The musical world has been buzzing with excitement as the second installment of Ponniyin Selvan has graced us with its extraordinary soundtrack. Among the gems in this musical treasure trove, the track that truly stands out is “Aga Naga.” In this article, we’ll dive deep into what makes this song so special and explore other notable tracks from the album.
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A Symphony of Strings
“Aga Naga” opens with a waltzy charm that instantly captivates listeners. The magic of this track lies in its brilliant use of strings, masterfully performed by the Chennai Strings & Sunshine Orchestra. What’s remarkable is the minimal use of percussion, allowing the strings to take center stage and create a truly enchanting atmosphere. As Shaktisree Gopalan croons the melodious lines, the strings delicately “tiptoe” in the background, adding a touch of elegance to the song. Towards the song’s climax, Vignesh from the Sunshine Orchestra takes the spotlight with a mesmerizing violin solo that leaves a lasting impression.
Lyrics that Touch the Heart
The lyrical beauty of “Aga Naga” is another aspect that makes it a standout track. Written by the talented wordsmith Ilango Krishnan, the lyrics beautifully convey Princess Kundavai’s deep love for her homeland and her profound connection with Vanthiyadevan. The clever use of short phrases adds to the song’s charm, but it’s Shaktisree Gopalan’s sublime voice that breathes life into the words. Her flawless performance showcases her immense talent and adds an extra layer of emotion to the song.
A Glimpse into Other Musical Treasures
While “Aga Naga” steals the spotlight, the Ponniyin Selvan Part 2 soundtrack offers a variety of other notable tracks. “Aazhi Mazhai Kanna” draws inspiration from poet-saintess Andal’s Thiruppaavai series of poems dedicated to Perumal (Vishnu). A.R. Rahman’s composition infuses a pleasant melody reminiscent of the desh raaga, although it’s a bit disappointing that the track lasts just over a minute. Harini’s captivating voice, however, is a joy to listen to after a long hiatus.
“Shivoham,” based on Shankaracharya’s Sanskrit work from his Nirvana Shatakam, packs an intense punch in a short duration. Rahman infuses this piece with fervor, setting it to the Chakravakam raaga. The male chorus delivers a powerful performance, complemented by the chendamelam and edaykka combination, perfectly capturing the song’s fervent spirit. Singers Keerthana Vaidyanathan and Niranjana Ramanan once again impress with their vocal prowess.
“Ilaiyor Soodaar,” sung by Pooja Tiwary, serves as a lament following the supposed demise of Ponniyin Selvan. Rahman’s choice to adorn this piece with an eerie silence and a dark raaga captures the mournful tone brilliantly. The Hindi version, titled “Mukti Do,” features a completely different melody, creating a lighter and more soulful rendition. Gulzar’s poignant lyrics and the minimalistic arrangement make this track a must-listen.
“Chinnanjiru Nilave,” inspired by Bharathiyar’s poems, is another noteworthy track. It reflects the waltz-like meter of his poems and comes in two versions sung by Haricharan and Khatija Rahman, each offering a different interpretation. Both versions feature progressively turbulent arrangements highlighted by the enchanting violins. The “Marumurai” version stands out with its mesmerizing piano refrain and Khatija’s dreamy vocals.
A Grand Paean
Among all these musical delights, “Veera Raaja Veera” holds a special place. This song pays homage to a traditional dhrupad piece in adana raaga but masterfully blends classical elements with darbari kaanada raaga. Shankar Mahadevan, K S Chithra, and Harini deliver top-notch vocals, with the chorus equally brilliant and prominent throughout the track. The orchestration is dominated by Hindustani classical instruments, such as pakhawaj, sarangi, and sitar, creating a grand and captivating composition.
This Hindustani flavor seamlessly translates to the Hindi version of the song, sung by Arman Dehlvi, Shreya Ghoshal, and Kavita Krishnamurthy, with slight modifications in the arrangements. “Veera Raaja Veera” is a grand paean that seems tailor-made for a climactic coronation sequence, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating its full version on screen.
A Musical Masterpiece
In conclusion, Ponniyin Selvan Part 2’s soundtrack is nothing short of a musical masterpiece. A.R. Rahman and Ilango Krishnan have displayed their brilliance in crafting compositions that embrace the period’s sound and bring it to life with rich classical melodies. While the album’s brevity, lasting just 20 minutes, leaves us longing for more, it’s undoubtedly a treat for both fans of the movie and music lovers alike.
Player Credits
- Song Title: Aga Naga
- Song Composed, Produced, and Arranged by: A.R. Rahman
- Singer: Shakthisree Gopalan
- Lyrics: Ilango Krishnan
- Music Supervisor: Nakul Abhyankar
- Project Manager: Karthik Sekaran
- Score Transcription: Suprava Mukherjee
Musicians:
- Chennai Strings & Sunshine Orchestra
- Conducted by: Jerry Vincent
- Flute: Nikhil Ram
- Tabla Tarang: Sai Shravanam
- Veena: Haritha Raj
- Solo violin: Vignesh (Sunshine Orchestra)
- Additional Programming: Nakul Abhyankar, Srikant Krishna
Sound Engineers:
- Panchathan Record Inn: Suresh Permal, Karthik Sekaran, TR Krishna Chetan, Aravind Crescendo, Suryansh Jain
- AM Studio: Pradeep Menon, Manoj Raman, Sathya Narayanan, Ainul, Sathish V Saravanan
Mixed by: Pradeep Menon Mastered by: Suresh Permal Apple Digital Master by: Riyasdeen Riyan
Musician Coordinator: Samidurai R, Velavan B, Abdul Haiyum, T M Faizudeen
Note: The musician credits will be updated as more information becomes available.
Music Aloud Rating: 4/5 (This rating might have been 4.5 if the soundtrack was longer)
Top Recommendations: Veera Raaja Veera, Aga Naga, Chinnanjiru Nilave (Marumurai), Ilaiyor Soodaar