Gajaraju (Telugu) - Audio Review

Movie: Gajaraaju (Telugu)

Production: N Lingusamy
Cast: Vikram Prabhu, Lakshmi Menon 
Direction: Prabhu Solomon 
Music: D. Imman

Lyrics: Vennelakanti

Tamil Yesteryear Legendary Hero Shivaji Ganesan's grandson and Hero Prabhu's son Vikram Prabhu's debut film which is "Kumki" and is dubbed into Telugu as Gajaraju. Having this name brings some curiosity why a film is named on elephant. This story revolves around the lead actor and his elephant friend. This elephant is Kumki which is a Tamil name for captive, trained Indian elephants.These are used mostly for taming newly captured wild elephants and also to lead away wild elephants that stray in to human areas mainly farm land. This movie has a novel story which revolves around these two (Lead and the Kumki ).  

D Imman is known for a melody favoring music director. Most of his music leans towards melody. He didnt have that much fame in Telugu, but is a veteran in Tamil music industry. He is working since 2001 but his first movie (Tamizhan) was released in 2012. He has worked about 25 films. Occasionally some of his movies were dubbed in Telugu.

Gajaraju (Kumki) movie since it has Tamil nativity and story revolves around a village/forest backdrop the music will for sure have that flavor mixed with melody. Movie offers 7 songs and all sung by Tamil singers. The lyrics are written by Vennelakanti who earlier has worked for writing songs for dubbing movies.

1. Yevuraina 
Singer(s): Haricharan 
2:43 minutes song appears too short. Imman starts a village backdrop song with right start, the beats are good, Imman infused all the elements thereby we feel why it was too short. Imman scores a beauty, the interludes, the guitar accompanied by the beats. However this song is full of Tamil flavor, but Imman made sure the melody is intact. Haricharan and Imman has no clue of the Telugu song just focused on getting the tune right which they succeeded. on flip side they lost the beauty of words. Haricharan broke the words as he liked may be to fit the tune. Vennelakanti lyrics are apt. Not sure whether this is a introduction song for the elephant.

2. Kanne Sogasulu 
Singer(s): Naresh Iyer 
Another melody from Imman. Naresh Iyer starts simple and then the beats adds the energy to the song making every one to tap their feet. Imman swings between calm and energetic flow which is very good. The guitar accompanied the song adding charm to the song. Naresh did a decent job however he as usual had issues with words. Kalle (eyes) was not clearly song in the changed pattern. This song atleast would have been sung by a Telugu singer. Vennelakanti did again a decent job. Ignoring small issues with the singing this song for sure haunts listeners. Hope movies adds to it.

3. Ayayayoo Aanandame 
Singer(s): Haricharan
Another song by Haricharan in this album. Few months back I said that he has gained a lot of space in musical industry, but he hasnt shown progress over the period of time to make his position rock solid. He is having same issues when singing in Telugu. That is the big difference between earlier generation singers and current singers. They sing and do justice to the song but don't make the difference that adds value to the song. Another good song by Imman. This song starts good, flows good and ends good. The interludes are good, right orchestration and everything goes as per script. Again vennelakanti doest make any mistake. Another good song so far in this album, mainly with such a kind of subject music has to be strength of the movie. Imman so far did he best to this movie. Though this song has tinge flavor of some old songs, doesn't matter.

4. Cheppinaadhey Thana Premani 
Singer(s): Ranjith, Chinmayi 
Rural backdrop so lyrics has to reflect that. Need not be but depends on. All this is about Cheppinaade. The way Ranjith started didnt sound better, but there after added with Chinmayi, the song goes as decent duet, simple and sounding good. Chinmayi sounded like Swarnalatha occasionally. But sometimes herself. Whatever it is the song is simple and decent. Singers could have done better. No issues tune and composing wise.

5. Soi Soi Magizhini 
Singer(s): Manimaaran
The beauty of the song is lyrics. The background music is perfect village backdrop. The situational song will be felt more if the situation is known. Manimaaran's voice suits aptly for the song. Imman scored a tyical situational song with all instruments added rightly. Some advises added to the song which again I guess is based on story. Song can be enjoyed more in the movie. 

