Dhanush's Sachin Anthem - My thoughts / Review

After "Kolaveri Di", a song about 'Sachin'.For a brilliant idea it is, could it even go wrong? Well, sadly, it did!


It seems like a great idea to combine the two elements that India loves so much -- Sachin and Kolaveri -- but Dhanush and Anirudh have slipped big time here. 


The song and the video are poorly crafted, edited and does not give us the josh which  just a thought about Sachin can ooze in our hearts. Its not patriotic and its not even singing about Sachin. The lyrics reads like a half baked rambling one might write in an unprepared engineering examination.
The video montage showing Sachings photographs is pathetic. A classic straight drive against Lee, the hook shot againt England in 2003, the shot down the third man against Akthar, Sachin lifting the world cup - few of many - during the interludes 'hittu mama.. six-u mama..' would have done wonders to the video! 


Who wants to see Dhanush and Anirudh - who looks like minuscule version of Ishanth Sharma ready to rest in peace immediately after the shoot - in a song about Sachin? And was Anushka even there?









Plus the timing of this song is ridiculous! When India is struggling with its performance overseas and people are losing interest in Sachin's 100th hundred, the energy level with which we face this song is too low!


With all the hype and expectations after Kolaveri, the makers should have put in more effort and care. Last few seconds when the cast cries 'Sachin.. sachin' in pouring rain is the only good thing about the song.


So what should've been in the lines of 'when unstoppable force meets an immovable object', just passes a muster.


And of course it trends in twitter! People are going to tell how much they dislike this one!
Few things just happen. They are not to be re-created!

Kaathalil Sothappuvathu Eppadi - Music Review

Why do I want to review Kathalil Sothappuvathu Eppadi (KSY) music? 


Because its Balaji Mohan's debut movie. He has "kanavu keerthanai", "Mittai veedu", "Kaathalil sothappuvathu eppadi", "Puthayal" to boast under his belt and I am his youtube follower right from his olden days!


"Mittai veedu" is probably one of the best feel good Tamil venture (including all the mainstream movies of the past 75 years put together!). When I came to know that he is making KSY into a full length feature film, I was actually glad! 


I thought he would retain the cast.. but to my disappointment, he could not. And the trailers were not that great to be true! 


Now the songs are out. What else could a  Balaji Mohan fan can do?




Aanandha Jaladhosham 


Catches your attention instantly. Vocal orchestration is something which is not yet explored entirely in Tamil cinema except few rare examples like Rasathee from Thiruda Thiruda, Ethileyum vallavanda [watch video from 2:30, Nan poranthu vanthathu from Mayabajar 1995..to my astonishment, I could come up with only one such experiment by Ilayaraja! - these songs are not just rich in vocal harmonies.. but they have no instruments to back up the vocals. Technically they are called "A Capella" composition. 

Though this song is no 'A Capella', but its something like - Please sir - from Boys. Worthy vocals supported by occasional base.


The lyrics are fetchy and lighthearted 


"கிராபிக்சில் கனவுகளோடு - லவ்..லவ்..

தூக்கத்தில் பாக் க்ரவுண்ட் மியூசிக் - லவ்..லவ்..

தெருவோரம் நின்னாலும் பாரின் சாங் போல தோணும்.. 

எல்லோரும் ஹீரோ ஆகும் லவ்... ஹீரோயின் தேடிப்போகும் லவ்..."

A foot tapper.


Azhaipaya Azhaipaya/Azhaippaya Azhaippaya (reprise)


A song which is sure to bring smiles to millions of boys and girls across Tamil Nadu. A song to cherish the moment, which probably is the dumbest one in their entire life, when a girl/guy waits for a call/missed call respectively :)



The rush a boy/girl feels during that moment is abundantly stupid enough, to cherish! :)


Has this song done justice to those few adorable minutes? I would say no. It has tried its level best. An almost perfect tempo,mood and instrumentation fails to make an impression due to a mediocre lyrics.


And I am still having difficulty to believe its Harini who sang the song.


The violin interlude between pallavi and charanam proves that Thaman has his roots correct!



Parvathi Parvathi


Yet another sophistaicated-love's song. When Tamil cinema is crying out loud with love failure songs - Kathal en kathal, Yamma yamma , this tries something in the lines of Kolaveri di.


This song for the major part reminds me of Vishwanathan Velai vendum.


Siddarth has  messed up the song which is only made worse by Madhan Karky's wannabe-funny lyrics!


