After the grand success in their earlier ventures Kili Petchu Ketkava and Kadhaluku Mariyadhai, the successful duo of music composer Ilayaraja and director Fazil team up again for Oru Naal Oru Kanavu.
The movie has six numbers with majority of them being soft and melodious.
Sonu Nigam, who is becoming something of Ilayaraja's favorite, has rendered three numbers.
Fazil, who has a good ear for music, has got the best of Ilayaraja. But for a couple of numbers which reminds us of Ilayaraja in the 80's, the album has fresh music which is sure to attract audio-buffs.
1) Khajiraho (Hariharan, Shreya Ghosal)
Like sachin and Sehwag launching the Indian innings on a good track, this song provides a fresh start to this album. Hariharan and Shreay Ghosal melodious in their own right. And here Ilayaraja gets more out of it from them. The orchestration pattern is uniquely Ilayaraja's. In high pitch, the duo almost reach for the skies.
Enna Paatu Vendum (Sonu Nigam)
Sonu Nigam, the Bollywood pop badshah, has become Ilayaraja's favorite. He came good in Mumbai Xpress. And he comes good here again. This is a peppy number with a heavy beat following the song all through. And Sonu's voice adds an extra life to the rhythms.
3) Kaatril Varum Geetham (Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Bhavatharini, Ilayaraja, Sadhana Sargam)
An entire roster of names is there. And if you think it is going to be raucous number, then you are mistaken. It is full of delicate lilt and the singers, the whole caboodle of them, rise up to the occasion. Though on established lines of Ilayaraja, the song just grows on you through its amazing grace and softness. A real treat!
4) Elamaikku (Sonu Nigam)
This song instantly reminds one of the numbers of vintage Ilayaraja of the 80s. The western elements in the number are cool and comforting. Sonu begins slowly, but quickly warms up, and gathers steam towards the end.
5) Konjam Thira (Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghosal)
A soft melodious number with Sonu Nigam in fine fettle. With no huge instrumentation, simple harmony and orchestration add grace to the song. Shreya is an able foil to Sonu. Like cool breeze on a sticky afternoon, the song has a soothing effect on you.
6) Ponnikitae Mappillae (Tippu, Manjusri)
It has become the order of the day to accommodate at least one peppy number in an album. Keeping in tune with the times, Ilayaraja has come out with one that is lively and set in a rural rustic beat. However having heard before many of Ilayaraja's rural songs, this is no patch on them. Yet, it has to be said that on its own, the song is attractive.
7) Kaatril Varum Geetham (Bhavatharini, Shreya Ghoshal)
A perfect classical number with Shreya Ghosal at her best. It's a brief number where Bhavatharini too accompanies Shreya Ghoshal. Just about the best way to round off a classical effort.