though reminds RJS, made his impression with decent lyrics. Radhan changes gear and choses periodic path, which is peppy, foot tapping and energetic. Seems like this song starts in some traffic and probably an introduction song to heroine?? Movie will tell the situation. There are some extra expressions which might have been avoided to make this song more appealing. Yet another well made song, since it is old type of tunes, reminds few other songs here and there.

4. "Nuvvu Nuvvu Kadhu"  
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Singer(s): Ranjith, Ramy

The audio release was run with the theme "Who are you". RJS has written his standard lyrics. This song is kind of reviewing what it is told in trailer that lead actor who is going to head of a million dollar company, trying to be best in everything, but kind of soul searching who is he. Radhan does yet another energetic number this time for the male lead. This song is more dependent on situations on the screen. So I guess meets the requirement. Radhan gives what is demanded.

5. "Yevade Subramanyam"  
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Singer(s): Ramy

The song proves when a non-Telugu person composes a Telugu song what will happen to the song. There can be a Telugu Song, English song, Hindi song, can have a mix of all three words in a song. But cannot have Telugu word sung in Hindi, Hindi Sung in English, English sung in Telugu. Each language has its own flavor and it has to be met. Else it will be a non sense kichidi and this is perfect example for that. Latest Singers and Music directors are not getting this. A short bit song, with title of the movie, so this will be fine.

6. "Challa Gaali Thakuthunna"  
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Singer(s): Senthil, Rihitha

During audio release the anchor said that impressed by the movie, Ilayaraja has composed a song for the movie, which is pretty much incorrect. This song was originally composed by Ilayaraja for the Tamil movie "Avataram" starring Nazar and Revathi. Sung and composed by Ilayaraja stands as one of the top 10 best compositions of Raja Sir. This song might have been used in this album. 

One can listen and go to trans any number of times listening to that song called Thendral Vanthu Theendum Pothu. One can visualize this song just listening to it. Thats the power of this composition.

Out of many reasons for this song to be classic, the beyond imagination brilliant composition, the instrumentation, soul stirring singing by Raja and Janaki, the situation in the movie where Nazar is asked by Revathy to see the world thru her eyes,  thru this song, the tune matching that situation, fantastic visuals and superb action. 

Having this song in this album is a great achievement for the team. Having said all these, the lyrics have to be beyond best and singing should be the perfect, else this will go in drain. 

You cannot do wrong to such classic compositions else it would be an insult to the original. The inexperienced singers and their Telugu pronunciation made the unwarranted insult to the tune. There is no soul, singers mispronouncing the words wake us up again and again when the tune kind of puts us in trans. This is the biggest problem with this Telugu version. I don't want to list the numerous issues with pronunciation of words which are not acceptable to this type of tune. 

Not sure whether Radhan improvised this song or it was Ilayaraja who remade this song? If he couldn't get good singers, then its the biggest problem for music industry in Telugu which has to be fixed right away. For those who didn't hear this song earlier, will fall in love instantly, but for those who enjoyed the original can easily skip the song. Ananth Sriram has done excellent job giving sensible lyrics.

Pick(s) of the album: O Kala, Beautiful Zindagi, Nuvvu Nuvu, Challa gaali ( first time listeners )

In my earlier review for Andaala Rakshasi,  I told that Radhan is a good talent, but he need to fix few issues if he needs to go places. The feedback was that he needs to carefully select singers, take care of language he is working in, and needs to be consistent, if he desires to be in this field for long term. He still has the very same issues except for being consistent. He is very good talent no doubt, gave more than what this movie demands. Need to see how the movie fares after such grand visuals of Himalayas, the expectations are Himalayas High. All the best for Nani and entire team. Hope their hard work pays off.

Dagudumuta Dandakor Audio Review

Movie: Dagudumuta Dandakor ( దాగుడు మూత దండా కోర్ )
Music: E S Murthy
Director:  R.K. Malineni
Producer(s): Ramoji Rao ( Ushakiron Movies ), Krish 
Cast: Rajendra Prasad, 

The movie title is well known for every Telugu child of yesteryear. Not sure whether this day and age kids heard the song with the title of the movie or say this while playing hide and seek. The title along with names associated to this movie like Ramoji Rao, Ushakiron Banner, Krish, Rajendra Prasad raises the bar very high even though the original of the movie is a Tamil movie named "Saivam". Directed originally by Vijay and acted by Nazar and Sara Arjun. This child artists has walked away with lot of accolades. However the remake of this movie in Telugu was projected as Vision of Krish, who is said to have transformed into Telugu nativity. Adding Rajendraprasad to this movie added a lot of weight.

ES Murthy is a single card lyricist and music director for this movie. ES Murthy aged 65 who originally wanted to be a composer, ended up with also being lyricist and singer. He worked initially for about 8 years with SP Balasubrahmanyam as composing guitarist and then worked as assistant music director to SA Rajakumar. Due to some compelling reasons while working with SA Rajakumar, started writing lyrics and until now wrote about 50-60 songs. Though he worked with famous movie Gamyam, not sure whether he got enough fame when he worked with Krish. His earlier movies as lyricists are likes of Nuvvu Vastavani (komma komma), Vedam, Krishnam vande Jagadgurum, Andala Ramudu(Sunil). Krish's association to this movie probably made him pick as music director along with single card for writing lyrics. Glad to see Krish giving good breaks to this talented composer/singer/lyricist.

The story of the movie revolves around a family, its head, his grand daughter and a rooster called "Naani". Due to ill happenings, the family realizes that they are occurring due to forgotten ritual in the form of sacrificing a rooster. The girl child however didn't want this to happen to the rooster she loves so much. She hides the rooster in the attic of the house and the entire family are behind finding it. The rest of the story is about what happens to the rooster and the family.

