Ilaiyaraaja Disappoints – Nannavanu Music Review
(2/5) Audio Review by Raju Shanbhag
Recently, a weekly magazine suggested that Ilaiyaraaja is clearing his old stocks by signing Kannada films at will. But listening to the songs of Nannavanu, you will know that that report is false; because Ilayaraja’s old stock must have been far better than what he has dished out here in Nannavanu! The album is average; and although a couple of songs painfully bring back the memories of Ilaiyaraaja’s old glory, they cannot save the album from being what it is; average.
Ilaiyaraaja has seen better days.
Denna Dennana: Just one look into this song and you’ll understand why A. R Rahmnan nudged out Ilaiyaraaja from his musical empire in Tamil film industry. In spite of his musical genius, Ilaiyaraaja usually misses a beat or two when to comes to score the fast numbers; a blemish that was exploited gleefully by Rahaman. Vijay Yesudas’ incongruous voice doesn’t help this track either.
Devadhi Deva: Surprise surprise! Ilaiyaraaja is now in his familiar terrain with SPB rendering a classical number. The song is ok, but surprisingly lacks that magical touch of Ilaiyaraaja. Not much playing around with the instruments and not much pleasant deviations in the tune either. A “Me too” track.
Enidu Enidu: Ilaiyaraaja is back! This peculiar tune with trademark Ilaiyaraaja instrumentation kindles up the lost hope in you. The world is beautiful once again. Sriram and Bela, the singers of this track do exactly what is told to them. Nothing less, nothing more.
Hey Mamu: The analysis used in the Denna Dennana applies for this too. There is one little difference though. The combination of Tippu, Vijay Yesudas and Kartik make the song sound a lot better than it actually is.
Modalane Bari: The song opens with great promise, but the track loses its ‘track’ as it progresses, with only the rhythmic beats holding it together till the end. SPB and Bela do their best, and succeed somewhat. You’ll love this song (and in many ways, this album) only if you are a diehard fan of Ilaiyaraaja.
Muttuttara Muttamma: This is the best track in the album, although Ilaiyaraaja’s nasal singing (especially in high pitch) makes sure that you do not add it to your favorites list as yet. But the rhythm, the foot tapping tune and the repeat value are all there. Bela gets it right this time like never before in this album. Enjoy.
Om Shivoham: The first few seconds of this song convince you that this is a song of some man-eating tribe who have manifested from the deep jungles of Amazon forests. But fret not; SPB soothes you down with his devotional words. But not for long, as this is probably the most forgettable song of this album as even the evergreen SPB is made to look bad here.
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Nannavanu Cast and Crew:
| Director: | Srinivas Raju |
| Producer: | P.Tulsigopal |
| Starring: | Prajwal Devraj and Aindrita Ray. |
| Music Director: | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Lyrics: | V.Nagendra Prasad |
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I think, this whole website music reviewer do not know what is a good music. There is nothing much you can reveiw about Ilayaraja’s music. Otherwise, he would have not rocking the industry for nearly 35 years. Listen to his other south Indian treasures, you will forget where you are and fly in different world. This album has excellent compositions and instrumentations, I think reviewer has to learn how to review songs. Rose is a rose is a rose and Raja is raja is raja.
Man, don’t speak. Don’t just assume why ARR left IR’ troupe. Even when he left he graduated from IR and left him. Other wise he wouldn’t have been what he is today. Listen to Anjali or Agni Nakshtram to find out how IR does magic with faster numbers. Criticize his music for this album. Dont assume stupid things. You should know about whom you are talking and think whether you have enough understanding to comment.
I just heard the album. I do not speak Kannada, but I let the music speak to me, and all I heard were beautiful things. He never seizes to amaze me. Listen to Naan Kadavul (Tamil 2009), Nenu Devudini (Telugu 2009), same films but different songs.
If honey is not dripping into your ears when the tune in charanam goes ‘Himamaniya’ and continue to do so till ‘aarambaa’…. you are deaf. //but the track loses its ‘track’ as it progresses,// This song is so soothing and pleasing to ears to make us feel like we have fallen in love for the first time. If it doesnt not happen to you probably you dont know what ‘love’ is. Its a Pity really.
I found this link when i was searching for the Lyrics of Nannavanu. I can’t understand why people who donot have any knowledge of music come forward to write a review. I pity Mr.Raju.
Good one,Akbar.
The Reviewer seems have not understood that MUSIC is the language of communication for inner-selves. Music has two inseparable elements in it, viz., FORM and CONTENT.
First I would like ask the reviewer to comprehend the content in the Music, than defining the dynamics of music with insensible terminology like nasal voice, etc.,. And It seems that the reviewer never understood the difference between BEATS and Rhythm.
Many often, the inefficiency of reviewers to comprehend the MUSICAL COMMUNICATION leads to these kinds of reviews.
Why to think of, even, IlaiyaRaaja while listening to a song composed by IlaiyaRaaja!
This is not to defame the Reviewer. But, to protect the society from false perceptions on MUSIC.
