THOUGH the music industry is going through a troubled phase with the market going down, piracy and bad music taking its toll, some hummable songs have come out as popular hits.
Hit chart
O N V Kurup’s lyrics with excellent music rendered by Isainjani Ilayaraja, the song ‘Aadhiyusha Sandhya Poothathivide’ from the movie ‘Pazhassiraja’ was one of the most popular songs of 2009.
The song that became an instant favourite this year was ‘Anuraga Vilochananayi,’ from the movie Neelathamara.
Sung by Shreya Ghoshal and V Sreekumar, this beautiful melody was composed by Vidyasagar and penned by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma.
The simple and artistic tune adorned with classical interludes made the song ‘Picha vecha naal muthalkku nee,’ from the movie ‘Puthiya Mukham’ another hit. Kaithapram’s lyrics went well with the tunes of music director Deepak Dev, added by the magnificent rendering of Shankar Mahadevan.
Anil Panachooran and Mohan Sithara teamed up in the movie ‘Bhramaram’ where both the songs ‘Annarakkanna vaa,’ and ‘Kuzhaloothum Poonthennale,' attained popularity.
Music director Rahul Raj impressed with exquisite use of guitar in song ‘Venal kaattil,’ in Shyamaprasad’s ‘Rithu’. Sung by Gayatri and Sujith, the song was penned by Rafeek Ahammed.
The songs ‘Melle melle’ and ‘Vennilave, composed by Gopi Sundar for the movie ‘Sagar Alias Jackie’; the songs in ‘Bhagyadevatha’ especially ‘Swapnangal kannezhuthum’, and ‘Adi thira tannil veenalum’ and the songs composed by M Jayachandran for ‘Banaras’ were also striking hits.
The remixed songs in 'To Harihar Nagar’ and the evergreen ‘Alliyambal Kadavilannu,’ for ‘Loud Speaker’ also grabbed the attention.
Melody Man
Melody maker Ouseppachan was at the helm of popularity in the year 2009. He bagged the prestigious national award for the best music director for the movie ‘Ore Kadal’. The songs ‘Yamuna veruthey,' ‘Pranaya sandhya oru’, ‘Nagaram vidooram,' won the hearts of music lovers and the jury alike.
CONTROVERSY
The biggest controversy of the year in the music industry began when music director Ilayaraja lashed out at O N V Kurup. Ilayaraja said the music of ‘Pazhassiraja’ did not go the way that it was expected because of ONV. The music guru said that though he gave five to six tunes for the song ‘Aadhiushassandhya Poothathivide’, ONV was not able to pen fitting lyrics for them. So he had to alter the music to suit the lyrics.
Though ONV did not comment on this issue, many prominent figures from Kerala, including Cultural Affairs Minister M A Baby defended the poet.
NIPPED IN THE BUD
The demise of budding singer Sainoj was the most poignant moment of 2009. Sainoj who began his career with the film ‘War and Love’ has sung in more than five films.
STAR SINGERS
2009 also saw actor Prithviraj debuting as a singer. The actor passed the singing test in flying colours with the title song ‘Kane kane kan moodum nee than, for the movie ‘Puthiya Mukham’ was much applauded. Mohanlal, who always captivated the mind of spectators with his versatile acting, this year also sang for a movie. Mohanlal’s vocal for the song ‘Annara Kanna Vaa’ made the song in Bhramaram more popular.
Superstar Mammootty also tried his voice at singing in the film ‘Loud Speaker’, which was also well-received.