Music Review: Tamizh Padam 2

Album:Tamizh Padam 2
Composer: N Kannan
Review: When CS Amudhan and Kannan teamed up for Tamizh Padam in 2010, they came up with a brilliantly gibberish song, O Maha Zeeya, by picking up popular Kollywood lyrics that had no meanings. And that was just the beginning. Eight years hence, the duo has returned with Tamizh Padam 2. While the audience is loving how the director has taken on all films in the industry for this parody, we can't help but marvel at how subtly the team has included satire in the songs as well.
The first song in the album is Evada Unna Petha, a song for ‘clear soup girls’. A take on songs like Evan Di Unna Pethan, Kadhal En Kadhal (especially the Adi da avala bit) and the likes, it has been penned by Amudhan and Chandru. Ranina Reddy has sung it like a pro, and she even tastefully pulls off the vikkal bit that’s become an identifying factor of any bar/soup boy song. While the use of nadaswaram is pronounced, the subtle use of bass and acoustic guitar makes this a spirited number.
The next one has us both chuckling and shaking our head in disbelief. There’s satire written all over the song right from the word go — the beginning chorus, Tsunamiyin binaamiyae, is a fine example. From the state of the state to how celebrities behave in the face of an issue, the lyricists have taken on everything, and singers Mark and Kumaresan get the right ‘feel’ while rendering these words. — which is laudable, as else, the pun may fall flat. A rap-like song, the instrumentation is guitar-heavy, but it just all adds up.
Vaa Vaa Kaama is a completely sensuous — not raunchy, mind you — track that has been sung by Ujjayinee. It’s slow, intense, and also has a hint of melody. The arrangements — especially the dilruba, flute and harmonica bit — take you back in time to the 80s and early 90s. A huge shout-out to Thiyaru for the racy lyrics.
The first romantic track in the album, Kalavarame, is a lovely Carnatic-influenced melody and has Chinmayi and Pradeep at its helm. And man, do they do justice to the tune! From the way they fast-pronounce kalavaram and have us wondering what the lyrics are to finally taking us on a soulful journey is commendable. While on the subject of lyrics, it’s worth mentioning that cheeky Madhan Karky has also used popular verses like Manidhar unandhu kola manidha kadhal alla and vinnaithaandi chella urave varuvaya in the number. The veena interlude, interspersed by some lovely acoustics, makes this one a pleasant hear.
En Nadanam starts as a heavy Carnatic number, and on the face of it, sounds like a face-off song between two people. Sharreth and Vijay Prakash have gone all out to make this one sound intense, and traditional instruments like tabla, pakhwaj, flute and nadaswaram make it impressive.
A little over two minutes long, Chella Penney is a romantic duet that’s also kind of haiku in nature. Sung by Jithin and Sowmya, the highlight of this piece is the guitar riff. Manasi Mahadevan’s Ulagam Athira Vaada is an orchestral piece and a quintessential mass song. Phoenix Paravai is set in the tone of a devotional number, acoustics et al, and singer Srinisha convinces that if the number hadn’t featured in a film’s soundtrack, it could very well pass off for one! The last number in the nine-song album, Aatharamaanai, is a slow-moving melancholic piece, which stands out because of Thilaka’s rendition and the cello in the background.
Like we said before, this album might lack rhythm in some places, but punches and spoof are aplenty.