Madras (Music)

Pa.Ranjith who impressed one and all with Attakathi is back with his next film - Madras. Starring Karthi and Catherine Tresa in the leads, Madras is a rustic action movie set in a Chennai backdrop. Santosh Narayanan composes the music for this film, what's new here?

Chennai Vada Chennai : Singers - Hariharasudhan, Meenakshi Iyer, Oor Side Artists Vocal Group, Lyrics : Kabilan

The album begins with a song devoted to Madras and the hero's gang. Santosh Narayanan opts for an electronic dubstep base, which stays put for the whole song. The phrase which goes 'Enga Ooru Madras Idhukku Naanga Dhaane Address-uh' is a scream at first, but goes off track as it gets repetitive towards the end. Kabilan's lyrics speak highly about the hero's gang and their activities.

Kakidha Kappal : Singer - Gaana Bala, Lyrics - Gaana Bala

A love failure track rendered by none other than Gaana Bala, as he works with the lyrics as well. Santosh makes use of string orchestrations along with a basic drum beat to span things out. Template Santosh Narayanan track.

Kaali Love Theme : Performed by the Studio Orchestra of Sydney ft. Pradeep Kumar

Short and sweet tune for Karthi's love track in the film. Does what is expected of it.

Naan Nee : Singers - Shakthishree, Deekshitha, Lyrics - Uma Devi 

Just when the album is progressing at a middling speed, Santosh Narayanan pulls the rabbit out of the hat. Divine is the word for this song, set to the beautiful vocals of Shakthisree Gopalan and Deekshitha. A splendid track on the whole, it talks about the love angles from a girlish perspective.

Agayam Theepidicha : Singer - Pradeep Kumar, Lyrics - Kabilan

If it was Aasai Oor Pulveli in Attakathi, it is Agayam Theepidicha in Madras. A slow track which climbs onto you, it is aided by some concerning lyrics from Kabilan. Pradeep Kumar's rendition leaves no stone unturned, as he is flawless in his parts, even with the acoustic guitar. Minimum instrumentation to maximum effect.

Irandhidhava : Singer - Gaana Bala, Lyrics - Gaana Bala

Gaana Bala returns for one last time in the album, where he croons a gloomy track which leaves the album dangling at its exit. Something necessary for the film, but certainly not for the album.

Although Madras unfurls the massy side of Santosh Narayanan, the composer seems to be still bound to his comfort zone. The instruments used and the choice of singers seem repetitive in all his albums, and innovation is a word of discussion here. Both the slow tracks work in favour of the album, which is otherwise conventional. 

Pick : Naan Nee

Verdict : Dwells into a different side of Santosh Narayanan, but it isn\'t totally bright out there.

3 / 5