A.R. Rahman
A.R. RahmanFacebook/ "Kaaviya Thalaivan"

The sound track of the upcoming Tamil film "Kaaviya Thalaivan" is released. The songs are composed by maestro A. R. Rahman and are reviewed as his best compositions.

The film has seven songs and are penned by Valee, Pa Vijay, Saint Arunagirinathar and Na Muthukumar. The songs are sung by Haricharan, Dr Narayanan, Shasha Tirupathi, Shwetha Mohan, Srinivas, Mukesh, Vani Jayaram and Bela Shinde.

"Kaaviya Thalivan" is a historical fiction film written and directed by Vasanthabalan, starring Siddharth, Prithviraj and Vedika in the lead roles. The story of the film revolves around lives of two theatre artists who lived in early 20th century and the competition that existed between them. The character played by Vedika is inspired by a stage artist and singer K. B. Sundarambal. The film is produced by Y Not Studios and Radiance Media Group.

Below is the review Round up of "Kaaviya Thaivan" Songs

"Alli Arjuna" Voices: Haricharan, Bela Shende Lyrics: Vaalee

"The song flows narrating the famous fable on Alli and Arjuna, presumambly staged by the troupe in the film. Welcoming the crowd of audience, the song first sings praise of Alli, the queen, her beauty and how Arjuna instantly falls for her. Just as the dramatic entry of the deity is savoured, there is a distinct change in the rythm, yet the transition sounds effortlessly seamless. What follows is a rendition in Bela in her dripping sweet voice. As the scene changes, so does the music flow accordingly – rough, pleading, soft, cold and firm. Instruments predominantly used in this song are table, kanjira, flute, strings of various frequencies and keys. However, orchestra towards the tail of the song, in combination with mridangam, is a stronghold of this track." – Indiaglitz

"A classic playground of Valle to showcase all his legerdemain in its full glory. Harichandran won't be getting another platform such as this once again in his career. Rahman as explored anything and everything possible in Harichandran's scope. Exceptional show indeed! Bela Shinde contributes her best too. This track is sure to be special experience both on and off screen." – Movie Crow

"Can a single track be 10 odd minutes long ? If Rahman composes, yes ! More like a Montage' song, this track is just like those street dramas of the black and white days. This powerhouse rendition from Haricharan, begins with A.R.Rahman's favourite Raag Desh leading to another of his favorite Raag Maand and eventually touches Shivaranjani and the great worlds of folkish Harikambhoji." - Behindwoods

"The thoroughly engaging dramatic take on the marriage between Alli and Arjuna, music in this case being a 10 and a half minute string of bit songs, all penned by late Vaalee and the singing divided between Haricharan and Bela Shende. I am no expert in Tamil but I could figure out the light-heartedness in Vaalee's lines from some of the rhymes. The tune and style understandably keeps varying with each bit." – Music Aloud

"Aye Mr. Minor!" Voices: Haricharan, Shashaa Tirpathi Lyrics: Pa Vijay

"Be it the tapping rythm of conga or the tingles of a xylophone, the song could get away as being one of those yesteryear classics; except only for the signature that it opens with, which is also equally a classic, but only for the most recent past. But Shashaa has the voice that the perfect place in both Indian classical and Jazz booka t the same times, and is the right choice for this song, while Haricharan is the highly asaptable singer that he always is. The prime importance in the sweet duet, that is aptly worded for the mood that it suggests, from the past, is garnered by the signature tunes throw in between stanzas. All in all, this one is a sweet number." – India Glitz

"This is the ARR OF Iruvar days giving us a superficially retro themed track to cherish for long. Haricharan and Shashaa Tirupati instantly take us to the required ambience settling quickly in to the scheme of affairs – in this context, warm and cherry." – Movie Crow

"This retro ballroom music is orchestrated to ooze out the love, romance and chemistry between the lead pair. The bongos and the string sessions give the much needed nostalgia. The bass lines go hand in hand with the little electronics to make the song groovy." – Behindwoods

"Haricharan is joined by Shasha Tirupati and this pair too excels at the vocals (shades ofmaand raaga in the tune). The retro arrangement is quite soft on the ear with a lot of nice sounds, especially the mandolin (Seenu); here and there you can sense ARR channelling Vennila Vennila (Iruvar)." – Music Aloud

"Sandi Kuthirai" Voice: Haricharan Lyrics: Pa Vijay

"This one again seems to be a dramatic song, but sounds more like a song with an underlying message, with however a horse considered as the subject of concern. The lyrics are comic, with supportive tones here and there, on a broadly jazz number with extensive use of congas, mouth organ, trumpet and xylophone. Further, this song is likely to be pictured as a staged comedy, as the laughter towards the end suggest. It is amazing how each note could carry a distinct word, and the song flows in a definite narrative sequence, in a seamless and breathless rendition by Haricharan. This one at four minutes is a light hearted number." – Indiaglitz

"The waltz of the contemporary milieu, Trippy music of that era, has been cloaked with supreme mixing to five us a peppy number to rave about in current times. The energy level peaks throughout and fades to close the curtains." – Movie Crow

"Making comical songs are a real challenge for a composer. The marimba, laughter effects, thisra gathi, congo beats, chorus singing, mouth organs and the rhyme scheme in the lyrics, package the song really tight. The didgeridoo in the beginning and the three part bass give an international feel for this MSV template. Lyrics are the real lifeline!" – Behindwoods

"Rahman seemingly doing a nod to MSV's rock n roll-based yesteryear style with some wacky inclusions of his own. And Haricharan matches the wackiness of the song with a frolicky rendition. Looking forward to seeing this one on screen" – Music Aloud

"Sollividu Sollividu" Voice: Mukesh Lyrics: Pa Vijay

"This song begins with the majestic thumps of drums and symphony of orchestra, and takes a shape in a methodically metered number in the wake of rendition in Mukesh's deep voice. Though the rhythm does not change all through the song, intonation in rendition changes from anager, angst and pleading. A song questing the war, is an expert from Mahabharath, as through sung by Arjuna to Krishna, on the purpose and results of the war that they jubilantly fight. While it began majestly, the song ends in a sharp contrast softened by only flute to back the mellowed down in the imploring rendition by Mukesh, in his versatile voice." – Indaglitz

"Mukesh takes on a tune that sparks the fire within oneself. The variation exhibited is something special. The pace conveys the changeover from anger and pain, to the eventual requirement for peace the song calls out to. The song is sure to get the listener as the tune settles down." – Movie Crow

"A rhythmic saga based on multiple track recording. Special mention to Mukesh for the emotions he successfully establishes in the singing. More of a situation based song, composed in a manner to gratify the visual narration." – Behindwoods

"Sollividu Sollividu seems to be quite situational by its lyrics (Pa. Muthukumar penning a conversation between Arjuna and Krishna in Kurukshetra) and arrangement that abruptly goes from a dark, frenzied mode to a slow lament (that second bit seemingly in charukesi raaga). Mukesh, the man who previously sang Theekkuruvi for ARR in Kangalal Kaidhusei, gets to sing this one and he pulls off the complex rendition with apparent ease." – Music Aloud

"Thiruppugazh" Voice: Vani Jayaram Lyrics: Saint Arunagirinathar

"Set to an enchanting tuned supported by gentle veena and mridangam, this track in Vani Jayaram's voice is a refreshingly divine revisit to the holy praise. Taking only a 2 –minute expert from the voluminous Thriruppugazh, this one is a perfect interjection of a prayer in a period – set album. Pit your hands together" – India Glitz

"A devotional track, with awe – inspiring layers. Vani Jayaram's tranquilising vocals are pure ecstasy to those looking for spirituality within such a musically rich album" - Movie Crow

"Rahman's creativity at its best. Imaginatively oscillating between Shivaranjani and Mohana raagam, the song brings back Vani Jayaram. Wish it was longer!" – Behindwoods

"Rahman keeps things simple and classical for the Thiruppugazh adaptation and lets Vani Jayaram take the lead, which she does beautifully." – Music Aloud

Vaanga Makka Vaanga Voices: Haricharan, Dr. Narayan Lyrics: Na Muthukumar

"This track has almost all elements of a typical Tamil kutchery, and the distinct scent of the most ancient, classical and beautiful language, making a light-hearted and enjoyable listening experience. Haricharan's and Dr. Narayan's blend very well in to the one another's seeming the song sound like rendition by a single confident and optimistically enthusiastic voice. Worded in charming yet casual and colloquial Tamil, pictured to be sung somewhere about the temple town of Madhurai, this one is an appealing number to the ears." – IndiaGlitz

"The song sets the mood for the album and gives a welcome to the period setting. The effortless orchestration is a pure brilliance" – Movie Crow

"Haricharan at his best, resonates the therukoothu feel with his carnatically inclined voice. The arrangements of mridangam, chimes and harmony singing is sure to elevate the scene, taking us to the actual period." – Behindwoods

"The joy of bilahari raaga and the percussion-heavy (thavil, mridangam and morsing mainly) arrangement from A R Rahman make Vaanga Makka Vaanga a fitting welcome song. Add to that the brilliantly nuanced singing by Haricharan and Dr. Narayan!" – Music Aloud

"Yaarumilla" Voices: Shwetha Mohan, Srinivas Lyrics: Pa Vijay

"Beginning in flute gently backed by jingles, the song opens in Shwetha's confident yet luscious voice. This is a live letter sung out in rhythm, followed by the description of adoration. Th track gradually gains strength in table and harmonium with melodious signature in refreshing notes on flute. From the feminine romantic solo, the song transitions through a gentle breezy orchestra of bass strings and flute, to the next section, where her fondness continues to fall in tandem with the rythm. Srinivas voice is in the scene only for a brief hum, that adds depth and grip to the otherwise solo number. The song swings and flows in sweetness and love to lilting and harmonious end." – Indiaglitz

"A seemingly slow melody on the out, but actually an effervescent number at the core, which is sure to pullu you in at the first listen. The quintessential love at first hera track which ispresent in every ARR album. Shwetha Mohan's dreamy rendition reaches ethereal quality when she goes "Adhu Oru Ekandha Kaalam" – Movie Crow

"The signature Rahman melody with Shwetha, is soulful to the core. A song which will definitely have its own set of repeat plays for the mellifluous feel. Unpredictable rhythm change is a Rahman genius again.The veenai in the interludes and the audible lyrics (unusual) make the tune timeless. Bagpiper, dhabla and flute ! Wow is the word!" – Behindwoods

"Yaarumilla starts off sounding a little like Jashn-e-Bahara, before taking its own route, dominated all the way byShweta Mohan with her singing (backed by Srinivas) andRaju on the clarinet." - Music Aloud