2006 - Top 10 Tamil Movies

Tamil movies are of 2 categories,

• Box Office smasher
• Critically acclaimed

Both cases seldom go together. I usually feel bad whenever the movie that spins a web of chords inside me, fails miserably in the box office. Anbe Sivam, Gunaa, Mahanadhi, Kannathil Muthamittal, Kadhal Kavithai are some of them..

2006 is a more like a potboiler for Tamil Cinema. We got all sorts of movies - absurd to appalling!

We got goonda movies, melodramas, re-entry of lost directors (re-torture to the audience, though), musicals (although only music was good in that), directors taking risks as heroes, heroes losing control as directors, comedies (damn right! they are serious movies), bathroom type humor, Freudian slip humor, saddistic reality and even raw obscenity. If it's a good movie I smiled. If it's a bad movie I laughed. Difference is the just the way I did it.

I would like to present a countdown of what I feel as Top 10 movies from the releases this year. This list of movies is in no way related to the Box Office charts (Or, it's not like the latest big-star movie gets the first place as shown in TV channels). It's just my forthright opinion on these movies.

The countdown will be presented from the next post..

2006 - Top 20 Tamil Songs << Number One

1

Manjal Veyil (Vettaiyadu Vilayadu)

MD: Harris Jeyaraj

Singers: Hariharan, Nakul, Vijay

I fell flat for this song when the album got released. After that I lived with this song for the entire year and I still do. Humming, whistling, moaning wherever I was and while whatever I did. This stimulating peppy track from Harris has been brought up in a truly lively fashion in the voice of Hariharan who is one of my all-time favorites. Whenever I start hearing 'Vennilave Velli Velli nilave' I just can't stop until the entire track winds up.

Arrangement - simply brilliant! The song never fails to lose the tempo or break badly as in most other songs. That's what makes this special for me.

A special mention to the lines,
"Thayakkangal vilakudheThavipugal Thodarudhe

Adhuthadhu enna enna endredhan thedudhe"

I have heard these particular lines so many times just for that weeny piano at the end of each line. Hariharan's modulation around the line "Yaaro Yaaro Yaaro aval" is the best part. Gautham has done all justice to the speedy motion of the song through his picturization. Kamal and Jyothika taking a night out with leashed emotions over each other shown from long range, wide angle, 35 mm camera shots. The crew has certainly taken pains to present the song this way. I loved it!

Finally, the way this song ends with the rythmic humming of Nakul and Vijay gives me a feeling of an enthralling ride. A very neatly presented piece! This song undoubtedly stands as my best of the year. Hariharan and Harris strike a beauty together after "Moongil Kaadukale" from Samurai. Right there, Into my all-time favorites!!

Just love it!!

2006 - Top 20 Tamil Songs >> 6 - 2

6. Paartha Mudhal (Vettaiyadu Vilayadu)
MD: Harris Jeyaraj
Singers: Bombay Jayasree, Unni Menon

That mouth organ piece in the beginning - Wow! It sweeps me out, instilling a tickling romance inside me every single time I listen to this piece. The song then sets off with Jayasree's lovely voice. Harris has the uncanny knack of cinematizing nursery rhymes or choir type songs perfectly. Another instance I can quote is from Sami's 'Veppamaram Puliyamaram' song where Tippu sings a line 'Jillunu kalaiyil ezhundhiruchu, silamba kaathula suzhatuvenga'. It's funny like an LKG rhyme but it's cute as well.

Paartha mudhal song used to be the last song before I dose off every night. It gives such a beautiful feeling to sink in these complementary voices, HJ's binding orchestration and Thamarai's sensible lyrics. The picture of this song is exquisite in my opinion as I could see Gautham's presentation improving by the film. The presentation of "Kaatchi Pizhai pole" - As they would be sailing on the motorcycle with a discernible back projection. Tiny things!

It's a treat!!!