Anyhow, thanks for giving the opportunity to share my thoughts on MUSIC.
Akbar
The internet media must encourage good ones.Showing bias and personal grudeges serve no purposes.
MrVijay
I agree your words to the core.Its been annoying to read his biased and premeditated grudge opinions over some person which is clearly been trasparent.
I pity Raju Shanbag! Hope he learns some music before attempting to decipher the beauties in this album! He is extremely biased and holds so many fixed ideas fed into him by the media and his own ‘intelligent and wise’ perceptions! If only he allows Ilaiyaraaja to clear his mind of its darkness (as many of us happily did), he will have a better life to enjoy!
Hmmm….. But, what to do? When given a choice, some people choose Hate over Love? What else can they get back from the society? Hope Raju will change and start thinking on his own, instead of judging everything with the bias in his mind!
hey guys
Read Shreya ghosal’s blogspot.
Shan=EGO
a down to earth person or personality would have wriltten something like calling a spade a spade,but incidentally our learned friend possibly was in bad mood when he wrote the review
and i am sure Mr Raju Shanbag understands the result of practice and expertise if put to use will normally result in a good result…
I will reserve my comments on ARR,,how ever a mestro who is of a beyond range of comments and above the mundane thought range ,,,it would be better if our friend Raju re thinks…….
almost a debutant in many ways B.Srinivas rajus’ direction is a class apart ,,Incidentally i have reports from my close circle about the way Srinivas has on the score….he is a music lover to core and has a fine ear…..
Thanks Mr Raja Shanbag u made me write this few lines…Chana Chana music….
Songs in this album are good and we are hearing repeatedly. The reviewer has something in mind and he is not able to judge the quality of music and raga.
One of the best from the Maestro – try to change the reviewer – anybody hearing..
many of us doesnt equals Illiaraja’s experience .Raju has some grudge on him strangely.
Suresh, how come of all Ilairaja’s assistants, it was only Rahmaan who rose to such a height?
hey, raju shaanbag i pitty u yaar. what u understood ilairaja, what comparison with rahaman u know rahmaan learned music from mastero. 1000 rahmans will not outster raaja ..raaja is alwaqys number one i didnt understand ur review have gone through entire album r u serious i think u r not in good mood listen once again what a composition it deserves good rating.ilairaja nasal voice is excellent albub is a composoition of melody ,tribal ,western beat .really u deserves serious introspection.
raju shanbag in think u are not in good mood u have to mind when u r talking about a legend writing music review that to be on ilairaja is not a small thing entire world calls him mastero rahman says he is music god , i am not understyanding wht kind of reviewer u r who assigned job all seven songs in nannavanu r excellent it is altogether different music journey its not my opinion its opinion of hardcore music lovers idf this kind of reviews appears on this blog credibility is question. mastero voice is superb in mutthre thhis album is excellent in these days sp song shivoham is superb altogether it rates number one.
Mr.Raju…do you think…ilayaraja …the legend is waiting to clear his old stocks….which old stocks.?…i didnt get you…he is always in such a demand,then no chance of talking about stocks…your comments are wondering me…infact all the 6 songs are tooo good….kindly listen the music once again n get some suggestions from other people who are good at music and change the review.
hey, are u in dream saying that rahman has outsted raja. no………
raja rajaa thaan
for ur information as of now his 6 albums released & 29 more to come.
he is at his best when he has more films in hand
watch out for Pazhazi raja in malayalam , jagan mohini & ameer’s kannabiran, balu mahendra’s anal kaatru & more ………………
this yr he will complete 900 films for sure.
a great genius
even 100 rahman’s cannot overcome/beat his compositions
Raju is not in good frame of mind.This is good album and living music legend is evergreen.
Arrival of new talents do not diminish the achievements of the older talents. Ilaiyaraaja, in his times, was much ahead of his times.
Raju, I beg to differ on your views. The album proves to be a melody pack and deserves top rating.In fact I was peeved a bit when you stated somewhere in your review that Ilayaraja was forced out by Rahman. Rahman never ousted Ilayaraja . And he will never for that matter. For Ilayaraja it was just a natuaral retreat after vehemently composing music and staying atop for so many years.
I think this is a very very decent album. I think you would have very high expectations from ilayaraja.
Review for “modalana bari” song would have been better. Its good.
And please know that there are people to enjoy the so called “nasal” voice of ilayaraja.
What do you expect more out from Ilayaraja. This is undoubtedly a very decent album .
Songs worth mentioning particularly Om shioham, look at the flow of the composition .
Hey Raju,
Please continue to write music reviews. If you need to have someone else PLEASE get someone good to do it. Thanks
raju shanbag – did you write the review under high spirits (after a rave party bash perhaps?)…this is an excellent album with ilaiyaraaja scoring in terms of melody based songs, western songs, hardcore carnatic and spicy tribal interludes within a carnatic song. Forget about anyone nuding raaja out….if you rreviews continue to be as poor as this, you will soon be nudged out for your lack of real music appreciation. God save this review section from half boiled reviews such as these. My two cents !