Songs of 2014

Like last year, here are the best songs I listened to this year - 2014. Sadly, I didn't get to listen to much Hindi, Tamil or Malayalam music, so the list mostly contains Telugu songs :)

Do check out Milliblog's excellent Annual Music Roundup 2014 by Karthik for a much more comprehensive list spanning all languages.

Telugu

Thirugubaatidhi, Prateekshanam - Basanti (Mani Sharma)

Mani Sharma hardly makes music these days and when he does, it's for trashy masala films. When he gets good scripts, he makes refreshing albums, like this one. I liked Thirugubatidhi for its booming bass line and an easy tune, and I loved Prateekshanam. A beautiful and intricate tune, great singing by Dinker and Chaitra but above all, outstanding lyrics by Srimani.

Kanulanu Thaake, Idi Prema - Manam (Anoop Rubens)

Anoop's music in Manam was a revelation. This is by far his best album and his music greatly helped the film. Kanulanu Thaake has a flowing tune, great singing by Arijit Singh and catchy chorus. It's easy to like this one, but I fell in love with the other song, Idi Prema by Master Bharath, after watching the film. The lyrics by Chandrabose beautifully sum up the story and Anoop sets them to a haunting tune.

Sweety, Cinema Choopista, Gala Gala, Down Down, Boochaade - Race Gurram (Thaman)

This is Thaman's best work in recent times and I liked all the songs. Check out the hip Sweety and the foot-tapping Cinema Choopista.

Edo, Aa Seetadevi, Enta Varu - Rowdy Fellow (Sunny MR and Anil R)

Trendy music by Sunny, continuing where he left off from Swami Ra Ra. Aa Seetadevi has a great chorus accentuated by Sunny's familiar Jazz-Rock sound, and Arijit nails the song (what a great year or two he's been having!). Yedo by the late Anil R (check out his LBW) is my pick of the album. Beautifuly melody - it haunts.

Teeyaga Teeyaga, Telisi Teliyandila - Ulavacharu Biryani (Ilayaraja)

Vintage Ilayaraja. Sweet tunes and that trademark orchestration.

Chakkiliginthe, Mayo Mayo - Chakkiligintha (Mickey J Meyer)

Mayo Mayo is your typical catchy club song and Chakkiliginthe is a nice melody with some good singing by Haricharan.

Bujjima, Shanti Om - Run Raja Run (Ghibran)

Bujjima is extremely foot-tapping thanks to Gold Devaraj's singing and Ghibran's arrangements. Shanti Om Shanti is a neat dubstep/club song. Also check out Vaddantune from the album.

Gulabi Kallu, Prati Chota - Govindudu Andari Vaadele (Yuvan Shankar Raja)

Yuvan usually does terrific work when he does Telugu albums (sample Happy, Oy) so this one was not upto his standards. However, a few songs stand out. Gulabi is a kickass dubstep melody (take that!) and Prati Chota is an ode to 90s' Chiru intro songs.

Shwaase Nuvve - Maine Pyaar Kiya (V Pradeep Kumar)

For his second film after Billa Ranga (which had terrific music - check out last year's review), director Pradeep Madugula hires V Pradeep Kumar (who sang a song or two in Billa Ranga), and he does great work here. Check out Shwaase Nuvve, a stunningly good melody.

Em Sandeham Ledu - Oohalu Gusagusalade (Kalyani Koduri)

Kalyani Malik dropped his middle name last year and it seems to be working well for him :) After good music in last year's AMAT (check out Gammattuga Unnadi), he comes up with another melodious album this year. My pick of the album is Em Sandeham Ledu - a supremely crafted melody. And to top it off, he does a great job singing it, ably helped by Sunitha.

