Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Lyrics: Dhanush, G Rokesh, Vignesh Shivan
Singer: Anirudh Ravichander, Alisha Thomas, Dhanush, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Chinna Ponnu, Magizhini Manimaaran
Three years back, Dhanush gave young musician Anirudh Ravichander a big break in his film 3. And the rest is history. Dhanush’s first collaboration with Anirudh was such a massive success that songs of 3 were on everybody’s tongue. The song Kolaveri Di became the biggest chartbuster of all time, as the song went on to become a global phenomenon, making Dhanush famous as a singer overnight. Two years later, Anirudh teamed up with Dhanush again to dish out some swashbuckling songs for VIP, which became one of the USP’s of the film.
And now Dhanush and Anirudh aka DnA have teamed up for the third time and are planning for a hattrick of hit albums with the songs of Maari. Directed by Balaji Mohan, Maari stars Dhanush and Kajal Aggarwal in lead roles. Will DnA strike gold for the third time too? With a lot of expectations, I start to review the music of Maari.
Don’u Don’u Don’u
The album opens with a refreshing romantic number sung by Anirudh Ravichander and Alisha Thomas. Don’u Don’u Don’u is quite different from the usual heartfelt love songs. The song falls in the R&B category and is quite fun to hear. The rap portions in the song sung by Anirudh Ravichander is the high point of the song. Alisha Thomas’s mesmerising vocals are soothing to ears. But the real star of the song is lyricist Dhanush, who seemed to have had great fun coming up with quirky Tamil-English lyrics. Overall the song is pleasing to ears and puts you in good mood. But somehow I feel that Anirudh has not delivered to his full potential with this one.
Bagulu Odayum Dagulu
The song kick starts with high tempo haunting violin piece supported by mild orchestra to give you goosebumps. Now that’s what I call a great start to a song! Soon the edgy vocals of Dhanush kicks in with brilliant fusion of folksy drum beats to orchestration. Penned by S Rokesh, the song has the flavour of local Tamil slang which will appeal to youngsters. Anirudh has come up with a real massy number and proved that why he is regarded as one of the best in the Tamil music circles.
Oru Vidha Aasai
Next is a westernised cheeky romantic song that will take you back to the era of rock and roll. Written by Dhanush himself, the song starts with edgy electric guitar riffs coupled with techno beats and bass drums to give an American band music kinda feel to the song. Sung brilliantly by Vineeth Sreenivasan, the song has enough energy to make you groove as it teases the hearts that are new in love with funny quirky lyrics. Piano, saxophone, drums, electric guitar, orchestra and synthesiser seem to be Anirudh’s best friends in this song as he skilfully arranges to come up with a jazzy rock and roll track.
Thappa Dhaan Theriyum
This is a typical Anirudh number with a lot of local flavour to it. Sung by Dhanush with utmost ease, the song kicks off with typical nadaswaram sounds coupled with folk beats which one can associate with an Anirudh rustic dance number. Dhanush’s Naanum Rowdy Thaan director Vignesh Shivan has penned the lyrics for this number. Vocals of the Chinna Ponnu and Magizhini Manimaaran only add more to the local flavour of the song. The tempo of the song is perfect to break into a kuthu dance. Though the dance number has nothing new to offer in terms of music, it’s high energy levels makes it an entertaining song.
Maari Swag
Maari Swag is an uplifting background number that will make you feel euphoric as you imagine yourself in hero’s shoes. Anirudh excels in this number as he comes up with foot tapping arrangements of uplifting saxophone piece couple with drum beats and mild synthesiser sounds. Expect this background song to be played every time when Dhanush’s pulls off a heroic feat onscreen in Maari.
Maari Thara Local
As the name of the song suggests, this one is going to be please all those local boys who are dying to hear that one ultimate dance number coming from DnA. Fast faced rustic drum beats welcomes you to get your lazy ass off that chair and break in to a frentic kuthu dance. The chorus only adds to the dance fever, followed by effortless use of saxophones. Dhanush once again has donned the lyricist hat and one has to say that he is in full form as the song writer. Both Dhanush and Anirudh have sung the song together with such intensity and energy that it is hard not to like the song. Overall it is one song where you can dance your heart out as it hits the bulls eye of masses expectations.
Verdict:
Packed with a series of foot tapping numbers, Maari album by Dhanush and Anirudh Ravichander is high on energy and has enough to keep you entertained. Having said that this album by DnA is not upto the high standards set by the music of 3 and VIP. Nevertheless, the songs are enjoyable and way better than the kind of music coming out these days.
Our pick: Oru Vidha Aasai, Maari Thara Local, Don’u Don’u Don’u
Reviewed by Subramanian Harikumar
* Poor
** Average
*** Good
**** Very good
***** Excellent