Jalolsavam Songs

This is a Malayalam film album. For those readers who are not interested in some hardcore malayali folk music, please skip this review and album. If my hopes and prayers come right, this music director could become popular nationwide in the future!

As usual, some general comments on the album as a whole. When I heard the music of Vellithira (Alphons's debut), I remember thinking, with a sense of relief, that finally there is someone among the new generation (Malayaalee) Music Directors who has a great sense, talent and novelty.

I have heard two tracks from Vellithira at least a thousand times (Nee Manimukil & Hrudayasakhi). From that day, I have been waiting for his next album. Here it is! Jalolsavam is a movie that is said to be shot almost exclusively in a remote village in Kerala (Kuttanad), where rice crops form the main source of income. Hence, almost all the tunes in this album are based on folklore.

Second, this youngster seems to be a master of sound blending techniques, similar to Rahman. His tunes and sound effects resemble Rahman's, but somehow, I am willing to let go of those similarities. The actual tunes are fresh, and intelligently merged into the composition as a whole. He selects the all time great singers Jayachandran, Chitra & Yesudas, and at the same time remembers to include youngsters like Vidhu Pratap, Venugopal, Jyotsana etc.

Now, let?s go track by track.

''Kanneerinte Kaayal'' is a slow and sad lullaby. The song starts with high pitched keyboard sounds resembling xylophone. The percussion is again electronic, but made to resemble some of the village type instruments. There is soft techno-related acoustics to assist the overall ambience. The percussion is accurately matched with the tune, and is so accurate that sometimes you cannot distinguish Venugopal?s vocals from the high-pitched drums.

The first interlude consists of flute, and high pitched male vocals. Those vocals closely resemble the songs sung by farmers while they reap their harvests. Anupallavi follows with the same slow pace. There is sadness, empathy and pain in the song. The second music interlude again has the high pitched male vocals and I guess it is Alphons himself singing. In the track, Venugopal's voice is befitting for such a number. A similar effect was produced in the song ''Thaane Poovitta Moham'', which got him the Kerala State Award for the best singer almost a decade back.

The same track has also been sung by Jyotsna. She has done a good job, but I would say Venugopal's version is better. Overall, this track is excellent. Kudos to Alphons, Venugopal and Jyotsna.

''Keranirakalaadum'' is my pick of this album, and in my opinion a masterpiece. Readers, please remember, this is a track tuned for a specific purpose. The main goal of this track is to describe the rice fields of Kuttanaad, Festivals, and the other breathtaking visuals that Kerala provides you with. This track needs several lines of description, because it is complex, consisting of several percussion instruments, electronic sounds and astounding use of the Raag Sarswati.

First, the percussion: Even before the song starts, the percussion is initiated with two flutes, playing at different pitches (Manthrasthaayi & Thaarastaayi), intermittently, with the cycles repeated to provide a unique combination. To make out that use, hear closely as the male chorus hums ''Thandhaana Thandinathaaro na Thandina....''. In the background, you can hear the specific technique that I described. Then, slowly, one by one instruments are added, and the full blown version starts with the main vocals. Amazingly, the main beats are simple, with simple drumming and sounds of sticks interspersed. But wait, Alphons is not done yet.

Wait till anupallavi (second paragraph) starts. Those familiar with Keralite festivals might know the importance of a drum called ''Chenda''. Chendamelam is used intelligently, without disturbing the overall rhythm. This one song should drive you to the music store by itself. Jayachandran sings the number in his characteristic style, effortlessly & flawlessly. Of course, he is and will be considered one of the best singers of all time. In short the following is a list of instruments used in this song: Electronic drumming, Chenda, Idaykka, Veena, Flute, Keyboards, Naadaswaram, Sarangi, Violins (electronic) & at least two more percussion instruments (did not understand).

News Update:This song has won him the 2004-Film Critics Best MD award, congrats to him and kudos to the amazing work he has done!

Now, let?s move on.

?Kulirillam Vaazhum? is a duet by the great Yesudas-Chitra combination. Ironically, If I were to point out a drawback with this album, this track would be it. Not because the song is bad, but because it did not give me the same satisfaction as the others. I did not quite understand why two geniuses were assigned to this not-so-special song. Again, the track is strongly based on Keralite folklore. The song has strong similarities with the ''Karinkallil'' number from Alphons's previous album, Vellithira. I did not find anything special to mention about the song and hence, lets move on to the next track.

?Mizhiyile Naanam? has a strong late 80s-early 90?s flavor. It is a melodious and intensely folk based tune with conventional Tabla percussion with Pulluva Veena accenting the latter half of the percussion cycle (Only towards the end of the song). Jayachandran and Sujatha sing the number well. The second music interlude has Veena and Flute played together. The song also bears resemblance to several of the Johnson numbers. Overall I felt that the track has succeeded in bringing out the emotions of happiness & romance.

As I had remarked before, this album is definitely one of the best collections to have happened in the Malayalam cine world for a long time. As mentioned above, when you hear the album, you should remember the context and the theme that the movie is supposed to imbibe.

The music director (Alphons Joseph) cannot use a strong electronic tinge in his music, because the story is set in a village. Hence the success here can be attributed to his using of the electronic stuff, but only to mimic folk-related sounds. It is almost like James Cameron?s spending millions of dollars in special effects in ?Titanic? to make the visuals look more and more real. I hope that Alphons will bless us with some refreshing, original and soothing music in the years to come.

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