5. Oru Naalil (Pudhupettai)
MD: Yuvan
Singer: Yuvan

If Selvaraghavan stands before me, I would get hold of his collar and ask "Why didn't you picturize this beauty?? Why?" This track would have added a touch of mastery to his relentless movie-making. If you hear this song you would get the feeling "Wait wait, where are you hurrying? Slow down, sit, relax."

Yuvan has poured his bleeding heart out on this. Particularly the godly violin piece that stretches from 4:00 to 4:25 in this track. Awesome!! Sometimes we wonder if a violin string gets plucked off when a shivering note is played like this. I am not a big fan of Yuvan's voice since he tries too much at high pitches. 'Poi solla' song from April maadhathil was a complete spoilsport. But in this track, he has really sworn in to maintain the mood throughout. Hats off Yuvan! I like the line "Ethanai kodi kanneer mann meedhu vizhundhirukum, athanai kanda pinnum boomi ingu poo pookum". Again a loop mode for me...

A classic from Yuvan!

4. Pul Pesum (Pudhupettai)
MD: Yuvan
Singers: Tanvi, Vijay Yesudas

Hip Hop has invaded Tamil music in recent years. 2005 had blockbusters like Kaadhal Yaanai, Kannum Kannum Nokia from HJ. This year's best of the kind is this piece. I am sure most of them wouldn't agree this song fitting even in the top 20. I was also one of the persons who rebuked that the song was a disappointing number from Yuvan. But now, I have to confess this song holds a special place in my heart. I am a big fan of dark humor. Only few songs would create that mood thinking of which you can fear and smile at the same time. It gives you a feeling of virus-enclaving-you - an overall feeling of being invaded deeply by some force, a slow force in fact.

The rap style is mixed with Hip hop in complete control. The music played in the second interlude (3:20 to 3:50) and towards the end grip me standstill. There are some songs that keep you retained with the same tempo till the end. But this song is an exception. The tempo increases slowly and steadily and by the time you reach the final point of this track, you are left gasping. You have to look back where you started. My word, this is Yuvan's unbelievable performance.

A slow poison, a dangerous addiction for me!!

3. Munbe Vaa (Jillunu Oru Kadhal)
MD: AR Rahman
Singers: Shreya Ghosal, Naresh

How sweeter can it get? This would be the best in the list of many listeners. ARR's stroke of genius! Shreya ghosal has given solemn life and wetness - That's exactly what this piece begs for! The piano at the start is melting as it plunges more sweetness into my heart. This has become one of my most favorite music strips. There are certain songs which are vested with the power of changing a person's mood to orient with that specific mood. This is one like that. This song also injects more of a 'home' feeling than an 'outdoor' feeling for me. A sure sweeper of the charts this year. The picturization was done neatly but I feel it could have been a tiny bit better.

Pristine!!!

2. New York Nagaram (Jillunu Oru Kadhal)
MD: AR Rahman
Singer: AR Rahman

The quality of tiny beautiful sounds recorded for this song doesn't amaze me because it's done by ARR. A touch of glory and professionalism blend in a godly way. The three concepts involved in this song - Distance, Loneliness, Love. Vaali's admirational lyrics stay as young as possible. ARR's voice has got thicker but the integrity of his voice at high pitches still paints the listener's face with awe.

The vivid imagery I get whenever I hear this sultry piece.

A lonely man walking on the seashore, shoes in hands, trousers rolled up to kneecaps, sandy legs, lazily seeking fresh water to splash on his face in a framely motion . A raised eyebows and a tiny smile on seeing the waves swaying to this haunting instrumentation. All in all, a watery feeling!

If you notice, ARR doesn't use any short play of instruments in this. Any interlude that's played is played long. A draggy and prolonged usage of guitar, piano and keyboard purely resembles the distance and solitude of the lover. I didnt quite expect this kind of picturization from the director. The director has taken the closed room and urban backdrop since it involves words like "Nagaram, Naangu Kannadi chuvargal..". The constant shift in the picture like a 'Powerpoint Presentation' annoys me. It increases the speed of the actually dragged song. Nothing gets registered in the memory. A video is kind of a let down but the haunting tune and conceptual orchestration is mind blowing.

ARR at his best!

2006 - Top 20 Tamil Songs >> 15 - 7

15. Thaya Thaa Thaya Thaa (Thiruttu Payale)
MD: Bharadhwaj
Singer: Sadhana Sargam

Well, to be frank, I will be interested in a song that is sung from a woman's point of view. The mood of the song needs to be literal which isn't that easy. Snegidhane (Alaipayudhe), Thirumana Malargal (Poovellam Un Vaasam) are my all-time favorites. A man's emotion towards a woman is very cliched in my opinion as there have been countless tracks like that. This track continues to impress me. A sweetly done song by Bharadhwaj after a disappointing performance in Idhaya Thirudan. Sadhana Sargam has given this song all the life it needed. She sounds just about perfect, a very unique voice indeed. The arrangement is good and there is an underplayed chorus in this song which gives some relief unlike when I hear some lengthy chorus lalala's from the 80's.

A nice melody, truly!!

14. Eno kangal (Kalvanin Kadhali)
MD: Yuvan
Singers: Sadhana Sargam, Yuvan

I had a trendy crush over the 'blop blop' sound with which this track begins. O' my that's really good. I have heard many people whistle that particular tune when this song hit the charts. A song that gives you a refreshing feeling. A technically posh song with lots of keyboard usage. However, the tune is never sacrificed for the magic work behind. I still adore this song for the guitar used. There is no big scope for the singers but the tune wins hands down.

A rock solid song from Yuvan!!

13. Oruthi (Kalinga)
MD: Imman
Singers: Madhu Balakrishnan, Mathangi

I have to confess that not a single soul who reads this would have heard about this song. Also, I have to confess that this is really a lost gem amongst the big gems of the year. Of course, the movie 'Kalinga' is a kind of movie which nobody might know when it got released. Imman - This man has got the potential for composing some mesmerizing songs but I feel he is one big talent-underused. I strongly feel that some hot-shot directors and producers should give this man a better scope to perform. I could see him doing a lot of movies, sadly B-grade movies with tongue twisting trivial remixes. This song blew me out literally. Madhu can't sound more melodious than this. Mathangi's humming is a true life-support for this melody. Simple guitar, piano and soft beats doesn't overrule anything good.

Blissful track!! Madhu sounds good.

12. Un Parvayil (Unakkum Enakkum)
MD: Devi SriPrasad
Singers: Karthik, Sumangali

I have mixed opinion on Devi Sri Prasad. He tries different instrumentations in each song he drafts. But somehow I feel his tunes are repeated. This song has a nice tune and it gels well with Karthik's voice. This is unmistakeably Karthik's best song of the year. Personally, I am moved by the flute that starts swaying around the 00:26 second mark. I am an ardent fan of music strips. I listen to certain strips of a songs again and again and again. This kind of looping would always loop me in it's rhythm. I like several songs in bits and pieces rather as a whole one. This is one such song.

Lovely song, in bits and pieces!!!

11. Urugudhe Marugudhe (Veyyil)
MD: GV Prakash Kumar
Singers: Shreya Ghosal, Shankar Mahadevan

What a beautiful song! It's a Deja Vu of the beautiful feeling I experienced when I was swindled with the Kurukku Siruthavale song from Mudhalvan. The picturization is also polite and fitting. Shreya Ghosal is a big find in the Tamil music industry. She stands out in this track. I am totally impressed with the youngster GV Prakash who has delivered a matured music at this age. Hope we get more from him in 2007. This song being an important song in this movie has not been spoiled in any way. Hats off to the crew!!!

Compelling!

