Baahubali 2 Audio Review

Movie: Baahubali 2 - The conclusion (బాహుబలి - 2 )
Producer(s):  Shobu Yarlagadda, Prasad Devineni
Cast: Prabhas, Anushka, Rana, Tamanna, Satyaraj 
Direction: S. S. Rajamouli
Music: MM Keeravani

Touted as one of grandest movie ever made in Indian Movie history, Baahubali is going to conclude with this movie. The anxiety created with part 1 regarding why kattappa killed Baahubali, this movie will have the answer for the question. 450-500 crores in making is not something usual in movie Industry. The expectations set with Part-1 the second part is going to be really tough to meet it. And Rajamouli is known for creating expectations and meeting them. Everyone is expecting that the same will happen for part 2 as well. 

The entire team of Baahubali have dedicated their prime time of their lives for this movie and sure they should be happy about it. This movie doesn't need any introduction, so lets go to the songs. Keeravani said this would be the last film, but hope not. Can any one get this kind of chance of providing music to such a grand movie and at the same time meet the expectations? The music for Baahubali-1 got mixed responses initially, but when the movie released, the songs were liked probably like never before. Keeravani got huge applause for the BGM given the way he elevated the movie with the background score. So the expectations will be nothing less than that for this movie too. This time Keeravani wrote 3 songs of the 5 songs that album had. The album provides completely situational songs unlike first album. So listeners should be cautious about the expectations they set before listening to the album. Lets see how the songs are. 

1. Saahore Baahubali
Singer(s): Daler Mehndi, Mounima, Keeravani
Lyrics:  Shiva Shakti Datta

I wish Daler Mehndi was limited to saying Bhali Bhali raa bhali. The Chorus was perfect, the beats are just awesome. The song is at a different level as long as the music plays and Chorus is singing. Daler Mehndi's voice didn't suit Telugu saying of Gaganale chatram pattali.. Heyssa Rudrassa type of words in Bahubali 1 of Dheevara song also were fantastic and this magic repeats here also. Mounima suddenly took it to a different mood indicating the situation in the movie. Keeravani breaking words to say pulakarinchindi gaa to pulakarin + chindigaa, is something probably to make the tune to fit into multiple languages. Guttal Mittal also same I guess. Pidikita pidugul patti minchu kind of ending words are for sure the same reason. Then Keeravani comes with his singing. In BB1 he sings Sooni Aaana instead of Sivuni Aana, Now he sings Shivuni ( షివుని) instead Sivuni ( శివుని). Keeravani rocks tune wise and for the situation to be, there cannot be anything better. Siva Sakti Datta writes in the tune limitation his best and the elevation of the song should definitely be all together to a new level given Rajamaouli's history of making. A very good start for the album. 

2. Hamsa Naava
Singer(s): Deepu & Saahithi/Sony
Lyrics:  Chaitanya Prasad

This song reminds of earlier songs of Keeravani at place. But the beats will take away the feeling. They are powerful. Why Saahithi has to say Raajja at one place and Raaja at others? Kind of short length song. Probably a short sweet duet between the leads of the movie. Chaitanya Prasad wrote the lyrics in the situations of the movie using the right words in line with other songs. The interludes are grand. Deepu kind of becoming standard singer for Keeravani, did his best. Singers are better in this song and they make us listen to this song. A simple and sweet song ignoring the similarities. 

3. Kannaa Nidurinchara
Singer(s): Sreenidhi, Sri Soumya
Lyrics:  MM Keeravani

Keeravani wrote the song which is kind of surprising listening to the words. kanna is for Krishna and the situation for this movie related to krishna is something interesting. However singer doesnt sound that its my Krishna, ( నా "కన్నా" they sounded నాకన్నా ) . Unless sang properly this will sound completely different and meaning will change all together. These type of songs should be clear in expression to carry the right meaning, here is where the singers failed. They dont carry the right meaning of the lyrics unfortunately. Tune and lyrics are good but the song fails to impress due to this reason. Krishna means flute and this is effectively used in the song. Maa Dhavaa,, Yaa dhavaa, again an issue,  they are one words. These generation singers are obviously lacking Telugu Knowledge, when the lyricist, music director cannot explain the context, they cannot emote better. 

4. Dandaalayya
Singer(s): Kala Bhairava
Lyrics:  MM Keeravani

Again the song is written by Keeravani. This has the tune in continuation of BB1 in interludes when Chorus is singing. A song that will perfectly suit the situation in the movie. Keeravani should get full of accolades for making this song which will help Rajamouli a lot. Another short situational song. Kala bhairava did sound good and better. The song starts silently, with less instruments in support, then the chorus continuing the mood, with lead singer getting back and forth, then the take off happens. The music already gives the hints and that is what it should do. The interlude until the Yedhalo oka palkadali tune comes is just perfect as one can get. A totally situational song and will perfectly elevate the emotions.

5. Oka Praanam
Singer(s): Kaala Bhairava
Lyrics:  MM Keeravani

Another situational song. Keeravani and Kalabhairava just did what is required. Movie will tell why this song is required for what situation. Keeravani playing dual role, glad that he didnt sing this song by himself. Given that first movie Keeravani contributed more in singing, here he contributes more in lyric writing. Which is one way good. Again there are some clues to the movie from this song and the lyrics. 

Pick(s) of the album: Sahore, Dandaalayya, Oka Praanam

When there are two parts of a movie, the comparisons will be in place between the music of the two movies. However the songs were made differently for each part based on the content of the movie. So as long as comparisons play the role, the liking of the albums vary. However one should keep in mind that the songs in this movie are seeming purely situational and these will be enjoyed in the context of movie. For Bahubali -1 the initial feedback wasn't that very good it was mixed response, but once the movie is released, the songs were embraced like never before. I would suspect the same with this album too. No one other than Keeravani would better understand what is required for the movie and provide what is required.

On a different note, Keeravani has announced about his retirement post Bahubali, the conclusion. I hope he would not do that in reality and continue providing the music. His contribution to Telugu Film Music industry cannot be undermined and this should be the last movie for his career. Even if it is so, there can be no movie grandier than this to think of retirement. Whatever his decision is, wish him all the very best and bow with respect for all the music he has given past few decades. I dont want yet to say, we miss him. Hope Keeravani Sir continues ......

Update: Keeravani garu announces that he will note retire and will keep working on selective projects.