Lal Jose and Vidyasagar had been an awesome combination when it comes to Mollywood film music. Whenever they had been together, they created musical gems which are treasured by the music lovers. Starting from `Oru Maravathoor Kanavu' and `Chandranudikkunna Dikhil', `Randam Bhavam', `Meesha Madhavan', `Pattalam', `Rasikan' and `Chanthupottu' to the `Mulla' which came last year, all their movies carried some great songs which remained the chart toppers for long. And now they are once again together for Malayalam Cinema's first official remake in Malayalam-`Neelathamara', in the scripts of veteran M T Vasudevan Nair. The film has 3 conventional songs written by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma and 2 classical music pieces. As per the expectations, `Neelathamara' also remain as one of the best album that came out in the recent times.
1. Anuraga Vilochana Nayi - The album opens with this duet presented in the voices of Shreya Ghoshal and V Sreekumar. A beautiful melody with that typical Vidyasagar stamp all over it, the instrumentation is a little similar to the "Aasai Aasai" song of `Dhool'. The song is decorated with some playful lyrics by Vayalar Sarath which combines with the versatility of voices of Shreya Ghoshal, the 3 time National Award winner. Though a singer born in Rajasthan, it is a delight to hear her sing Malayalam so effortlessly. V Sreekumar who has a sound similar to Vijay Yesudas, also matches with the capabilities of Shreya to make this song a memorable affair.
2. Neelathamare - This song, soulfully rendered by Karthik is a beautiful melody, that is sure to be the topper in charts. With a wonderful opening instrumentals which sounds like a title piece, this instantly likable composition is graceful in lyrics too, and chorus parts which describes the female protagonist in enchanting words. The great orchestration from the master musician also qualifies this into a haunting melody.
3. Pakalonnu - Debut Malayalam songs of Balram and Vijay Prakash, who had been with Vidyasagar for his like `Kaattrin Mozhi' (Mozhi) and 'Poo Vaasam' (Anbe Sivam), the music is woven in ghazal mood with plenty of Hindustani interludes. This is a song that grows on you in every hearing session.
Apart from these songs, the album also carries two classical numbers- 'Entha Muddo' and `Needhaya Radha' in the voices of Cherthala Ranganatha Sharma. Both gives a look of situational tracks and will appeal to connoisseurs of classical tracks.
The CD also offers as a bonus certain good tracks of previous Lal Jose-Vidyasagar films, which is a reminder of their hegemony in Mollywood music.
And thus the king of melodies and the master director are once again back with some worthy songs that will make you like this `Neelathamara' for more than one reasons. Definitely prescribed for all, who love melodious, quality music.