Other songs that I liked:

Chakri:

You're My Love from Tanu Monne Vellipoyindi

Navvamma Thalli from Erra Bus

Rahman Geethamla from Dhee ante Dhee

Thaman:

Raakasi Raakasi from Rabhasa

Naari Naari and Bhel Puri from Aagadu

Badmash Pilla and Notanki from Power

Devi Sri Prasad:

Aw Tujho, Sayonara, You're My Love from 1 - Nenokkadine

Tanjavuru from Legend

Neeli Neeli and Whats Up Antu from Alludu Seenu

Mickey J Meyer: Daredum and Chala Bagundi from Mukunda

Keeravani: Kshanam Kshanam from Anamika

Anoop Rubens: Aayudham and Sura Sura from Auto Nagar Surya (though Sura is a total ripoff)

JB: Osi Prema Rakshasi from Kotta Janta

Rahul Raj: Merise Merise from Paathashaala

Achu: Ra Ra Krishnayya from Ra Ra Krishnayya

Tamil

• Ennodu Nee Irundhaal, Meriselayitten, Aila Aila - I (A. R. Rahman)
• Kannikkul Pothivaippen - Thirumanam Enum Nikkah (Ghibran)
• Mona Gasolina, Oh Nanba - Lingaa (A. R. Rahman)
• Kannamma - Jigarthanda (Santhosh Narayanan)
• Move Your Body - Vai Raja Vai (Yuvan Shankar Raja)
• Enai Marubadi - Nanbenda (Harris Jayaraj)
• Koottali Koottali - Aaha Kalyanam (Dharan)

Hindi

Ala Hada, Beqasoor, Khalifa - Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (A. R. Rahman)

This one from ARR is severely underrated, and went unnoticed with the failure of the film. Check out the punchy Khalifa and the dulcet Ala Hada and Beqasoor.

Maahi Ve, Pathaka Guddi - Highway (A. R. Rahman)

O Gujariya - Queen (Amit Trivedi)

Kabhi Ruhani - Raja Natwarlal (Yuvan Shankar Raja)

Bang Bang - Bang Bang (Vishal Shekhar)

Manali Trance - The Shaukeens (Yo Yo Honey Singh)

Baby Doll - Ragini MMS 2 (Yo Yo Honey Singh)

Malayalam

Ee Mizhikalin, Payye Payye, Chayunnuvo, Aaromale - Ormayundo Ee Mukham (Shaan Rahman)

Please chip in with the songs you liked that I missed, and the ones that I put in that you thought weren't so great. Looking forward to a great 2015!

Prateekshanam from Basanti - Lyrics

ప్రతీక్షణం పెదాలతో ప్రతీక్షణం నిరీక్షణ
ఇదెంత దాటలేని దూరమో కదా

ప్రతీక్షణం పదాలతో ప్రతీక్షణం నిరీక్షణ
ఈ లేత ప్రాయమెంత హాయిదో కదా

నీ స్నేహమే.. హే..  ఏ సరదాకైనా పరదాలే తీసేలా
నీ స్నేహమే.. హే..  నా ప్రేమను ప్రేమతో ప్రేమగా నింపే వేళ

చూస్తున్నా చూస్తున్నా నీ అల్లరి కన్నులలోన
కాస్తైనా కురిసేనా నీ మదిలో మాటల వాన

హే సీతాకోక నిన్నే తాకి చూసాక
నీ రెక్కల రంగే నా మునివేళ్ళకు పూసెనుగా
ఓ.. ఆ నీలాకాశం నాలా తప్పిపోయిందే
నావల్లే గాలికి గాల్లో తేలే వీలుందే

మౌనం మైనమై ప్రాణం కరిగేనా
నీలో లీనమై నన్నే చెరపనా

గాలిపటమై ఇలా
ఎగిరానేనిలా

దొరికావే ఎలా
మబ్బుల్లోనే పిల్లా

ఈ స్నేహమే.. హే.. తెలతెల్లని నా హృదయంపై హరివిల్లేనా
నీ స్నేహమే.. హే.. ప్రియురాలిని పుస్తకమల్లే చదివించేనా

