Ramayya Vasthavayya Music Review

Ramayya Vasthavayya does sound a very auspicious title.  In keeping with the tradition of Dil Raju and the first outing of Raju with NTR, Brindavanam, this audio thoroughly lives up to the expectations.

A range of talent dish out the best.  The album is perfect in that Ranjith mesmerises as much as Shankar Mahadevan does.  And Sri Mani is as good as Bhaskarabhatla.

Jabilli Nuvvecheppamma    Listen here

Artist(s): Ranjith
Lyricist: Anantha Sriram

This melodious number is eminently soothing on the ears.  While keeping with SS Thaman's excellent craft of instrumentation, this solo song is uncharacteristically non-boisterous.  Full marks go to Ranjith's energetic and familiar vocals.  Ananth Sriram shows that he has a unique lyrical sense when it comes to penning songs for situations of this kind.  It surely is not pathbreaking, but a must listen.

Pandaga Chesko    Listen here

Artist(s): KK
Lyricist: Sri Mani

Looks like Harish Shankar told his lyricist and music director to give him an intro song that is a cross between that meant for NTR and Siddharth.  If Srimani's lyrics are written on the template provided earlier by the likes of Chandrabose, Thaman's music is unsettlingly less electrifying for an NTR song.  Maybe, Pandaga Chesko fits well with the mood and tempo of the film; some numbers reveal themselves fully only when watched with the film's flow.  This song belongs to that category.  Superb instrumentation and tuning by Thaman.

O Lailaa    Listen here

Artists: Rahul and Chorus
Lyricist: Bhasakarabhatla Ravikumar

As Rahul croons 'O Lailaa.. Oo lalaa', it is difficult not to be reminded of a popular Bollywood number.  Nevertheless, it proves to be a good initial kick.  Bhaskarabhatla's lyrics are inventive in that they coalesce the lingo of a mass hero and that of a class hero quite convincingly.  Rahul simply dominates even the music and the lyrics; he sings with aplomb.  This Thaman song has that mass and rom-commy ring at once.

Neneppudaina    Listen here

Artists: Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Sahithi

This one is so intense a song that it reminds us of all the pre-climax songs from Dil Raju's earlier films.  Shankar Mahadevan makes a stunning melodious comeback, so to speak.  Shreya Ghoshal is at her usual best.  Sahithi's lyrics give a mirror to the inner turbulence experienced by the characters.

Kurrayeedu    Listen here

Artists: Shankar Mahadevan, Suchithra
Lyricist: Sri Mani

The song easily complements the intro song.  All (or most) films aimed to win the hearts of the mass audience have this kind of a number.  Shankar Mahadevan's peppy vocals are a reminder of his Murari days energy.  Suchitra has always been a pro when it comes to singing numbers of this kind.  This song is proof that Siddharth was not wrong in calling Sri Mani "Sri Many".

Idhi Ranarangam    Listen here

Artists: Ranjith, Rahul
Lyricist: Srimani

The trick that always works for an instinctive musician like Thaman, works here as well.  Thaman is not a Keeravani or DSP, his forte is raising the tempo to another level with his instrumentation.  Idhi Ranarangam is yet another song which keeps with his style.  Sri Mani's lyrics are just about ok.  It is Ranjith and Rahul who take the song to another level.