Genre: Science Fiction
Direction: Shankar
Music: A.R.Rahman
Endhiran - a much awaited flick with the colossal combination of Shankar, "Super Star" Rajnikanth, A.R.Rahman [and of course, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ,Rajni's most sought after Heroine right from the times of Padayappa]. After a stupendous success with Sivaji, the trio has come up with yet another Rajni Special for a mammoth budget of nearing 200 Crores. The songs released worldwide on July 31st and they are already scorching the top charts in all music channels. Endhiran, like Sivaji, has started to create new records. One being the largest legal downloads for a film in iTunes Stores. Much records are yet to follow.
A.R.Rahman after his romantic tunes for Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya switches over to Techno Stuff which perfectly suits the Genre of Endhiran. Also, there has to be a special mention of Vairamuthu and his son Karki conjuring up lyrics with a lot of electronic stuff . Everybody who worked on this album were sure about what suits best for the film. Now one-by-one analysis of songs in the album.
1. Pudhiya Manidha
Singers: A.R.Rahman, S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, Khatija Rahman
Lyrics: Vairamuthu
This song most definitely should be the intro song for Endhiran. Starting with a slow pace with the husky voice of ARR, the lyrics portrays how the Robot is built [ "Ekkai vaarthu Silicon Serthu wire ooti uyirooti Hard diskil yetri","Aaram arivai thootri ezham arivai ezhuppum muyarchi"]. The voice that follows is that of Khatija Rahman, daughter of ARR and the lyrics depicts how Robot should be["ella uyirkum nanmaiyaai iru, ella nilayilum unmayai iru"]. This is the first time she is singing for a film and has a great voice that can take her places. Only after 2:30 into the song, SPB comes into Picture. In this venture, he has toyed with the art of singing lines alternatively ranging different scales and as always, done it in style. Age doesnt deter his voice and surprises us in each of his songs.
2. Kadhal Anukkal
Singers: Vijay Prakash, Shreya Goshal
Lyrics: Vairamuthu
Kadhal Anukkal is my pick of the album. The song starts with a beautiful strumming of guitars. A melodious composition strewn with the sounds of bagpipes. To Top it all, Vijay Prakash hits his hat trick following "Om Siva Om" from Naan Kadavul, "Hosanna" from VTV. Shreya Goshal too has made it a treat to hear this number.The places in the song like "Ho Baby Ho Baby" gives a youth touch to it and makes your feet tap. Lyrics suggest the theme of song to be like female lead wooing the male lead who is too workaholic.
This song is sure to top the charts for few months. Also, after hearing this song, I feel the visuals should be very soothing to suit this.
3. Irumbile Oru Idhaiyam
Singers: A.R.Rahman, Lady Kash n Krissy
Lyrics: Karki, Lady Kash n Krissy
This is an out n out Techno Number from ARR. With Blaaze missing out in the group, Lady Kash n Krissy from Singapore have taken the responsibility of building the English Lyrics. With fast beats in the back drop, energized voice of ARR and mystic tone of Lady Kash n Krissy renders a party kinda ambience to this song. Vairamuthu's son, Karki's lyrics impresses [ "Memoryil kumariyai thani chirai pidithen Shut down-e seyyamal iravinil thudithen"]. Lady Kash n Krissy teases with her lyrics [ "U wanna come n get it boy or are u just a robot toy"]. Watch out for this song as a favourite in discotheques.
4. Chitti Dance Showcase
Singers: Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Yogi B
Additional Arrangements and Programming: Pravin Mani
As name suggests, the visual of "Chitti Dance Showcase" should be a dance of the robot Chitti. Starting with mix of western percussion instruments and some guitar and flute supported by our own "Konnakkol", this is a fusion of the west and east. Also, a bit of free flowing melody comes in between and once again the drums and Konnakkol takes over. Though it is bit different while hearing, this should make an impact with visuals supporting it.
5. Arima Arima
Singers: Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam
Lyrics: Vairamuthu
Arima Arima is a majestic composition of this album. Just by hearing it, you can feel the grandeur march of the Robot. Hariharan with sheer power of his voice creates a magic in this song. Sadhana Sargam's rendering creates an idea of how the male lead of the song is stamping his supremacy over others. Supportive lyrics from Vairamuthu ["Naan manidhan alla, Akrinaiyin arasan naan","chinnan chirusin idhayam thinnum silicon singam naan"] reassures the dominance of the Robot. This song provides a tough competition to "Kadhal Anukkal" for gaining the top spot. Watch out for the visuals. Expecting a grand amphitheatre from Sabu Cyril like the set for "Vaa Ji Vaa Ji" of Sivaji
6. Kilimanjaro
Singers: Javed Ali, Chinmayee
Lyrics: Pa.Vijay
The first time when I heard it I thought it doesnt belong to the album. It is just completely outside the Techno Genre with a lot of Tribal Music and Tribal chantings. With the peculiar voice of Javed Ali accompanied by Rahman's favourite Chinmayee, this song takes you to some exotic place in Africa or dense Amazon Rainforests. Rightly so, this has been shot at the Peruvian World Wonder Macchu Picchu. The first released pics of Endhiran were of this song.
7. Boom Boom Robo Da
Singers: Yogi B, Keerthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan, Tanvi Shah
Lyrics: Karki
Boom Boom Robo Da falls in the category of "Style" Song in Sivaji. With the characterisitic Rap from Yogi B, Swetha Mohan voice is very refreshing to hear. Tanvi Shah brings in her usual cliches in the song. Keerthi Sagathia's voice opens up the song with lyrics "Isaac Azimov in moolaiyo robo". Karki shines again with his lyrics. Few lines "Auto Autokara automatic kara, kootam kootam paru un autographukka" are there to pep up the Super Star fans.
Overall Verdict: Not the best of A.R.Rahman, still provides the proper essence to the theme of Robot. With some really good numbers on the list, Endhiran should reach the hearts of the all music lovers and should grow on further listening. A techno treat in Tamil Music and for ARR fans!!