వింటున్నా వింటున్నా నీ యద లొతుల థిల్లానా
కాస్తైనా తెలిసేనా నీ మది లోతెంతో మైనా

నీ పాదం వెంటే పరుగులు తీస్తూ వస్తున్నా
అలనురగలు మోసే కెరటంలా ఉరికిస్తున్నా
ఓ.. భూగోళం మొత్తం నేనే మోస్తున్నట్టున్నా
ఓ అణువంతైనా తొణుకే లేక నేనున్నా

నీ ప్రతి మాటలో ఏదో మౌనమా
నీ ప్రతి నవ్వులో నేనే శూన్యమా

తేలనీ నన్నిలా
తేనెటీగై అలా

తేనె బుడగై ఇలా
తాకనీ నిన్నిలా

మన స్నేహమే.. హే.. బిందువులా మొదలై నదిలా ప్రవహించేలా
మన స్నేహమే.. హే.. నడిమధ్యలొ బిందువు వద్దకు నది పయనంలా

ఎన్నాళ్ళే ఎన్నాళ్ళే మౌనంగా ఈ చదరంగం
ఇరు తీరం చేరాలే ఇద్దరిలో ఎవరో ఒకరం

నీకే తెలుసంట నీ గుండెల్లో ఏముందో
నీ సంతోషానికి సంబరపడుతూ ప్రేముందో
ఓ.. ఈ వీక్షణమంతా వీడిందంటే తక్షణమే
ఏ విలువుండదుగా ఇలలో ప్రేమకు ఈ క్షణమే

ప్రతీక్షణం పెదాలతో ప్రతీక్షణం నిరీక్షణ
ఇదెంత దాటలేని దూరమో కదా

ప్రతీక్షణం పదాలతో ప్రతీక్షణం నిరీక్షణ
ఈ లేత ప్రాయమెంత హాయిదో కదా


'Prateekshanam'. Sung by Dinker and Chaitra. Music by Mani Sharma. Lyrics by Shree Mani. From the film Basanti, directed by Chaitanya Dantuluri.

Alternate spellings: Pratheekshanam, Pratee / Prathee / Prati / Prathi Kshanam

Songs of 2013

Here are the best Telugu, Tamil and Hindi songs I listened to in 2013, in no particular order. I listened to a lot of Telugu songs, some Tamil and Hindi ones. Compiling this list was easy - I looked at my top-rated songs of the year in iTunes, sorted them by play count and picked the best ones.

Telugu

Ee Kshanam, Enno Nava Ragaale, Pilla Bagundi - KISS - (Sricharan Pakala and Pete Wonder)

Trippy tunes from first-time composer Sricharan. Ee Kshanam reminded me of the Edward Maya hit 'Stereo Love' (our composers are just as good as European DJs!). Watch out for the singer Ravikanth Perepu. Top-notch stuff.

Maarinade, Konchem Konchem, Katuka Kannula, Kadhal Prema - Alias Janaki (Shravan)

Fell in love with the songs after a couple of listens. Very very addictive hooks and good singing. Super stuff from Shravan. Album of the year for me.

Sammathame, Gundu Soodi, Tulle Tulle - Prema Ishq Kaadhal (Shravan)

Just who is this Shravan? Have seen no interviews or videos of his.. Does a great job again. Very listenable Mickey-J-Meyer style melodies.

Speaking of Mickey..

Seetamma Vaakitlo, Inka Cheppale - Seetamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (Mickey J Meyer)

Why doesn't Mickey get more films? Even after an album like this?

Melam Moge, Come Na Come, Raa Balamani, Oopiri Jenda, Raja Ra - Billa Ranga (Santhosh Narayanan)

The very inventive Santhosh Narayanan comes to Telugu. And delivers. Listen to the dubstep laden Melam Moge or the import from Soodhu Kavvum 'Come Na Come'. Special mention to the funny lyrics. Find the playlist at this link.

