- Sreya Sunil

Holi - A beautiful festival that blends smile and rile, mixes mirth with worth, knits grim into grin and in the process spreads colors of joy. Even the most spectacular of things pale out in front of the colors we smear celebrating this joyous and colorful festival. It's but very natural to expect something similar from a movie, which is titled Holi, boasting of a punch line that says - Colours of love. Not sure yet, what colors (of love) will be shown in the movie, but RP Patnaik comes out with some impressive, some average to above average songs (of love) aided appreciably by his amicable lyricist Kula Sekhar, who pens all the lyrics in this album.

1. Avunani Antaavo (Listen)
This is a soft song sung by RP, which slowly but surely pulls you into it. Though the song is good, the way RP sings it gives a déjà vu feeling reminding us of some of his recent songs. Kula Sekhar comes up with beautiful lyrics depicting the dilemma and confusion of a guy who is afraid to express his love for his girl for the fear of being rejected. The bonus fourth star for this song is mainly because of Kula Sekhar's magical words.

2. Aadapillalu (Listen)
A teasing number between guys and girls (ala 'Ayyayyo' of Nuvvu Nenu), which mainly talks about why-fall-in-love and why-not-fall-in-love, sung teasingly by KK and Kavitha Krishnamurthy (now Kavitha Subramaniam after her marriage to renowned violin virtuoso Padmashree Dr. L Subramaniam). Kula Sekhar writes some witty words for this song and particularly the way he describes girls as - 'hamsa nadaka nerchukunna chepapillalu' is intriguing. A fish, as long as it is in water, is the master of its own world 'appealing' to one and all but when taken out of the water struggles as if complaining about returning to its own world. Girls are just like that. Give them their 'space' and they are content flaunting their oomph with their swan-style elegance. Try invading their 'space' and they start fuming. For the record, this is Kavitha Subramaniam's first song with RP.

3. O Chelia (Listen)
This average song has déjà vu written all over it. If the tune of pallavi (opening lines of the song) reminds us of Chakri's 'Tolakariva' song from Kanulu Moosina Neevaye, the music in the interludes reminds us of the music in the interludes of some of RP's recent songs (especially 'Ne Toli Saariga' of Santosham and 'Pedavullo Pepsicola' of Sreeram). While KK's vocals suit this song well, Sadhana Sargam sounds screechy.

4. Priyatama (Listen)
This one's a sad number talking about the pain of a guy, who is left confused and dejected as his lover backs out from his love. Sung by KK, this sounds more like a situational song, as is always the case with such songs unlike the cool, peppy love songs, which prop up at the drop of a hat.

5. Nee Manasu (Listen)
Another soft and melodious number talking about puppy love where the lyrics go - 'Nee manasu naaku telusu! Telusu, telusu, telusu!' and I go - 'Ilanti paatalu naaku enno telusu! Telusu, telusu, telusu!'. Nevertheless, this is a good one crooned caressingly by RP and Sadhana Sargam. Kula Sekhar offers familiar yet favorable lyrics. The repeated singing of the word 'telusu' by the lead singers and chorus adds to the effect the song has on us.

6. Chamak Chama (Listen)
Suneetha Rao returns after a so-so 'Oka Merupu' song from Aanandam, to sing this song fairly well. Kula Sekhar writes enthusiastic lyrics about the essence of love and RP comes up with a lively tune.

7. Life is beautiful (Listen)
Uday Kiran's attempt at singing this thematic song is impressive. As the song does not require him to strain his voice too much, he actually sounds decent. RP's easy on ears music and funky lyrics by Kula Sekhar talking about life, love, some beautiful things in life and how to make them colorful and cheerful make this song sound 'cool'.

8. Chintamani (Listen)
This one's a typical RP mark folk song. The dialogues by Sunil, at the beginning of the song, render a perfect start to the song, which talks about two mistresses Chintamani and Choodamani and their demands from their 'misters'. RP (in his usual style) and Sunil (for the first time) sing this song.

Usha's absence in this album is conspicuous and after Family Circus this is probably RP's first album without Usha singing for him. Hope this is only a temporary break to avoid monotony for RP definitely brings out the best in Usha. RP saves all the best songs in this album for himself but as long as he impresses us we don't complain, do we? Kula Sekhar with his simple, sweet and savory lyrics is the star of this album.

Sreya's Picks: Nee Manasu, Avunani Antaavo

Click here to read the other articles by Sreya Sunil

click here for other audio reviews - Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Allari Ramudu, Indra, Jayam, Sreeram, Kanulu Moosina Neevaye, Vasu & Santosham

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