8.14.2008

Subramaniyapuram Soundtrack

When I posted this, many asked me to listen to the songs of ‘Subramaniyapuram’. Even before writing that post, I had listened to Subramaniyapuram soundtrack but nothing stuck with me on first few listening, not even ‘Kangal Irandal’. I now wonder why I didn’t like them when I listened to it then because now I like it and I like it very much. And the reason is not just the music.

The first song I liked was not ‘Kangal Irandal’ but it was ‘Kaadhal Siluvayil’. The emotional quotient in the melody was so high which is further enhanced by Shankar Mahadevan’s heartfelt singing. As I was listening and I was beginning to like, an amateur orchestration with oddly sounding trumpet piece in the second interlude was totally out of place, and I switched to the next track. But the montage for which this song plays as a background score made it the most endearing song of the soundtrack.

My problem with ‘Kangal Irandal’ was the singers. Instead of sounding fresh, they sounded little odd initially and again the strings in the second interlude reminded me of a Rahman’s piece and as the strings were played on keyboard it sounded too amateurish to my ears. It affected the smooth flow of the melody. But when I saw the visuals of the song in which the rhythm of the montage is exactly matched with the rhythm of the song, I started liking it more. And the then annoying strings in the second interlude beautifully fit the tension that builds as Samuthirakani walks suspiciously towards Sruthi when she is speaking with Jai and the soothing choir that ends this piece makes us feel as relieved as Jai and Sruthi after a brief romantic thrill.

‘Madurai kulunga’ sounded authentic and good when I heard first time, but it sounded more meaningful when I saw that so much happens within this song in the movie. Again, the sudden shifts to strings in the interlude fit to T for Jai’s ecstasy who finally finds his girl in the festival crowd.

Kudos to Sasikumar and James Vasanthan for making a befitting movie soundtrack in days when movie soundtracks hardly have music that is unique to a movie - any song composed (by any composer, sometimes) for any situation from any movie can be used for any other situation in any other movie.

12 comments:

kannan said...

Personally, I'm still unable to digest the very keyboardish trumpet interlude in Kadhal Siluvayil. I've seen the visuals, and while James Vasanthan probably has the right idea, the execution of that piece is quite poor. Atleast original trumpet use panniyirukalam. Still, very innovative melody for the song, in my opinion.

Kangal Irandal is nice, I think, because it's been a while since we've had a simple and fast love melody. The song is uncomplicated, and appeals to one immediately; probably why it's playing on all the channels now. Rithigowla is a nice sweet Raga to hear in film songs (other examples I can recognise with my limited Raga nknowledge are Chinna Kannan Azhaikiraan, and Azhagaana Raatchasiye).

I think Subramaniyapuram shows both some startling maturity in some parts, and some raw immaturity in others. Maybe James Vasanthan would have polished up his act for his next album, which I'm definitely giving a listen.

Sudha said...

Post your site at free directory for sites and participate in the link exchange plan.
http://www.directoryforsites.blogspot.com/

Saro said...

The madurai song strongly reminds me of "Mayilaadum paarayila" from Paandi naattu thangam...
Very refreshing album though on a whole..

Ramprabu said...

Suresh, Last line is really true. In recent movies, any song can be placed in any movie irrespect of the situation. Many times the movie will be good if you remove songs.

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

Kanna - Yes the trumpet sounds odd. But the things with the visuals is that, you don't listen to the details in the audio, with the visuals, it is the overall mood of the song that prevails behind the visuals. And yes, James Vasanthan has to seriously get rid off this home-made feel that can be sensed in the orchestration of all the songs....

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

Sudhakar - Thanks for the link.

Saro - Ofcourse folk songs sounding like one another is the price one has to pay for retainnig authenticity

Ram - Yes it is.

Vinith said...

Only Kadhal and Kangal are my picks from this album.

I gues you ppl may not accept this. Am finding Kadhal silyvayil pleasant than Kangal irandal. Kangal irandal has got an excellent tune and orchestration. My only problem with Kangal irandal is the solo beats with comes in the background. It spoils the melody of this song. Yes, vocals are not upto the mark as rightly mentioned by suresh.
On the other hand, Kadhal siluvaiyil has an average tune but has been taken to next level with Shankar's vocals. The minimal beats with a good symphony in the 1st interlude (barring the trumphet) is really great. Kadhal siluvaiyil is the best in this album.

Anonymous said...

now go and listen to saroja songs..i am sure u will c hange ur opinion

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

Anon - I am waiting to watch the movie and I will listen to it after that. I think it is releasing coming Friday.

Anonymous said...

Yes it is releasing this friday, please post the movie review. thanks

Anonymous said...

hi suresh,

What I liked about the kankal irandal song is the music before the second saranam, basically that is what I guess as your description as second interlude. The best part of the entire song is that music which is a neat mix of indian and western. I thought that was piano but you say it is made from a keyboard. Anyway I keep listeneing to it and it sounds like a western interpretation of reethigowlai.
Offcourse the singers are not great because I thought that was to exactly suit the characters in the movie. A village movie need not have great voices, an ordinary voice will do. And again I feel the girl voice has really done justice to the song though the male portion of the song sounds a bit easy.

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

raaja - Actually 'Kangal Irandal' is a nice song, just that good production values (i mean more budget) would have made the song sound better... Saw the movie yesterday and liked the way the melody of this song on flute as a love theme throughout the movie....