Neelaa Evaru, Life Antene - Swamy Rara (Sunny MR)

Violin Song - Iddarammailatho, Idedo Baagunde - Mirchi, Deva Devam - Attarintiki Daaredi 

(Devi Sri Prasad)

Bharatam Pattina Natyam, O Neelaveni - MM Keeravani (Emo Gurram Egaravacchu)

Gammattuga Unnadi - Antaku Mundhu Aa Taruvata (Kalyani Koduri)

Yemo Nemo - Bangaru Kodi Petta (Mahesh Shankar)

Tholi Merupa, Nuvva Nuvva - Varna (Harris Jayaraj)

Thaman had a prolific year, with around 15 albums in Telugu and Tamil. Apart from my picks listed below, I liked his tribute to Rahman's Oorvasi (Pandaga Chesko - Ramayya Vastavayya) and Ilayaraja's Jagada Jagada (Padipoyanila - Balupu).

Allah Allah and Lashkar Pori (Jabardasth)

Katthi Lanti Pilla, Hey Naayak (Naayak)

Diamond Girl (Baadshah) - ordinary tune and lyrics, but Thaman shows off his programming/arranging and mixing skills. Listen to the song on a good stereo system and be impressed!

Tamil

Adiye, Moongil Thottam - Kadal (A. R. Rahman)

Kanave Kanave - David, Oh Penne - Vanakkam Chennai (Anirudh Ravichander)

Aaja Aaja - Thillu Mullu, Naah Na Naah - Biriyani (Yuvan Shankar Raja)

Enga Pona Raasa - Maryan (A. R. Rahman)

Kannukkul Pothuvaippen - Thirumanam Enum Nikkah (Ghibran)

Hindi

Tu Mun Shudi, Nazar Laaye, Piya Milenge - Raanjhanaa (A. R. Rahman)

Shubhaarambh - Kai Po Che (Amit Trivedi)

Sunn Raha Hai, Tum Hi Ho - Aashiqui 2 (Ankit Tiwari and Mithoon)

Zinda - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy)

Khalbali - 3G (Mithoon)

Mera Mann - Nautanki Saala (Falak Shabir)

Ambarasariya - Fukrey (Ram Sampath)

Titli - Chennai Express (Vishal-Shekhar)

Any other recommendations?

P. S. : Here's a screenshot of the iTunes playlist:

Sadda Haq - Telugu lo

For the Telugu people who felt the lyrics of Rockstar were lost in translation (to English), here's an attempt at a Telugu translation.

The lyrics themselves are not very out of the ordinary, but they have this pop angst that make them catchy.

Sadda Haq from Rockstar (2011)

Singer: Mohit Chauhan

Composer: A R Rahman

Lyrics: Irshad Kamil

మీ ఈ లోకంలో
మనుషులు చేసే ప్రతీది తప్పే?
నేను కరెక్ట్ అనుకొని ఏది చేసినా మీరు తప్పంటారు. నేను తప్పైతే మరెవరు కరెక్ట్?
నచ్చినట్టు బతకడానికి కూడా మీ అందరినీ పర్మిషన్ అడగాలా?
అంటే, మీ అందరికి నా మీద నాకంటే ఎక్కువ హక్కుందా?

ఇది నా హక్కు, ఇక్కడే ఉంచు.

ఇలా పదే పదే మీరు నా బతికే అలవాటును ఎందుకు చంపుతున్నారు?
మర్యాదలు తెలియని వాడ్ని, ఆ గల్లీ వాడ్ని, సిగ్గు శరం లేనివాడని (అంటూ)..
మనసంటోంది ఈ పద్ధతులన్నీ బతకడానికి శిస్తు లాంటివి,
ఈ లోకం నీ శతృవు, ఎవ్వరు నీ వాళ్ళు కాదు, వీళ్ళని తగలబెట్టెయ్ అని
మనసంటోంది మనసుతో బతకాలి లేకపోతే చావాలి అని

