After Prabhu Solomon's Kokki, actor Karan is once again doing the lead role in the Tamil film, Karupasamy Kuthagaithaarar.
The film, with rural Madurai as backdrop, is directed by Moorthy. Meenakshi plays Karan's love interest. Kokki composer Dhina gives the music score for Karupasamy Kuthagaithaarar as well. Yugabharathy has penned the lyrics of all the tracks, except one which is done by Vijay Sagar.
Dhina, for a change, has gone folksy in this album. But at times, the tracks appear rehashed.
The album begins with Naalu gopura rendered by Tippu and the therukoothu-artist-turned playback singer Chinnaponnu. The number -- in praise of Karupasamy -- has various elements borrowed from modern genres like hip-hop and gana. The lyricist is in an overdrive when he says Karapu is greater than mother because he takes care of you throughout your life whereas your mother carries you in her womb only for nine months. Instrumentation include nadaswaram swirls but in between, it sounds like an old rehashed Tamil song.
Oorellam, rendered by Hariharan, begins with a flute prelude. It tells the sad story of two ill-fated lovers and underdogs who are always thwarted by the upper class's shenanigans. The track has Indian orchestration but a flat tune which again reminds you of an old Hindi film song.
Uppu Kallu has typical lounge music by Bombay Jayashree. Here, too, the tune of the opening line seems to be borrowed from the old classic gangaikarai thotram by P Susheela in Sarangadhara. Jayashri's rendition is enchanting and flawless, and the unusual resonance of her high decibels is more energetic, but she is becoming painfully stereotyped. Dhina gives adequate support in a raga cameo. The percussion is kept to the minimum. Yugabharathi's lyrics in ballad form picturise the girl fantasising about her lover. An impressive instrumental interlude adds to its charm.
Sangam vaithu is rendered by Karthik, Sangeetha and Kavi along with the composer himself. Dhina has made an attempt to create a modern folk song, a fusion of various genres like hip-hop, gana and rap. There are added cosmetic frills like repeated syllables. The final outcome is a wishy-washy number.
The composer has employed several voices including O S Arun for the next number Kadhal enpathu. If it is the debut playback vehicle of Arun, who has enthralled listeners with his classical and devotional music. But he could not have chosen a worse debut. The gifted singer has become an also-ran and is totally wasted here. The number has a sorrowful couplet as prelude, then goes on to eulogise Karupasamy and ends up glorifying kadhal (love)! There is Tamil rap also in between. Lyricist Vijay Sagar really goes off on a tangent when he says people might deny God, but not kadhal.
For the finale there is the Ayyappa track, a mish-mash fusion of changing rhythms, frenzied ritualistic chanting of Lord Ayyappa's devotees, and even the Harivarasanam number, already immortalised by K J Jesudas.
Dhina tries out too many things in one go and reaches nowhere. The end product is a listless fare.
Rediff Rating: 
