 Maestro Ilayaraja has provided some soul-stirring numbers in Bala's 'Pithamagan', the audio cassette of which has been released by Five Star Audio.
Much is expected of the film in view of the presence of two actors who are now considered stars in their own right -- Vikram is on cloud nine after the success of 'Dhil', 'Dhool' and 'Samy', while Surya has provided a mega hit in 'Kaakka Kaakka'. Pressure must have mounted on Ilayaraja to rise to new heights to match their histrionics.
The maestro has not failed his fans. Although the music is not of the racy, peppy variety, it is bound to do well due to the different approach in terms of mood and tone. It is not often that one has to compose songs to be shot on a Vettiyan. Like a Phoenix rishing from the ashes, Ilayaraja too rises to the occasion. Will the music make even the dead sit up and listen? The maestro would certainly hope so.
'Piraiye, Piraiye' by Madhu Balakrishnan is a haunting number, with some good lyrics by Vaalee. It has shades of Rojavai Thaalaattum Thendral in Ninaivellam Nithya and that astounding Jesudas-Janaki duet in Thalapathi which didn't find place in the film --Putham Poo Poothatho -- yet, is engrossing.
'Kudisai enna seyyum, kottai enna seyyum, unnai mattruma' and 'intha betham ellam, vendhu poga kandu, thelintha manithan nee' are two memorable lines from Vaalee, which will suit not just the song situation in the film but Ilayaraja as well.
The duet by Sriram Parthasarathy and national award winner Shreya Ghoshal -- 'Elangaathu veesuthu' -- is outstanding, both for its musical quality and the lyrics by
Pazhanibharathi.
Particularly inspiring are the lines
"Elangaathu veesuthu
Isaiyodu pesuthu
Valaiyaadha moongilil raagam valainchu oduthu
Megam muzhichu ketkuthu....
Pulveli paadhai virikkuthu
Vaanavil kudaiyai thaan kaattuthu."
And again,
"Thaalaattu
Kettitaamale
Thaayin madiyai, thedi odum, malai nadhi pola."
 It is after a long gap -- one misses the Raja-Vairamuthu combo -- that music and lyrics are interwined beautifully in this album.
The final song by Jesudas, 'Adada Agangaram....' is a masterly composition, though the score occasionally reminds us of the title song in Hey Ram. Yet, it must be said that the song sees Ilayaraja at his vintage best. It is songs like these that pose a challenge to any music director, but Ilayaraja breezes through, making light of such hurdles.
'Pithamagan' the album couldn't be bettered. If the film is equally good, it would be worth going miles to see.
R Rangaraj
|
'Ilayaraja scores with 'Pithamagan'
