Music director Vidysagar has been on a red-hot winning streak in the last two years or so. It all started with Run or thereabouts. And after that he has not looked back, churning out hits after hit. It was as if he was making up for the time he had spent in wilderness. His latest is Sadhurangam, a Srikanth-starrer and he has not let music buffs down.
Interestingly, Vidyasagar, who has a penchant for soft numbers (remember Malare Mounama in Karna and Parthiban Kanavu?), has been forced to give mass numbers that will appeal to the front-benchers too.
Dhool, Ghilli and Madurey are good examples of that. But he still manages to leave his own stamp ---Dil, for which he won a State award, is a good example of that.
For Sadhurangam, the movie starring Srikanth and Sonia Agarwal and directed by Karu Palaniappan, he seems to be back in his elements. Karu Palaniappan, it may be recalled, got the best out of him in Parthiban Kanavu.
One of the main highlights of the album is poet Bharathiyar's Aaduvomae Pallu Paduvomae song, rendered by the sharp-toned Manickam Vinayakam. The song is supposed to have inspired the film's theme. And naturally it is racy and catchy. Manickam Vinayagam gives it a throaty inflexion and adds lot of vibrancy to it.
While the Vizhiyum Vizhiyum sung by Harini and newcomer Bonny, the first number in the audio album, start things off on a pacy note. But Harini, you understand, is capable of better things. She is good. But she is also subdued.
Ambulimama sung by KK and Sujatha is an enjoyable duet as the two singers mix seamlessly. The duo show good command over the essential craft and the result is a good number.
Engae Engae rendered by the popular Karthik and Timmy is nice and straight. The two singers don't experiment much as they stick to their basic and churn out a song which is good, but could have also been better if they had chosen to innovate and improvise.
Ennai Thanthiduvaen is a melodious one, sung by Karthik, Charan and Srilekha Parthasarathy. The orchestration is soothing while Karthik redeems himself quickly. Charan and Srilekha too look to be in their elements.
The lyrics are by Arivumathi, Pa Vijay and Yuga Bharathy are good without being extraordinary.
On the whole, the album is a good offering for lovers of film music, a mix of racy and melodious numbers. Vidyasagar's ability to provide that varied amalgam seems to have worked out again.