Thavarugal Unargirom 


Is it just me or Thaman's voice really sounds like A.R.Rahman's? When he sings - "Thavarugal" - with a "la" between ல and ள, dont you hear Rahman? :)

A break-up and re-union song which ends before we even realize it has started. A fast-techno-melody. Should I put it that way? A good listen.

@Balaji M - Though I  have mixed feelings about the movie/songs, I haven't lost hope in you :)

@Thaman: Your songs are really short and that could become a trend in Tamil Cinema! Thanks for that!

Rating: 2.75/5

Ilayaraja is back!! 'Dhoni' Music review!

Ilayaraja  is back with his old ways! He has recorded the songs and BGM live for Prakash raj's directorial venture - Dhoni. The trailer looked melodramatic but the BGM was quite impressive from the Zen of music, Ilayaraja. It would be untrue if I said I was eagerly expecting a brilliant Ilayraja album. I know the golden era is over. But even now I never fail to listen to his albums at least once just not to miss few gems which only he can give [like Maa ganga, Om Shivo om - Naan Kadavul, Kuthikkira Kuthirai - Azhagarsaamiyin kuthirai]. I stumbled upon this post today in facebook and learnt that Dhoni songs were released. And like what all staunch Ilayaraja fans do, I listen to the songs... and rest was just magical...

                                           

Before going to the review, I should tell from where I got the above video. I got the above video from KuralTV website :)

Chinna kanniley is what Raja would have conjured up for director Faazil – the strangely Christian sounding tune, kids’ chorus, all add up to a simple, highly appealing song; Shreya Ghoshal is in fabulous form here, but Naresh Iyer sounds odd and vastly unlike himself, for some inexplicable reason. If thats what he calls voice modulation, he should listen to the very next song in the album - Vaangum panathukkum - sung by none other than SPB.


Na.Muthukumar’s  fanciful lyrics around middle-class living, in Vaangum panathukkum, is accentuated by SPB's singing and Raja’s wonderful orchestration that is surprisingly free from his standard, modern accompaniments! SPB has played round in this song with full freedom like how a new wife would cook.. even though it tastes ridiculous, we are just fine with that. IR should've felt the same when SPB sang to his tune after a while!


Thaavi thaavi and Vilayaattaa are instantly reminiscent of Raja’s golden age – incredibly beautiful music for heartfelt tunes and surprisingly synth-free, again. 


Raja sings like only he can in Thaavi thaavi, fully expressing the song’s meaning in his age-withered voice – the violin orchestra and the overall sound is absolutely mesmerising! Hariharan’s Vilayatta is equally beautiful – a slow, haunting tune, again propped by highly imaginative violin usage! It’s other version by Shreya Ghoshal is even better! 


After what felt like eons, here’s an Ilayaraja soundtrack that brings back his glory days, sans synth and with superb orchestration that the man is known for! It’s amazing to listen to an Ilayaraja soundtrack so clean and earnest in its overall appeal, after such a long time, probably after Pithamagan!


Listen to all the songs here - http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0003314

Happy new year 2012

As I write this, India is mukking in Aus. 11 paeru. Moochu thenara thenara adikkaranunga. Mokka start to 2012. Mokka ending also predicted by Mayans. And the Gods are probably talking about it.

Shiva: Dei Vishnu
Vishnu: Yes mama..wassup?
Shiva: I am only destroyer no?
Vishnu: Yes mama
Shiva: Then why you need Kalki avatharam? Sit simply.
Vishnu: 10 is very round number da. They took many movies too with that name. So I will wonly take off da. Not you. People will get confused if you go now! They will even be dissapointed to see you!
Shiva : Whats with  the 10? 
Vishnu : Im teliing you no? It looks good. See, 5 pandavas. 100 gauravas. 10 avatars. If you think about it, Indra is having 4 heads. Which feels incomplete. Even in Ramayan, I told that Valmiki to write it as 15 years. He only wrote it as 14. Many people asking me why 14 years you go to forest? If it were 15, no question. Even for Ravanan, 10 heads. No one questions why?! Got it?
Shiva: Ok po, when you are taking da?
Vishnu: This year only, I think... at least thats what Mayans told me!
Shiva: What?? This year-a? Have you taken birth and all?
Vishnu: Yes da
Shiva: Adapaavi. Who?
Vishnu: Sachin da. Even in his name I have placed 'ten'. Sachin Tendulkar. 10 in english. Dul is blast in Tamil. Kar is do in Hindi. Even his jersy number is 10. When he changed his number to 99, his form dropped! Why? Because it wasn't round! People also know. They call me God down there.
Shiva: Semma. Destroy off today then. Very tiring, this job.
Vishnu: Pls machi. Innum orey oru century adichuttu... it will be 100, 100s. What a feat!
Shiva: Aiyo, bleddy fellow, what is it with you and round numbers? I give you till end of year ok? If not I will destroy off.
Vishnu: Nanbaen da!


