As the whole world knows ARR's songs peak after u keep on listening for about 1 
to 2 weeks. So i wud like to ask the so called large mouthed critics under the 
guise of fans to read this review frm Indiaglitz and to shut-up for another 
week until the whole world gets wrapped in magic.
   
  Azhagiya Tamil Magan Music Review 
 
Azhagiya Tamil Magan - Any time music  
IndiaGlitz  [Tuesday, October 23, 2007]  
Among the combinations in Kollywood, Vijay-A R Rahman is rather intriguing as 
the idioms that define the duo are totally different, and twain looked unlikely 
to meet. To be sure, Rahman had indeed scored music for a Vijay starrer 
previously. That was the unsung Udaya, a film that was laid low by many 
problems. Except the eponymous title track (and was certainly beguilingly 
brilliant), none of the numbers hardly had anything to redeem or remember. 
Vijay, in the meanwhile, had become the commercial star and this kind of films 
demanded ‘a’ kind of music, which if it came from Rahman would be 
disappointing. Rahman’s musical methods are believed to suit a different canvas.
  So before settling down to listen to the Azhagiya Tamil Magan songs, the 
feeling was rather mixed, and the belief was that something, or rather someone, 
had to give. But after a single listen, we are happy to report that Rahman has 
packaged Vijay’s musical needs in a different flavor. But one that doubtless 
will have the Ilaya Thalapathi’s fans dancing in the aisles with gusto. 
Rahman’s genius lies here in the fact that he has not compromised his core 
constituency.
  The six numbers, including a remixed one, carry that unique Rahman stamp ---- 
rhythmic razzmatazz, quaint harmonies and experimental interludes all creating 
a symphonic sounds cape.
  1 Ella Puzhal
  The title track in a mass Tamil movie is microcosmic to the overall genre. It 
has to have elevating lyrics. It has to have simple but catchy beats. It has to 
set the tempo for the scrip to feed on. But Rahman here bucks the trend. He 
provides all the necessary rhythms. He has, in a sense, redefined the ‘intro 
song with a tempo that is reflective without being ponderous. Rahman’s own 
vocals — in typical nasal high-pitched twang ---- provide a further newness. 
The beats are not all-out or in-your-face, but carry forward Vaali’s 
undoubtedly exalting and ennobling ideas in attractive packets of snappy strums 
and bewitching beats. It is not impossible to imagine what the reaction of 
Vijay’s countless fans whenever the word ‘thalapathi’ is uttered in the lyric.
  2 Pon Magal Vandhal
  Rahman, among the music directors, had steadfastly avoided the abhorrence of 
remixes. The one time he had to attempt that, Rahman did the honorable thing of 
re-tuning it (Thottal Poo Malarum in New), rather than add some high-octane 
rhythms to the original and preen to the world as if it is indeed a ‘new 
original’, so to speak. But here settles for the straight forward remix; the 
only liberty he takes here is a bizarre rap interlude. Aslam has sung with his 
all his energy, and Embar’s rap bit also works. But remixes are not Rahman’s.
  3) Nee Marilyn Monroe
  This is Boys song meeting Anniyan. Both in terms of the musical trope as well 
in terms of drift of the language. Full of city youth’s Esperanto, the words of 
Na Muthukumar (almost in bilingual with liberal use of ‘Party’, ‘Saturday 
night’,’ scanning’) will have the dancing feet tapping incessantly. Benny 
Dayaland Ujjaini sings with that stylized lilt that such songs are expected to 
sound. The chorus pattern is interesting and provides a defining staccato feel. 
The way ‘Nee Marilyn Monroe’ is enunciated is certainly very alluring and 
provides all the right impact for the song.
  4)Valaiyapatti 
  Imagine a rambunctious Tamil folk madly cohabiting. And now, as if for a 
lark, throw a bit Carnatic nuggets. What do you get? A song that defies 
imagination. It takes musical effrontery to conjure such mix n’ match song. 
Rahman’s brilliance is in pulling this amazing number, on which explanatory 
words are ineffective. Naresh Iyer, like a stone waller is being asked to play 
the pinch-hitting role in cricket, has been asked to let his curly hair down 
and sing with uninhibited effulgence. Naresh does and provides the song the 
perfect patchwork. The twist into the by-lanes of Carnatic ragas (like 
Bageshwari, Saraswathi and Neelambari) is sheer genius. Ujjaini and 
Madhumitha’s voices climb the higher octaves with felicitous zeal while 
Muthukumar’s lyrics again match the mood. One for the album of mind!
  5) Kelammal Kayile
  Saindhavi sounds from just the upper part of the throat. It is a style that 
is fraught with risks. But it works to all our amazement. Pray why? The curious 
musical arrangement of Rahman and the male vocal of Sriram Parthasarathy, 
perhaps the most talented and bankable of young singers around. The pattern of 
the number is difficult to grapple immediately. But as ever, it takes hold of 
you slowly and before long you are captivated and traveling inside those lovely 
musical loops that every Rahman experience gives us. Thamarai’s words carry 
that love emotion quite effortlessly.
  6) Maduraikku Pogathadee
  Does a mass rhythm song have to be gross and cheesy, and sound soulless? Need 
not be. Rahman shows how. This is a folksy number that combines the resonance 
of Goanese beats, but is full of robust energy and rhythms that immediately 
transports the listeners to, say, rural Madurai. The singers Benny Dayal, 
Archith and Darsana voice Pa Vijay’s inspired words with an élan and ease that 
come to those who want to prove a point. The natural drift into the rural 
symphony is a stroke of musical genius.
  And Rahman is certainly one.
   
 


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