Bommalattam - Music Review

By: Settu Shankar
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Music: Himesh Reshamiyya,

Lyrics: Snegan, Thenmozhi Dass and Vivega

Bharathiraja is one of the veteran film-makers who have the capability to compete with the young film makers even today. Because he is the mentor for most of the modern film directors who actually emerged from a rural backdrop.

After a gap of 3 long years, the director has come with a film Bommalattam, a bilingual project in Hindi and Tamil with compatriot Himesh Reshamiyya, a young composer. There are 5 songs in the album with a lovely introduction by Bharathiraja as usual. The stylish composer has tried his best to satisfy both the audiences.

He has come up with a peppy album where the songs are sure to make to one shake his legs on the dance floors. The likes of Anuradha Sriram, Thippu, Karthik, and Shalini among others have done their part well. Due credit should be given to lyricists Snegan, Themozhi Dass and Vivega. No doubt, Himesh Reshamiyya floors you in his maiden venture in Tamil.

Aaha Aaha Kannirendum... (Singers: Karthik, Pop Shalini, Lyrics: Snegan)

Generally speaking, it is a good number and a perfect beginning for Himesh in Tamil. The western beat with Karthik's typical husky voice will surely become a treat for every music lover. Moreover, the composer never tries to suppress the vocals with any harsh instrumentation, which is the most satisfying aspect of this song.

Check Check Checkda... (Singer: Suchitra, Lyrics: Thenmozhi Dass) The simple and catchy lyrics of Thenmozhi make the song worthy of being listened to. It starts with a soft and smooth Arabian style folklore, and slowly gathers momentum. Suchitra's westernized voice and Himesh's soothing tune makes the song as among the best in the lot. But the English lyrics which crop up in the song regularly is the surprise element of this song.

Oh Nengil Dola Dolia... (Singers: Anuradha Sriram, Thippu, Lyrics: Thenmozhi Dass)

The song starts on a promising note, followed by Himesh's usual high drumbeats and rhythmic orchestration. Easily this one bags the credit of being the best song of this album. The song does have a strong flavour of north Indian music, and one gets a feeling that it becomes repetitive after a while. Overall, it is a hummable song with catchy music, interesting lyrics by Thenmozhi Dass, and superbly rendered by Thippu and Anuradha Sriram.

Va Va Thalaiva... (Singer: Gayathri)

There is nothing special in this number. It is just a rehash of a usual Ilayaraja song. The open-throated voice of Gayathri Iyer is jarring to the ears in a few places.

Koyambedu Bensu... (Singer: Mathangi, Lyrics: Vivega)

The foot tapping music and Mathangi's hauling voice makes the song worthy of listening. But the lyrics of Vivega seem archaic.

Overall, Bommalattam is an album worth listening to. But it is very hard for an ardent Bharathiraja fan to tolerate the westernized lyrics, orchestration and rendering of the album.

Verdict: Passable!