10. Innisai (Varalaaru)
MD: AR Rahman
Singers: Naresh, Mahathi

This is the version that was picturized in the film with Ajith performing on stage. This song would certainly have captured selective audience big time. The carnatic smell in this song is inevitable as it serves the purpose. The overall environment and mood of the song are perfect. Naresh has sung really well at places but the "thom thom thananana" chorus consistently transitioning in the backdrop increases my indulgence. This song grows on me more every time I listen.

Very ambient and moody!

9. Enga Area (Pudhupettai)
MD: Yuvan
Singer: Dhanush

This is one song which has taken a unique identity amongst all the songs this year. Simply because of the irregular tempo of the song. What's not there in this lively piece?? Rap, Trance, Drums and catcall styled lyrics are orchestrated in perfect tandem. I am always crazy about songs that have a humorous rapsy tone in them. It's difficult to compose such songs. Enna Samayalo, Strawberry Kanne, Pettarap are of this kind. I got hooked to this song as it has honest hard-hitting lyrics which unravel harsh truth about class consciousness in a typical urban society. In spite of the reign of songs that speak about love, national integration and other sentiments this song comes out with an entirely different and opposite flavor.

A stature of a layman living in the dark side of the society is aptly portrayed in this song. "Thanni vandi lorrykitta sanda podum ponnunga" Picture Perfect!!! It wouldn't be a hot favorite for people with prejudice on low-life in a city.

"Ah welcome pudhu pudhu pudhu pettai..." This song rocks!!

8. Loosu Penne (Vallavan)
MD: Yuvan
Singer: Simbu, Blaaze

I ran away with loose shorts from the remix version of this song. Terrible! But the actual one is ecstactic. I got a synonymous opinion from those who like this song - the music strip (piano resembling Kushi Theme by Deva) with which this song starts close to the first minute of this song. Well, where is Phil Collins?? Does he smell his "Another day in paradise" here?? The different pitches, this song gets into is really making it stand apart. I am totally swept by the persussions in this track.

Simbu's modulation is excellent!!

7. Karka Karka (Vettaiyadu Vilayadu)
MD: Harris Jeyaraj
Singers: Tippu, Devan, Andrea

"Raghavan, stay in the process, top dollar curry lil's, ready, como', lets go"

Kamal's introduction is simply stylish as he turns daring against the goons perfectly in sync with the initial trance music. Way to go, HJ!!! This song got right into my heart from there. The picture is pretty cool showing assorted endeavors of Kamal in this movie. The song injects a haunting tone to a listener. However it gets racy every time the rap is pierced into this soft enthraller by Top Dollar, Lil, Akhenaton. I get thrilled when the interlude starts as
"You speed and you get pulled over n the breath analyzer test provides proof that you aint sober...Good Cop!"

One of the best introduction songs of the year!! It's different.

2006 - Top 20 Tamil Songs >> 20 - 16

20. Nenjankootil Neeye (Dishoom)
MD: Vijay Anthony
Singers: Unnikrishnan, Jayadev

This is a beautiful song staging a stuntman's love for a girl. I just adore the picturization (that lush green grass-decorated wagon) which holds up this song accompanied by a sweet tune from Vijay Anthony. The voices of Unni and Jayadev are alternated for every 4 lines which is the typical ARR style. However, he tries to imitate HJ in introducing something like Chinese (simplified) humming in the interlude but doesn't pay well. A simple melody that carries all characteristic stuff.

In short, sweet!

19. Ennama Devi (Thambi)
MD: Vidhyasagar
Singers: Karthik, Manika Vinayagam, Balesh

Madhavan as Thambi is the angry version of a common man. You could see it from the 'Che Guevera' print on his shirt throughout the movie. This song is an introductory one which has to portray his viewpoint on the current age (like a world which is non conforming to morality). The tune with which it starts reminds me of the Village Festival song from 16 Vayadhinile.

