Om Namo Venkatesaya Audio Review

Movie: Om Namo Venkatesay ( ఓం నమో వెంకటేశాయ )

Producer(s):  A. Mahesh Reddy

Cast: Nagarjuna, Anushka, Jagapati Babu.

Direction: K Raghavendra Rao

Music: MM Keeravani

Kaliyuga Daivam Venkateswara Swamy's miracles are infinite. There are countless such experiences of devotees where every devotee would have experienced. Every devotee knows the power of the name, that by just saying his name with utter devotion, what wonders it can do. No matter how many times these experiences are brought to big-screen, people wouldn't mind seeing it again and again, when they are properly brought with right content. 

Nagarjuna, K. Raghavendra Rao, JK Bharavi, MM Keeravani have been teaming up to bring stories of few great devotees to the big-screen. This time they are going with the life story of HathiRam Bhavaji, who is not very much popular with Lord's devotees and less heard of. Hathi Means Elephant, Ram is added to this person's name as he was original devotee of Lord Ram. He once happened to be in Tirumala and impressed by Lord's grace and power, decided to stay back. When he was glaring at the Lord for long time, the priests suspected something foul and didn't allow him to the temple. Didn't know what to do, he went back to his play got bored and started playing game of dice along on behalf of Lord Venkateswara as opponent. Pleased with Devotion, Lord himself decides to play with him after the temple is closed. One day while playing gets delayed and in hurry leaves couple of ornaments with Hathiram and goes back to temple. Priests finds the ornaments missing and when trying to return them, Hathiram gets punished. What happened to him later,how he gets protected by Lord when King puts him thru a challenge, what happens to him later is the story.

Without much details available on Hathiram, getting this story on to screen is very tough task for any script writer or the director himself. However the title of the movie, the songs made in this film shows how much liberty the movie makers took to make this a full length movie. Raghavendra Rao is known to cleverly mix mass elements like romance and drama into any devotional movie to get mass connected to the movie. However when this goes overboard, he wont get success either way, whether its commercially or making the story reach mass. Its a debate that every time his movie gets released regarding the way he makes movies.

This movie is said to be last film of K. Raghavendra Rao as a director. Not sure whether it really is. Nagarjuna should be really blessed to be portraying these characters. Given his initial career, he is for sure blessed to get these roles. Then Keeravani garu has become synonym for these kind of albums in Telugu and there has been no one who can fill these kind of albums better than him. However he couldn't repeat the magic post Annamayya to get that kind of success. Probably Annamayya's songs are more popular than Ramadasu or Shiridi Sai or Panduranga. That doesn't deter what he has contributed in this area. 

This album consists of 12 songs of different genre. There are some duets, some pathos, some requests and some name chantings. Given the backdrop of the movie, the commercial duets type songs wont fall in place of the story, but its KRR's mark to get these induced into the story.  Lyrics are mostly written by Vedavyasa a noted lyricists who, recently one of his song was selected in top 100 songs published by a leading news paper. Rest all equally shared by commercial lyricists. SPB gets a 9 minute long song, which probably might be the reason to look forward for this album. Lets see what KRR/Keeravani has to offer us. Did they get involved into just devotion, or devotion with romance or many moods that include bhakti.

1. Veyi Naamaala Vaada

Singer(s): Ramya Behara

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

The album starts with Venkatesa being 1000 names God. The song goes on praising the Lord in a typical pattern. Koti Koti and Hrishikesha should have been said with more care and properly. Konetirayadu or Konetirayudu? the later word is popular, but they went with grammar? Ramya Behara the trusted singer for Keeravani does just what is required. She throws in right expression during the start of the song and first stanza. But later on the feel is not there, probably due to the tune. Moodu Naamala muddu Srinivasudaa, the breaking of the words to sing doesn't sound right. Typically these kind of praising Lord songs, shouldnt sound commercial. However this is not something a huge issue. If this song is made as devotional song, this doesnt bring that feel for various reasons, just remains as a pleasant song with some praises to the Lord. 

2. Aanandham

Singer(s): Sharath Santosh,Shweta Pandit

Lyricist: Chandrabose

A beaten tune from Keeravani. Probably he is so favorite of this tune. Chandrabose uses a formula to define "Anandam" with phases of a life. He remained the same he was and Keeravani reminds other songs so this song looses identity. In a devotional movie, having these type of songs is typical mark of KRR. He can add any song to any movie any subject. Using of good words doesnt make a song good. Anyway the context of this song will not be know until we see the movie, so this song remains clueless until then. KRR during audio release said he wants to make movie about Lord Venkatesa, listening to this song brings in a question what this song has to do with the Lord. 