6. Nuvvu Eppude Pilla 
Singer(s): Alphons Joseph
Alphons Joseph who is a music director himself and a singer, is Aromale fame of Ye maaya chesave. This song seems to be another winner of this album for its tune, orchestration and singing. Imman brings in perfect melody. Though Alphons sings elegantly, I prefer a person who can understand Telugu to add more feeling to the song. Seems like the usage words have become part of songs lately. 

7. A Lady And The Violin 
Singer(s): Shweta Mohan

This song reminds me some tune but unable to recall. Female version of Ayyayyo anandame. I prefer to this version. Shweta Mohan did much better in terms of adding the feel and rendering it the way it is wanted. Imman has added more melody, made it more simpler and more touching than original song. 

Pick(s) of the album: Entire Album for the Melody lovers and who like songs with rural backdrop

An offbeat movie needs help from music department.We have seen such incidents many times before where Ilayaraja and others elevated the movies with their musical magic. Also When debutant actor with high profile family background is acting a movie, he will need every department to be right.  D. Imman has done great job with his earlier movie Myna. This is in continuation from that movie where he made a mark. This movie will become another milestone for D Imman. He told many times that he prefers making music with melody and he has done it again. This is so refreshing album for sure everyone will like it. This has been hit in Tamil and guess listeners from Telugu too will like it. However they need to ignore few issues like the Tamil flavor, Singers not doing justice to words, else it is a decent album to keep listening.

Kadali (Telugu) - Audio Review

Movie: Kadali (Telugu)

Production: Mani Ratnam, Manohar Prasad
Cast: Arjun, Arvind Swamy, Gautham Karthik, Lakshmi Manchu, Thulasi Nair 
Direction: Mani Ratnam 
Music: A. R. Rahman 

Lyrics: Vanamali (Dr. Mani Gopal)

Mani Ratnam has kept his fans waiting for almost 3 years after his last film Raavan which didnt fare well at box office. People started waiting for a good film from him. And finally his upcoming film starring Gautam (Actor Karthik's son) and Tulasi (the younger daughter of Radha) has been titled as Kadali in Telugu. The film's Tamil title is Kadal, which means 'The Sea'. 

The film is set in the backdrop of a fishing village and most part of the film has been shot in a village near Tuticorin and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. After a long time Arvind Swamy who acted in Maniratnam's Roja and Bombay is acting again in this movie in a special role. Arjun and Lakshmi Manchu are also playing vital roles in this love story. 

A R Rahman took charge of the music department and Rajiv Menon is the cinematographer. After a long time ManiRatnam is doing another movie with Love as subject, the last being Madhavan, Simran starrer Amrutha back in 2002. Its been long time that Mani Ratnam has given a hit at box office, and everyone including his fans are waiting for a decent hit from him. His recent movies, Raavan, Yuva and Guru were not successful at box office.

With ManiRatnam and AR Rahman working togather, obviously the expectations will be high as they never failed togather in terms of music. Rahman always gave his best to Maniratnam. And Maniratnam's films always had top class music. His combination with Ilayaraja produced some un-believable hits. 

Rahman in 2011 has worked only one Indian movie (Rockstar) and in 2012 its 4 movies. Way way less than what he used to do. His last Tamil movie was in 2010 ( Enthiran ) which shows gradually decrease in Indian movies. He is working only for major productions both in South and North. Given fact that its been 2 years from Mani and Rahman, people are eagerly waiting to embrace the audio from the combination of these two technically brilliant artists. Need to see whether they are able to retain their magic touch or they are fading away...

This movie is made in Tamil and is dubbed in Telugu as Kadali. However movie will be released in both languages simultaneously. Rahman hasn't had success in doing direct Telugu movies so far. Since this is a Tamil movie, there will not be an issue so we can ignore this fact. Whenever there is such kind of dubbing movie, Rajashri had done great justice to keep the lyrical values in tact. This time Vanamali took care of lyrics. Vairamuttu has written in Tamil. Vairamuttu and AR Rahman had a great track record and it is assumed that they have repeated their track record. However Vanamali is not much heard for writing this kind of lyrics, need to see how he had done with this movie.