ఓ ఎకో-ఫ్రెండ్లీ, nature ని రక్షించడానికి కంకణం కట్టుకున్నోడా!
నేను కూడా nature (కాదా?)
ఈ ఆచారాలతో, సమాజాలతో.. ఎందుకు నన్ను దూరం చేస్తావ్?
ఎందుకు నన్నిలా ముక్కలు చేస్తావ్?
నిజాయితీ గురించి పాఠాలు చెప్తావే? నువ్వు నిజం వినడానికి కూడా సిద్ధంగా లేనప్పుడు
ఎవడైనా నిజం చెప్తే న్యాయం, చట్టం అని మాట్లాడతావ్

నీ భయం
నీ ప్రేమ
నీ పొగడ్తలు
నువ్వే ఉంచుకో

ఇది (బతకడం) నా హక్కు, (దాన్ని) ఇక్కడే ఉంచు.

Vayyarala Jabilli - Theen Maar

After listening to it a couple of times, I started to like the song 'Vayyarala Jabilli' from the movie 'Theen Maar'. It somehow reminds me of this song - 'Hai Re Hai' from 'Sindhooram'. Manisharma composed the music and Karunya lent his vocals. It's simple, sweet and easily hummable. You can listen to the song here : వయ్యారాల జాబిల్లి.

Pa||

వయ్యారాల జాబిల్లి  ఓణి  కట్టి..గుండెల్లోన  చేరావే  గంటె  కొట్టి

ఆ నండూరి  వారెంకి  మళ్లి  పుట్టి ..కవ్వింతల్లో ముంచావే కళ్ళే మీటి

నదివలై కదిలా  నిలబడక..కలలను వదిలా నిను  వెతక

వయసే  వరస  మార్చినదే..మనసే  మధువు  చిలికినదే

అడుగే  జతను  అడిగినదే..అలలై  తపన  తడిపినదే  ||వయ్యారాల జాబిల్లి||

1 Cha||

నీ  పరిచయమే  ఓ  పరవశమై..జగాలు  మెరిసేను  లే  

నా  యద  గుడిలో  నీ  అలికిడిని ..పదాలు  పలుకవులే  

ఆణువణువూ  చెలిమి  కొరకు..అడుగడుగు  చెలికి  గొడుగు  

ఇది  వరకు  గుండె  లయకు..తెలియదులే  ఇంత  పరుగు  

వయసే  వరస  మార్చినదే ..మనసే  మధువు  చిలికినదే  ||వయ్యారాల జాబిల్లి||

2 Cha||

నీ ప్రతి తలపు నాకొక  గెలుపై..సుఖాలు  తొనికేనులే

నీ  శ్రుతి  తెలిపే  కోయిల  పిలుపే..తథాస్తు  పలికేనులే

గగనములా మెరిసి  మెరిసి..పవనములా మురిసి  మురిసి

నినుకలిసే  క్షణము  తలచి..అలుపు  అనే  పదము  మరచి

వయసే  వరసా  మార్చినదే..మనసే  మధువు  చిలికినదే  ||వయ్యారాల జాబిల్లి||

List: Telugu songs that I liked in the past month or so

While there hasn't been any pathbreaking stuff, there have been a few listenable songs. Here's an arbitrary list:

5. Kudirite Kappu Coffee by Yogeshwara Sharma - Srikaram
SPB doesn't sing the song, he just flows, especially during the middle portions (charanaalu?) - while Nihal matches him very ably with his "Dhomtananana" parts.

4. LBW by Anil R - Meghamaa and Teerale Vaddante
Both songs exploit the honeydew-ness of Javed Ali's vocals. The latter, more.

3. Anaganaga Oka Dheerudu by Salim-Sulaiman and others - Chirugaalai and Yodha Theme
Chirugaalai(/Premalekha)'s orchestration sounds very very similar to Salim-Sulaiman's classic O Re Piya from Aaja Nachle but it's a good song in itself, helped by Shreya Ghoshal's and Salim's Siddharth-like vocals.
Yodha Theme is adequately grand and rousing and rest of the songs in the album too deserve a listen or two.

