The successful pair of the hit film Samy, Vikram and Trisha, comes together once again in lead roles in Bheema. Directed by Lingusamy, Bheema sees Prakashraj in an important role.
Harris Jayaraj has created an enjoyable fare deploying an assortment of youthful vocals and a slew of instruments including sarangi, santoor and dilruba predominantly used in Hindustani music. Pa Vijay-Muthukumar-Yugabharathi-Thamarai team's evocative wordscape heightens the lilting quality of the numbers.
The album kickstarts with Oru mugamo, sung by Karthik and this year's National Award winner, Naresh Iyer. It paints a picture of the contradictory facets of the hero's personality.
It is a lively track with mild hip-hop, extra sounds and minimum percussion with predominant drum beats. The enjoyable rhythmic pattern, which incidentally is common with most of the numbers in this album, and ebullient rendition are the core of its appeal.
Following this, we have Mudhal mazhai, which was reportedly shot in Switzerland and has pithy lyrics. The abiding rhythm and easy flowing rendition by Prasanna, Hariharan and Mahathi give this romantic melody an alluring simplicity. The lyrics give vent to soft sentiments, fantasies and longings of the lovelorn hearts. Mahathi's dulcet voice has a lisping quality. Minimal percussion as in the earlier track, guitar interlude and good chorus are other highlights of this number. However, there is a reworked feel in certain places.
Rangu rangamma rendered by Vijay Jesudas, Kailash Kher and Swarnalatha is a weighty and vibrant track. The number shot onboard a ship in mid-sea has extended drumbeats relentlessly unleashed in the prelude as well as in the interlude. The accompanying soft anklet sounds give it a mystic feel. Swarnalatha's pliant voice is a perfect foil to Kailash Kher's deep tone and timbre. The number with a raw earthy feel once again gives Vijay Jesudas a chance to break free from the shackles of his usual soulful and doleful repertoire.
Then comes Ragasiya kanavukal, rendered by Hariharan and Madhushree, in a casual leisurely style creating a poetry recital feel. The beginning of this number reportedly shot at Thirumala Naicker Mahal in Madurai, has a mild Hindustani flavour. Excellent rhythmic helpings, inspiring instrumentation and the very brief parallel track in between give this love duet a boost.The number has an appreciable simplicity and serenity.
Siru parvayalae by Karthik and Harini, another love duet, has a folksy whiff with a contemporary style to it. Karthik in full-throated fashion sails through the melodious passages with perfect harmony. Harini gives adequate support with her lilting rendition in her silken yet deep voice. The instrumental interludes are absorbing.
The composer has saved the best for the last with Enathuyirae. Along with Chinmayi, Sadhana Sargam and Soumya Rao, the song introduces a new voice, Nikhil Mathew, the winner of Vijay TV's Airtel super singer contest. Nikhil's voice has tonal depth and he sings excellently. He holds his own creditably well with the other experienced singers. Enathuyirae is a caressingly soothing mood defining number.
All in all Harris Jayaraj offers a good fare despite adopting an orthodox style.
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