Rahman offers 7 songs, nothing much to mention about the singers as they have been in his team for earlier movies. The new names added were Shakthisree Gopalan ( Gunjukunna) , Abhay Jodhpurkar (Pachani Thota ) and Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam ( Magidi )

1. Pachchani Thota........

Abhay Jodhpurkar, Harini

Rahman starts album with one of the beautiful starts of a song, acoustic guitar at the best, so soothing, subtle setting the mood right, taking the listeners somewhere, making them ready for a fantastic melody probably a romantic one. Maniratnam visuals for sure will be top notch to make this one of the best of the movie. Its been long time we heard such a smooth melody, Rahman master of orchestration adds rights instruments at right places to elevate this song to a different level. The interludes are the best. He rightly mixes the instruments and tunes makes listener to be lost in the tune. The pause between stanzas is just fantastic. This song can be visualized for a couple in love in a place for all by themselves and getting their best time in their life. Having said that this song lost the nativity because of the singers and the words. The lyricists didn't have right words in the song (I don't like blood in love songs to violent imaginations) and singers didn't sing the words perfectly there by taking away the greatness of Rahman. However this song is a treat from Rahman.

2. Chitti Jabili

Vijay Yesudas

An infant crying in the start of the song tells us that this is going to be a song that some one is trying to make baby sleep. Since its a male voice, it could be the father of baby. Vijay Yesudas took from where the ambience set by Rahman, slow and minimal instrumentation, Its been a while that we heard such Rahman who is so simple and brilliant. We need such Rahman, who touches us. I remember his "Kizhakku Seemayile" listening to this song. Vijay Yesudas is brilliant as a singer. Its a treat to listen Rahman the way he progresses from calmness to rhythms. The flute is again brilliant of course Rahman's favorite instrument. However again second in a row, the words are messed up. Thochunu got broke because of tune becoming To - chunu, like wise many words lost their existence either by not having stress when required or when not required having it. Another song probably is wasted by lyrics.

3. Gunjukunna

Shakthisree Gopalan

I heard this song in MTV un-plugged version by AR Rahman and Shaktisree Gopalan. This song was sung in Tamil. This version has been haunting ever since then. Shaktisree's voice was so naive, different and the way it was simple in that version showed that another promising album ahead in store for us. This song when heard in Tamil continued the feel, I anxiously looked at this song first when album is released and totally disappointed by Vanamali and Shaktisree. They both ruined such a fantastic song from Rahman. 

First lets talk about the song and then come to the issues. This song is so refreshing tune. What a beautiful melody from Rahman. Once again subtle instrumentation has been key for this movie. His accordion accompaniment is just fantastic. Another song with Guitar start, the singer starts refreshingly melodious. Rahman who is know for refining the song until he is satisfied, brings in so much details into this song, which is great to listen. He sings in interludes which brings in right emotions. Flute in interludes touches the heart.  Thanks Rahman Sir, for such a wonderful song.

Now coming to issues, this song has been translated word by word by Vanamali. Gunjukunna is unrealistic lyrical word in Telugu, then many comparisions like paalu, perugu, asa kurupu, raacha kurupu, doesn't fit the song. They are word to word translation of Tamil. Thereby he lost the nativity. Then singer who doesn't know Telugu literally killed the words. I cannot say what kind of damage they have done to this one of the best compositions from Rahman. I would suggest if anyone know Tamil go and listen to Tamil album, even if one doesn't know Tamil, just listen to MTV version.

4. Yele Yelle
A.R.Rahman

Rahman sings this song and completely contrast to what we have heard so far in this album. Everything is changed, the style, rhythm, pattern. The advantage of Rahman being global musician shows in this song. He mixes different styles of music so seamlessly, that this song is foot tapping, energetic and melodious. Sometimes it appears he has improvised a little bit but that doesnt matter. Everyone for sure will enjoy this peppy tune. Once again lyrics have been mess. It will appear that this sing is a foreign language song.

