“Sathum Podaathay”- the sound of silence

An audio review

By Ram Murali

 

"Azhagu Kutti Chellam" - a delightfully playful number rendered enthusiastically by Shankar Mahadevan, this song should have kids and their parents dancing together!  The cuteness of the lyrics and the singer's zeal combine to give us a peppy number.  The words like "Mammuni En Bommuni" are endearing in their childlike sweetness.  I loved the way the song ended, the group singers joining Shankar Mahadevan to add to the exuberance of the song.  Pop it in the CD player at your kid's birthday party!  Rest assured they'll love it!

Catchiest line(s):
Idhayam Pesa Edharkindha Aaraaychi...
Kadavull Pol Kavalaigall Illaathavan...

"Kadhal Periyadha" - a menacing number, this song oozes atmosphere.  The "krishna krishna krishnaa..." bit provides a rousing start, Yuvan creating magic with his instrumentals.  The real surprise here is Sudha Ragunathan who croons this racy number with excellent control.  Muthukumar’s lines on the beast inside humans evoke "Aallavandhaan" but the song veers into a totally different territory after the first stanza.  The female voice brings out a satanic temptation, especially in lines such as "Meendum Sendru Kaatil Vaazhndhu Paarpom..."  Yuvan's awesome beats blend perfectly with the singer's voice without drowning the lyrics.  The final paragraph of the song is the one that drips with evil, the lines making us curious about the direction the story is going to take.

Catchiest line(s):

Gandam Unaku Pennil thaanada...
Gandam Enaku Aannil thaanada...
Thappi poga thappu seiyya vaada...

"Oh! Indha Kaadhal..." - Vintage Yuvan, this number is a fine example of what has made Yuvan an absolute rage among the youth.  It's a lilting song zestfully sung by Adnan Sami and Yuvan.  The song reflects the ecstasy and restlessness of a guy hopelessly in love but is unable to express it fully.  The "Unavugall Pidikala Kanavugall Pidikidhu..." bit at the end of every stanza is incredibly foot-tapping and hum-worthy.  One of Yuvan's best peppy numbers.

Catchiest line(s):

Nanjendraal Oru Murai Kollumadi,

Ninaivugalo Palamurai Kolludhadi...

"Pesugiren Pesugiren..." - a soothing melody that's filled with wonderfully uplifting lines, this is a perfect number to blow away your blues.  Emollient lines like "Edhai Nee Tholaithaalum Manadhai Tholaikkaathey" are a nice combination of sweetness and pathos.  The saxophone bits are suitably mellow and reflect the pain as well as the slow healing of wounds of the person (in the movie) listening to this song.

Catchiest line(s):

Mutrupulli Arugil Neeyum Meendum Chinna Pulligall Vaithaal
Mudivenbadhum Aarambamey . . . :-)

"Entha Kuthiraiyil" - the least straightforward yet the most interesting number in "Sathum Podaathay," this song makes me look forward to the context in which it is placed in the movie.  Shreya Goshal is terrific in bringing out the salanam of a girl waiting for her Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet.  But what make the song truly intriguing are the allusions to the divine as evidenced in these lines:

Kannan Mugathil Pulaanguzhalaai Kidapeno...

Idharku Thaane Ithanai Naallai Aasai Patten Praananaatha...Praananaatha...

After listening to these lines, I started thinking about (and needless to say, got nowhere!) the “Krishna Krishna Krishnaa…” bit in “Kadhal Periyadha?” I was thinking of the brilliant directorial touches of “Aasai” where Vasanth brought in the Ramayana (through street plays, at the beginning and the end of the movie) to add texture to the script. Is he attempting something similar here? Well, we’ll wait and watch.

A few final words…

 

To me, the best thing about the album is that it is very eclectic.  Every song seems different from the others and what is even better (especially considering my disappointment with Vasanth's "Ey! Nee Romba Azhagaa Irukkey...") each song promises to be situational.  On the whole, a superb album that reveals the maturity of young Yuvan and the insightfulness of the lyricist Muthukumar.  The music album resoundingly brings to the fore the fascinating aspects of love, lust, good and evil.  Now, it's Advantage Vasanth.  Will he serve an ace?  Again, we'll wait and watch...till then, shhh... Sathum Podaathay...!