'Leader' Audio Review: Rising Expectations

Audio: Leader Audio On: Aditya Music: Sekhar Kammula Lyrics: Shankarambadi Sundarachary, Rayaprolu Subba Rao, Veturi Sundara Rama Murthy Producers: AVM Director: Sekhar Kammula A new chapter from the movie mogul D Ramanaidu as his grandson, Daggubati Rana, son of Daggubati Suresh is all set to make his debut. The film is ‘Leader’ and this is being produced by the prestigious AVM Productions while the maverick Sekhar Kammula is directing it. Recently, the audio release happened grandly and here is a look at how the songs are… Maa Telugu Thalliki… (by Shankarambadi Sundarachary) A slow but intense song, this is ideally the title song of the film and there is a variety in it. While Mickey J Meyer has given a modern version, there is also the original song that came many years ago and the voice has been given by Sri Tanguturi Surya Kumari while the lyricist is Shankarabadi Sundarachari. An excellent mix of the old and the new, this one is worth listening. Avunana Kaadanaa (by Veturi) A romantic duet that has got the typical flavor of Mickey J Meyer, the voices have been given by the duo of Naresh Iyer and Shweta Pandit. Mickey has mixed with a good beat of Tabla, piano, guitar and this is a soft melody that picks up the momentum after few seconds. Veturi Sundararama Murthy has used his experience in coming up with tender words that will strike a chord with the young hearts. Another good song in terms of composition and vocals… Vandemataram (by Veturi) A modern version of the famous ‘Vandemataram’ song, this is a solo that touches base with the song from A R Rahman. The solo number has been given its voice by Nakash Aziz and Mickey has created equilibrium between melody, upbeat tune, depth. The vocals have dominated in this one and Veturi Sundararama Murthy has given a strong message with his words which will appeal to the listeners. Though this is not enjoyable as a song per se, but it sure has a lot sense in it and makes it worth listening. Rajasekhara (by Veturi) This is a supposedly a spicy song which is unusual from a Kammula camp but then Mickey has given it a decent touch by keeping a low base in folk beat of Tabla, Harmonium. Shweta Pandit has rendered her voice and this reminds us of ‘Kajra Re’ song from Bollywood. Though Veturi Sundararama Murthy has picked up lines from the original song which came in ‘Anarkali’, it got a sensuous touch here. Hey CM (by Veturi) This is more like a Blues song and the tune has been taken from a English song. However, the desi feel was given by Sunitha Sarathy in her vocals and she has mixed with a fine tuned accent as well. Mickey specializes in the western tunes so this was piece of cake for him, the piano, guitar and other instruments were used effectively. Veturi Sundararama Murthy gave his prowess with simple words and a tinge of wit. Sreelu Pongina (by Rayaprolu Subba Rao) The base for this has been taken from Rayaprolu Subbarao’s poem and it is apt for this song as it deals with a patriotic theme. This is a chorus song with voices by Krishna Chaitanya, Siddharth, Kranthi, Sashi Kiran, Aditya. Mickey used western instruments in this one with techno beats but he could have looked at a traditional touch to it. Legendary poet Rayaprolu Subba Rao penned this song many decades ago and now it is heard in here. But the word is wrongly spelled as ‘raalinadi ee bharatkhandamu’ instead of ‘varalinadi ee bharatha khandamu’. Out of ten stanzas from the original poem, only two were taken here. Leader (Instrumental) This is a beauty in terms of music blending as Mickey has given a constant strum of guitar along with a melodious Shehnai, the piano giving the good feel. Mickey has given his voice though there was not much in terms of words. Veturi Sundararama Murthy wrote the lyrics just like the real version so the focus here is more on the music than anything else. Overall, the album is filled with young and upbeat tunes. Mickey has given a very western flavor to the album and with the experienced lyrics, it came across as a good mix of the traditional with the modern. This time, the feel of the album is more with a message and not just a heart rendering tune of mushy romance. The songs are apt for the theme of the film and melody plays a key role in this. There is an energy that builds up listening to the songs and this is slow addiction, one has to listen to them two three times and it will give the high. Youth and melody lovers can go for it. -Reviewed By Sira Sri (sirasri@gmail.com)