5. Yaadike

Sid Sriram

This song reminds the pattern of Ye Maya Chesave, But Rahman tried to experiment this song in a different style. These songs are tough to present, as everything has to be so perfect, the instruments, mixing, singing and the rhythms. Rahman not sure how much time he took for fine tuning this song. This song is not in the routine genre, an experiment that he has done and depends upon how people like it. Again this song appears as a foreign song.

6. Magidi Magidi

Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam, Chinmayi, Tanvi Shah

3:33 minute song. Rahman at his best orchestration. Song on initial hearing sounds crazy. The techno beats, rap, mixed with repeating words doesn't appeal at all. But hold on this song will go crazy among the youth. This song in Tamil starts as Magudi meaning snake charmer instrument. Hero and Heroine saying I am snake you are charmer, I play to your tune. However in Telugu this has lost the charm.

7. Mamathe Neevule
Haricharan

This song goes with Christian background, as the lead is a fisherman who is Christian. The charm of this song is the chorus. I felt Haricharan could have done lot better. The chords progression is treat to listen. 

Pick(s) of the album: 1,2,3,4 - for 5,6,7 on repeated hearing. 

Rahman's tunes always are challenge for lyricists. The complicated tunes he gives is very difficult for lyricist to fit the words to the tune and make some meaning out of it. Mainly when they are done in one language, keeping the "Bhavam" for the scenes in another language is another big challenge. Since Vairamuttu's imaginations cannot be matched in Telugu, ( nativity issue ) carrying the word to word translation is a huge blunder. Since Rahman, Mani, and all involved in this movie don't know Telugu. Vanamali should have got the liberty and free hand to write the lyrics, but he himself being a non-resident of Andhra Pradesh and not much experienced in writing dubbing songs he messed up the lyrics big time. 

AM Ratnam started this trend of downfall of the lyrics for dubbing movies and the saga continues..Sorry for Maniratnam's team, for the great injustice they have done to the Telugu songs. Not sure why Maniratnam completely ignored to take care of Telugu songs. These songs are not for to be listened in Telugu. Songs completely lost their charm . The soul is lost and only the form is present. AR Rahman fans who can listen and understand Tamil, should easily ignore these Telugu songs and listen in Tamil. For the rest it depends on them whether they want to listen and like these songs or not. 

Rahman's Telugu fans will miss a good album to enjoy in their own language.

Coming to Music as such, Rahman songs most of time grow upon repeated hearing. He has reached a stage where he is global and his music reflects the same. Many global music patterns are seen in his music in this movie. This makes difficult to appeal entire range of audience. He showed some glimpses of early days Rahman and showed where he is today. Listeners will see this difference. He catered for both Rahman lovers ( who liked him in early stages and now ) thereby he proved why he is special to Maniratnam. Maniratnam got the help he wanted for sure. With the kind of story, this should be a visual treat hope Maniratnam doesn't disappoint. The lost touch between the two seems to be regained. 

Conclusion: In Telugu, just listen for Rahman, but if you want to Enjoy - listen in Tamil, as you wont be enjoying them if in Telugu, something or other will be bothering you.

Nayak (Telugu) - Audio review

Movie: Nayak
Director: VV Vinayak
Music: Thaman SS
Producer: VV Danayya
Cast:   Charan, Kajal Agarwal, Amala Paul

Nayak is Charan's 5th movie in his career. Produced by VV Danayya and directed by Mass director VV Vinayak, the expectations are huge when Vinayak is behind the camera. Kajal Agarwal has paired up already with Magadheera which was the biggest hit in Telugu industry interms of collecting money. Charan has been going up and down alternatively with his movies. Need to see whether he breaks that trend with this movie. Amala Paul is paired up with Charan and obviously this adds a lot to the movie. Seems like Charan is playing dual role for the first time in this movie. 

This movies boasts having the Evergreen classic of yesteryears composed by Ilayaraja "Subhalekha raasukunna". This was initially planned to be picturized between Charan and Kajal but seems that it ended up with Charan and Amala Paul.

Thaman who rose very high in very short term inspite none of his movies were musical hits, is very lucky in grabbing prestigious projects and big heros movies. He at some point of time in his career needs to deliver and satisfy general audiences other than catering the hero and his fans. He was getting all popular awards as Music director which puts him as a successful music director.

