Once in a while, some odd song from a tamil movie compels my mind to pay attention to the details, the voice, the instrumentation..in short, everything about the song… And, almost every time this happens, there is only one man responsible for this profound impact.
Listening to Omana Penne reminds me of Paarthaale Paravasam’s title track, especially because of the voice synthesis and electronica effects. However, unlike other music directors in film music who tend to render the entire song using voice synth, or other distortion effects, Rahman always delights me with his perfectly placed, yet, not-so-liberal use of vocal effects. However, my complaint with this song in particular is that even after a few iterations of listening to it, I am not able to ‘get’ Benny Dayal from the voice….it just sounds like Karthik. Despite all this, the song is a splendid composition in its own right, starting off with a delightful Mohanam, and then branching out to a Bilahari/Kambodhi mix. The Nadhaswaram bits are hair-raising, with their faint presence punctuating the song at places…and then taking on a life of its own towards the end. Just brilliant, signature Rahman stuff.
I love rock music, and if I know myself well enough, I love almost anything do with rock music… I was instantly drawn to Aaromale and Iam addicted to the song, what with the opening acoustic guitars, and the jazz-wire-brush-on-snare sounds setting the mood/tempo of the song in the beginning. The tempo slowly changes a little later in the song, and then alternates between lulls and highs… All that is superb… but what kept me hooked was Alphonse… boy! can he sing! The very composition and singing style is like a Blues-Rock Ballad…even better, it seems like Rahman, created himself a little palette out of Kharaharapriya, and painted various shades into this song. To me, one of the strongest flavours in it is Bhageshri… there are faint traces of Sri Ranjani, and maybe a couple other janya ragas of Kharaharapriya, subject to the listener’s perspective. And this is exactly why I love Rahman’s style. Personally, using Bhageshri/Kharaharapriya for a rock ballad, is just the pinnacle of creativity….or well, in the vicinity… because I am sure there are so many more to come.
Filed under: ARR, electronica, music, TFM Tagged: | carnatic music in film music, rahman rocks again
Arun,
I agree with Omana Penne.
I have not been that impressed by Aaromale yet.
The one song which just knocked me off is Mannipaya. Shreya Goshal, in that song, just sounds outta the world. I have not been a great fan of her. But this songs changed everything. Her pronunciation was on the target and she just gets the meaning of the words right to emote properly. Plus the song composition is also well done.
Having said all these, I am waiting for a moment to hear these songs through a good pair of ear phones. ARR is much appreciated when we take the pain to hear the multiple tracks in his songs. IMHO.
@ srirama – mannipaya, is in my opinion, very run of the mill… Shreya has sung other songs which are much better than this one. Then again, I am a huge fan of hers. Speaking of pronunciation, I think she is usually pretty good, atleast much better than the other ‘seth singers’ in tfm.
Aaromale, is actually my most favourite of all, even more than Omana Penne…just because of the composition style, blending blues/rock/indian classical, using vocals, acoustic guitar, electric violin (?)…and such. Super eclectic mix…
Aaromale is right there..orchestrated enlightenment…I could just dance like a mystic.
I reckon with zep.. Aaromale is a classic nd a mix of all raagas… I ain’t that much of fan for tamil music, since I started listening rehman, its changed! after comparing to all the composers I feel Rahman sir is incomparable!.. Listen to omana penne, that indulge of the lady nd the nadhaswaram is really extremely a joy nd a wonder to listen.. A first time listener who listens the song first, will definitely raise his eyebrows.. Now, aaromale, I don’t have words.. Wow… Alphonse , I was unaware that tamil music industry had such a singers… its incredible… He has done magic.. Nd one thing eventhough we look forward to hear more heart breaking music from Rahman all of his compositions never seem to go off from my mind nd heart…
you people missed out hossana and anbil avan!!!!!!!
Hey, Omana Penne is probably my favourite Rahman song in ages. I thought it had bits of Kambhoji as you say and of Mohana Kalyani too. Mohana Kalyani especially.
Haven’t listened to the other song yet.
//The Nadhaswaram bits are hair-raising, with their faint presence punctuating the song at places//
Isn’t that violin? I heard that the chilling BG is the scintillating work of Ganesh-Kumaresh duo. Anyway it’s been excellently presented to calm out tension away~!
Varadha – I believe you are referring to the violin bgm in Aaromale? I didnt realize they were Ganesh/Kumaresh’s work. good info!
Nadhaswaram – I was referring to the bits in Omana Penne.
It is not nadaswaram it is violin by GK in Omana Penne!!
really? how do you know this? It does not sound like violin at all.. not even one bit.
Zeppelin,
I totally agree with you: “Omana Penne” represents just another level that Rahman has reached with the singer’s spectacular vocal riffs and the way the music beats out a slow tattoo in the background, with the electronica blending in syncretistically with the malayalam lullaby interlude in the middle.
Just awe-inspiring stuff.
I feel that this is an interesting turn that his music is taking: a more polished and nuanced product, and the song that “Omana Penne” reminds me of is “Rehna Tu” from Dilli 6.
Another masterful slow, bluesy ballad.
Anyway, the master just proves how he never ceases to amaze and astound.
Did you hear “127 hours”?