Music director Vidyasagar has waved his magic wand again and created a melodious album for the Tamil love story, Pirivom Sandhippom starring Cheran and Autograph heroine Sneha, and directed by Karu Pazhaniappan.
Stunning well-knitted rhythm arrangements, seductively lilting instrumentation, soul-melting tunes, impeccable emotion-stirring vocals, and lyrics couched in winsome language -- all in one harmonious whole producing an exotic melodious soiree.
An added bonus is the informative inlay card that describes the different modes in which the lyrics are arranged in each track.
And all this without Vidyasagar's all-time favourite Madhu Balakrishnan, though the composer has adequately compensated for that by bringing back Balram who was never heard of after his Kaatrin mozhiyae in Mozhi.
The album opens with Kandaen Kandaen, an easy flowing romantic duet with lyrics by Yugabharathy. Both the singers Karthik and Swetha glide along in their inimitable style with elegant fluency. Karthik has modulated his voice to suit the sentimental ditty while the joyful nuances in Swetha's voice add spark to the track.
Following this is Nenjathilae, a romantic duet rendered by Jayaram and Swetha Ghosal, which has pleasing keyboard harmonies in the prelude. The free flowing vocals have uniform gracefulness and appreciable finesse. Happy humming, elegant guitar and flute grooves make this an inspiring piece. Yugabharathy's lyrics are arranged in the anthakshari mode.
Up next is Kandum Kanaamal with lyrics by Yugabharathy and rendered by the honey-throated Sadhana Sargam. The track has a strong Hindustani flavour, which transports you back to days of Lata Mangeshkar in the 70s. Though the track has a sad undertone, it fortunately never slips into morbid melancholy. The crashing instrumental interlude including mellifluous sitar and flute alignments, with the singer too going into a crescendo is a deft touch by the composer. It is to Sadhana's credit that her voice does not go shrill while going into high octaves. The closing orchestral finale is another plus.
Next comes Iru Vizhiyo a duet with lyrics by Jayantha. Restrained instrumentation and medium paced percussion are the keynotes here. Both Vineeth Srinivasan and Sainthavi skillfully bring to the fore the emotive aspects of the lyrics. The sudden pitch-forking into chorus of a different genre, which almost runs like a parallel track gives the number a unique feel. Young and upcoming Malayalam singer Vineeth's voice has energy and his Tamil diction is commendable.
Medhuva Medhuva, which follows, is the toast of this album Kabilan's lyrics oozing soft pleasurable sentiments and heart-warming tenderness. The blissful tune, exquisite instrumentation and the vocal intonations by Karthik and Harini make this a honey-laced exotic number that transports you to a world of ecstasy. The gentle, charming grandeur is a unique experience. An ingeniously woven hypnotic number.
The composer wraps up the album with Balram's soulful solo Soll soll. Though the tune is somewhat old fashioned, Balram carries it off on the strength of his voice and singing prowess. His voice has an uncanny resemblance here to that of veteran playback singer of yesteryears, P B Srinivas. The song's pain and pathos-filled tune reminds you of songs from old Gemini Ganesan films like, Sumaithangi. Yugabharathy's lyrics paint the dejection and despair of failed love while Balram sings in an introspective and meditative manner adding to the poignancy of the track.
This exquisite album is for keeps.
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