S P Balasubramaniam is the Sunil Gavaskar of Indian music. But just like in cricket where we are obsessed with the likes of Sachin and Dravid, we tend to get carried away by the likes of Shankar Mahadevan or Hariharan in music too.
But SPB is as solid as ever. You listen to this audio where he has sung five out of the six songs, you understand the enormous value and talent of the man.
He is helped by a music director, Mani Sharma, who has given full play to his talent in numbers that are very different from what you hear day in and day out. More than anything else, Mani Sharma has avoided playing to the gallery.
1) Agadalu Pagadalu
The song is an intriguing one as it does not easily fall into a pattern. In fact, it runs a baffling gamut of genres. Punjabi, pop, mass, folk --- you name it everything is there. It looks like a antakshari song with tunes from every popular song. In the event, it is like eating a buffet without any particular flavor. There is no good aftertaste. S P Balasubramaniam and Kalpana's voices are good.
2) Grahanam Pattani
S P Balasubramaniam starts on a high-pitched mantra. It continues in the same vein. There is also a small swara pattern in this small piece. The orchestration for this number is also surprising. Perhaps this is more a situation song as there is a bit of dialogue involved. Balu's voice is as ever young and he involves himself in his usual lively gimmicks.
3) Maa Muddu Radhamma
The song, loosely based on Saranga and Nalinakanthi Ragas, takes off promisingly. The orchestration patterns are particularly interesting and inspiring in places. S P Balasubramaniam and Sunitha (in a new kind of song for her) combine with purpose and poise. But somewhere down the line, the song also picks up steam as it changes its raga.
4) Nee Vaalu Jada
S P Balasubramaniam is never off his best. And he is not in this number. He delivers the goods in his own inevitable style. Sunitha gives him company (in the initial phases) admirably. The song has a folksy feel and its essential lilt is highlighted in SPB's voice.
5) Sathamanam Bhavati
The number starts with a mantra and a haunting nadaswaram piece. The tune is simple and slightly old-fashioned. Perhaps that is the charm of it all as the song is about a man and woman settling down in marital bliss. SPB and Chitra are just perfect. What's new to talk about their voices. Once gain, the instrumentation is very different. The pace of the tune is also varied.
6) Tholi Kodi Koosindhi
Chitra has a honeyed-dipped voice. It gets more depth in soft and slow tunes. This song is one. The minimal instrumentation and the violin ensemble add more appeal to the number. Muralidhar's folksy bit is also good.
Mani Sharma has stayed away from the beaten track. You may or may not like the numbers. But you have to give full marks to Mani Sharma for trying and not taking the easy way out.