Promise of a Cool Summer. Review on Godavari Songs

As the scorching summer spares no one from the stinking perspiration, the music of Shekhar Kammula’s ‘Godavari’ comes across as a fresh, cool breeze. Penned by veteran Veturi and composed by Radhakrishnan, all the six tracks in this album are perfect examples of musical and lyrical compositeness.

>>>‘Manasa Vaacha’ is brilliant in melody and rich in words. UnniKrishnan and Chitra, with their soulful voices, carry the essence throughout the song. The tune, with shades of ‘Nuvvena’ from Anand, speaks about the mutual, but unexpressed, love between two people. The words in this song show how beautiful an expression can sound in Telugu language.

‘manasa vaacha, ninne valacha, ninne premincha…

aa maata daacha, kaalalu vecha, nadicha ne nee needala……’

>>>To tell that Sunitha’s voice is golden is an understatement. The situational track ‘Andamga lena’ emphasizes the splendour of her soft, lovable voice. Including the dialogue-delivery at the beginning of the track, the expression in her voice is simply mesmerizing. The lyrics, once again, leave the Telugu-language lovers wanting for more of such sweet words.

>>>One can visualize a speeding boat in the roaring sea, while listening to ‘Manasa Gelupu’. The lyrics are though-provoking and inspiring, and the orchestration is good with electric guitars and jazz. Shankar Mahadevan misses no rhythm and Chitra misses no chance to impress with her voice.

>>>‘Ramachakkani Sitaki’ draws the parallels between Sita in Ramayana and the contemporary woman. Gayathri’s voice aptly brings out the pleasantness and sadness involved in Sita’s tale. Veturi’s words are equally smooth.

>>>The fact that Radhakrishnan’s recordings are technically on the lower side is well evident in the track, ‘Uppongele Godavari’. S. P. B. was flawless in his rendition, but his thick voice could have sounded much thinner and smoother (as required by the lyrics) with some filters in the recording. But the sound-engineering is below standards in the era of ARRehmans, ManiSharmas and Keervanis.

>>>‘Tippulu Tappulu’ has a strong carry-over of ‘Vachche Vachche Nalla Mabbullara’ from Anand. The music arrangement of this song is good and Shreya Ghosal’s voice is entertaining. The lyrics are hum able.

The Final Line: The music of this album promises a cool (film, this) summer.