3. Akhilanda Koti

Singer(s): Sharath Santosh,Srinidhi

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

Govinda Namam has great sanctity in it. The name brings in sheer devotion just be listening to it. However Govinda Govinda nuvvu punnami vennella Govinda, brings in tampered feeling of the namam. Vinaa Venkatesam doesn't bring the feel of the words. These two should have been avoided in the song. Akhilanda koti brahmanda nayaka is the word used for Lord Venkateswara. That is fine. as is the rest of the song. Sharath Santosh and Srinidhi are ok. The mention of various types of objects that goes on to Srivaru, how it feels should be something for visual imagination. This song should have been lot better if the two mentioned parts have not been there. 

4. Brahmanda Bhandamula

Singer(s): M.M. Keeravani

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

A short bit sung by Keeravani himself. Not sure what is the context, but from the lyrics we can imagine something. Keeravani's voice and the chorus behind were contrast to each other and at times didnt match each other. Keeravani took it light while saying "Tharalaadu". Felt he could have left this song without chorus. would have been much better to listen his voice along with simple orchestration.

5. Kaliyuga Vaikuntapuri

Singer(s): S.P. Balasubrahmanyam,Srinidhi,Ramya Behara

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

Finally here comes the voice, the song that we can cherish on. This is a brief story of Lord Venkateswara summed up in 9.20 minutes. The magical voice of SPB is a treat and to revisit the summary of Venkateswara how he landed on the Tirumala hills, how Hari becomes Srinivasa,  can be heard as many times as we want, from as many as voices we can, but SPB voice remains unique. Srinidhi and Ramya were apt to accompany SPB Sir. Vedavyasa just did right by remaining simple in telling the story. Keeravani occasionally reminds few other songs of different stories told in song format. If anyone can visualize what would have happened listening to this song, they are blessed.

6. Vayyari Kalahamsika

Singer(s): Revanth,Sunitha

Lyricist: K. Shivashakti Datta,Dr. K. Ramakrishna

Whether its class or mass, the end result is same. KRR never ceases an oppurtunity to show case "నాభి ".  For a said praise the Lord movie, here comes a romantic song with class touch of words, a typical KRR mark song. "తనువంత" పులకింతలతో "ధ్వనిస్తోందిలా", the expressions for this song appeared odd in 2 places when it is repeatedly used in this song, and then ధ్వనిస్తోందిలా got messed up. "Valape OO yagamlaa" also could have been better. Her voice was probably got lost in between. Revanth was better compared to Suneeta in this song. Probably Jagatibabu got this song in the movie with Anushka as he said in the audio release.

7. Anda Pinda

Singer(s): Balaji,Muniraju,Sneha

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

Once gain Keeravani used a popular commercial song of his own to tune this song too, Probably thats why this song will not work either as it reminds other song(s). Words are classy, but not sure how many will enjoy it and what would be the context in the movie for such heavy content lyrics. Being a Marathi, did Hathiram had this version? Not sure why that heavy tune and lyrics were used? It for sure sound good to hear, with words used nor heard these days. Probably movie would answer.

8. Maha Padma Sadmey

Singer(s): Saketh

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

A short and sweet stotram of ammavaru sung by Saketh did his job perfectly did better and this song could have been for a longer length. 

9. Kamaneeyam

Singer(s): S.P. Balasubrahmanyam

Lyricist: Ramajogayya Sastry

Lord is generous to everything and lets his devotee think anything and about anything on him. All he wants is the thought. That generous the Lord will be.

అన్నుల మిన్నల ముద్ద్దుకు నేడు అలమటించు స్వామి పెదవి తీపి చెయ్యరే, 
తాల లేని తహ తహలు తలుపు చాటి తొంగి చూడ తనకు తానే జారి పోయే తెర చేలమూ

సృష్టి రక్షణ లోనే దృష్టి సాగించక ఇష్ట సఖులను కూడా ఇంపుగా చూడవయా 

These lines comes as a cultural shock from the makers of the movie. Not sure whether any one imagine Lord with being so passionate and uncontrollable desires? Not sure whether I understood the context right in the movie. This song is supposed to elevate the glory of Swamy vari kalyanam, however typical KRR, went ahead with post kalyanam imagination. ముద్ద్దుకు నేడు అలమటించు స్వామి పెదవి తీపి చెయ్యరే. Reading this line as standalone doesn't appeal by itself posing many questions and questioning the intentions of the makers of the movie.  SPB and Keeravani sugar coats all these issues and makes this as another pleasant song to hear. His voice is still the same melodious given his age.

