It’s nearly been nearly 17 months we had Ajith Kumar’s film hitting screens. Following ‘Aasal’, the actor took a long time finalizing his 50th film and now we have the audio of his ‘Mankatha’ hitting the stands of audio stores. We bring you exclusive music review of ‘Mankatha’ that has some promising numbers.

Review: Mankatha music is average, Strictly for Ajith Fans

1. Vilayaadu Mankatha

Vocals: Anitha, Premgi Amaren,Ranjith, Suchitra, Yuvan Shankar Raja and others

Lyrics: Gangai Amaran, Yuvan ShankarRaja, Suchitra

The song swaps through various modes. To start off with, the beats faintly brings the most famous English pop Bebot Song from ‘Black Eyes Peas’ while the portions involving Anitha sound like an ancient black and while item song. But it’s the James Bond kind of music we hear through the instruments of Brass orchestrations that bump up our pulses. Major portions of the song are dominated by sound mixing and lots of gimmicks have been done over the voices.With so many singers included in the track, it’s obvious that your expectations would have been high at places. Yes, the song lives to the expectations and as the times goes on, we are sure it will surely attract the masses. But with the complete album pack reported of having a ‘Club Mix’ of this song, it can be predicted that the fast-paced version will intensify the feeling. It sounds like the song has been purposely composed with medium pace with accordance tothe dancing ability of Ajith Kumar. Gangai Amaran seems to have crafted the lyrics in an unstrained manner. Only few lines are catchy,but Yuvan embellishes with his earnest efforts to give a right feel of club song.

2. Nee Naan

Vocals: SP Charan, Bhavatharani

Lyrics: Niranjan Bharathi

Soothing melody that will surely capture the interests of universal music lovers as Yuvan tries bringing the impact of his father Isaignani Ilayaraja. SP Charan and Bhavatharani make it together a good pair rendering this song. Incisively, Bhavatharani has taken scrutinizing efforts over shifting the pitches. The musical aspect is so mild with guitars and strings dominating a lot.

3. Vaada Bin Lada

Vocals: Krish, Suchitra

Lyrics: Vaali

It sounds like a remix of late 80s item number... What’s more highlighting about the song is that the singers have tried shifting their paradigms. Sound engineers have taken an endeavouring attempt over modulating the voices of these singers. One would really wonder whether is it Krish rendering the song. Yuvan takes up techno beats as the backdrop and the rhythmic pattern during the first and second verses is catchy.

4. Machi Open The Bottle

Vocals: Mano, Premgi Amaran, Tippu, Haricharan, Naveen

Lyrics: Vaali

No need of analysis. This is a pure treat for the mass audiences and it’s gonna create ripples of sensation in theatres. Perhaps, it will turn cinema into dance floors. The lyrical lines are so invigorating to the senses of youth cohorts. In most parts, the song reminiscences of ‘Saroja Saamaan Nikalo’ (Chennai 600028). But with the second interlude, the song goes through a different pattern.

5.Nanbane

Vocals: Madhushree, Yuvan Shankar Raja

Lyrics: Vaali

One of the best songs in the album and it’ a slow poison indeed that will get itself injected into the senses of listeners as they keep hearing it. The musical composition is so beautiful and it gives the right feel of what is required for a romantic song. The lyrical lines by Vaali are the biggest assets for this song.

6. Balleilakka

Vocals: Karthik, Vijay Yesudas, Anusha Dayanidhi

Lyrics: Gangai Amaran

Producer Dayanidhi Azhagiri’s wife Anushka makes her debut as playback singer. The song doesn’t evoke our spirits. Compared to other songs, this one is quite mediocre. Vijay Yesudas and Karthik have done their portions with good efforts.

7. Theme Music

Just look back to 5 years... Yuvan Shankar Raja had spelled tremendous signature music for ‘Billa 2007’ and after long years, it’s time to look upon this one. ‘Mankatha’ has outstanding signature theme music and it’s obvious that Yuvan Shankar Raja should have spent more time working on it. Mark our words! It will soon become the most favourite Ringtones in town.

