Album Review: A. R. Rahman - Ponniyin Selvan I

In the west, AR Rahman is best known for his soundtracks for Slumdog Millionaire and Lagaan. However, Indian fans would likely not on how he has a long and storied career in South India, and some of his most acclaimed albums of his come from the south. He now is soundtracking a film named Ponniyin Selvan, based on the early life of the legendary emperor; Rajaraja Chola the great. The history fan in me loves this idea, and I can't wait to see the film. For now, however, I will review the soundtrack.

AR Rahman, Raihanah, Bamba Bakya - Ponni Nadhi

Ponni Nadhi plays with a really, really long introduction. But once it starts, it morphs into an epic, vocal-driven ballad. I love the growing snowball of instrumentation, it adds a sense of grandness to the song. Indeed, the melody is repeated umpteen times through the song, but the immaculate production adds an intensity rarely seen in music these days. I wish the climax hit a little harder, but the song works as is.

A moment of remembrance to the late singer of this song, Bamba Bakya

Rating: 8.5/10

Sathya Prakash, VM Mahalingam, Nakul Abhyankar - Chola Chola

This is much more up to speed! I love the burgeoning intensity through the entire song. The music is sharp, with the production rocking in so many elements, many of them from classic Indian instruments. This is all assisted by a massive chanted hook, leading to one of the most explosive climaxes of the year. This is a worthy tribute to the mighty Chola empire's early power.

Rating: 9/10

Shreya Ghoshal, Palakkad Sreeram, Mahesh Vinayakram - Ratchasa Maamaney

Shreya Ghoshal takes the lead on this massive song. Despite the imposing thumbnail, Ratchasa Maamaney is actually one of the calmer songs on the album, reminding me of classic South Indian musicals in its spirit, with the exception of its rap, however. Compared to the previous songs, Ratchasa Maamaney is surprisingly simple, relying on its repetitive yet melodic percussion.

Rating: 8.5/10

Antara Nandy - Alaikadal

Alaikadal is a ballad, almost a lullaby, and in the best way possible. I love the subtle and mysterious instrumentation, reminding me of the classic Keeravani composition, Jaamu Rathiri. Alaikadal never reaches the magnificence of the previous song, but the strings and subtle percussion create an atmosphere where Nandy can sing a melody for the ages. Special notes to the extended instrumental segment beginning at 1:37.

Rating: 8.5/10

Yogi Sekar - Devaralan Attam

Compared to the other songs on the album, Devaralan Attam is simple, relying only on its intense vocal chants and clashing percussion, with assistance from Sekar's voice. The end result is a song as unsettling as it is magnificent. Thankfully, it leads to a fantastic climax, a la Raamam Raghavam, pulling all elements together for maximalist fury.

Rating: 8.75/10

Rakshita Suresh - Sol

Sol utilizes a splashy, water-oriented sound. It fits a perfect soundscape, and I am sure it will work best within such a scene. At the moment, it stands best as a production experiment for Rahman to use Rakshita Suresh's voice, though an interesting productional experiment at that.

Rating: 8.25/10

Cumulative Score: 8.58/10

Overall Rating: 8.6/10

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Ponniyin Selvan: I has a surprisingly strong soundtrack. It never reaches the peak of RRR, but never collapses in any form or the other. I only expect the soundtrack to get better as time goes on, especially with the addition of the movie.

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