2. Vareva by Mahesh Shankar - Are Idi Asalu and  Ne Talachane Ledu
Benny's techno-friendly voice helps Are Idi asalu sound peppy/catchy.funky, and it's a good thing. Those who like Mahesh's serene melodies (from Vennela and Prayanam) will like Ne Talachane Ledu.

1. Mirapakay by S Thaman - Silakaa and Dhinnaku Dhin
Apart from a catchy tune, Silakaa has enjoyably satirical lyrics about love and PDA (by Bhaskarabhatla).
The faux-classical Dhinnaku Dhin gains from Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal's fluent vocals.

P.S.: Also good were:
- Thee Illai by Naresh Iyer and Lolita by Harish Raghavendra from Harris Jayaraj's Engeyum Kadhal
- Ainvayi by Salim, Sunidhi Chauhan from Band Baaja Baaraat
- A few from No One Killed Jessica by Amit Trivedi and Action Replayy by Pritam

Sunitha interviews Karthik in Jhummandhi Naadam show.

I found this interview on Youtube today and it's with one of my fav singers, karthik :) There is just the first part that has been uploaded :( I wish the user uploads the rest of the parts too. I enjoyed every second of this 9 min video. It feels good to see Karthik in a Telugu music show.

Lyrics of Inumulo O Hrudayam - Robot

Singers: AR Rahman, Lady Kash and Krissy

Peppy peppy number which has been playing on my ipod since two days. Here are the lyrics of the song. Please feel free to let me know of any mistakes.

(Female)

You want to feel my kiss..boy you can’t touch this

(Male)

Inumulo o hrudayam molichene

Muddimantoo ninne valachane(2)

Poojinche yanthrudu poovasanakochadu

Maramanishi vinthodu manmadhudai vachadu

Google ke andani andam chudalanukunnadu

Kaalaale ennadu chudani preme manadannadu

(Female)

ooooo oh boy..

(Male)

I Robo ne chevilo I love you koredha (4)

(Female)

I am a super girl, preminche lover girl (2)

(Male)

Vennillo andale nevele neevele

Nee neeli kannulo vidhyuthe dongalistha

Naa neeli pannultho nee thone navvestha

Naa  engine gundelani ne sevaki arpistha

Nee nidra rathri lo na srushti apestha

Ye nadu ye poddhu nee vaadi bommanavutha

(Female)

Watch me robo shake it..I know you want to break it

katti mata gana..nuvve shock kodithe prema boodidhena

Motor vegamaithe..kaugili rathri battery ayipothe

(Male)

Memory lo ne sukumaram vidiga dhachukuntane

Shutdown ne cheyannu po rojantha chusthane

(Female)

Vu aaa robo

(Male)

Sensor lanni arige daaka ne lo anni chadivane

Nee valle na niyamam haddhulu anni marichane

Engili leni donga muddhu vadhana kunda theesukova

Raktham leni na hangulane vaddu pora antava

Jeeva sashtra bashalonna yantranne oh cheli

Tharalokam bashalonna chandrudine na sakhi

Chaave leni saapam pondhi bhuvi paiki vachanne

Na prema poovalle vadipodhu antane

(Female)

Hey robo maska voddhu

You want to come and get it boy..are you just a robo toy?

I don't want to break you..even though it takes you

kind of like a breakthrough..you don't even need a clue

you be my man's backup..i think you need a checkup

i can melt your heart down..may be if you got one...

I've been doing that for ages..since it's time of sages

Nuvvu kallaku bandham veyaku po..prema kore robo

ne avasaram ledhu po po..