8. Vilayaadu Mankatha (Extended Dance Mix)

Vocals: Premji Amaran along with singers in other track

Few were disappointed that the track ‘Vilayaadu Mankatha’ was with slow-paced tempo and it wasn’t like the one they saw in teasers. Okay! Here is the one to set the dance floors emblazoned and it is going ring higher in discotheques for all seasons.

On the whole, ‘Mankatha’ boasts of best tracks and it’s one of the best albums in Ajith Kumar’s career till the date.

Banner: Cloud Nine Movies

Production: Dayanidhi Azhagiri, Vivek Rathinavelu

Direction: Venkat Prabhu

Star-casts: Ajith Kumar, Arjun, Trisha, Lakshmi Rai, Anjali, Premji Amaran and others

Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Verdict: Go for it...


Review 2 - by Pavithra Srinivasan


Ajith, also fondly known as Thala, is back with his 50th movie, Cloud Nine Movies' Mankatha, directed by Venkat Prabhu.

The music is by his cousin Yuvan Shankar Raja. The CD and cover look like a manual for the card-game Mankatha, covered with spades, diamonds and clubs, while the accompanying lyrics booklet is the size of playing cards. Here's a look at what the album has in store.

When the song Vilaiyadu Mankatha was released as a single, it began the Mankatha buzz. The song begins on an ominous, brooding note. Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ranjith, Sucharita, Premgi Amaren, and Anita all pitch in for this club-dance number with lyrics by Gangai Amaren, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Anita. In a way, it's a re-working of the traditional theme introducing the hero, but it works well. It's also similar to a popular ad jingle, but with its thumping beats and menacing tune it's pretty catchy and merits repeat listens. It's the pick of the album undoubtedly.

By now, Yuvan's fans will be used to his trademark fast-paced violin notes, then the gentle slip into melody, and that's the route Nee Naan follows. A spate of soothing guitar notes follows, and there's a nostalgic whiff of Ilaiyaraja's compositions, before changing track again. It is sung by SPB Charan and Bhavatharini (back after a sabbatical) to Niranjan Bharathi's lyrics.

Back to Yuvan's synthesised music in Vaada Bin Laden, which rather takes you aback with its opening lyrics. Krish and Suchitra provide the vocals. There's a heavy classical bent to it but it's catchy too even if Vaali's lyrics are more hilarious than romantic. Example: "Mathu kadaivathu thayiraithaa."

"Machi, open the bottle!" yells Premgi Amaren and you have a typically folksy beginning as thumping beats and an enthusiastic chorus picks up the song. It's your mandatory kuthu song as Mano, Premgi Amaren, Tippu, Haricharan and Naveen all pitch in with enthusiasm. With lyrics by Vaali, this one is all about taking up the cudgels and winning.

Nanbane begins with a divine chorus and gentle beats. It's a gently sorrowful tune as women lament the treachery of love. Madhushree and Yuvan Shankar Raja render the song. Finally, Vaali the lyric-writer comes to the fore. You may have heard it before, but this one's still a pleasant number.

Gangai Amaren's Balle Lakka comes, of course, with his trademark insouciance and peppiness. Sung by Karthik, Vijay Jesudas, and Anusha Dhayanidhi, it mimics the Ballelakka number from Sivaji in the beginning. This one, too, follows a well-worn path.

Mankatha's theme music is a liberal dash of Vilaiyadu Mankatha, and it works, bringing the right amount of tension and menace to the proceedings. Much the same can be said of the Vilaiyadu Mankatha remix number.

It's clear that Yuvan has tried to satisfy all sections of his listening audience: the diehard Ajith fans and those who wish for something new from Yuvan himself. They're pleasant listens, but hardly ground-breaking.

Music connoisseurs might complain, but hardcore Ajith and Yuvan fans aren't likely to.