Kochadaiiyaan (soundtrack) explained

Kochadaiiyaan
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:A. R. Rahman
Cover:Kochadaiiyaan soundtrack album art.jpg
Caption:Soundtrack album cover
Released:[1]
Recorded:December 2011–2014[2]
Studio:Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai
Panchathan Hollywood Studios, Los Angeles
AIR Studios, London
Language:Tamil
Label:Sony Music India
Producer:A. R. Rahman
Prev Title:Highway
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Million Dollar Arm
Next Year:2014

Kochadaiiyaan is the soundtrack album composed by A. R. Rahman to the motion capture animated Tamil film of the same name directed by Soundarya R. Ashwin. The original version as well as the dubbed Telugu version of the soundtrack (titled Vikramasimha) was released on 9 March 2014.[3] [4] The Hindi version was released online on Eros Now on 13 March 2014.[5] Upon its release, the soundtrack became the first Tamil film music album to trend on Twitter and top the iTunes India charts.[6]

Development

Initially, A. R. Rahman dithered to compose the soundtrack album as he was well aware of the time taken for the completion of performance capture films.[7] Later, he agreed to compose after being convinced by the director that the filming would be done in a year.[7] On completion of the score, in an interview with Deccan Chronicle he quoted, "Working for a performance capture film was a little difficult and composing the background scores and songs for it was a tedious process. We brought in about 150 orchestras and made every song unique."[8] Chinmayi, in an interview, recollected the recording session of the song "Idhayam" during which she and A. R. Rahman were seated on the floor with Rahman playing the harmonium, and Chinmayi crooning the tune on an ordinary handheld mic. Rahman briefed his requirement of the song to her as "a train leaving the station that gradually picks up speed". She also mentioned that although the song was recorded inside the recording booth on a studio mic later on, the version she had recorded on the handheld mic was retained as the final version of the song.

Reported as "Ethirgal Illai" in 2012, the "sayings" in the philosophical theme song called "Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu" (translates to 'Change is only constant') were recited by Rajinikanth[9] [10] [11] As per the director of the film, lyricist Vairamuthu and actor Rajinikanth worked on the song's lyrics for a week to avoid encountering any controversial lines. Further, as per latter's advice, couple of lines on women from the originally written lyrics were removed. This is the second time, that the actor took part in playback singing for a film after the song "Adikuthu Kuliru" in the (1992) film Mannan.[12] [13] Rajinikanth recited the sayings in the Hindi,[14] the song sung by Javed Ali, for the Hindi version of the soundtrack. The lyrics were written by Irshad Kamil in Hindi and Urdu; entirely different from its Tamil counterpart.[15] The track was recorded at AIR Studios, London on 31 March 2012. In August 2012, Sony Music Entertainment acquired the music rights of the film.[16] In June 2013, Hollywood music engineer Geoff Foster was involved in mixing 200 tracks of orchestra for the soundtrack.[17]

On 20 December 2012, lyricist Vairamuthu unveiled the Tamil lyrics of the melancholic song "Idhayam" (introduced as "Senthee Vizhuntha Sempor Paarayil" in 2012) through his official Twitter account.[18] [19] In an interview with The Hindu, he stated that it contains 2,100-year-old Tamil words in pure form with dialects of the Sangam age, planking imagery and epithets in verses. The song puts forth anguish and longing emotions and was written in 90 minutes by the lyricist.[20] The song "Mannapenin Sathiyam" revolves around a wedding situation in the film; talks about the promise of a husband to his wife and vice versa. The track "Karma Veeran" whose lyrics focus about struggles and victory feature at the film's beginning and ending respectively. In an interview with Thamarai Extra, singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam deciphered about the duet song "Methuvaagathaan"—the only 'commercial song' in the period drama— with singer Sadhana Sargam.[21] At the audio listening session of the soundtrack, lyricist Vairamuthu stated that he and Rahman had shortlisted the lyrics of songs from over hundred verses, relevant in today's times, not bounded by terms of usual style, structure or syntax.[22]

Marketing

The audio rights were acquired by Sony Music India in August 2012. On 6 March 2014 a preview event was organised by Sony Music India in Chennai to selected members of the press. Four songs from the film namely "Medhuvagathaan", "Manapennin Sathiyam", "Karma Veeran" and "Maattram Onnrudhaan Maaraathadhu" were played at the event.[23] A day prior to the music launch, audio teasers of the songs were released on MediaOne Global Entertainment's official SoundCloud channel.[24]

The video track of "Thaandav" from the motion picture was released on 25 April 2014 as well as an online contest titled "Rajini Thandav" was held.[25] Video teaser of "Methuvaagathaan" was released on 21 May 2014.