In this movie he introduces some more new singers to the industry to help him. Lets see how he and his music did this time. Did he try to satisfy everyone??

1) Laila O Lailaa

Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Ranjith, Rahul, Navin

Lyrics: Chandrabose

If the song has Laila doesnt mean that Thaman has to get inspired from Hindi Songs. Sometimes I wonder why a song need more than 2-3 singers, If we start listing names of chorus, that's when it appears to be having more than 4 singers. Why would one waste Shankar for this song.

Chandrabose once again proves that he talks loud and does nothing about it. "Tequila khana", what was that Chandrabose. Is this some that one eats not drinks? (Singers sounded it as Khana, but its (లోలోన tequila కానా which is ok I guess). Every time he tries to create words (Shana Santoshana) which doesn't make sense. He does the same in this movie album too. If one listens to him in audio release of TV shows, he is quite contrast. He got the Dialog from Mayabazar that if not created how can words exist, but not every thing can be created and last long. 

Song is for fans and masses, Thaman get the speed, beats, words everything right what Charan wanted. That's about it.

2) Kathilanti Pilla

Singers: Thaman, Shefali Alvaris

Lyrics: Chandrabose

This song is good only for the first 2-3 seconds. Then the original Thaman not singing but saying few words. Who is the female singer? I guess he experimented the the full, his new brand instrument he bought before this movie. The songs has full of sounds that probably are from that instrument he got. He maintains his singing style, composing tunes from earlier movies, and offers nothing than the variety of sounds. There is a saying that Aripinchaadu, Keka puttinchaadu, he did the same thing literally. 

3) Subhalekha Rasukunna Remix

Singers: Hari Charan, Shreya Ghoshal

Lyrics: Veturi

Before trying to analyze this song, first we need to understand the what is all about the original, what changes Thaman made and what is the end result because of the changes.

We can then realize whether this song carried forward the legacy or messed it up on whole? The original song was composed by Maestro Ilayaraja sung by SPB and Chitra. This song remained as one of the greatest classic song in the career of Chiranjeevi and Radha. 

Original Song: The beauty of this song is the melody, SPB, Chitra's singing, the grace chiranjeevi/Radha brought which none of telugu movie buff would forget. The song starts with fantastic flute showing heroine waiting, slowly the beats are added to represent the hero is approaching heroine then the guitar is gracefully added to the song with a perfect tempo as they both meet. Anyone listed and watched this song remembers this even closing their eyes. The beauty of the song is the tempo and the guitar that follows the song at regular intervals. Without this this song doesn't get the same feeling of hearing. Chitra starts the song and added by every sweet voice SPB. The way they express while singing perfectly matches the characters feeling.  Now veturi garu takes this song to the next level with his fantastic words. Everything perfectly set that this song can get no better.

Remix song: Thaman has basically got the tempo wrong which was the beauty in original. Then he takes away the flute which was the heart of this original song, there by the melody is gone. Once cannot take the soul out and present the body. Now Shreya Ghoshal comes and says "షుభలెఖ instead of "శుభలేఖ" inspite of singing in Telugu for almost a decade. Then its "పొన్న చెట్టు", not "పున్నచెట్టు".  again శారద not సారద. Thaman's singers sing this song as if they are in a hurry. Therey by it has lost its entire charm.  Haricharan then takes this song to complete downfall. The way he says eppudo is more sarcastic than bringing nice effect. The less said about him the better for us. The improvisations are totally at wrong places, they are totally wasted. Shreya ghoshal had strained in singing many places. I don't think anyone can do gross injustice to the original song than this team. 

Charan has been using one of his father's song in each movie he is working, but he is not realizing that the is doing more harm to himself than favor. I dont think he doesnt get right to himself re-using his fathers song even though he does justice to them thru his dancing skills. He has to see the other side of the coin and avoid such things in future films. Hope he understands this.