Ok mama now tune change-u.. ready? 1...2...3....4...


2011 was a good year for me, apart from me going to the verge of getting fired from the previous company . Few days back, I spoke to Madhan about what happened to us in 2011. I extended that thought for the past 10 years which is and will be the most crucial years in my life. 14-24. I've moved on from being a boy struggling to cope up with a breaking voice to a young man who trims his beard twice, just to be comfortable looking at himself in the mirror. I have grown, reading books, watching movies/cricket and relishing my food...


The more I think about it, the more I avoid writing about it.. at least in the blog. Those things can be said and done later. But what to write about 2011? Let me play safe here. Let me put down few things which comes to my mind when I think about 2011. 

* Gautham Menon released Nadunisi Naaigal without any BGM. Also without any story, screenplay and direction. As I told you, I have grown to like movies like never before. It would be dumb if I say I get sad these days after I see a good movie.. I am sad because the number of new good movies that I can see is now minus one! So after Nadunisi naaigal, I was very happy!

* Animal Planet acquired 50% stake in Kural TV. TR released the Afro music that has since been scientifically proven to turn on a specific species in female hippopotamus.

* India won the cricket world cup after 28 years. Indians were overjoyed that there will be no more Hindi interviews of Kris Srikkanth describing the catch which "Kapil ka pakda the ooperwala ball of Richards to out karne ka" - no filty meaning intented.

* Kalmadi was asked to organize the Common Wealth Games, and was arrested for taking it in the literal sense.

* Before killing Osama, the US NAVY SEALS asked him, 'Do you have any last wisg?' He replied, 'Yes, kill me before RA.One is released'.

* Jaya became CM and said "Anna naamam vaazhga. MGR naamam vaazhga". Iyengars confused. Again!

* Inflation was a major issue. Especially for Thala Ajith.

* When asked if he does any homework to practice his expressions, Cheran revealed that he does not poop during the entire shooting schedule.

* Kalimozhi sent to Tihar. A visibly happy Raja called the jailor and told him, "(h)otha hai".

* Personally I'm totally irritated by Suriya's constant thoppai exposure

* Finally Baby B is born and Big B's fuss about that entire phase has made people curse that baby instead of adoring it. [...psssst... Undiscolosed sources revealed that BabyB is currently taller than Suriya by a few inches. ]

* Tamil cinema got a vidi velli - Power Star Dr.Srinivsasan. He looks like shaving panna TR, that is, some one who justu missed two million years of evolootion.

* There was an all India meeting to discuss why Prashanth was still acting in movies.

* Gayle to WICB, "Guys, I am finally in awesome form, lets become great team!" WICB to Gayle, "Fack, you are dropped!"
* Indian Kabbadi world champion team goes back home by rickshaw. Govt confessed that they were unaware of the event and thought it was Ghilli climax scene shooting for a Hindi remake.

* 10 Indians applied for Pakistan citizenship after they were harassed by the "Every Indian must read this" messages on Facebook.

* Vidya balan finally sheds her clothes. Vidya Balan went to skin doctor for some treatment. Doctor told, 'It's ok ma, no need to show, yesterday only I saw in night show'.

* Every one who has completed 'saralivarisai' or has a video camera came up with a Kolaveri video.

* Sharad Pawar slapped hard. Doctors confirm that it is a medical miracle that his face is still distorted.

* Godrej agreed to be the official sponsor of the saavi koththu for STR's kaakavalippu problem after seeing his love anthem.

*Jodhida Megamani Lion K.Paarangal told Sachin that Sani bagwan is vakram-ly looking at him after peyarchi from 3rd house. So he has suggested that Sachin ethify nei vilakku in nearest Sani temple, and write 'Sachin 99+1' with kari on the wall.

*Anna Hazare went without food for several days for a Lokpal Bill. Hence became the #2 Googled person in India, behind only Katrina Kaif, who released Chikni Chameli.

*Poonam Pandey announced that she will strip for the New Year bash. Kapil Sibal confirms that she has nothing significant to censor.


* Rajini is back after sever health issues with the blessings of Mahavathar Babaji [who is said to be Rajini's binaami] and he is still confused about what is happening around him. Kochadayan? Sultan? or Rana? So are his fans!