Release

The original version, along the Telugu one of the soundtrack was released at Sathyam Cinemas, Royapettah in Chennai on 9 March 2014.[3] [4] The audio launch invitations printed in China involved a one-fold invite with an imposing 3D image of Rajinikanth's character in the film.[26] The event started with a devotional song, followed by a dance tribute to Rajinikanth. The Tamil and Hindi theatrical trailers were broadcast, followed by a footage of the 'making of the film'. The event was presided by actors, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Nasser, Jackie Shroff; directors K. S. Ravikumar, K. Balachander, Soundarya Rajinikanth, S. Shankar; composer A. R. Rahman, Resul Pookutty; and lyricist Vairamuthu.[27] [28] The full TV telecast of the audio launch and trailer release function was telecast on 30 March 2014 on Jaya TV.

Critical reception

Songs

The Tamil and Telugu versions of the soundtrack received generally positive reviews, while the Hindi version received mixed reviews.Music Aloud rated the album 9 on a scale of 10 asserting, "Easily one of the best soundtracks that A R Rahman has produced for the Superstar!"[29] Behindwoods gave the verdict, "Mozart of Madras' show of magnificence and mastery." They also gave it 4 out of 5 stars.[30] Indiaglitz noted, "Given that 'Kochadaiiyaan' is a graphic entertainer, this music will well suit the screenplay, and is also a soothing album independently." They rated the album 3.7 out of 5.[31]

Srinivas Ramanujan for The Times of India wrote, "The music of Kochadaiiyaan is more Rahman than Rajini." He gave the album 3.5 out of 5.[32] Joginder Tuteja who reviewed the Hindi version of the soundtrack at Rediff, assigned it 3 (out of 5). He noted, "The music of Kochadaiiyaan fits in with the kind of film it is. One can't expect the kind of soundtrack that had made Sivaji and Endhiran/Robot such massive musical hits, considering that this one isn't set in current times."[33] Bodrul Chaudhury for Bollyspice stated that he was somewhat disappointed with the music to Kochadaiiyaan, lacking in the essences of a typical A. R. Rahman album. He added, "Though ‘Vaada Vaada’ (Female Version), ‘Mera Gham’ and ‘Aaya Khwaab Ka Mausam’ are the highlights of this album, the rest of the songs were not very intriguing to listen to. Overall, this was a strenuous album to listen to and won't have a strong impact!"[34] Sakhayan Ghosh for The Indian Express writes, "A Hindi version can never substitute the ethos of the original – conceived in a language that dictates the way lyrics, music and phonetics come together. You feel the words are fitted into a skeleton, which in turn affects the way the singer sings it, and a lot is lost in translation. Kochadaiiyaan, which is crippled by the same problem." He gave the album a score of 2.5 out of 5.[35] At Koimoi, awarding 3.5 stars (out of 5) the critic wrote, "The drama, Kochadaiiyaan, with its warfare nuances, correctly settled for a powerful theme for the entire music album. It is an album that sports two specific trends, battle cries and anthems alongside absolute Bollywood romance."[36] Priya Adivarekar of India's The Financial Express commented that the Kochadaiiyaan album has "its share of highs and lows, but it is definitely worth a hear!". Further, she presented the summary of the album quoting, "Kochadaiiyaan is a far cry from what we have heard in films like Sivaji: The Boss and Endhiran (Robot). Songs for both the Hindi dubbed version and the Tamil film are well-composed by A. R. Rahman, keeping in mind the theme and era in which the film is set."[37]

