Mugilo Megamo

Singers: Ramya NSK, Yuvan Shankar Raja

Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

The raining strings seems like the perfect start to a Raja album, and this one in particular as plenty of that. The nice Jazz styled guitars make for good accompaniment to the vocal melody which irresistibly reminds the listener of Elankaatru Veesudhe (Pithamagan) in the first line but it takes off in its own individual fashion. This song adds to the list of many compositions of the Maestro based on the Harmonic minor scale (Carnatic equivalent: Keeravani/ Nata Bhairavi). When Ramya NSK first sings ‘Mugilo Megamo’ the rim shots turn into snare strikes momentarily to mark a difference. The drumming especially is top notch throughout this album. Yuvan does a good job as he sings the lower notes with much ease while Ramya’s confidence comes through in this performance.

Chellam

Singers: Ramya NSK, Yuvan Shankar Raja

Lyrics: Palanibharathi

A bluesy intro is the prelude to another funky composition based on Pahaadi (Hindustani Raag)- another most favourite of Ilaiyaraaja. However the song notices a changeover in the second interlude but comes back to the Pahaadi base. Yuvan’s sprightly voice works very well in this tune. Raja gives the track the full treatment with quiet breakdowns which feature his string section, all playing parts that are not mere rearrangements of the vocal melody. However it would have been exciting if the bass parts were a bit more adventurous given that the track had scope for it.

Enna Vendum

Singers: Karthik, Priyadhashini

Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

A vocal melody from a different time and place, almost as if it’s been taken out of a time capsule and executed now. The melody is based on Nata Bhairavi scale yet again and it reminds faintly of Enna Thaalattu from Kadhalikku Mariyadhai but the peculiar rhythm takes the song to new territories. The fresh folk styled voice of Priyadarshini is another asset to the song. The backing band is in splendid form and tries its best not to bring flashbacks of a bygone era.

Jeevane Jeevane

Singers: Illayaraja

Lyrics: Palanibharathi

The album reaches a high point with this Raja cry of despair. Ilaiyaraja’s gives it his all here as a vocalist in this rock styled song with its heavy footed and pronounced drumming. The vocal melody, again based on the Nata Bhairavi scale, has some truly magical moments in its pre-chorus and chorus that never fail to give you goosebumps each time. This thundering composition which is high on emotion is best described by the lyric “idhu kadhal kaalam vazhthum geetham engum kekudhey”