Vallavan - A Winner (Commercially)

                                                                     

Initially I had mixed opinions about Manmadhan soundtrack, but after watching the movie I liked the songs. As Manmadhan was a big hit, there are obviously high expectations on Vallavan soundtrack (though I didn’t). In every interview, Yuvan used to say that he clicks well with directors like Selvaraghavan, Vishnuvardhan and Simbu. I wonder with only one film experience how could he add Simbu to the list. Though it is not a combo like Selva and Yuvan that would give path breaking music, it is like Vishnu and Yuvan that comes out with a formula soundtrack that has something for every section of audience. “Vallan” soundtrack is for sure a winning material. There are totally 9 songs in the album.

Podu Aaatam – This is a typical hero introduction song. Lyrics by valee are penned as though Simbu is already a superstar like Rajini. (simbukku ithellam romba over). Coming to music, it has pretty heavy and catchy folk rhythms running all through the song. The introduction with folk rhythms overlapped with a western kids choir sound interesting. Kids chorus definitely adds pep and energy to the song. I am surprised that Yuvan has chosen Vijay Yesudas for this type of song.

Loosu Penne – I feel what Western classical is to Illayaraja is what Hip hop to Yuvan. He comes up with at least one hip-hop number in his every other soundtrack. This song is my pick of the album. The song instantly hooks us with simple melody, rhythm, lyrics and singing. Simbu does a Yuvan’s style of singing here but it is just apt for this song. Blaaze’s rap bits are nicely interwoven in the song. There is also club mix version of this song by Premgi. Not my cup of tea so can’t really comment on it.

                                                                  

Vallavan (Theme Music)– This is the music that we get to hear in the trailer of the movie. It is not a ring tone material if that is what Yuvan has tried to with this theme music bit. It is just a rehash of one of the more catchy background score pieces from Manmadhan. Just skip. Hip Hip Hurrey – Another instantly catchy number with interesting marching rhythm (of course highly inspired from the rhythm of Viru Viru mandi song). The song takes twists and turns to a melody and then to folk in the middle but on the whole it works.

Success of Love (Folk Bit) – It sounds like hero dancing in excitement after he gets a nod for his love proposal from his ladylove. Just skip it. Vallava – Initial string section suggests that it is going to be the sequel of “Manmadhanae” song from Manmadhan but it soon makes a shift and finds a flavor of its own. I like the theme tune of the song than the main vocal tune. Though the first half of the song proceeds in a predictable way, the second half has interesting arrangements and rock stuff in it. Sunidhi Chauhan’s Tamil diction is better and does a fine job in singing this number.

Kadhal Vandhuduchu (Remix) - Yuvan tries something new every time when it comes to remixes and he does that again successfully in this remix song from the movie Kalyana Raman. The rhythm and arrangements and cool and fits well with the mood of the song and Simbu’s singing is quite impressive. Yammadi Aathadi – This is a kind of song that we use to find as the last song in Vijay’s film that comes exactly 20 minutes before the movie ends and to add to that effect none other than Perarasu has written the lyrics for this song. Mahathi’s classically trained voice doesn’t fit this song. TR struggles in high pitch all through the song. But Simbu and Suchitra give a melodious relief in the middle. It is going to be a chartbuster for sure.

Musically, there is nothing new in this album. This is not one of those soundtracks like “AIBI” or “Pudupettai” where Yuvan’s tries to open new horizons in Tamil Film music. Yet, considering what the music is aimed at, it is a satisfying soundtrack that will definitely be an asset for the movie.

By : Suresh Kumar, Chennai