10. Brahmothsava

Singer(s): Srinidhi

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

Srinidhi had tough time in this song where she has to focus on the words, or the feel or both. Once again heavy words are used for supposed to be posing simple questions for not helping and requesting for help. When devotee is in trouble, questioning Lord on why he can have fun when devotee is suffering is the content of the song I guess. At this time the devotee has always mixed feeling of anger, helplessness, confusion, confidence and many other feelings going thru at the same time whether the Lord will be a savior for him. This probably is the time when Hathiram was punished by the king and was asked to eat roomful of sugar cane overnight. We can imagine what will go thru the mind of the devotee. Whether this song brought in the emotion is the question we will have end of the song.

11. Pareeksha

Singer(s): Shankar Mahadevan

Lyricist: Ananta Sriram

Good lyric doesn't have to follow Prasa, as long as the feel is carried that should be fine. The context of the song is not properly carried just by the song. Since the story is not know guessing where this song is placed, who is testing whom and who is throwing challenge to whom is something unanswered. Is it test for Lord or test for devotee who has is challenged as it throws a word "కాచుకో" The song says Lord has helped the devotee in the elephant form. Also he got the blessings of Lord where many Yogis couldnt obtain that is Lord himself playing pachikalu with the devotee. Probably all these questions will be answered in the movie.  The way Shankar says Pareeksha is not appealing. 

12. Govindha Hari Govindha

Singer(s): Srinidhi,Dhanunjay

Lyricist: Vedavyasa

Govinda Namam is one such namam which will bring ecstasy in devotees of the Lord. This song sounds a lot better with simple chanting of the namam, and adding right additions to the namam and is in lines of what devotees where hearing. Srinidhi and Dhanunjay were perfect for this song. One another song with no confusion and side-tracking until half way where there is melodrama added. Not sure why it switched the gear. Probably it will be answered on screen. 

Pick(s) of the album: Kaliyuga Vaikuntapuri,  Maha Padma Sadmey, Govindha Hari Govindha, Veyi Naamaala Vaada

This album is neither devotional nor commercial. if it is promoted as devotional, not sure whether people will get devotional feeling out of this album. However this has a mix of everything. If one expects an out an out devotional album, its an expectation mismatch. Using commercial tunes for couple of songs will remind those songs immediately than these songs. Its for sure a flip side. Few singers didn't bring in the devotional feel for the songs. Lyrical content also leaves a mixed feeling. Prasa doesnt help always. Using heavy literature without carrying the feel is also not always good. Given the Telugu we are hearing these days, the refreshing feel is the language. However this album poses some questions to the industry, we are loosing control over the lyrical values, singing capabilities and if Keeravani garu retires, will we be able to hear these type of albums?

Khaidi No 150 Audio Review

Movie: Khaidi No 150 (ఖైదీ నం 150 )

Producer(s):  Surekha Konidela,Ram Charan,A. Subashkaran

Cast: Chiranjeevi, Kajal Agarwal

Direction: VV Vinayak

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Boss is back, is the word that is going as crazy caption for the movie, no one cared what the title of the movie is. Probably one such rare scenario in film industry. Many just cared that Boss is back with #150. There was a debate whether its 150 or 151 keeping in mind the Brucelee, but who cares is the argument fans make. Seeing their boss full length in a movie is what they wanted and they are getting it. After so much break, Boss going here and there disappointing them, he is back to where he belongs to. VV Vinayak and Ramcharan teamed up to Produce the movie which is remake of super hit Tamil film. Murugadoss who was the story owner remained same but Paruchuri brothers got into help the script. Chiru in dual role will for sure appeal his fans with double dhamaka. 

DSP who was initially announced for two prestigious films at the same time backed out of another film to focus on this movie. This has automatically raised the bar very high in terms of music. When first two songs were released individually people had many concerns. However eventually things got settled as the rest of the songs were released. 

DSP wrote 2 songs in this album, sang one, RJS got one and Srimani the rest of the songs. Bringing Hariharan back and having Shankar Mahadevan is good to see in this album. No one can forget Hariharan's hit number for Chiru. Hope the magic repeats. Boss always had top class music albums in his career. Thanks to likes of Ilayaraja, Raj-koti , Manisharma. DSP has been consistent with providing music to Boss and fans will not expect anything less. Let's see how the songs fare, probably every one heard these songs already.

