Kool Productions is back with its latest venture, Mahesh, Saranya Matrum Palar -- an intriguingly named Tamil film, with its music score by Vidyasagar.
Here's what the package offers:
Starting off with SPB's mellifluous voice after a really long time, and a neat violin segment, here's Vaigarai Paniye, proceeding at a casual rural pace, reminding you of one of Ilaiyaraja's early compositions --- and then making abrupt shifts to A R Rahman's works. Yuga Barathai's lyrics -- simple though a bit too syrupy -- go with the general tone of the song. And though the violin-nadaswaram refrain is rather pleasing to the ear, the tune meanders from one point to another. Thankfully, a veena interlude saves it from ignominy.
Binny Krishnamkumar's Thajam Thajam, written by Pa Vijay, moulded like a classical dance piece, accompanied by synthesized music, rather like a fusion piece, follows predictable patterns. The number reminds you more than once of Naadham Ezhundhadi. The words seem rather like a daughter's tribute to her parents and vice versa -- pity that the tune couldn't have lent itself more to the emotions.
Jeyantha's Thanthathil Seyya Nila, sung, once again by SPB, begins rather intriguingly. Though it follows oft-heard patterns, the interludes add some spice to the proceedings. Again, the melody brings back a strong whiff of the late eighties and early nineties, sort of songs like Pani Vizhum Malarvanam. A gentle angst flows through the song.
A sharp violin segment begins Pa Vijay's Vizhiyil Vizhiyil, sung by Haricharan and Ritta. You can appreciate that Vidyasagar has tried to infuse some new blood in familiar tunes. It works at some times, doesn't at others but fortunately a rather neatly composed piano piece saves the moment. Not exactly inspiring, but then, that can be said of the whole song, which falters after the first minute.
Saindhavi starts En Padal swiftly and you get the immediate feeling that this song, penned by Yuga Bharathi, is one of those heroine-entry songs. The tune meanders from mildly angsty to the wildly happy, and then to a kuthu beat -- it should have been a rollicking one, but somehow it falls flat. The only saving grace is Saindhavi's truly melodious voice, which gives pep to even the most commonplace tunes.
Just when you were wondering about the mandatory synthesized music with staccato rhythm comes Na Muthukumar's Katre, Katre, sung by Benny Dhayal. This seems to be one of those numbers that vanish without a trace on the musical landscape.
Tippu and Rajalakshmi kickstart En Uyirukkul, written by Jeyantha, which seems a hotchpotch of several other hit romantic songs -- none of make much of an impact, though the first few lines start promisingly.
Yaarathu, Yaarathu begins with Karthik's voice raised to a high octave to Pa Vijay's lyrics, which seemed inspired at one moment, commonplace the next. That applies to this number as well: there are melodious segments at one moment, sound and fury at others. One section even reminds you of a Dhaam Dhoom number.
Judging by the songs, which all seem to begin promisingly but taper into nothingness, it looks like Vidyasagar really does need a shot of inspiration to boost his compositions.
Rediff Rating: 
