Where was DsriP for one whole year after giving melodious music for Manmadhudu? Why was he not flooded with offers in spite of coming up with not just one or two but four hit scores in 2002 (Manmadhudu, Khadgam, Sontham, Kalusukovalani)? Indeed, strange are the ways of the industry, for a talented person is rarely given his due. But all the ardent fans of this young bundle of talent have a reason to rejoice as he is back and yes with a bang.

All set to drench in the rain of adulation coming their way, in Varsham, are handsome hunk Prabhas and girl-next-door Trisha Krishnan under the direction of Sobhan. Successful producer MS Raju, who gave one of the biggest hits of 2003 - Okkadu, produces this movie under his Sumanth Arts banner.

Varsham is an acid test for many people associated with it. Director Sobhan's debut film, Bobby, turned out to be a cold turkey at the box-office, in spite of many last minute efforts (editing some scenes, changing the climax etc) to salvage it. So Sobhan has (more than) something to prove with Varsham. Prabhas's debut movie Eeswar had an average run at the box-office followed by a blooper in the form of Raghavendra. So, he is yet to prove his mettle as a successful star and one tends to think, Varsham may indeed soak him in success. Trisha could not make any impact with a half baked role and a stale Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu and Varsham is her second chance to register her entry into the Telugu industry. Here's wishing all of them a good luck and let me not waste one more minute in taking you on a joy ride with DsriP's compositions, all written by Srivennela Seetharama Sastry.

1. Nuvvosthanante
Raqeeb Alam starts this song with a folkish rendition followed by Kalpana's alaap. Chitra takes over from there and before you realize you are tapping your feet to DsriP's rhythm. The much touted music bit orchestrated by the splashing of water adds an enchanting effect to this beautiful number. Sirivennela's lyrics are noteworthy in this song, particularly where he talks about the girl wanting to adorn herself with rain/raindrops.

2. Mellaga
The most melodious song in this album is sung by SP Charan and Sumangali. SP Charan, seems to be getting better by each song. Taking cues from his dad, he modulates his voice very well to give right intonation to right words. Though Sumangali pitches in her usual sweet rendition, she doesn't seem comfortable taking high pitches. Sirivennela's pen acts like a swift sword in a battlefield and does its job to a lasting effect. The way he moulds this duet talking about the intense (and not deep) love of the lovers in terms of rain is beautiful. Taste this line where the guy sings - chali piDugula saDi vini jaDisina biDiyam taDabaDi ninu viDadaa. Need I say more? Sit back and enjoy this number set to a melodious tune and orchestration by DsriP.

3. Langa Voni
The way DsriP uses sannayi and other musical instruments, which are typically used in marriages, along with the 'dum dum dum' chorus in this song is quite good. Tippu and Usha are at their best. Tippu has never sounded this good, singing with a perfect pronunciation. Usha modulates her voice very effectively to bring in that playful and teasing mood to a wonderful result. (Usha's fans might also want to try one of her best numbers in recent times 'Nuvvala Jilibili Guvvala' from Missamma). You have to listen to this song to see how Sirivennela can transform an otherwise plain song to such good one.

4. Joole Joole
A high energy song written by Sirivennela and set to a catchy tune with a fast tempo by DsriP. Mallikarjun and Kalpana sing this one. While Kalapna does a decent job with the high pitch she is asked to sing this one in, it is Mallikarjun who leaves a mark. Good going, dude.

5. Kopama
This one's a Girl(to guy): Cool down, willya?, Guy(to girl): Slow down, seeya! number sung by Karthik and Shreya Ghoshal very well. No wonder their presence is inevitable in almost each and every album releasing today. Enhancing the beauty of this song are Sirivennela's brilliant lyrics. It's hard to point out one particular line as the best one in this song. Instead, I urge you to listen to this number paying attention to the lyrics, especially in the stanzas. Worth it? Oh yeah! Way beyond your imagination.

6. Nizam Pori
This musically good number has not-that-good singing by Adnan Sami (who sings in Telugu for the first time) and Sunitha Rao. Considering the situation (or the lack of it?) of the song, lyrics by Sirivennela are the only notable aspects of this song.

Apart from the above songs, there's a bit song titled Neeti Mullai based on the tune of Nuvvosthanante song. DsriP, in his own tradition, introduces another new singer Sagar in this song who does a decent job accompanied by Sumangali.

Overall, DsriP creates a rain of melody with his score for Varsham. He definitely has a winner here with songs that are melody-based and fast paced. Except the last song - Nizam Pori, all the remaining songs have been sung very well by the singers, each one excelling in their own might with right results. DsriP-Sirivennela combination has produced some outstanding songs in the past and that tradition continues here with Sirivennela adding life to the songs with his simple and skillful words. There's no stopping for the rain of success this album is bound to meet. So, will the movie be a flooding rain or just a drizzle at the box office? Let's wait for the monsoon to set in. Until then let's soak and sing in this rain of melody, showered by DsriP and Sirivennela.

Sreya's Picks: Mellaga, Kopama, Nuvvosthanante, Langa Voni

Sreya Recollects:

• When was the last time you listened to some of DsriP-Sirivennela's earlier songs like Kanulu Moosina [sung by Mallikarjun, Sumangali from Anandam], Telusuna [sung by Chitra, from Sontham], Yeppudu [sung by Mallikarjun from Sontham again], Udyainchina [sung by DsriP from Kalusukovalani]?
• How long has it been since you heard the beautiful melody - Adugadugu [sung by Ranjith and Hariharan] - composed by Mani Sharma from Sobhan's debut movie Bobby?

Click here to read the other articles by Sreya Sunil

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