Nandhalala – Music Review

Nandhalala – Album of lullabies!
Ilayaraaja joins hands with the ‘fearless director’ Mysskin for Nandhalala. All the five lyricists have wrapped up highly aesthetic words for this film. As this film is about the quest of a mentally retarded fellow and a kid, the songs are pleasant, positive and poignant.

Male Harmony

Ilayaraja,  K.J.Jesudas, Master Yatheeshwaran, Vijay Yesudas, Madhu Balakrishnan

Female Harmony

Swetha, Saroja amma

1. Mella oorndhu oorndhu****

Singer: Ilayaraja

Lyrics: Na.Muthukumar

A beautiful Ilayaraja number with child sensibility. Sounds like ‘Maina kunju’ and ‘Vandhaal Vandhaal’.This song evinces Ilayaraja’s inimitable Orchestration and instrumentation talents for which he is known for. The piano interludes and chorus adds on to the school rhyme effect of this serenade. Muthukumar has penned a riddle like ‘who am I?’ lyrics with Nietzsche overtones for this song and successfully keeps us guessing till the very end. Another song to the ‘anjali’ genre!

2. Onnukkonnu*****

Singer:  K.J Jesudas

Lyrics: Mu.Mehtha
Only in a very few songs tune, rhythm, voice, instruments and lyrics sweetly fall in place as in a cup of fruit salad with ice cream. Mehtha’s flawless lines explicates the soul of the film. Simple tune and sparingly used equipment make this song another feather in Ilayaraja’s crown. For Jesudoss, this song is Kanne Kalaimane part2. Another Ilayaraja classic for the dark and warm evenings. Right song for this sick world!

3.Thaalattu***

Singer: Ilayaraja

Lyrics: Muthulingam
Typical Ilayaraja’s Amma song. Begins like ‘Thenpandi seemaiyile’ and proceeds like ‘Aalolam paadi’.Full of native instruments and customary lyrics. Mesmerising Ilayaraja’s voice breaks down once a while portraying the powerful feel of the song. An ordinary song with a maestro’s finish.

4. Kai veesi*****

Singers: Vijay Yesudas, Swetha, Madhu Balakrishnan

Lyrics: Pazhanibharathy
An awesome melody, celebrating life, rooted in hardcore Ilayarajaism. Reminds us of ‘Ilangaathu veesuthe’. The flute piece which runs along this number is memorable. Though not innovative interms of instrumentation, the wondrous tune tells it all. Once again a number with ‘anjali’ feel- collective joie de vivre.

5.Elilea****

Singer: Saroja Amma
A gypsy song with a voice and an instrument. The language is  a strange conglomerate of many Indian languages. Though gives us a sick feeling, the rising tempo vividly showcases the meaning of the song. Mysskin’s attempt to do something fresh and original is clearly seen in here.

6.oru vaandu koottame****

Singers: Ilayaraja, Master Yatheeshwaran

Lyrics: Kabilan
A colorful number with a pot-pourri of voices and instruments. Master Yatheeswharan’s voice alternates beautifully with Ilayaraja’s. Must be a road song with fun all along. The tune is native but grand.The violin interlude of this song will haunt you for a long time even in your fantasies. Since this film is about children and from a child’s point of view, Ilayaraja’s numbers for this film remind us of the film ‘anjali’.

Neither with rap nor hip-hop, Ilayaraja scores a triple ton in Nandhalala. Mysskin is adorable for requesting all the songs in pure tamil. It is all about mother and love!

Read Full Post »