(Male)

Inumulo o hrudayam molichene

Muddimantoo ninne valachane(2)

Poojinche yanthrudu poovasanakochadu

Maramanishi vinthodu manmadhudai vachadu

Chopulake andani andam chudalanukunnadu

Kaalaale ennadu chudani preme manadannadu

I Robo nee chevilo, I Love you koredha..

(Female)

I am a super girl, preminche lover girl

(Male)

I robo ne chevilo, I love you koredha

(Female)

I am a super girl, preminche lover girl

(Male)

I robo ne chevilo, I love you koredha

(Female)

I am a super girl, preminche lover girl

I am a super girl, preminche loverr girl

Robotic..hipnotic..hipnotic..super sonic

Super star come come get it..you you can't touch this

Vintunnava by Shreya Ghosal

I want to make a mention about the song 'Vintunnava' from the movie 'Ye Maaya Chesavo' (Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya in Tamil). I never really bothered to listen to it in Tamil (since the Tamil album was out first). Actually not in Telugu too until I had to listen to the whole song once and I did not have an opportunity to skip the song in winamp ( I was cooking some complicated stuff, couldn't deviate in between :P).


So, once I heard the complete song, I really liked it. Shreya Ghosal's rendering is just too perfect in it. Karthik's vocals complemented hers very well in Telugu. He should have sung in Tamil too. I am not a very big fan of AR Rahman's vocals. To me it sounds good in only few songs ( like in Newyork Nagaram, Khwaja Mere Khwaja ..and few more..can't remember them all now..) Anyway, so this is one song which is on my winamp these days. My dear ARR fans out there, do listen to it if you still haven't (which is highly improbable :) )

You can listen to the Telugu version here : Vintunnava

and to the Tamil version here : Mannipaya

Waiting for You

Kay Kay is the king of pathos. Give him a sad number and he'll nail it. He'll sing it with such ardor you'd think for a moment he is taking it personally. Waiting for you from Oy! is one such song. Yuvan Shankar Raja composes a gem of a tune, adds minimal yet sparkling orchestration to it and Kay Kay does the rest.

We've seen Yuvan compose such songs previously - good examples are Kadal Valaranthe from Manmadhan (again by Kay Kay!), Devadhaiyin Kandein from Kadhal Kondein and some more from 7/G Brundavan Colony etc. Kay Kay, as I said, has always been a master at this. His first ever hit, Tadap Tadap (Lut Gaye) from HDDCS (Ismail Darbar), Beete Lamhein from The Train (Mithoon) and numerous others Pritam with O Meri Jaan from Tum Mile being the latest.

This one ranks among his best (and is my personal favorite). The premise is roughly this - the guy has proposed to the girl and in typical filmy style set a deadline for her to accept and is singing this song in the mean time. (*Note/Spoiler: One would wonder why it would involve so much of grief but I guess it goes with the theme of the film where the girl would go on to die of cancer).


You can listen to the song here and watch the video here. (I absolutely hate the video because it does no justice to the song and serves an insult to it, if any..).

I found the lyrics here and I'll try to translate them:

Chirunavve navvuthuu naa kosam vasthaavani
Wishing that you'd come for me with a smile
Chigurasee reputhuu nee premanu thesthaavani
Wishing that you'd bring along your love
Ninu vethikaane nanne thaake gaalulne aara teestoo
I looked for you enquiring the breezes that touched me
Niluchunnane neekai veche teeraanne aaradhisthuu
I stood admiring the shore waiting for you
Prathi janmaa neetho ne I'm waiting for you baby
[I want to spend] each life with you, I'm waiting for you baby
Prathi janmaa neetho ne I'm waiting for you baby

Ooo...
Chirunavve.. (repeat)

Nuvvu nenu yekam ayye premallona..
In the love where You and I unite
Ponge pralayam ninnu nannu vanchinchenaa..
Would the [impending] catastrophe betray us?
Puvve mullai kaatesthundhaa, Neere nippai kalchesthundhaa..
Would the flower turn into a thorn? And water, into fire?
Vidhinainaa veleyana Ninu gelicheyanaa
Wouldn't I defy fate and win you over?
Nee kosam nereekashanaa
This wait is for you
Oo.. I am waiting for you baby
Prathi janmaa neethone I am waiting for u babyy... (repeat)

Ooo.....