AND

Happy New Year! :)

PS: Don't make resolution and all this year. Ulagam azhiya poguthu. Open the bottle!


PPS: I know its kind of late to post it now.. but its better late than never!

சுஜாதாவின் பத்துக் கட்டளைகள்…

1. ஒன்றின் மேல் நம்பிக்கை வேண்டும், ஏதாவது ஒன்று. உதாரணம் கடவுள், இயற்கை, 
உழைப்பு, வெற்றி இப்படி எதாவது… நம்பிக்கை நங்கூரம் போல. கேள்வி கேட்காத நம்பிக்கை. 
கேள்வி கேட்பது சிலவேளை இம்சை. நவீன விஞ்ஞானம் அதிகப்படியாகக் கேள்வி கேட்டு 
இப்போது தவித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது.



2. அப்பா, அம்மா இரண்டு பேரும் வேலை சொல்வது பல சமயங்களில் கடுப்பாக இருக்கும். 
ஒருமாறுதலுக்கு அவர்கள் சொல்வதைச் செய்து பாருங்கள். அவர்கள் கேட்பது உங்களால் 
செய்யக் கூடியதாகவே இருக்கும். பொடிநடையாகப் போய் நூறு கிராம் காப்பி பவுடர் (அ) 
ரேஷன் கார்டு புதுப்பித்தல் இப்படிதான் இருக்கும்.






3. மூன்று மணிக்குத் துவங்கும் மாட்டனி போகாதீர்கள். க்ளாஸ் கட்பண்ண வேண்டி வரும். 
தலைவலி வரும். காசு விரயம். வீட்டுக்குப் போனதும் பொய் சொல்வதற்கு ரொம்ப ஞாபக 
சக்தி வேண்டும். இந்த உபத்திரத்துக்கு உண்மையைச் சொல்லிவிடுவது சுலபம். 
இளமைக்காலம், ஒளிக் கீற்றைப் போல் மிகவும் குறைந்த காலம், அதை க்யூ வரிசைகளிலும் 
குறைபட்ட தலைவர்களுக்காகவும் விரயம் செய்யாதீர்கள்.



4. நான்கு பக்கமாவது ஒரு நாளைக்குப் பொது விஷயங்களைப் படியுங்கள். பொது விஷயங்கள் 
என்றால் கதை, சினிமா, காதல் இல்லாதவை. உதாரணம் – யோக்கியமான செய்தித்தாள், மற்ற 
பேரைப் பற்றிக் கவலைப்படும் பத்திரிகைகள் அல்லது லைப்ரரியிருந்து ஒரு புத்தகம்.

5. ஐந்து ரூபாய் சம்பாதித்துப் பாருங்கள். சொந்தமாக உங்கள் உழைப்பில், முயற்சியில், 
யோக்கியமாக, மனச்சாட்சி உறுத்தாமல். அடுத்த முறை அப்பாவிடம் ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்க்கு 
ஷர்ட், சுடிதார் கேட்கும் முன்.



6. இந்தச் தகவல்களை படிக்கும் நிலைமை பெற்ற நீங்கள் இந்திய சனத்தொகையின் மேல்தட்டு 
ஆறு சதவிகித மக்களில் ஒருவர். அன்றாடம் சோற்றுக்காக அலையும், வசதியில்லாத 
கோடிக்கணக்கான மக்களைத் தினம் ஒரு முறை எண்ணிப் பாருங்கள்.




7. வாரத்தின் ஏழாவது தினமான ஞாயிறன்று என்ன செய்தாலும் காதல் பிஸினஸ் வேண்டாம். 
காதலுக்கு ரொம்பச் செலவாகும். மனம், வாக்கு, காயம்(உடல்), எல்லாவற்றையும் 
ஆக்கிரமிக்கும் தீ அது. பொய் நிறையச் சொல்ல வேண்டும். வினோதமான இடங்களில் 
காத்திருக்க வேண்டும். இந்த வயதில் நாசமாய்ப்போன படிப்புத்தான் உங்களுக்கு 
முக்கியம்.குறிப்பு: பெண்களை சைட் அடிப்பதும், கலாட்டா பண்ணுவதும், அவர்களுக்கு கர்சீப் 
முதலியன ரோடிலிருந்து பொறுக்கிக் கொடுப்பதும், உபத்திரமில்லாத கவிதைகள் எழுதுவதும், 
காதலோடு சேர்த்தியில்லை.



