Film: Airaa
Composer: Sundaramurthy KS
Music Review: Director Sarjun and composer Sundaramurthy KS have collaborated before as well — for his short films Lakshmi and Maa, and the feature film Echcharikkai Idhu Manithargal Nadamadum Idam. They share a comfortable equation and that reflects in the soundtrack of Airaa as well.
The Nayanthara-starrer is a horror-drama at its heart, and the songs pander more to the latter genre. The first number in this album is the already popular Megathoodham, which is picturised on Bhavani, the second character played by
Nayanthara in the film. Bhavani is considered unlucky by her family, is harassed by those around her, is ridiculed for being dark and she yearns to unite with the man who’s professed his love for her. And Thamarai explains all of these emotions through her lyrics. Sample this for instance — Tholaivile velicham, thanimayil urugum anicham, kanavu dhaan idhuvum, kalaindhidum ena nenjil nenjil dhinam varudhe achcham. We like how the singer, Padmapriya Raghavan, has handled these words, and stresses at the right place to get these emotions across. The hum-and-sing style in the beginning of the song is another highlight. The instruments have been underplayed to lift up the vocals, but in the interludes, they totally rule. Be it the shehnai or the violin arrangements, they make the listening experience pleasant.
And then, there’s Kaariga, penned by Madhan Karky. Though it begins on a jazz-y note, it slowly picks up energy. And it’s Sid Sriram who packs in all that punch. The rap bit by NAVZ-47 doesn’t impress us, though.
The last number in the album is Jinthako (lyrics by Ku Karthik), sung by Sundaramurthy himself, along with Sri Radha Bharath. Despite some impressive arrangements (especially the electric guitar bit), this is just a one-time listen.