Songs and musician credits at the end. Since Mahanati and Nadigaiyar Thilagam’s songs differ only in lyrics and singers, I have reviewed both in one go, mentioning the respective titles in that order.
It is not hard to imagine Aagipo Balyama/Kutti Rani as belonging to a movie starring Mahanati/Nadigaiyar Thilagam’s subject Savitri, at least for top notch melody and arrangement that composer Mickey J Meyer has in place. My only grouse is the polished tone in the singers’ voices that dilutes the effect a bit – among Ramya Behara (Telugu singer) manages to convey the yesteryear feel a tad more convincingly than Nayana Nair does in the Tamil version – but a voice like Vaikom Vijayalakshmi’s (sample this) might have taken the song to another level. The lack of retro touch doesn’t seem as amiss in Mooga Manasulu/Mauna Mazhaiyilae, possibly due to its Western orchestral bent. Meyer’s melody is a simple one (seemingly based in mohanam raga) but a very effective one, delivered with finesse by Anurag Kulkarni and Shreya Ghoshal/Nayana Nair. Phani Narayana’s veena solo in the interlude is a lovely addition to the grand orchestral arrangement.
Phani Narayana’s veena finds more prominent use in Sada Nannu/Thandhaay, a delightful classical-flavoured composition (not sure of the raga, there seem to be shades of kambhoji in places) that the composer gets the brilliant Charulatha Mani to render in both languages. The atmospheric piece features splendid arrangement from the composer, especially in the interlude once again. The title song has an adequately anthemic arrangement – thanks largely to the rousing presence of horns by Sam Ewens – that manages to prop up a weak melody (the impact is particularly felt around the title refrain). Anurag Kulkarni sings the track in both versions. A variant of the title refrain makes a reappearance towards the end of Chivaraku Migiledi/Irudhiyil Enna Enjum, a more contemporary-sounding melancholic piece that quickly turns into a daunting listen owing to the overall familiarity and middling treatment. Good singing by Sunitha and Nayana Nair in the respective versions though.
Mahanati/Nadigaiyar Thilagam. I must confess I have not followed Mickey J Meyer’s work in a while so not sure of the kind of form he has been of late, but here he manages to create an impressive period soundtrack.
Music Aloud Rating: 3.5/5
Top Recos: Sada Nannu/Thandhaay, Aagipo Balyama/Kutti Rani, Mooga Manasulu/Mauna Mazhaiyile
Musician Credits
All songs recorded, programmed and arranged by: Mickey J Meyer
Rhythm Programming: Venkatesh Patvari
Veena: Phani Narayana
Flute: Ravi Shankar
Brass Section: Sam Ewens
Tabla and Dholki: Paul Raj
All songs recorded at: Inspire Studios, Hyderabad
Album mastered by: Darren Vermaas (New Jersey)
Album mixed by: Mickey J Meyer
Song: Mahanati
Music: Mickey J Mayer
Singer: Anurag Kulkarni
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Song: Aagipo Baalyama
Music: Mickey J Mayer
Singer: Ramya Behara
Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Song: Mooga Manasulu
Music: Mickey J Mayer
Singers: Shreya Ghoshal, Anurag Kulkarni
Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Song: Sada Nannu
Music: Mickey J Mayer
Singer: Charulatha Mani
Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Song: Chivaraku Migiledi
Music: Mickey J Mayer
Singer: Sunitha
Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Song: Mahanadi
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Singer: Anurag Kulkarni
Lyrics: Madhan Karky
Song: Kutti Rani
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Singer: Nayana Nair
Lyrics: Madhan Karky
Song: Mauna Mazhaiyilae
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Singers: Nayana Nair, Anurag Kulkarni
Lyrics: Madhan Karky
Song: Thandhaay
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Singer: Charulatha Mani
Lyrics: Madhan Karky
Song: Irudhiyil Enna Enjum
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Singer: Nayana Nair
Lyrics: Madhan Karky