1. Ammadu Let's Do Kummudu

Singer(s): Devi Sri Prasad,Ranina Reddy

Lyricist: Devi Sri Prasad

DSP at a complete novel mass concept of having the title of the song that was released out initially. Many people though enjoyed the mass content of it, few many didn't quite get how this can be used in a song. Having said that many didn't care for either, All they cared was the first song when Boss is back is out and it has to be embraced. The views, hits, talks, posts, shares, forwards everything was about Boss is back finally a song where Boss can show his magic is out. The electrifying start, then which says this is not mass song this is boss song, fans might have gone crazy. Then DSP takes control of the lyrics as well as singing, the tuning, and says Lets do Kummudu, need to see how fans react to the on-screen feast. This song has everything for Boss. A typical massy lyrics, beats, the breaks, what not. Except for the phrase, everything fell in place. In between Boss says "Thammudu Lets do Kummudu" any guesses who would be that Thammudu on the screen? It is double bonanza for sure. 

2. Sundari

Singer(s): Jaspreet Jasz

Lyricist: Srimani

When this song was pre-released, the feedback was not very good from the listeners. This was not really appreciated even though Ammadu was criticized on a different note the song was embraced. But this song didnt appeal many fans as well. Probably reason was the singing of the singer. They way he told the words in Pallavi was not taken properly. The rest of the song was filled by usual DSP's beats, rhythm and tune, however somehow this song didnt appeal. People even got doubts about DSP whether he put enough effort for this album. May be the singer was not right fit for this song, If another singer would have sung this song, these doubts might have vanished. Also, the unnecessary extensions for each word probably ruined the song.

3. You & Me

Singer(s): Hariharan,Shreya Ghoshal

Lyricist: Srimani

The doubts got into listeners mind were wiped off by this song. This again is benchmark melody of DSP. Hariharan at his best and cannot be any better. Shreya Ghoshal was to herself which helped the song. Probably she should be give songs in her comfort zone in Telugu, else she doesnt sound right at all. DSP does provide some magic in his melodies and this is another one. He goes simple and let Hariharan take charge with his added extensions help the song. 

4. Ratthaalu

Singer(s): Nakash Aziz,Jasmine Sandlas

Lyricist: Devi Sri Prasad

Boss is back, get ready was all the theme even since this movie was announced. Probably people wouldnt care what the song is when the boss is on the screen. All they care is how Boss can bring back those olden dance days. All DSP needed to do is enable the environment in the form of song and if he does provide what is required that is more than enough. DSP takes control of entire song including the lyrics. The way he make singers few words in style is getting repetitive, some songs it appears odd, this one is such. Nasal extension to words doesn't appeal always. This song might be a visual treat, but not a listening treat for regular music listeners but for sure is for dance lovers. A out and out mass song so does what it needs. 

5. Neeru Neeru

Singer(s): Shankar Mahadevan

Lyricist: Rama Jogayya Sastry

Finally after all the required feast to appeal masses/fans, now there is probably one song related to the story. One song of 5 that related to story is not bad. Bringing Hariharan and Shankar Mahadevan definitely adds a lot of weight to the album. Shankar's soulful rendition of this song is pleasure to listen. DSP's composition is in line with the patho feeling of the song. Ramajogayya sastry poses some sensible questions on the fate of farmers. Of course these questions when are limited to movies/songs, no change will happen. Probably there will be some inspiration and something changes. This song is in complete contrast to the rest of the songs, but in groove with the story, is done well. When rest of the songs are for fans this one and the melody song are for the music lovers.

Pick(s) of the album: Neeru Neeru, You and Me, Rathalu

Movie makers released the songs one by one not in a particular order, but probably that made a lot of sense as the album is not the concern here, they kept the fans on toes regarding whats coming and maintained the craze for quite some time. Whether DSP could have done better, answer would be unanimously yes. Whether DSP did justice to the movie, did he meet the craze, did he meet expectations? There might be mixed responses, but most of the listeners wouldn't care as all they care is Boss is Back. The album is for sure doesnt have the wow factor but doesn't disappoint anyone. One sensible song, one trademark melody, two out and out mass songs, what else one would need? Grab what you want from the album. If still one doesn't get satisfied, Boss is back to provide the rest.