Rahman returns to Tamil roots

A R Rahman's compositions in Tamil are few and far between. But as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. There is no decline in the enthusiasm of the masses when it comes to snapping up a copy of his latest composition; which, in this case, is the music of Ah..Aah, a film starring (and directed by) S J Suryah.

The album starts with a bang. Anbe…Aauyire, the first track, is sung by Rahman himself. While his voice may not be a purist's cup of tea, there is a charm to the way he belts out songs. After a couple of listens, you will start swaying to the beat almost subconsciously – such is the magic that this track weaves.

After the exhilaration and heart-pumping action of the first track, the second track Mayilirage is a sea change. It is a slow, melodious, romantic track – the kind that one doesn't particularly like the first time around, but which gradually grows on you. In short, a classic filmi duet, sung by Madhusri and Naresh Iyer.

Varugiraan is a pacy track, reminiscent of cinema from the 1980s. A track that is great fun to hear, and surely even greater fun to dance to, primarily because of Hariharan's inspired vocals. Chitra accompanies him, but somehow lacks the verve that Hariharan's voice seems to be full of.

Rahman continues to display fine form even with slow songs, as is demonstrated in the next song Thigu. Starting off slowly, it picks up pace and sounds completely haunting, helped along by an eerie quality to Sadhana Sargam's voice.

The next track Thazhuviudu, however, is the biggest letdown in the whole album. In the typically seductive number, Shreya Ghosal exerts her vocal chords to the fullest, trying to sound sexy. It would probably have worked, if it weren't for the fact that one has been immured to songs of this nature, what with them featuring in every other Tamil film.

With Maramkothiyae, however, Rahman is back to his splendid best. Another typically peppy number; it gets the listener's feet tapping to the beat in no time at all. This being the last track, it leaves you happy, and eager for another listen. And maybe another after that.