Surprisingly there are no forceful, hard hitting beats/drums that instigate anger, frustation and cynicism in the listeners. There is no loud voice but there IS loudness in the thought and the music helps it big way. Why I like this song? It has a beautiful and unlikely softer presentation. Vidhyasagar is certainly good when it comes to using classical music. The song uses rustic percussions (Melam and Thavil) as well, blandly mixed with classical tone. The anger is poured out soft and that's really striking hard.

Couldn't have been better!

18. Poga Poga (Pattiyal)
MD: Yuvan
Singers: Haricharan, Saindhavi, Harini Sudhakar, Vijay

The song begins with a rap resembling some backstreet philosopy in Rhapsody. Then starts the real song. The soft beats pull me in and jerks me out. Simply the rythm Yuvan crafts here is brilliant. This is a chorus song for a major portion as it's sung by four friends. The picture of the song made me like this more in fact. The scenes cut and flash again in sync with the song's stopping and dragging beats. I like any song with those virtual clapping sounds, though they are a bit feeble here.

Not Yuvan's best but one of my favorites this year!

17. Theeyil Vizhundha (Varalaaru)
MD:AR Rahman
Singer: AR Rahman

A soothing number! Every interlude when ARR takes a high-pitched hum, the pain's crest is indicated. The pain's trough is smoothly brought by the submerged tune in the middle of the song. ARR does well and the instruments are minimal to give a distant feeling for the protoganist from lost happiness. That's why I love this song! The faint piano in the backdrop does it.

Simply soothing!

16. Veyilodu (Veyyil)
MD: G V Prakash Kumar
Singers: Jassie Gift, Kailash

The village scenario is beautifully served for the sore eyes. Every frame of this song is applauded from heart by the audience. The director's indulgences have to be given an encouraging pat. A stroke of nostalgia this song would bring is honeslty laudable. The newcomer G V Prakash has driven the song with liveliness. The drums are plain as a nose on our face and the tune is simple too. The jubilance and energy of the moving picture in sync with the music makes me feel good.

An enjoyable after-meal number!

The rest will continue in the next post...

2006 - Top 20 Tamil Songs

Have you seen the movie "Shawshank Redemption"? There's a conversation between the two lead characters Red and Andy.

Red:
Oh, they let you tote that record player down there, huh? I could'a swore they confiscated that stuff.

Andy:
(taps his head)The music was here...(taps his heart) and here. That's the one thing they can't confiscate, not ever. That's the beauty of it. Haven't you ever felt that way about music, Red?

That's the way I feel about music too. This countdown is just going to be a reflection of that. This is not going to be a justification of what is good music or bad music or right music. This is an honest outpour of all the new music that invaded my heart in the year 2006. The new songs that got stashed into my album of all time favorites. 20 songs from the movies released in 2006 would be presented in countdown as obviously I got to share which I like the most. Although a song's beauty is intangible, I have taken the 'Song Picturization' for scaling purposes. However, ultimately it's the feel good factor, sweetness and rhythm that are going to slice us apart with divinity.

This post is purely dedicated to my best Music Director - AR Rahman whose 3 songs (Rang De Basanti, Water) have been nominated in Oscars!!! The countdown will start from the next post...

Clown

The Clown

Upside down, inside out, the clown clapping legs on the stage
Cherry on the nose so amusing, gaudy red clothes so appealing
Children giggling, oldies smiling
There stands the clown with mission

Laugh o’ please laugh, not at me
But at what I perform, it’s just a stage
People disagree; clown is a clown as they say
There stands the clown with grief

How’s my mother, how’s my dying mother
His heart with a fearful beat, pockets with a painful hole
People clap, cheer, dance, whistle
There stands the clown with shame

No more can he sustain this mockery on his appearance
Rips off the cherry, red clothes to go for recess
Cheer stops, laughter escapes, silence invades, catcalls begin
There stands the clown with hatred

Love, death, money, ego all in dreadful coincidence
A decision so important, the timing even more lethal
Crowd waiting, still awaiting for the moment,
Clown back on stage after the tearful recess

A change altogether, big cherry on nose, red clothes even gaudier
People back in groove, catcalls stop, dances begin, cheers drool
Sacrifice and compromise in life, no difference at all
Upside down, inside out, his legs clapping again

This time tears flowing inside, clown despairs
You can’t change people
But you can change yourself
Because you always want something
After all you are a clown on stage

*******************************************

Auto saar! Auto saar!

