2018's Best Songs

The year may not have produced enough number of good movies, but there definitely were soulful songs. A couple of movies had superb songs throughout, while others offered one good song each. IndiaGlitz reviews the best songs of the year, telling you why we loved it, and the contribution of singers and lyricists.

Rangamma Mangamma ('Rangasthalam')

Powered by Chandrabose and MM Manasi, this song shows the lyricist's buoyant imagination. The 'Hushammaas' and 'Uffammaas' in the song remind us of the language of children. Manasi is brilliant, with her striking voice almost ringing in memories of Silk Smitha's item songs. Devi Sri Prasad gives his best.

Inkem Inkem ('Geetha Govindam')

The classical touch is there for everyone to see. 'Inkem Inkem' is conceived as the lover boy's expression of mirth when the girl becomes his, but the 'raga' is more than exalting for the mood. Ananth Sriram pens lyrics that are a cross between cerebral and everyday language. If there are not-so-regular words, there are also terms like Lava that are routine. Sid Sriram's voice comes with a tinge of the offbeat. Music director Gopi Sundar's outstanding composition, this!

Yentha Sakkagunnave ('Rangasthalam')

When Chandrabose is around, poetic thoughts find their best 'Rangasthalam'. He pens such splendid lines as this one: 'Kadava nuvvu nadumuna betti, katta meeda nadisottha unte, sandran nee sankekkinattu yentha sakkagunnave'. If this doesn't succeed in wooing a girl, nothing else can. 'Adivi neeku godugattinattu' is another brilliant phrase that almost conjures up the image of pristine beauty. Devi Sri Prasad croons the number with a sense of the period. He makes it a point to keep the sound simple. The Rock Star's guitar segues its way into our heart.

Title song ('Rangasthalam')

Blending the lyrics with rustic sounds, DSP here conjures up a terrific number. Drawing from the Epics and their tropes, Chandrabose pens a profound title track. Rahul Sipligunj renders the number with such gusto that only Ram Charan's dance moves can match it.

Vachadayyo Saami ('Bharat Ane Nenu')

Ramajogayya Sastry's lyrics go beyond run-of-the-mill phrases. 'Matti godalu chebutaayi, Seema manushula kashtalu' take the cake. The theme of saving the poverty-stricken village ('Aa kanna thalli kanti neeru thudichina rojegaa') is also conveyed in heartfelt language. Rendered to a booming effect by Kailash Kher and Divya Kumar (their voices are playful yet they induce earnestness in the listener), the song has Devi Sri Prasad noticeably getting into a 'Vandemataram' Srinivas mode.

Peniviti ('Aravindha Sametha')

The lyrics are stuffed with strong meaning. 'Naa talaraatalo kalatalu raayku' takes the cake. The alliterative 'Taalibottu talusukoni tarali tarali raara penimitee' is a superb line. Thaman's sound is deliberately mellowed. Yet, it's intense. This one is a mood-based song and is difficult to be appreciated in its entirety outside the context of the movie. Kaala Bhairava's voice has the earnestness of a Kailash Kher when it comes to evoking pity as well as inspiring faith.

Dhaari Choodu ('Krishnarjuna Yuddham')

Hiphop Tamizha's rustic fervour is superb. Penchal Das pens and renders 'Dhaari Choodu' to reflect the slang and environs of a particular region. Situationally, it's that moment when everybody around the male lead jives in rhapsody because one of their men has successfully wooed a girl, a rich girl at that! Right from his shirt to 'chilaka' nose, they celebrate him on the occasion.

Mandaara ('Bhaagamathie')

Sreejo's lyrics bring out the thinking of the lover girl in a vividly poetic language. Her blithesome following of her lover's shadow and the sense of wonderment at an unanswered question are profound. 'Oopiri kooda uliki padela' takes the cake for its sheer depth.Who better than the redoubtable Shreya Ghoshal to render such an unalloyed melody? With her soulful rendition, the talented singer brings the lyrics to life. SS Thaman employs Veena (by Rajesh Vaidhya) and Nadaswaram (by Tirumoorthi), among others, to enrich the number.

Vaaru Veeru ('DevaDas')

The retro-sounding song, at one level, is a rip-off of Mani Sharma's own '90s-era music. Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry's lyrics come with a dash of naughtiness. We think there is more to it than meets the eye in the phrase 'Padipodaa purusha janma'. If Anurag Kulkarni's voice fits the 'retro' bill, Anjana Sowmya's voice is reminiscent of the Kavitha Krishnamoorthy of the 1990s.

O Cheli Taara ('Sammohanam')

Music director Vivek Sagar gives a soulful music for the album, particularly this number. Lyricist Ramajogayya Sastry gets the best out of his pen, while Haricharan complements the sublime effect churned by the lyricist-musician duo.

Choosi Choodangane ('Chalo')

Mahati Swara Sagar's best song so far, this one has organic lyrics. Rendered by Anurag Kulkarni and Sagar, the number has fine lines from the senior song writer Bhaskarabhatla.

Egiregire ('Shailaja Reddy Alludu')

After 'Inkem Inkem' earlier in the year, the Sid Sriram-Gopi Sunder duo deliver a cool number. Singer Lipsika's interludes help. Krishna Kanth's lines are creative and poetic.

Anaganaga ('Goodachari')

Music director Sricharan Pakala gives a thorough output that is both stylized and thriller-like. The crests and troughs are in keeping with the mood of the film, it seems. Ambika Sashittal's voice is slightly offbeat. Her voice essentially brings out the love experienced by the female lead. Ramesh Yadma's lyrics are impressive, couched as the lines are in a symbolic language.

'Mahanati' album

Mickey J Meyer's one of the best albums of his career, this one has a very stylized title track rendered by Anurag Kulkarni. 'Mooga Manasulu', written by Sirivennela Sitaramasastry and rendered by Shreya Ghosal and Anurag,gives a high. Sunitha-rendered 'Chivaraku Migiledi' and Charulatha Mani's 'Sada Nannu' come next.

Modalaudam ('Srinivasa Kalyanam')

The song is elevated by Sunitha's familiar vocals. The melodiousness of her voice is complemented by Anurag Kulkarni's work. Ramajogayya Sastry's lyrics bring out the thinking of those solidly in love, tracking the promises of the lovers in good Telugu.

Naalo Chilipi Kala ('Lover')

Sai Kartheek doles out a catchy tune without going for unnecessary paraphernalia. The deployment of simple instrumentation does the trick. Yazin Nizar's vocals are striking vis-a-vis the understated the music. Sri Mani's lyrics are soulful, especially the first 'charanam'.

Aagi Aagi ('Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi')

The leisurely melody comes with a Rehmanesque hangover for sure. Anurag Kulkarni's soothing vocals have a match in Manisha Eerabathini's. Unlike in most other songs of the album, the lyrics of this melody are easily decipherable. Krishna Kanth's meaning-laden lyrics match the musical complexity of the number.

The year may not have produced enough number of good movies, but there definitely were soulful songs.