Introduction
To be knowledgeable about the music industry is so important for any upcoming singer. In this effort our blog site provide three to four editions during the year of in depth analysis of India’s film industry with special emphasis on music industry and its economics. Main focus is on singers who grabbed the opportunities each quarter.
This week the regional language of pick is Malayalam. Although, a very small state, reports from entertainment industry of the state, show a whooping 800 crores Indian Rupees ( 1 crore = ~132,000 USD; translate 112 million USD) spent making movies (reported by Kerala film producers association, ref: 1). Do not forget this is the money spend on a very small film industry of a single state. What is even more amazing is the stats given for year 2019 is showing an increase in the amount of money spend in making movies and predicted to go up this year despite a 50 % loss of the money spent last year.
A critical role of music in the success of any Malayalam movie, is no subject of debate. Thus producers with an eye on success, normally hire the best of best from musicians available. When we look at the first few months of 2020 (just before the COVID hit the industry) it looks like we have some clear indications of music directors, singers and lyricists making an impact and promises. Our analysis is meant to be as critical as possible that these analysis become industry standards. To do this we weigh in on numbers from major top charts. The only top charts that backed in India with real airtime numbers is from Times group who also use the Mirchi radio play. So here are the top chart songs from Mollywood for first quarter and the analysis of artists behind the songs.
Number one position is taken by the song Uyire, by Sid Sriram; he had started bagging many opportunities from south India languages from last year itself. ARR’s find, Sid is based out of Fremont, CA who easily gathers 5 to 6K people to tune in when he come live on his INSTAGRAM; that tells volumes about his popularity. Sid with a very unique voice again taken risk to sing for a new film director Anand Menon; the music is by Ankit Menon (a new comer). If anybody watched Sid live, he is the smartest Californian who seems to be very open to young new talents. The song is a good melody reminds of a lullaby and lyrics revolves around the thoughts of a lover who wonder what ‘his love‘ is all about. One Thumps up for this song.
Second Position is taken by Orudinam, by Deepak Dev. He gave this song to a New comer Anand Bhaskar (whose style of singing mimics a lot like Adnan Samy). Anand Bhaskar comes from a band, who gave some noteworthy stage singing and on Kappa TV last year; did a very average effort. A very ordinary song with some random meaning less words (very poor lyrics by Raffeq Ahamad). Equally disappointing music by a seasoned music director. If it was not for a big star movie, this song would have been forgotten. Sad to see this song up the charts. Thumps down from us for all departments of song creation.
Third position is taken by Kamini from the very notable new music director Arun Muraleedharan. His earlier music direction for “Adventures of Omanakuttan” is absolutely notable and with this song he captures the imagination of listeners with the excellent singing by K.S. Harishankar; deservedly this song takes this place in weeks. This music director is to watch for and the lyricist Manu Manjith show glimpses of influences of folk songs of the land. We give a double thumps up for this song and happy to see this song up the charts and hope remain there.
Fourth place is taken by Jaathika Thottam. A very catchy beautiful song made by Justin Vargheese; he work very close to singer /music director Bijibal, gave recently an interview to TOI, describes his approach to the music direction. The adaption of folk music into his tunes is again is the best feature of this song. The singer Soumya who also have sung for “Vikramadityan‘ did an exceptional job along with Bijibal son Devadutt who also sung good. We think the lyricist, Shuhail Koya use the word “Jaathika” (Nutmeg) as the start and every bit of double meaning style humming, all make this song an outstanding composition. The music director and lyricist are working with movie plots of very common people did an excellent job with this music. We are giving this song the highest rate of three thumps up.
Fifth place is taken by Aaradike which stayed on top charts for months in a row. Amazing amazing singing, music direction, lyrics of highest quality, all makes this song an instant classic to remember for ever. Music director Vishnu Vijay who is known to play Flute and this love for this instrument is evident in all his songs. Singers are Sooraj Santhosh and Madhuvanthi Narayan (the daughter of famous music director Ramesh Narayan, gave his daughter the best gift of education in Hindustani music). She is an asset to Malayalam music industry. All three thumps up for this song in all departments.
The sixth place is taken by none other than Nee Himamazhayay by Kailas Menon music director and singers Nithya Mammen and K.S. Harishankar. Lyrics is by B. K. Harinarayanan. We give a Thumps up for this song and have to agree this song hang on to top 10 for such long time shows how much listeners still love play this after many months of its release. Kudos to Kailas Menon for his magic again after Jeevamshamayi.
Seventh place is by “Kudukku Pottiya Kupayam”. Again local tunes with not much musical challenge went to Vineeth Srinivasan (who again prove he is a multi-talent). The lyrics by Manu Manjith (He says P. Bhaskaran is his favorite music lyricist). A very ordinary song with a catchy tune is by Shaan Rahman (who had made a lot of top charts last year as well). We give a thumps up. Music director’s association with Vineeth from Malarvadi Arts Club continues.
Eighth place is taken by Sakhiyeee sung by Harichran who saved a very ordinary song other wise lack any character or any good things to write about. Lyrics by BK Harinarayanan, Ratheesh Vega who is comparatively more experienced and had given hits in Malayalam did a poor job with this song. We give it a Thumps down.
Ninth place is taken by Ariyathe Ariyathe, from super star movie, sung by Kathakali padam, Sopanam singer Kottakal Madhu. Lyrics by Rafeeq Ahamed and music director Jakes Bejoy used a traditional style for this song and choose a traditional style singer who did an awesome job. We give two Thumps up.
Tenth place is taken by Kaanatheeram sung by Megha Josekutty and music director Shaan Rahman gave her this opportunity which she proved right. Megha is a popular singer on Smule for us to sing with. Lyrics by Vinayak Shashimumar did an average job. As a new face and grabbing this opportunity Megha is the new talent to look for in playback music. We give a thumps up for this song
12th palce is taken by Pularan Neram. We give a big thumps up for Bijipal for his music direction, Hari Narayanan BK for the beautiful lyrics, and Singer Sooraj Santhosh sang an excellent melody which will climb up the charts. Two thumps up
13th place is taken by Deepak dev’s Big brother song Kando Kando, sung by Amit Trivedi (Gujarati singer music director from Bollywood) and Gowrey Lekshmi. She is a music composer who came to prominence when she gave music for a hit song from movie Casanova Sakhiye. Gowrey did an awesome job singing. Why Deepak Dev, have to bring Amit who can’t even pronounce a word in Malayalam properly? We give a Thumps up for a an average score rescued by Gowri’s beautiful voice.
14 th spot is taken by Vaathil Chaari, made in excellent voice of Shakthisree Gopalan, Music director Jackson Vijayan makes some sense with this song. A thumps up
List of songs that take 15 to 20 is of no prominence to write about.
References