4) Oka Choopuke Padipoya

Singers: Vijay Prakash, Bindhu Mahima

Lyrics: Bhaskarbhatla

In cricket googly or doosra will be bowled occasionally, if it is bowled every time then googly will not have any effect. Same thing with the singing style of Thaman. If it is applied to one song, this will be appreciated, but if every song is sung in that style that song will be skipped eventually. Thaman should realize that. Not sure why he is having such a fancy feeling about this singing style. May be he needs to check with his recording theater, may be something needs to be replaced. The orchestration and singing is so amateurish, the chorus he used is not all movie standards for music. 

5) Nellore

Lyrics: Sahiti

Singers: Jaspreet Jasz, Suchitra

There are already 1000 singers available and yet there is no one who are able to match singing capabilites of SPB/KJ Yesudass likes, Thaman tries to bring another one. Not sure what additional value these singers bring that is required for the song. Seems like Thaman brings his earlier movies all togather the beats, the tunes and rehashes as a new song. When its a mass song, whether its Sahiti or Bhaskarbhatla or Chandrabose it doesnt matter, all they have to do is fill words for song. This song is expected to be super duper hit and it might be who knows. The beats are there, if steps are added, this might hit the roof.

6) Hey Naayak

Singers: Navin Madhav, Shreya Ghoshal

Lyrics: Chandrabose

Naayak title song. Chandrabose at his peak to write this song. He finds all the words in his knowledge to fill the song. He talks great on TV shows, but need to implement, The time has come to learn how to write lyrics. Else he will remain as substandard lyricist. Navin sings like Karthik. I thought the titles are wrong. Shreya too doesn't sound like herself. This song is purely for masses and Charan fans. Charan has to provide with his choreographic skills. Thaman has done his job to provide what is required for Charan and left the rest to him.

Pick(s) of the album: Fans - Entire Album, Regular Listeners - Does it have any?? - May be Nellore?? Its your choice to figure out.

Thaman each time releases a movie album quizzes listeners in the form of songs to guess where he has used similar tune or got inspired from different songs. With each movie his range of questions are increasing,  He hasn't changed even an inch in his composing style, orchestration, singing style and presenting to listeners. He is maintaining all the characters and style in vigor. So whenever one listens to Thaman's music can never gets disappointed. He needs to be commended for that. This movie is no different to any other music. VV Vinayak never had a great musical hits never known for great music sense, so for him its no big deal. Charan on the other hand is looking for a great chance to dance for the songs to keep his fans entertained and maintain the legacy. He got what he want. However as he said in audio release, this is not the best musical and never can be. Songs are strictly for Mega fans. They will embrace and enjoy the songs without a doubt.

Seetamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu - Audio Review

Movie: Seetamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2012)

Director: Srikanth Addala
Music: Mickey J Meyer

Producer: Dil Raju
Cast:   Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Anjali, Samantha

Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (SVSC), is probably the movie that everyone is waiting in Telugu Industry for its release. The reason being that after more than two decades to be specific around 25yrs, the film industry is going to witness a multi-starrer that too with the film stars like Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu. Mahesh babu who is on a dream run threw his fans a surprise with signing this film. Venkatesh on other hand who has show guts to sign this film along with Mahesh Babu knowing that the lime-light will be an issue when screen is shared with Mahesh. However both expressed that this is a director's movie and his story is going to be the Hero. This film is written and directed by Srikanth Addala, kotta bangaru lokam fame. Ever since KBL was released, he hasn't directed any movie but has been working on the story and this movie. 

The co-stars to the male leads are Samantha and Anjali who again are having great run at box-office. Samanta ever since debuted in telugu in Ye Maaya chesave has been successful doing maya on Telugu audience and Anjali though first time in Telugu has been already a huge name. 

This movie is being produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations banner, which is known for family oriented successful films. The film was launched on October 6, 2011 and filming began on January 18, 2012 in Visakhapatnam. The music of the film was scored by Mickey J Meyer and was released on December 13, 2012. The film is scheduled to be released on January 11, 2013. Mickey has be inconsistent with this musical career graph going up and downs. However he has been a director's music director, providing feel good music as demanded. Srikanth and Mickey worked togather with Kotta Bangaru lokam which was musically huge success. No doubt Srikanth would want Mickey for this second venture. 

