Nivedyam
(Click here to listen to the streaming audio - Music India Online)

Nivedyam is a Malayalam movie directed by Lohita Das. Eventhough the movie is not well received by both audience and critics, the music has stole the hearts. The album has nine tracks composed by M Jayachandran and lyrics written by Kaithapram, Bicchu Thirumala and the director Lohita Das himself. M Jayachandran's melodious music is a great relief after listening to the light songs that have been doing the rounds in Malayalam cinema music for a while (I'm not saying those were bad, just mentioning that this is a refreshing change). I am listing my favorite picks over here.


Chittaattin Kaavil

Sung by: Sankaran Namboothiri
Lyrics: Bicchu Thirumala

These days we do hear a lot of new singers in Malayalam and most of them have a refreshing voice with amazing singing abilities. My most favorite song from this album is this song sung by Sankaran Namboothiri. This song is a perfect blend of different music genres. It has the flavor of western music, Hindustani music, folk music and then concluding with Karnatik music. M Jayachandran deserves a standing ovation for this composition and the singer has done a great job in singing this song. The orchestration of this song is also superb.

Don't get me wrong or being an idol worshipper of Yesudas, but listening to the new singers and listening to the songs sung by Yesudas in his golden days (not the KJY of these days) makes me realize the greatness of Dasettan. He sang every song with ease, including the classically challenging ones. But listen to the new singers and the straining in their voice is audible if you listen carefully.


Kola Kuzhal

Sung by: Vijay Yesudas, Swetha
Lyrics: Lohita Das

This song is the current favorite of Malayalees these days. It starts from a beautiful flute piece and then take you on completely. Swetha (assuming that she is the daughter of singer Sujatha Mohan), has a beautiful voice and reminds you of Sujatha. Before I checked the singer's name, I thought it was Sujatha! Very emotive singing indeed.

This is one of my very few favorites from Vijay Yesudas. He is not having any pronunciation issues in this song. This song will definitely bring him more opportunities I believe.


Hey Krishna

Sung by: M Jayachandran
Lyrics: Kaithapram

Sometimes it is good that a music director leaves the job of singing to better singers. This is a beautiful song and composition, but MJ's vocals for this song sounds a little odd. It is technically good, but MJ's problem is putting an overdose of emotions in the song like some mimicry artists criticize him. I think Madhu Balakrishnan would have done a perfect job for this song. But I like the music and lyrics.


Kaayaampoovo

Sung by: K S Chitra, Sudeep Kumar
Lyrics: Kaithapram

While we music listeners are eager to idolize many singers, we tend to forget this great singer - K S Chitra. She has been here for quite a long time and still doing a great job with every song that she sings. There are songs that perhaps only Chitra can sing to perfection - be it Kalabham Tharaam from Vadakkumnathan, Kaarmukil Varnante from Nandanam etc. Particularly, when she sing the songs about Krishna, she's pouring her heart out in a divinely manner. This song is no different. A little nasal tone is audible in Chitra's part of this song though. Sudeep Kumar has also done a good job with this song.


The album has a few other songs too. Including some Karnatik krithis like Alaipaayuthey, Krishna Nee Begane Baaro etc. Overall, a music album worth your money.