8.எட்டு முறை மைதானத்தை சுற்றி ஓடினால் எந்தச் சீதோஷ்ணமாக இருந்தாலும் நெற்றி 
வியர்வை அரும்பும். எதாவது தேகப் பயிற்சி செய்யவும். கடிகாரத்துக்குச் சாவி கொடுப்பதோ 
சீட்டாடுவதோ தேகப் பயிற்சி ஆகாது. எதையாவது தூக்குங்கள், எதையாவது வீசி எறியுங்கள். 
உங்கள் உடலில் ஊறும் உற்சாகத்துக்கு ஓர் ஆரோக்கியமான வடிகால் தேவை. ராத்திரி சரியாக 
தூக்கம் வரும். கன்னா பின்னா எண்ணங்கள் தவிர்க்கப்படும். ஒழுங்காக சாப்பிடத்தோன்றும். 
பொதுவாகவே சந்தோஷமாக இருக்கும்.





9. ஒன்பது மணிக்குள் வீட்டுக்கு வரவும். மிஞ்சிப் போனால் ஒன்பது மணி இரண்டு நிமிடம். ஒரு 
மணி நேரம் பாடம் அல்லது புத்தகம் படிக்கலாம்.


10. படுக்கப் போகும் முன் பத்து நிமிஷமாவது அம்மா, அப்பா, அண்ணன், தங்கை 
யாருடனாவது பேசவும் (பேசுவது என்று சொன்னவுடன் காதலியுடன் என்று நினைக்க 
வேண்டாம், நான் சொன்னது குடும்பத்தினருடன் மட்டும்). எதாவது ஒரு அறுவை ஜோக் 
அல்லது காலேஜில் நடந்த நிகழ்வுகள். சப்ஜெக்ட் முக்கியமில்லை. பேசுவது தான்.



இந்த பத்தில் தினம் ஒன்று என்று முயற்சி செய்து தான் பாருங்களேன்.

Bharathi tagged himself

1. One thing I'm very much afraid of

Seclusion. I just can't stand being left out!

2. Two incidents I can never forget in my life

One : Veeraasaamy - marana gethu!!

Two: I blindfolded myself one day for no particular reason; the next day I donated my eyes. Its terrible to be visually impaired!!

3. Three books I'd love reading again and again

a) Shantaram - Gregory Davis
b) Baala kandam - Na. Muthukumar
c) Alchemist - Paulo Coelho


4) Four women who are most beautiful

Paz Vega 

Amelie Paulon

Penelope Cruz 

Shanmugi Maami ["Munnazhagum nalla irukuthu ; pinnazhagum nalla irukuthu... ;)"]

5) Five of my favorite food items

[just the five??enna koduma ithu??] Curd rice and pickle, Parota and Salna, Briyani and thalcha , Dosai and Kotchu :-) , Noodles

6) Six words you use very often

a) adangoyyala!!
b) ssssaaaaaa!!
c) ithellam oru polappa!
d) aahaaa!!
e) saniyane!!
f) kena!

7) Seven things I like about myself

a) why
b) split
c) into
d) seven
e) different
f) things
g) ?

8) Eight film personalities who are your all-time favorites
a) Rajini            
b) Kamal
c) Sujatha        
d) Ilayaraja        
e) Mani Ratnam
f)  P.C.Sree Ram
g) Crazy Mohan
h) A.R.Rahman  

i) Vijayakanth
j) Ramarajan
k) T.Rajendar [ da man!! ]

[Im damn serious abt the last three!!]


9) Nine movies you don't mind watching again n again

a] Anbe Sivam
b] Hey Ram
c] Forrest Gump
d] Amelie
e] Shrek
f]  Pirates of the Carribean 1 and 2
g] Fight Club
h] Its a Wonderful Life
i]  Midnight in Paris

10) Ten songs you would listen to everyday
a ] Forrst Gump - Feather Theme ( falling in love with it over and over again )
b]  Mounam pesiyathe theme
c]  Puthu Vellai Mazhai - Roja
d]  Unnidam mayangugiren sollathan nerungugiren..
e]  Senthazham poovil - Mullum malarum
f]   All 'Nizhalgal' songs
g]  Unnai naan ariven - Guna
h] Nijanga - Kotha bangaru lokam
i]  Thaen sinthuthae vaanam
j]  Netru illatha maatram - Puthia Mugam

(these songs are just from top of my mind... )

This is no ordinary Rajini website! :)

http://www.desimartini.com/allaboutrajni.htm

How crazy can a Rajini fanatic can go? :) This is awesome! Please try it out!