This movie offers total 7 songs, surprisingly Sriram Chandra got 3 songs to sing. Not very often a singer gets such chance other than Karthik. Sriram should be lucky enough when he is not seen much in the singing scene now a days. Ananth Sriram and Sirivennela took care of Lyrics department. Both are known for maintaining their standards and for writing sensible with lyrical values in telugu songs. Ananth Sriram got a great chance writing the Title song when Sirivennela is around, which is another lucky chance for him. 

Every one who talked about this film has boasted about this movie representing Telugu culture, family values, traditions and greatness of being togather. Whether the music represent these features is what we need to figure out. Mickey J Meyer does justice to the lyrics. He has proven with his earlier songs. "Nee prasnalu neeve", "Nijamgaa nenenaa" from KBL were such examples. Lets see how much justice he had done for the movie and songs.

1. Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu  

Lyrics: Ananth Sriram
Singer(s): Chitra

We all know what Chitra Madam is about when comes to singing. We have been hearing her past few decades. However lately she is missing from the screen due to various reasons. This song reminds once again what we have been missing from her lately. She is absolutely brilliant. What a voice, What a singing. Madam take a bow. Ananth Sriram for a moment makes us to check back the inlay card to see who has written this song. Rama and Sita are two characters which are like who ever tries to attempt writing about them, there is still a lot to write. Each time someone writes about them, these characters feel new and fresh. That's the greatness of these two characters. Ananth Sriram aptly applies the title of the movie to start with and weaves the song around it. The way he took the tree around in each stanza to get Rama and Sita to-gather is fantastic just a treat to listen. In of them he says, that there is Parrot on tree, which says Rama, that is nothing but what Sita's heart says and the moment she says it, Rama is hers. Just fantastic. Sincere request to Ananth Sriram, you have set a bench mark for your self with this song, Please don't go back from here for the sake of whatever compulsions you get in the industry. 

Mickey starts the song with a narration that is surrounded with a subtle birds chirping, kolatam beats added a great beauty to the song. The way Chitra songs takes listeners lost in the greatness of Telugu nativity. Then one will get lost another time with the beauty of lyrics. No wonder this song is instant hit when the first line was released as trailer. This song will remain as absolute brilliant complete song in recent times for its completeness, music, lyrics, singing , expression and intrumentation. Overall leaves in a fantastic feeling, no wonder one would end up just at this song instead of going forward to listen the rest of the songs in movie album.

2. Yem Cheddaam  

Lyrics: Seetarama Sastry

Singer(s): Ranjith, Karthik, Sreerama Chandra

Mickey brings us back to harsh reality with this song from where we are left in the fantasy world with first song. Three male singers don't bring anything extra ordinary to this song as most of the time they are not clear. Too loud and harsh to ears makes this song unpleasant to hear. But the song has the lots of energy may that is what it is designed for and thats why this high level audio. 

Hero of this song is Sirivennela who never compromises with his values writing any song.  కిం కర్తవ్యం, పుటుక్కు జర జర  డుబుక్కుమే.. Its been a while heard these words in any song. Karthik seemed to be the weak link among the singers. His voice is dominated by the others. In this high speed song, if you can manage listen the words, its pleasure to listen them.

3. Aaraduguluntaadaa 

Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Singer(s): Kalyani

Six feet tall is what both hero's in this movie are. It will be difficult to predict to whom this song is aimed at. Probably on Mahesh. This song starts with a nice flute bit which sets the mood of the song. Added with simple beat, the singer starts questioning about the hero. The chorus added at right times brings the stress to those questions. Once the mood is set, Mickey continues adding features to this song bringing good feel to this song. By keeping simple and pleasant Mickey appeals everyone with this song. Ananth Sriram definitely adds value to this song with his neat lyrics. Beats are foot tapping, flute is pleasant in interludes. He completely depends upon Flute and simple rhythm in this song and they helped him. Overall if added with nice picturization, this song will appeal everyone. Another winner in the album.

