When it is Thaman, expect a lot of exuberance in the air. As if to match the title's theme, he dishes out a rumbustious music. If that is a qualification, the rumbustiousness of Rabhasa is not in many colours. Thaman induces a deja vu feeling in two songs, while the others live up to his image.
The choice of lyricists ranges from the profound Ramajogayya Sastry and Ananth Sriram to the prolific Srimani. The singers give a good output, with Suchit Suresan's voice leading the pack.
Maar Salaam
Artist: Succhit Suresan
Lyricist: Ramajogayya Sastry
Ramajogayya Sastry ushers in with lyrics laced with patriotic fervour, along with writing themes that go with good-hearted superstars. Thaman imbues the song with his trademark bombastic style, giving the director the canvas required to unfurl NTR"s heroism in a lavish way. Succhit Suresan's distinct voice is a welcome change, we having heard so much of everyone else. From the lyrics to the instrumentation to the vocals, the song simply entertains.
Rakasi Rakasi
Artist: NTR
Lyricist: Srimani
Srimani's lyrics remind one of Devi Sri Prasad's 'Pilla' number from Gabbar Singh. The similarity is not there all over, as the song acquires its own theme as it proceeds. They speak of what his life would have been like if that special one was not there, in a funny, playful and casual manner. NTR surprises with his professional rendition. He easily mutates into a good singer for this song. Surely something for his fans to savour for good time to come. Except at a few places, one doesn't feel that it's NTR"s voice. As for Thaman's music, he gives an electrifying number with perfect instrumentation.
Garam Garam Chilaka
Artists: Sri Krishna, Deepu, Bindu, and Parnika
Lyricist: Srimani
One identifies that the song has a smattering of a popular number from Thaman's Brindavanam. That the song in question, too, starred NTR gives some consolation. The lyrics are entertaining because they are not only appealing to the masses with their double entendre, but also catchy as the music doesn't over-dominate. Sri Krishna's vocals are tailor made for NTR's image for this song. As for the female voices, they match up to the electrifying nature of the number.
Hawa Hawa
Artists: Karthik, Megha
Lyricist: Ananth Sriram
So when it is NTR, even a romantic number has to have lines that glorify his traits to accomplish the impossible. Ananth Sriram pens a soothing romantic song that has an energetic feel. Thaman experiments by adopting a remix-style flavour for this otherwise regular number. Karthik's mature voice doesn't need any intro.. He, along with Megha, make the song melodious.
Dam Damare
Artists: Simha, Sooraj Santosh, Nivas, Deepthi Madhuri
Lyricist: Srimani
It's time, again, for the entire khandan, even splinter groups if any maybe, to cast away their differences to jive together for this Sankranthi (or Bonalu for a change). Thaman marshals his Brindavanam repertoire to dish out a routine-sounding number with no thrills whatsoever. A disappointing number as it has nothing that is unheard of from him or Mani Sharma or someone else in the past. Srimani produces apt lyrics that reflect the situations of the story. The singers are good enough to capture our attention.
With NTR singing a number for this album, Rabasa is surely going to be a special one for his fans. The lyrics give an indication of the kind of story we may be in for.