Pariyerum Perumal Songs - Music Review

Suhansid Srikanth

Known for writing literature about the unwritten oppression, coming from Ram's school of filmmaking and getting his debut film produced by Pa.Ranjith gives you the much needed 'all you want to know' about Mari Selvaraj. Yet the soundtrack of 'Pariyerum Perumal' surprises you in its unconventionality. And more so, for the too many steps it has crossed at one go in bringing a mainstream lyric culture of addressing issues.

Vanakkam Vanakkamunga by Puliyankulam Velmayil and Puliyankulam Kannan opens up the ambience and mood of the soundtrack. The folk number written by Perumal Vaathiyaar tells us a culture tale. It aurally introduces us to a geography, a locale and character tones of the story. 'Aadungindra aadalilum, paadungindra paadalilum.. sollil kobam koodi irukkalaam! Nalla nanbana pola neenga kettukolla venumunga!' is like a sweet disclaimer the director (Mari Selvaraj) throws to us.

Engum Pugazh Thuvanga is another folklore that's more like a brother number to Vanakkam Vanakkamunga. The celebrative down-south traditional folk music along with the native charm in Anthony Daasan's and Kallur Mariappan's voices take you a trip to the very zone. Lyrics by Vallanaadu Chinnasamydaasan and Mari Selvaraj tell its own story about a girl. The Naadhaswaram, Thavizh and the folk dialogue ques sown throughout the song blend effortlessly to offer us an experience.

Vaa Rayil Vida Polaamaa takes you back to the Cuckoo times. The 'Sudden Delight' from Soodhu Kavvum like number is more of a vocal and lyric driven one than to be upfront with music. The apologetic tone in Vivek's lyrics and Prithika's vocals is beautifully supported by the minimal beats. The track is a welcome note of hope to a love that doesn't limit itself with race, colour or status quos!

Pottakkaatil Poovaasam is that duet number of SaNa soundtracks which you'll instantly fall in love with. Vivek's lyrics about a man falling so much in love with a girl comes in easy words but the imageries stun you with its simplicity. 'Ennai kaakkum un nesam.. Pullu mela aagaasam' intrigues in the imagination it demands out of a listener. My favorite part of the song is the interlude that opens up a different mood halfway. Fareedha's vocals choke you in its elicit bringing of the much unbearable weight of love the character bears. 'Panjaaratha thookkunaalam rendu nodi kozhi nikkum! En manasa maathunaalum nenja avan kottil vachaan!' And after a line like that, the song seamlessly shifts back into the earlier duet style. This constant mood-shifts is what makes the track special.

Karuppi, that got released as a single.. somehow forms the face of the soundtrack. It is kind of a fusion where the Oppari culture of down-south meets Rap. The signature SaNa style 'Oh Oh' chorus hits you like a chunk here. Lyrics by Vivek and Mari Selvaraj are highly abstract.. clearly indicating that they mean much more than what they just mean. If you associate it with caste.. it is about caste. If you connect it to violence against a dog.. it is about violence. Think about it on the lines of abuse.. it fits fittingly so. It sings for all the victims of oppression! Men! Women! Children! Dogs! And every life out there!

Naan Yaar is probably the highlight song of the soundtrack. The alluring opening that gets into an aggressive listing out of lives getting tormented under various oppressions in the society repeatedly scream out a question, 'Where do I actually belong here?'. Even the humm that chains the interludes has an rebel attitude on its own. 'Pookkum maramengum thookil thongum naan yaar?', 'Un kai padaamal thanneer arundhum naan yaar?', 'Malakuzhikkul moochai adakkum naan yaar?'. The anger and howl that breaks out in each line comes up as a bellow of pain! Mari Selvaraj's lyrics are haunting. 'Maritha pin udalengum neelam paravum naan yaar?'. I haven't come across a dark lyric that in Tamil so far.

Bottomline: The Santhosh Narayanan's soundtrack for Mari Selvaraj's directorial debut, 'Pariyerum Perumal' is more of an aural introduction and mood setup for us to know what to look forward in the film. The album seems stunningly story driven and has lyrics that are daringly different from anything we are used to hear in our songs so far.

Rating: 4/5