Cinematographer-turned-director Jeeva's last Tamil film Dhaam Dhoom is indeed a labour of love. Unfortunately, he didn't live to finish the film. Jeeva met with an untimely death in Russia, during the film's shooting.
Dhaam Dhoom, starring Jayam Ravi, Kangana Ranaut and Lakshmi Rai, has music by Harris Jayaraj, whose compositions for Jeeva's earlier films like Ullam Ketkumae and Unnale Unnale were big hits. Dhaam Dhoom's music has also raised a lot of expectation.
Harris Jayaraj has tried to bring variety in Dhaam Dhoom with some structural innovations and employing many singers. He has also used many instruments like the guitar, saxophone and flute, which are usually not heard in Tamil film music.
Percussion is kept to the minimum, avoiding deafening fusillade of beats in the album. But in spite of all this, his skill in orchestration in Unnale Unnale and other albums is not fully showcased in Dhaam Dhoom.
The opening track Puthu puthu, rendered by Benny Dayal, Guna from Malaysia, and Suchithra is an experimental piece. Sounding rather casual and prosaic, it begins like Tamil rap in slow motion. The number then gains momentum and turns into real Tamil rap. There are extra sounds, extended syllables and hip-hop. Vijay's lyrics are meaningful with a touch of cynicism.
Bombay Jaishree joins Krish to sing the next number Sakhiye, a love duet. Vijay's lyrics faintly tinged with melancholy portray two souls tormented by the sweet pain of love. Krish starts in his unique emotion-filled voice and Jaishree follows beginning in extremely low tempo. Her rendition becomes highly enjoyable when her voice soars to remarkable heights. Both she and Krish perfectly vocalise the varied nuances of Vijay's lyrics. Good rhythm, a parallel track in between and saxophone interlude adorn the piece. The number is repeated briefly later.
Anbe en anbe beginning and ending with soothing flute arrangements has the indelible stamp of Harris Jairaj, but in places echoes June ponal from Unnale Unnale. Harish Raghavendra's impressive vocals are the major plus point of this love song. Appealing instrumental passages, especially the solo violin passages and engaging chorus add some depth to this melodious yet traditional tune. N Muthukumar has penned the lyrics.
Thikku thikku kicks off in western opera singer style by Sayonara Philip. Benny Dayal then takes over infusing energy with his stylish singing.
The composer again shifts to lounge music in Aazhiyile emotively rendered by Haricharan. A gentle song with Muthukumar's lyrics laced with sentiments, is free-flowing like a lullaby. The soft instrumental ending adds to the pensive touch. But the conventional tune fails to pour life into the feelings built into the words.
Harris winds up with Uyyalalo uyyalalo by Kailash Kher and Sujatha. Kher's powerful vocals are supported well by Sujatha but she goes unbearably shrill in the high pitch parts of the song. Well arranged rhythmic percussion is interspersed with guitar notes. The number concludes with a tuneful chorus.
Dhaam Dhoom's music does not reach the fascinating heights set by the composer. It just passes muster.