Background score

The background score of the film was immensely praised by the critics. Following the popularity and positive critical response to the score, on 27 May 2014, A. R. Rahman stated that the work on compiling the motion picture's score as an album was under progress.[38]

Critic Taran Adarsh for Bollywood Hungama wrote, "The soundtrack by A.R. Rahman is seeped in originality, but the non-popularity of songs go against them. Having said that, the powerful background score complement the visuals on screen.[39] M. Suganth of The Times of India said, "The energetic background score compensate for the blemishes in the film"[40] Critic Komal Nahta through is official publishing summarized, "A.R. Rahman's music is melodious but not a single song has been popularised. Lyrics are okay."[41] Critical review board of Behindwoods praised the score, "A.R.Rahman is among the main pillars bolstering Kochadaiiyaan and he even does the honors of introducing the movie's milieu and characters in the beginning. His background score is out of the world and the work on the orchestration and instrumentation is world class. All his songs have been given pride of place but a few of them do stick out and hamper the movie's pace, particularly 'Idhayam'."[42] Critic at Sify praised the music director by writing that his songs and BGM elevates the film to a new high.[43] At Deccan Chronicle, Thinkal Menon stated, "AR Rahman too delivers with a quite a vibrant, commercial score"[44] Rachit Gupta at Filmfare summarized—"Excellently crafted music by AR Rahman in the exhilarating fights and vengeance drama"[45] Ritika Handoo of Zee News felt, "The music by AR Rahman is soothing to the ears but only time will tell whether it strikes a mass appeal or not."[46] Critic Subhash K. Jha for Indo Asian News Service praised to score claiming, "Rahman is the film's biggest saving grace and it's his music and background score that breathes life into the film. The songs looked visually spectacular but their placement sometimes affected the film's narrative."[47] At Koimoi, critic Manohar Basu gave a verdict, "A.R Rahman's background score as well as the film's music try to resurrect a lofty picture."[48] Rajeev Masand for CNN-IBN felt, "A. R. Rahman's score is rousing."[49] Raja Sen of Rediff said— When it is this loud, it cannot justly be called background score.[50]

Track listing

The track listing of the original and the Telugu version was unveiled through the record label's official Twitter handle on 5 March 2014.[51] [52] The soundtrack consists of nine tracks.[53]

Telugu version

Notes

Chart performance

The track "Engae Pogudho Vaanam", sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam was released on 7 October 2013 as a single, along with its Telugu version "Choodham Aakasam Antham" to positive response;[54] it was first aired on Radio Mirchi in Chennai the same day. Upon the soundtrack album's release on 9 March 2014, it became the first Tamil film music album to trend on Twitter and top the iTunes India charts[6] as well as made its debut on position #3 at the Sri Lankan iTunes charts.[55]

ChartsSong titlePeak positionReference
Radio Mirchi SouthEngae Pogudho Vaanam9
Methuvaagathaan2
Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu2
Times of India – TamilEngae Pogudho Vaanam9
Methuvaagathaan4
Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu2
iTunes India (Tamil)Engae Pogutho Vaanam1
Methuvaagathaan1
Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu1
Nokia MixRadio – Tamil Top ChartsIdhayam1
Methuvaagathaan1
Engae Pogudho Vaanam1
Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu1
BBC Radio IndiaDil Chaspiya
Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu
Engae Pogudho Vaanam
Methuvaagathaan
Ranked in 'A' playlist

Audio credits

Credits adapted from original CD liner notes.[56] [57]

Backing vocals 

Dr. Narayanan, Nivas, Vijay Narayanan, Anand, Varun, Santosh Hariharan, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Deepak, Bhagyaraj, Parag Pooja,Malavika, Sowmya Mahadevan, Sharanya, Raagini, Veena, Gayathri