4. Inka Cheppaale  

Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Singer(s): Rahul Nambiar, Shweta Pandit

"ఇంక"is the key word that Ananth Sriram used in pallavi, and wrote every word around it. The stress brought on this word "inka" could be situational. Ananth Sriram wrote "తొయ్యదులె" which in not lyrically correct which is more like a word of common usage. "తోచదులే"  would have been apt. He earlier wrote "హాయి అయిన" instead of "హాయిదైన".. ( Bommarillu ). Shweta Pandit so far remains as the weakest link of singers in this album. She had few issues with singing and pronunciation. However Rahul and Mickey covers it up by rightly supporting her. This song ends up as a routine duet. 

5. Meghaallo  

Lyrics: Seetarama Sastry

Singer(s): Karthik, Sreerama Chandra

Seems like a marriage situation song. Seetaramasastry garu's can write thousands of songs on this occasion and each one will be classic of its own. Karthik's voice is lost in orchestra. Sriram too sounded same as Karthik. I miss SPB for this song. His magnanimity in voice adds a lot of value to these kinds of song. This song needs such kind of voice to bring additional mileage to this song. Mickey starts the song with chorus as any group song starts, everything in this song is set for a huge group to have a great time. Shahanai tells the occasion and the beats brings everyone togather. Sirivennela's lyrics are treats. Anyways Mickey succeeded in this song and gives what is exactly required.

 

6. Mari Antaga  

Lyrics: Sitarama Sastry

Singer(s): Sreerama Chandra

Finally Sreeram gets a song on his own, Though he sang two other songs, he is lost in the crowd. Mickey who is known for giving similar songs in entire movie, is type-casted. This is song doesn't deviate from his cast. He picks and uses the instruments nicely intermittently in interludes which adds nice effect to the song. Sriram's does this best to bring the effect. As the songs goes in the flow he does fine, but the moment he deviates, he is not the same. He needs to do a little better to stand out as singer and elevate the song. Other than that this is fine.

Sirivennela garu was his usual himself writing this song. His songs has great philosophy and never misses any small chance. I wonder from where he got all this knowledge. He writes lot of meaning in simple and small words. Wonder how he can do that. Just look at the following two lines to note what fantastic lyrics he wrote in this song. ఎక్కిళ్ళే పెట్టి ఏడుస్తుంటే కష్టం పోతుందా కదా  మరెందుకు గోల? అయ్యయ్యో పాపం అంటే ఏదో లాభం వస్తుందా వృధా ప్రయాస పడాలా ?
The rest of the song is just a treat to listen. Its really a gift that we existed in his era. This song should be just heard for brilliance of Sirivennela gaaru. Listening many times may be we will find some clues for a better life every day if we can apply what he says. Mickey added a soothing tune so that he didnt mess up much of lyrics.

7. Vaana Chinukulu  

Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Singer(s): Karthik, Anjana Sowmya

Many film makers seems to have some fantasy on Vaana Chinukulu.. This song though doesn't seem fresh, but Mickey makes it different and makes sure that this song is enjoyable. Surprise to see Anjana Sowmya dominate Karthik and effortlessly sing this song. She excelled in this song, there is some additional effect in the voice makes it more enjoyable. Mickey stuck to simple orchestration, simple beats, no major hungama, could have added more rain into the song, my be its chinukulu which doesnt make much sound so he might have left it alone. Srikanth should have done great justice to this song.

Pick(s) of the album: Entire Album.. ( if you can bare with loudness and understand the lyrics of Yem Cheddam)

Writer/Director took almost 3 years to get the story to screen shows the effort he had put into the movie. He got a top notch producer who is known as a brand value for family entertainer and great music, He also got the hottest hero aligned with a senior hero surnamed with Victory and got the expectations to Sky High. With this kind of expectations and boasting that this a telugu nativity movie with telugu values and traditions, the music has to spread the same what is being told as strength of the movie. Mickey J Meyer who is known for feel good music brought in a great success for himself by providing career best album. Not sure whether this will remain his life time best or not. We do hope that will not. He chose right singers for the songs who did justice to the songs.

Adding Sirivennela and Ananth Sriram for sure is a huge plus to have almost no non-telugu words that suited to the image of the movie. Music wise, this album will be huge success as big names are already present in this movie, but what appeals everyone is the "Telugu -ness" of the song. All the best for the team who brought such an album to listeners. Wish the movie do much more.