- Sreya Sunil

Youth films, folk songs and star kids are the 'in things' of Telugu film industry now. A friend of mine, who always wanted to become a hero, recently surprised me when he said he no longer wanted to become a hero. Even before I asked him the reason for his change of mind, he quipped - 'Without 'legacy', you are just 'lets see' (case)!'

Anyways, Gangotri has many reasons to be branded as one of the eagerly awaited movies this season. It's the 100th movie of K Raghavendra Rao [KRR], whose last offering as a director - Sri Manjunatha - was a big letdown. It marks the debut of Allu Arvind's second son Allu Arjun (yes, he is the same dude who dazzled in a short dance sequence in Megastar's Daddy) as a hero. Arthi Agarwal's youngest sister Aditi Agarwal is all set to give her sis a stiff competition in the race to stardom, debuting as a heroine with this movie. Allu Arvind presents this movie on United Producers banner while Aswini Dutt produces it.

MM Keeravani, who gave melodious music for many KRR movies, again teams up with him for Gangotri. Though Keeravani comes up with some good melodies here, his orchestration in some songs makes this album sound like a typical KRR-Keeravani fare. Nevertheless, Keeravani has a winner up his sleeve.

1. Nuvvu Nenu Kalisunte (Listen)
This is a song sung by the guy and the girl, who are away from each other, after they realize that they are in love. Recollecting all their childhood memories together, they hope to unite again. Chandrabose does a decent job of penning the lyrics for this song. SPB and Malavika render this melodious number very well. Malavika's voice sounds like a good mix of Sunitha's voice and Usha's voice.

2. Oka Thotalo (Listen)
Chandrabose pens good lyrics talking about the bond between the guy and the girl with the simile of a flower and the gardener. Throughout the song, the guy and the girl exchange a lot of emotions just talking about the flower and the gardener. While the number, no doubt, is melodious, the base beat of the song reminds us of Keeravani's earlier hit 'Aho oka manasuki' from Allari Priyudu. SP Charan and Malavika sing this song in a pleasant manner.

3. Vallanki Pitta (Listen)
This one comes as a song sung by the hero and the heroine in their childhood. The lyrics by Chandrabose, talking about the affection the hero has for the heroine, sow perfect seeds for the ensuing love story in the movie. Whether this song can become another 'Tooneega Tooneega' is yet to be seen. Kousalya [who seems to be lending her voice for the boy] sings this one well accompanied by a child singer D Aiswarya.

4. Railu Bandi (Listen)
Yet another train song in recent times after 'Sabbasi Sabbasi' of Jayam. While the latter is written by Kula Sekhar, this is penned effectively by Chandrabose. The first stanza merely talks about each city from Kerala to Gangotri and the second stanza showers praises on the 'railu bandi' for advertently comforting us in many ways that are both obvious and obscure. Try this ride for it has a pleasant rendition by SP Charan and Sri Vardhini, pleasing lyrics by Chandrabose and a tra(i)nquilizing music by Keeravani.

5. Jeevana Vahini (Listen)
A thematic song on Ganga/Gangotri written very well by Veturi. Its been a while we heard such beautiful and most importantly, meaningful lyrics from veteran Veturi. This is the only song written by him in this album and his work proves why he was asked to write this one. While MM Keeravani is the lead singer of this song, Ganga, Kalpana and Sri Varidhini form the chorus. All of them bring out the mood of the song pretty well.

6. Mavayyadi Mogalturu (Listen)
For all those of you, who have been waiting impatiently for a 'folk song', here it comes, thus meeting the indispensable requirement of the presence of a folk song in a present day movie. Though the song itself is no great shakes, given the thirst for such songs these days, I wouldn't be surprised if this one becomes the next 'Gajuwaka Pilla'. Lyrics by Chandrabose and the rendition by Smita (who seems to be an apt choice for this song with her husky voice) and Mano only seem to enunciate the gossip item written by Jeevi.

7. Ganga (Listen)
A catchy love duet written by Chandrabose. This song boasts of a good tempo throughout and is rendered well by SP Charan and Sunitha. The music in the second interlude should provide ample scope for agile Allu Arjun to display his delightful dancing skills.

Sreya's Picks: Nuvvu Nenu Kalisunte, Oka Thotalo, Railu Bandi

Tailpiece: Listen to Keeravani's Hindi albums - Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin [Chup tum raho], Zakhm [Hum yahan tum yahan, Gali mein aaj chaand], Sur [Aa bhi jaa, Kabhi shaam dhale] and Jism [Jaadu hain, Awaarapan, Shikayat hain] and you would definitely be in awe of his soul stirring songs. I wonder why Keeravani, who always gives his best for Hindi movies, doesn't seem appropriate to recreate the same magic when it comes to Telugu movies. Why does he not share the 'kreem' (read cream) of his music with his native language? While I am still devouring the enchanting euphony of the songs of Jism, I can only say that the songs of Gangotri are good but not great. And when I say that, I don't essentially mean to compare the songs of this ablum with that of Jism. But one thing Mr. Keeravani, you owe us a Jism or a Sur. Until then we can be content with this one.

Click here to read the other articles by Sreya Sunil

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