Personnel

Production

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . iTunes.
  2. Web site: Rajinikanth was hesitant to sing for Kochadaiyaan: AR Rahman . . 8 September 2013 . 4 March 2014.
  3. Web site: 'Kochadaiiyaan' Audio Launch Set for March 9 . India West . 21 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140223174137/http://www.indiawest.com/news/17063--kochadaiiyaan-audio-launch-set-for-march-9.html . 23 February 2014.
  4. Web site: Big B to grace Kochadaiiyaan Audio Launch . The Times of India . 24 February 2014.
  5. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan – The Legend . Eros Now . 28 March 2014.
  6. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan becomes a trend setter on Twitter, iTunes . The Indian Express . Divya Goyal . 9 March 2014 . 9 March 2014.
  7. Web site: Why was AR Rahman hesitant to compose music for 'Kochadaiiyaan'? . https://web.archive.org/web/20140310170324/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/why-was-ar-rahman-hesitant-to-compose-music-for-kochadaiiyaan/456895-71-174.html . dead . 10 March 2014 . IBN Live . 10 March 2014.
  8. News: Is AR Rahman a magician or our Mozart? . . Logesh Balachandran . 5 May 2014 . Chennai, India.
  9. Web site: Ethirigal Illai in Kochadaiyaan . https://web.archive.org/web/20131104095653/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-26/news-interviews/38842170_1_superstar-rajinikanth-ar-rahman-kochadaiyaan . dead . 4 November 2013 . 26 April 2013 . . 29 April 2013.
  10. Web site: Prakash . Rajinikanth Sings | AR Rahman . . 18 March 2012.
  11. Web site: Rajinikanth sings for 'Kochadaiyaan' . https://web.archive.org/web/20130922054958/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rajinikanth-sings-for-kochadaiyaan/240551-8-68.html . dead . 22 September 2013 . . 19 March 2012 . 26 March 2012 . Mumbai.
  12. Web site: Shankar . Rajini sings for Kochadaiyaan | 21 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பிறகு ரஜினி பாடிய பாட்டு – ஏ ஆர் ரஹ்மான் பதிவு செய்தார்! . Oneindia.in Tamil . 13 March 2012 . 18 March 2012.
  13. Web site: Rajinikanth turns a singer to woo sultry Deepika . . 17 March 2012 . 18 March 2012 . Joshi . Sonali . https://web.archive.org/web/20131104061046/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajinikanth-deepika-padukone-kochadaiyaan/1/178184.html . 4 November 2013.
  14. Web site: Rajinikanth sings his first Hindi song for Rahman . https://web.archive.org/web/20130609191258/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-23/news-interviews/39445978_1_hindi-rajini-fan-tamil-song . dead . 9 June 2013 . 23 May 2013 . . 12 June 2013.
  15. Web site: Rajinikanth records AR Rahman's Hindi song . https://web.archive.org/web/20131104095946/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-02/news-and-interviews/31274853_1_theme-song-rajinikanth-hindi-version . dead . 4 November 2013 . 2 April 2012 . . 2 April 2012.
  16. Web site: Sony acquires music rights of Rajini's "Kochadaiyaan" . The Hindu . 16 August 2012 . 17 August 2012.
  17. Web site: Rahman's massive soundtrack for Kochadaiyaan . https://web.archive.org/web/20130621194245/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-17/news-interviews/40027299_1_soundarya-r-ashwin-kochadaiyaan-loyal-commander . dead . 21 June 2013 . 17 June 2013 . . 21 June 2013.
  18. Web site: Kochadaiyaan's song lyrics released? . https://web.archive.org/web/20121231010534/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/89348.html . dead . 31 December 2012 . Indiaglitz . 20 December 2012 . 21 December 2012.
  19. Web site: கோச்சடையான் பாடல் . . 20 December 2012 . 21 December 2012.
  20. News: Rangarajan . Malathi . Rewind to the Sangam era . 12 January 2013 . . 29 December 2012.
  21. SPB Singing Sneak Preview Of Kochadaiyaan Song . Kochadaiyaan3D . YouTube . 27 August 2013 . 27 August 2013.
  22. News: The sound of Kochadaiiyaan . The Hindu . 7 March 2014 . 10 March 2014.
  23. Web site: Exclusive sneak peek: Kochadaiiyaan songs . Srinivasa Ramanujam . The Times of India . 6 March 2014.
