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Cuckoo Music Review

Cuckoo Music Review
Banner:
Fox Star Studios
Cast:
Attakathi Dinesh, Malavika Sai
Direction:
Raju Murugan
Production:
NULL
Music:
NULL
Music Review
Friday, March 14, 2014 • Tamil Comments

Life is an ordeal for ask of us, and there are also the ones who are physically challenged, yet perfectly happy with their lives. Director Raja Murugan has taken up the challenge of featuring the lives of visually challenged as normal individuals. Considering the concept is quite a handful of challenge, Santhosh Narayanan has taken charge to compose for this entirely new concept. And here's a sneak peek into 'Cuckoo'.

1. Manasula Soora Kaathu
Voices: RR, Divya Ramani
Lyrics: Yuga Bharathi

The first song that welcomes us to this innovative album is a melody. The speciality of this song lies in its near nil usage of beats; the song is predominantly supported by varying key notes, while the only beats is the occasional gentle tablas. The number opens in Divya's soft yet deep voice, later joined in by RR for a mesmerizing duet. The voices well suit the protagonists and the singers have ensured to modulate their voices to a sweet note, to suit the roles of protagonists perfectly. There is a set of strong flute notes that repeat all through the song,and also ends on the same, completing the ethereal feeling.

2. Potta Pulla
Voice: RR
Lyrics: Yuga Bharathi

This song begins with a very pleasing violins joined in by equally beautiful flute, elevating the mood completely. The first stanza runs continuously with quick ups and downs, befitting the mood ofbeing freshly in love. RR sings again in his captivating voice, after a beautiful piece of flutes, about how impressed he is with his lady love. This is a little challenging, as no mention of visual description has been used, keeping in mind that the story is about visually challenged - Yuga Bharathi has done a tremendous job at this. Beats are supportive but not heavy, ask through the song. The third stanza marks the real beauty of this male solo, be it in rendition, score and poesy. The song comes to an end in beautiful violins and flute after the third stanza.

3. Agasatha
Voices: Kalyani Nair, Pradeep Kumar
Lyrics: Yuga Bharathi

This song is a surprise, as it begins on choir-like notes. It is entirely supported by rapid violins and gentle keys, with zero beats. This is yet another carefully worded song, bringing out the striking irony in the story. It is Kalyani's voice that opens the song, later joined in by Pradeep's. Both the singers have rendered the song with the protagonists' sweet joy of being in love which gives them the confidence to conquer the world. The song is deep and haunting in every aspect and note. The second stanza easily gets noted as the best of the song, while the background score is a beautiful song on its own, ending in captivating violins.

4. Kalyanamam Kalyanam
Voice: Andony Dasan
Lyrics: Yuga Bharathi

This one is quite an interesting song - though aimed at being a melancholic number, the song is sung in haste at the separation of love and turns out to be relatively much lighter than probably intended. Nadaswaram usage in this song is upbeat and inviting. Andony sings in a voice that borders regret on haste, making it sound interesting. The song is carefully worded at each note that carry it sequentially add though it is a story narrated in complete order. The song is entirely folk, supported by typical folk beats, and climaxing in the same beats, improvised.

5. Kodaiyila
Voices: Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Kalyani Nair, Pradeep Kumar
Lyrics: Yuga Bharathi

This track is a song of promise that breezes through the strums and keys, gaining depth in Vaikom Vijayalakshmi's unique voice. Unlike the other tracks in this album, this one changes tempo in each stanza. While the first and third stanza flow in the same order in solo by Vijayalakshmi, the intermediate stanza is set on a different tempo. The track breaks for rain after the first stanza, followed by the second stanza which is a beautiful duet with choicest words; it is predominantly sung by Vijayalakshmi while Pradeep's voice joins in for couplets in his soft voice. This is yet another song in the album which does not have any beats, but instills depth only through the choice of voices.

6. Enda Mapla
Voices: Gana Bala, Sathish, Dhee
Lyrics: Gana Bala

The last track of this album is a quirky number, which is inspirational of sorts. Typical of Gana Bala, this track is worded lighthearted, simple and straightforward. There is extensive use of keys all along the song and especially at the end where it plugs off and climaxes. Rhythmic beats are used all through the song, except its fag end, and chorus plays a vital role in this song. While the first stanza is same as the last, the second is penned down on a funny note, and the third one is strongly influenced by lyrics from a few other songs. In all, this one is a lighthearted gana song with no hard feelings, as it states the facts as is.

When the eyes shut off, ears turn on into high sensitivity. And Santhosh has captivated us with the right notes to grab our attention and draw audience towards this different and compelling film, 'Cuckoo'.

Verdict: Santhosh draws attention again

Rating: 3.2/5