Kamal films always have the character of good songs in them. From his very first film Mizhineerpookkal, he was a director who cared for good music and gave patronage for breeding good musicians like Ouseppachan, Ravindran, Vidyasagar, Alphonse and Mohan Sithaara. The very exampe of his interest in good music is that his 13 films fetched accolades and awards in various levels for good music and good song. Films from Unnikale Oru katha Parayam to Meghamalhaar and Raapakal has repeated this feat, to mention some. And now, his latest Karutha Pakshikal even though has a few songs, also stands up to this tradition.
1. Venmukiletho... The first song in the album is a slow number sung by veteran singer Jayachandran repeated again in the vocals of Sheela Mani. It is the best lyrical quality of the poetic versus coming out of Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma though the music carries a feel of traditionalist composition. Here credit goes to Mohan Sithaara for making an album completely in sync with the feel and mood of the film that tells the story of slum dwellers.The song has an soft flavor with light beats and lighter settings making as the prominent instruments.Music is bare minimum and it's the lyrics and rendition that is of more prominence here. But the letdown of the song is that both the singers couldn't bring in the needed flow, demanded by the song. Jayachandran, just made it feel like he is giving more importance to stress the syllables than to add the necessary feel to a otherwise free flowing song. The best of the both, I feel is the rendition by Sheela Mani.
2. Mazhayil... This is the gem of a song, which comes in succession with flawless music, giving you the notion that this album is nothing less than a masterpiece, even with this single song. It starts with a classical base that keeps you wondering the range and depth of voice of Manjary. The lyrics are like Jewels, embellishing the music. This is the only song of the album whose dreamy rendition, transforms you to a different world altogether. This will be a sure shot hit song every Malayalee will enjoy and I surmise, you will definitely appreciate the singer for her effortless rendering of a gleaming track. The singer and the musicians are sure to win a lot of applause and awards for the creation of this masterpiece.
Anyway, hats off to music director Mohan Sithara and Sarath Vayalar for composing tracks that are simply awesome. The songs of Karutha Pakshikal appear in a single CD with some good songs of Vsasthavam, set to music by Alexpaul.