  24. Web site: Rajinikanth's 'Kochadaiiyaan' Audio Teasers Released . International Business Times . 6 March 2014 . 6 March 2014.
  25. Thandav – Kochadaiiyaan – The Legend . Eros Now . 25 April 2014.
  26. Web site: 3D invite for Kochadaiiyaan audio launch . The Times of India . 1 March 2014.
  27. News: Kochadaiiyaan is here! . The Hindu . Sudhish Kamath . 7 September 2013 . 8 September 2013.
  28. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan audio launched . The Times of India . 9 March 2014.
  29. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan – Music Review (Tamil Movie Soundtrack) . 9 March 2014 . Music Aloud . 9 March 2014.
  30. Web site: KOCHADAIYAAN SONGS REVIEW . Behindwoods . 9 March 2014.
  31. Web site: Kochadaiyaan – Music Review . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924155121/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/musicreview/9380.html?isRef=T . dead . 24 September 2015 . IndiaGlitz . 9 March 2014.
  32. News: Music Review: Kochadaiiyaan . Times of India . 28 March 2014.
  33. Web site: Review: Kochadaiiyaan music will be hit . Rediff . 28 March 2014.
  34. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan Music Review . 16 March 2014 . Bollyspice . 28 March 2014.
  35. News: Music review: Rajinikanth, Deepika Padukone's 'Kochadaiiyaan' . The Indian Express . . 4 April 2014.
  36. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan Music Review . Koimoi . 13 April 2014 . 29 April 2014.
  37. News: Rajinikanth's Kochadaiiyaan (Hindi) review: Touch of majesty in movie . Priya . Adivarekar . . The Financial Express . 10 May 2014 . 19 May 2014.
  38. Web site: Kochadaiiyaan was one of the toughest movies to score: A R Rahman . Manu Vipin . The Times of India . 27 May 2014 . 31 May 2014.
  39. https://web.archive.org/web/20130526192013/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/595103 KOCHADAIIYAAN
  40. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/kochadaiiyaan/movie-review/35519501.cms? Kochadaiiyaan
  41. http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/319/ KOCHADAIIYAAN-THE LEGEND(Dubbed, Animation)
  42. http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/kochadaiiyaan/kochadaiiyaan-review.html KOCHADAIIYAAN MOVIE REVIEW
  43. https://web.archive.org/web/20140523185312/http://www.sify.com/movies/kochadaiiyaan-2-d-review-review-tamil-15056270.html Kochadaiiyaan 2-D review
  44. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140523/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-kochadaiiyaan-tech-rajini-comes-out-top Movie review 'Kochadaiiyaan': Tech Rajini comes out on top
  45. http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-kochadaiiyaan-6217.html Movie Review: Kochadaiiyaan
  46. http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/kochadaiiyaan-review-hail-to-king-rajinikanth-one-more-time_155487.html Kochadaiiyaan Review
  47. http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/movies-review-details/Kochadaiiyaan/189 Kochadaiiyaan Movie Review
  48. http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/kochadaiiyaan-review/ KOCHADAIIYAAN MOVIE REVIEW
  49. http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/not-so-special-effects/ Not-so-special effects
  50. http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-rajinikanths-kochadaiiyaan-is-a-bad-puppet-show/20140523.htm Review: Rajinikanth's Kochadaiiyaan is a bad puppet show
  51. Web site: Rajinikanth's Kochadaiiyaan Tracklist Revealed . . Nagarathna . 5 March 2014.
  52. Web site: Rajinikanth's Vikramasimha (Kochadaiiyaan) Tracklist Revealed . . Shekhar . 5 March 2014.
  53. Web site: Soundarya Rajnikanth releases Kochadaiiyaan Single LIVE . SoundCloud . radiomirchichennai . 10 October 2013.
  54. http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/511792/20131007/rajinikanth-kochadaiiyaan-single-track-spb-rahman-kochadaiyaan.htm Single Track from Rajinikanth's 'Kochadaiiyaan' Released – International Business Times
  55. Web site: meanwhile in srilanka iTunes . . 17 April 2014.
  56. Rahman360 Twitter (2014) Kochadaiiyaan (CD liner notes)
  57. Web site: #Kochadaiiyaan Credits . Rahman360 . 9 March 2014.