Premaane oke maate aamelo gathinchindha
Did the word called love culminate in her?
Veedani bhayam edho gundene tholusthundha
Is some morbid fear bothering her?
Aa oohee thana madhilo kalathale repenaa
Is it disturbing her?
Vidhinainaa veleyana ninu gelicheyanaa..
Nee kosam nereekashanaa..
Oo.. I am waiting for u babyy... (repeat)

Chirunavve.. (repeat)

PS: Do check out other songs from the album Oy if you haven't . Fantastic music by Yuvan. Read about it here and here.

Egire

'Egire' is the opening song in the soundtrack of Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam, a 2009 Telugu film starring Siddarth and Tamanna. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy score music.

SEL have a wonderful repertoire of Pop rock numbers. Here are some I can think of off the top of my head.

Aasma ke Paar from Rockford
Dil Chahta Hai from Dil Chahta Hai
Kholo Kholo from Taare Zameen Par
Rock On from Rock On

Egire is fitting addition to that list.

'Elation' is the first word that comes to my mind if I try to describe the song. The song rocks from the outset. I'll try and describe the song using arbitrary phrases :)

uplifting vocals, bang on percussion, grunge, breaking free, sky, free fall, soaring in the sky, joy, guitar, love, realizing-you-are-in-love, friendship, impulsive symbolisms, noise, flying, unsolicited lessons on life and lifestyle, blah.

For all who like the song but don't know what the lyrics mean and would love to know, here are (what I comprehend) the translated lyrics:

Egire, egire..
Up, up it flew

Choope egirene cheekati eragani daarilo
Vision spanned the route that knows no darkness (?)
Paadam egirene bhayame teliyani baatalo
The foot traversed the path that knows no fear
Praayam egirene parchiyamavvani trovalo
Youth danced in the track untrodden
Fly high in the sky

Egire, egire paikegire
Up, up and high it flew
Kalale, alalai paikegire
Dreams, like waves they rose
Paluke, swaramai paikegire
Speech, it sprang up as a voice
Prati adugu sweccha koragaa
When every step yearned for freedom

Manase adigina prashnake badulocchenu kadaa ipude
Did I just get the answer to the question that my heart asked?
Epudu choodani lokame edurocchenu kadaa ichate
Did the world I never saw before just run into me here?

Ee kshaname sambaram
This moment is a celebration
Ee kshaname shaashvatam
This moment is eternal
Ee kshaname jeevitham
This moment is life

Telisindi ee kshanam
Now I know

Mounam karigene maatala suryudi endalo
In the sunshine of the talkative Sun, my silence melted away
Sneham dorikene navvula chandrudi needalo
Under the shade of the laughing Moon, I found friendship
Pranam pongene merupula taarala ningi lo
The spirit surged in the starlit sky
Fly high in the sky

Telupu nalupu kaadu ra palu rangulu ilaa siddham
Not just black or white, all the colours are ready for you
Madilo rangulu addaraa mana kalalaku ade artham
Dab those colours in your heart, that's the meaning of our dreams

Saripodoy bratakadam nerchey jeevinchadam
It's not enough to survive, learn to live
Gamanam gamaninchadam payanam lo avasaram
It's necessary to notice the course when you are on a journey

Chesey santakam nadiche kaalapu nudutipai
Leave your signature on the face of time
Rasey swagatam repati kalapu pedavi pai
Write a welcome note on tomorrow's lips
Panchey snehitam kalam chadive kavitavai
Spread love as the poem that time reads (er.. what?)Fly high in the sky
Translations are tough. And silly. :)

Here are the lyrics in Telugu:


The song's music video does perfect justice to the song. Colourful and uplifting. Here's the video: