OK Kanmani Songs Review

Cast: Dulquer Salman, Nithya Menen

Music: AR Rahman

Direction: Maniratnam

Lyrics: AR Rahman, Vairamuthu, Maniratnam, Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam

Label: Sony Music 

• Kaara Aattakkaara; Singers: Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam, Darshana, Shashaa Tirupati – The song’s entry gives so much high for few seconds leaving you gleefully frantic about the proceedings. And then comes the signature scale switch that only Rahman can master effortlessly. Aaryan’s rap portions and the electro-drums fusion in the interludes are employed marvellously by Rahman. The deliberate lines and the gaming sounds infused in the track indicate that Dulquer could be an avid gamer in the film unless and until the game meant in the song is something different 😉 Our PICK!
• Aye Sinamika; Singer: Karthik – The lovely guitar riffs and  the spotless delivery of Karthik make Aye Sinamika a breezy and blissful listen. If the lyrics are anything to go by, this could appear at the juncture where the relationship between Dulquer and Nithya gradually evolves
• Parandhu Sella Vaa; Singers: Karthik, Shashaa Tirupati – What a vocal powerhouse Shashaa Tirupati is. She owns this track with brilliant support from Karthik. The song’s mood and atmosphere are seemingly captured in Vairamuthu’s verses and Shashaa’s soft, jaunty crooning. Quite reminiscent of Thazhuvudhu from Anbe Aaruyire where Rahman drugged us with the top notch vocal harmonies of SPB and Shreya Goshal. Paranthu Sella Vaa, without doubt, is our PICK. Insanely addictive is the word!
• Mental Manadhil (Male); Singers: AR Rahman, Jonita Gandhi – With youthful lyrics and a foot-tapping tune, ARR spills ebullience right from the word go with his spirited rendition. Lively and enjoyable listen this. PS: The lyrics are penned by ARR and Mani Ratnam
• Naane Varugiraen; Singers: Shashaa Tirupati, Sathya Prakash – A classical-heavy piece and Shashaa gets behind the mic for the third time in the album to produce an achingly beautiful track. May not be wholly accessible, but the arrangement of sounds is so endearing. Looks like this one will *grow* slowly. Sathya Prakash shines with his maiden Rahman track midway through the song with the crescendo-esque pitch that’s he’s popular for!
• Theera Ula; Singers: AR Rahman, Darshana, Nikita Gandhi – The subdued singing of Rahman and the familiar orchestration grandeur he is known for make Theera Ula sound freaking gorgeous and remarkably enchanting. Darshana and Nikita Gandhi compliment Rahman superbly with their alluring vocals. “பிரிவொன்று நேருமென்று தெரியும் பெண்ணே என் பிரியத்தை அதனால் குறைக்க மாட்டேன்”. Do these lines sound familiar? Vairamuthu has reused these lines (Meghangal Ennai Thottu from Amarkalam) here with a slight modification – “பிரிவொன்று நேருமென்று தெரியும் *கண்ணா* என் பிரியத்தை அதனால் குறைக்க மாட்டேன்”. Our PICK!
• Mental Manadhil (Female); Singer: Jonita Gandhi – Boy, Jonita Gandhi completely outperforms Rahman’s version with her sparkling rendition. Rahman’s sweet confection of strings and keys is another highlight. Our PICK!
• Malargal Kaettaen; Singers: Chitra, AR Rahman – That joy of listening to Chitra in an AR Rahman album is priceless and to top it all, she sprinkles her magical vocals in this track flawlessly. Definitely not the best of the duo, but they manage to leave a good impact. The table-flute fusion in the interlude is spellbinding!
• Maula Wa Sallim; Singer: AR Ameen – It may not be the best Qawwali composed by ARR on the lines of Piya Haji Ali, Zikr or Kun Faaya Kun, but we have got something to boast of in Tamil. Maula Wa Sallim makes for a fairly good listen in Ameen’s chirpy rendition!

OK Kanmani Songs Review Rating:  4/5

Written by Surendhar MK

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