Tharai Thappattai

[MysteRy]

'Tharai Thappattai'-Audio review

Cast: Sasikumar, Varalakshmi Sarathkumar,Sathish Kaushik
Music: Ilayaraja
Direction: Bala

Album Analysis:

Hero Intro Theme
Instrumental
The ‘Hero Intro Theme’ is a bit run-of-the-mill when it comes to the arrangements as the instrumentations are generic. The nadaswaram portions are clichéd too bringing a heard before nostalgia. Doesn’t offer much to the album!

 

Aatakaari
Singers: MM Manasi, Prasanna
Vintage Ilayaraaja! The prelude says it all – with a fresh tune & spirited singing by MM Manasi, the track is foot tapping from the word go. The song has some good old Ilayaraaja signatures and is likely to be shot as a montage. The strongest attribute of Ilayaraaja which is making songs peppy and easy on the ears at the same time, is found here as well.

Idarinum
Singers: Sharreth
A stunning number! ‘Idarinum’ sees Ilayaraaja in his prime form where he brings up a complicated composition and instigates a lot of grandeur through the arrangements. The tune has a pathos tinge to it and the lyrics give you are goosebumps. Sharreth’s rendition deserves a special mention as the song touches some high notes which is made effortless through his vocals.

'Tharai Thappattai' Theme
Instrumental
Ilayaraaja chucks out all the artificial studio percussion sounds and comes up with a theme music that’s entirely done with real instruments – nadaswaram,melam,etc. The track has a ferocious intent and is vibrant enough to power any sort of visuals associated with it. The sheer ability to offer such a grand track with real instruments devoid of synthesizing sounds deserves an ovation. The tempo reaches a crescendo when the ‘udukkai’ segment starts.

Paaruruvaaya
Singers: Sathya Prakash, Surmukhi
Pick of the lot! ‘Paaruvaaya’ is the Thiruvasagam track that’s been getting quite a buzz before the audio launch. Surmukhi & Sathya Prakash pass with flying colors in a composition that is gripping the listeners with its stunning instrumentation. Wonder how this will be shot in the movie though!

Aarambam Aavudhu
Singers: Ilayaraja, Ananthu
‘Aarambam Aavudhu’ tries the koothu-karagam fusion & depends largely on the narrative to fall in place. Bala has the knack of shooting such songs as evidenced in Naan Kadavul & Pithamagan. So, this should be a part of the narrative and can be enjoyed with the visuals.

Vathana Vathana Vadivelan
Singers: Kavitha Gopi, Priyadharshini
The expected karagaata track in the album! The composer has gone a little easier on the experimentation part and has made this track viable to the listeners who’d like to have a song to sing along. The vocals are pretty generic too supporting the cause of the song. The prelude is a title track material though!
On the whole, Tharai Thappattai being a landmark film for Ilayaraaja mostly hits the right zones. He has stuck to the genre of the movie without any deviations because of the landmark. It is time to celebrate Ilayaraaja the composer for delivering 1000 albums than to just talk about his 1000th album alone.

[MysteRy]

Thaarai Thappattai Review

Director: Bala
Cast: Sasikumar, Varalakshmi, GM Kumar

When filmmakers break stereotypes early in their career, we call them trendsetters.  After a point of time, these directors fall in love with their own style of film making, and they refuse to move away from their comfort zone. Thaarai Thapattai is a template Bala film meant strictly for viewers like his morbid stories with plenty of violence and gore!

Sannasi (Sasikumar) is a great Nadaswaram and Davul vithwan, and he leads a troop of folk artists. The star attraction of the troupe is Sooravali (Varalakshmi), a fiery, bold, outspoken girl with a heart of gold.

Sooravali unconditionally loves Sannasi and she will go to any extent to get his attention. Saanasi is also smitten by her but does not admit it.  When he is ready to propose, her mom arranges her marriage with Karuppaiah (RK Suresh), who introduces himself as a driver to the district Collector.

After one year, Sannasi comes to know that Karrupaiah is actually a pimp and Sooravali’s life is in danger. Can our hero save his loved one’s life? A bloody climax is what you can expect in the end.

As you read the plot— except the milieu of folk artists colony everything else including chracters, the way they behave, talk and react are typical of Bala films. Having said all this, we admire Bala for his guts to make a film with Sasikumar and Varalaxmi and the authenticity in  portraying the lifestyle of folk artists.

Varalaxmi is the star of the show with a standout performance. She is extraordinary as Sooravali, as she oozes confidence and doesn’t miss a beat. You cannot takes your eyes off her as she makes you laugh, cry, hate  and sympathise with her.A big thumbs up to Varalaxmi for a memorable performance, which keeps us rooting for the first half. Post interval she vanishes only to turn up in the climax.

Sasikumar is apt in the role of Sannasi while RK Suresh, as the cold blooded scary villain is extraordinary.Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja has once again scored full marks with his BGM and songs while Chezhiyan’s cinematography is another major plus. Overall, Thaarai Thappattai is a typical Bala film which will be enjoyed by his hard core fans!If violence doesn’t make you uncomfortable, chances are you’ll enjoy this film.