Yaaradi Nee... could have been better

Mithran Jawahar's Yaaradi Nee Mohini follows the Tamil filmmakers' current obsession with borrowing titles from old hit songs. Here, the director has used the opening line of the old hit Yaaradi Nee Mohini from the 1958 Shivaji Ganesan-Padmini starrer Uthama Puthiran (a film based on Alexander Dumas's classic novel, The Man in the Iron Mask).

Yaaradi… is the remake of the Telugu hit Aadavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule, with Dhanush and Nayanthara in the lead roles. Music is by Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Yuvan has replicated the tunes from the original with a prominent thread of melody running through almost all the tracks. The album has everything; excellent lyrics by Na Muthukumar, captivating rhythmic presentations, heart-melting tunes, impressive chorus, enthralling orchestration. But there is one jarring note in the form of Udith Narayan, that too at the very beginning of the album.

The album kick-starts with the melodious Engeyo partha which has impressive lyrics, good orchestration, catchy rhythm and lilting flute interludes. A sombre wistfulness washes over the lyrics as well as the tune. But Yuvan has failed miserably in the choice of singer. A particular line in this song, Kaannadi pol udainthidum manathu (heart, like glass will break into smithereens) aptly describes Udith Narayan's rendition of this track. It is a pain to listen to him mercilessly mutilating Muthukumar's poetic lyrics. The singer's Tamil diction never great to begin with, here is at its worst. Why Tamil music directors prefer him is an enigma. Yuvan has punished the listener by repeating this number once again later in the album.

Oh baby rendered by Haricharan, Naveen, Andrea and Bhargavi is another piece with an undercurrent of pensive melody. Love is the theme and there is stress on the pain of betrayal too with the lover even wailing that kaadhal (love) can even be a curse. Impressive rendition, mild hip hop in between, medium paced immaculate rhythm, guitar strains and good chorus all together provide enjoyable harmony.

 Venmegam by Haricharan exudes a slightly somnolent feel in the beginning, but very soon gathers steam. The lyrics reflect the anxieties and apprehensions of the lover who yearns for a word, a look from his lass. Pleasant orchestration with enjoyable guitar and flute interpretations are other positive aspects of this melodious piece. Haricharan's easy rendering skillfully brings to the fore the emotive aspects of the meaningful lyrics.

Karthik excels in the next love duet Oru Naalaikkul with Rita giving perfect support. This melodious number comprises skilful rhythmic percussion accelerating in between, flute interludes, and catchy chorus combined with Muthukumar's lyrics full of appreciable imagery.

The concluding piece Nenjai kasakki by Udith Narayan and Suchithra is a hot number starting with mischievously suggestive lines like "Are you single?"..."Your place or mine?" etc. The track with soft joyful laughter as prelude is embellished with a tiny bit of hip hop and rap. Suchithra is her usual casual and sensuous self. Again the spoil sport here is Udith Narayan. Moreover the music here produces a heard-before feel.

Yaaradi Nee Mohini could have been an excellent addition to Yuvan Shankar Raja's impressive repertoire in recent times, but for the Udith Narayan fiasco.

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