The trailers, the songs and the visuals gave a very good Telugu nativity feeling. Rajendraprasad is getting extremely lucky to get these kind of characters and I guess there is no one other than him who fits to the depth of the character like him and suits it to the perfection. The same girl who acted in Tamil acted in Telugu too. 

This album has 5 songs including one theme of the movie named as Dagudumutala Jaathara. The song consists of Unnikrishnan's daughter "Uthra Unnikrishnan". She sang a solo in Tamil which was a super hit. However in Telugu she shares the song with ES Murthy, and this is a pathos, instead of a classical song in Tamil. Another surprise of this album is that Sirivennela gets a chance to sing instead of write a song. 

With this background, lets see how the songs impress us whether they meet expectations set by the names attached to the movie or leave us with a different impression.

1. Evaru Nerparu

Singer(s): Madhu Balakrishnan

Lyrics: ES Murthy

This song being first of the album sets the bar of how lyrics are going to be, that is thoughtful, sensitive and depth in content. This explains wondering of the artistic nature of who( GOD ) who so carefully designed everything such as sweet voice to Cuckoo, the colors of sky, evening and comparison of lamp to sky was really good to hear after long time. Then the relations between the human relations naming as sweet bondage. Wondering who and how are these created is so pleasant to hear. We feel that this could go on, but not very long song appears ending soon. Ofcourse of innumerous acts of GOD what can be wondered in a song that has two stanzas? The music director kept everything simple and let the lyrics talk the song. This made this song so pleasant after a long time. I guess last time we heard such lyrics was for Mithunam. However MadhuBalakrishnan as many others faulted in saying Nerparu that sounded a little bit odd. However thats a small glitch compared to the over all song. Just for the beauty of the lyrics, it will be heard again and again. The song had a girl singing but the name was missing in the inlay card. Hope its Uthra sing this song too. 

2. Manishi Manishini

Singer(s): Naren, Gayathri, Jayashree, Priya Hemesh

Lyrics: ES Murthy

The preface of this song tells people migrating from villages. Probably a lesson to someone in the movie who want to migrate and tells what is important for some one in life. After the preface, this song reminds of Shankar Mahadevan song, but it ends in comparision with the tune only. However the lyrics once again adds beauty to the song. When a family is all togather and do something without any issues, its a wonder for everyone. That is depicted in form of kabaddi game. Rest of the song goes about what each member of family does. First song wonders about the relations, where as this song explains how sweet the relations if they are maintained. This is one of the best in recent times, where there is some continuity maintained. May be the story or being single lyricists that we could see this connectivity. The beauty of the village is nothing but the people being togather and meet once in a while and celebrate festivals. If that is gone, the beauty of villages are gone probably. These celebrations in the song continue and makes us realize what is missed. Everyone in the song did very well. Well executed song in recent times without much pronunciation issues and other complaints. Trailers shows very good visuals so this song stands as one that can be enjoyed on and offscreen. Hope our imaginations work off screen.

3. Naa Illu Naa Vaallu

Singer(s): ES Murthy, Uthra Unnikrishnan

Lyrics: ES Murthy

A pathos, ES murthy, composing, writing and singing with such a great compassion is rare to see these days. Uthra gets an excellent feel. A typical grandfather and grand daughter conversation converted naturally to a song that is common scenario when they find issues. Their bonding is well written and sung. The confidence kids get when grandparents are around and the happiness when kids are around for a grandfather cant be explained. This is an attempt of what it is between them. Uthra has a long way to go and hope she sticks to ground and achieve what she is talented of. Once again lyrics are winner than composing and singing for ES Murthy.

4. Kokko Kokko

Singer(s): Sirivennela, Balaji, Sai Charan, Yogeswar Sharma, Aswini, Sindhuri,, Sisira

Lyrics: ES Murthy

This song gives the feeling of what the trailer shows. Entire family in search of the the rooster "Nanee". Sirivennela sings after 2nd stanza. ES Murthy made sure his voice is heard enough while he is singing instead of getting lost in the crowd, Also supports him so that his voice suits the song very well. Singing is nothing new to Sirivennela garu, but the pace of the song doesn't make it tough for him, thanks to ES Murthy. He brings in different flavor and level to this song. This song instantly hits the listeners. The clever mix of interlude made this song more interesting. Even though the words/tunes in between appear familiar. Dagudu muta danda kor is famous across the Telugu audience so as long as it is said in nice way, it will reach the audience and this song will reach for sure. Kokko and Bobbo are terms never heard in cities these days as many places its very rare to see a rooster. Nice to hear these words again. Situational song in search of the rooster, words matches the scenes and well written without much complication in the lyrics. A well made song so catchy that it might make us go in search of the rooster :) :) 

5. Dagudumuthala Jathara
Theme song

Village Jathara Theme. Movie will tell when this theme is used. As the story says the family is associated with a temple so might be during that time. 

Pick(s) of the album: Entire Album

During the audio release, Krish said that there was not even a single word of other language used in this album, which itself is such a refreshing to hear.  Indeed he is true. Kudos to the team, the number of such thinking persons in film industry is required. Anyways its hard to find such album these days. ES Murthy garu I guess didn't get the break or recognition he is worth of. Ramoji Rao and Krish team brought a good album for all Telugu album craving music listeners. The album gels with the story so easily which is another rarity these days. I guess we need more producers/directors who can promote Telugu which is lost in so called "Youth Music" which is nothing but sound. The commercial lyricists need to take a break from the crap they are writing these days and make at-least an attempt in their life to write meaningful songs else they will never be remembered no matter how many songs they write in their life. The songs, tunes, lyrics might not be outstanding, but indeed will make an impact on every listener and crave for more such songs. Which is definitely a welcome change.