Director Saran's home production Vattaram, starring Arya of Pattiyal fame, is one of this Diwali's eagerly awaited films. The music for the film, with lyrics by Vairamuthu and compositions by Bharadwaj, was released on September 28.

Thanks to past successes, the Vairamuthu-Bharadwaj combination usually raises high expectations. Their latest, however, only partially fulfils these expectations.

The 8-track album opens with Naana ithu naana... a foot-tapping solo with an undercurrent of melody sung pleasingly by Kalyani. Then comes Mudhal mudhala..., a Rajesh Krishna-Janani duet that oozes sex-appeal and glamour. It has passion and sentiment in the right proportions and Bharadwaj's music accentuates the intensity. This is definitely going to be a favourite with the youth, what with Janani's sexy voice providing necessary oomph to Vairamuthu's carefully crafted lyrics.  [ More ]