Uthamaputhiran's music lacks originality

Pavithra Srinivasan reviews the music of the Tamil film Uthamaputhiran.

The remake rage is going strong, and here's yet another venture which owes its creation to the Telugu hit Ready. Uthamaputhiran (the name taken from the yesteryear Sivaji Ganesan classic) starring Dhanush and Genelia D'Souza is directed by Mithran Jawahar. Music is by Vijay Antony. Here's a listen:

Kan Irandil starts off a lot like Vizhamale Irukka Mudiyuma from Student No 1. You can barely recognise Naresh Iyer's voice as he takes up vocal reins to deliver a slightly aggressive performance. The bhangra-esque beat is steady, and there's quite a lot of cross-border influence in the way the songs wends its way through the charanam, especially the violin interlude. It's a reasonably pleasant number; nothing unexpected about it as it follows pretty much the mandatory romantic track.

Idicha Pacharisi begins with the folksy beats and tune of a marriage celebration, even as Ranjith, Vinaya and Sangeetha pitch in together to chorus their happiness at the nuptials. The beats themselves are comfortably steady, with no variations, and the tune is one you've heard dozens of times. Nothing new about the lyrics, though.

With melodramatic utterances such as "Hey, you are my destiny," begins En Nenju, with a violin medley that rises in an enthusiastic crescendo, as Vijay Prakash and Saindhavi pitch in with the vocals. There's a sudden blast of Latino music to add some variation, but the mild angst and yearning works for the number.

Almost like a continuation of the previous number begins Ulagam Unaku. This one's been rendered by Vijay Prakash, and the lyrics are all about the living of life to the fullest, and love triumphs all. Not very imaginative, but it fulfills the criteria with its shades of Latino music.

With Ussumu Larisey, rap comes into play, finally, with Vijay Antony, Emcee Jazz and Janani Iyer, all participating in rendering a song whose principal merit is actually a thumping rhythm and a chorus that is appealing. There are shades of Naan Nadanthal Adhiradi from Sura too.

Gentle guitar strings begin Thooral Podum, a soothing song that's rendered by Ajeesh and Janani Iyer. It's a rather refreshing change from the previous slam-bang numbers. The flute interlude is pleasant. You're reminded of early nineties compositions, and the air of nostalgia does work. Familiar, yet again, but pleasing. Easily the pick of the album.

The biggest drawback of Uthamaputhiran is that there's very little originality in the songs. Practically all of them evoke a certain sense of deja vu, with instrumental arrangements that are simplistic at best. Vijay Antony could have done better.

Rediff Rating: