Nenjirukkum varai is director S A Chandrasekhar's 63rd film. The film's story is by his wife, Shobha, who is also actor Vijay's mother. She has also sung one of the songs in this Tamil film. The soundtrack has been composed by Srikanth Deva.
Love seems to be the theme of this album. The opening number Etho onnu -- a duet by Priyadarshini and Senthildas -- has lyrics penned by the director himself. The awakening of love in the heart is compared to a butterfly flapping its wings. The orchestration is predominant here, and sometimes, it almost drowns the vocals.
Pudichirukku pudichirukku is a soft, hummable number rendered by Bombay Jayashree and Vijay Jesudas. A romantic duet, orchestration is kept to a minimum. Muthukumar's lyrics are ordinary.
Mambazham vikkara kannamma starts badly. The opening couplet of Mayakkama kalakkama, an old heartrending song immortalised by P B Srinivas in the film Sumaithaangi, is rendered as if in an inebriated state. It is similar to what Yuvan Sankar Raja did with an old P Susheela number in Paruthiveeran. Why do top-notch composers resort to such gimmicks amounting to sacrilege? Mampazham vikkara is about mango vendor Kannamma's various suitors vying with one another to woo her. The track is meant for the front-benchers.
Orumurai piranthen is a racy romantic ditty, which has good rhythm and melody. Tamarai's simple but meaningful lyrics are good. The choir humming in the background gives the number added grace. Orumurai has been rendered by Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam.
Kichu kichu moottathadi is a rib-tickling number. Udit Narayan and Saindhavi have been able to bring out the fun in Pa Vijay's lyrics.
Azhagana ponnu thaan begins like a Hindi film song. The opening line is borrowed from an old hit by P Bhanumathi in the film, Alibabavum narpathu thirudarkalum. The track is a mix of hip-hop, gana and rap. Shobha's sensuous voice suits Pa Vijay's lyrics. Singer Gopal Sarma lends her able support.
Srikanth Deva signs off with Kaathaliyae, an intense song with tragic connotations. Hariharan's full-throated singing has been able to bring out the pain and pathos in Pa Vijay's lyrics.
Recent numbers from various films included as 'bonus track' are just space-fillers and can be ignored. If you can forget the remix of old hits, this is not a bad album.
Rediff Rating: 