This has always been a true story, I swear on the heat of chennai.

Believe me, when Ayn rand wrote this,

"The question isn't who's going to let me; it's who's going to stop me"

She would have never even thought of penning this philosophy for Chennai 'Autokarans'.

I had a converation with an Autokaran while going home once:

I: Saligramam poganum

Autokaran: Evalo kudupeenga?? (it means he doesnt have the slightest idea of where saligramam is)

I: It's 7 Kms. 50 rupees!

Autokaran: Enna Saar solreenga?? 90 rupees aagum (Now he showcases he really knows where saligramam is)

I: 60 rupees

Autokaran: 80 rupees

I: No, 70 is final...

Autokaran: Pathuruva paakadheenga saar!!!

I: No, rate has to be fixed for fair. 70 is final

Autokaran: Enna saar??? Paakradhukku shoka irukeenga. Pathuruva paakadheenga, erunga. (Now he has flattered me using his poverty level. So I get in for 80 rs. First round, he won)

I: 80 rs, for 7 kms...traffic illa...why do u charge so much?? (He takes out Nokia6600 - now, speaking of poverty!)

Autokaran: Saar! Suthi suthi ponum saar! road mosama irukku....pertrol selavaagum (He has created petrol-price awareness to me now)

I: Meter podradhu illa, apparam edhukku indha dabba??

Autokaran: Ha ha ha ho ho ho hee, enna saar?? are you in 1980's??? (He is amazed as if its a crime to put meter)

I: Appo, 1980's la auto drivers ellam ozhukamanavunganu othukiriya???

Autokaran: Saar, ongalakku, kaalam theriyila?? (An excuse to align with the trend which only these guys created for their convenience. Second round, he won)

I: Why do you take this worse shortcut-road?? My back is paining.

Autokaran: Saar! Suthi pona, pathuruva extra aagum. Neenga saligramamnu solli engengeyo poga solreenga!! (Now he's talking)

I: See, naan comfortabla ponum...go in a proper road...80 rs is final.

Autokaran: Onga souriyathukkulam auto varaadhu saar. Enga souriyathukudhan ottuvom (Their philosophy at its peak, third round he won)

I: Indhanga 100 rs..balance??

Autokaran: Chillra illaya saar?? (setting another trap)

I: No. andha kadayila poi maathitu kudunga.

Autokaran: anga illa saar, indha sandhulalam chillra kedaikadhu, main road dhan ponum. (I still cant understand)

I: Ok, ponga. Naan autokulladhane irukken??

Autokaran: Main road piotu thirumbeelam vara maaten saar, neenga nadandhu dhan varanum..else extra 10 rupees aagum.

I: aha, wait..(I went to that maligai kadai and bought one krackjack buiscuit packet for change)

Autokaran won the final round as well. I spent 90 rupees which was exactly the same amount he asked for.

To counter these autokarans, there is a technique. I will quote another tiny incident that happened in OMR. I took an auto to go to Madhya Kailash. He charged me 100 rupees. Another IT guy got a lift from CTS. I didnt accept but the autokaran let him in. After the IT guy got down at Tidel Park (after seeing his girlfriend in CTS), he gave that beautiful 5 rupee coin to our Autokaran (thniking it's a Share Auto). Autokaran signaled 50 rupees. That guy started shouting in urdu or something like Bahamese - "oklahama siniko pathe chaliro omaga seeya tho paanch rupya hena??"

Autokaran showed him a big salute!!! Aana namma kitta ----"Noooorrruva aagum saar!!!"

In chennai, there are always two problems

1. Heat

2. Autokaran

Which takes the first place --- you can always decide!!!