Pulimurugan (soundtrack) explained
Pulimurugan is the soundtrack album for the 2016 film of the same name composed by Gopi Sundar. The soundtrack runs for over ten minutes and has three tracks; a duet sung by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra, a solo by Vani Jairam, and a theme song by Sunder. The songs feature lyrics written by Rafeeq Ahammed, Murukan Kattakada, and B. K. Harinarayanan. The music album was released on 5 October 2016 in an event held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Kochi.[1]
Development
Sunder announced in late December 2015, that the film would have two songs, with one of which would be a lullaby ("Manathe Marikurumbe") sung by S. Janaki and another song being a melody ("Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe") sung by Jassie Gift and Shreya Ghoshal.[2] Janaki, however, announced her retirement from singing in the second half of 2016.[3] The song was later sung by Vani Jairam, whereas "Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe" was recorded by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra—the former in his maiden association with Sunder.[4] Including his discussions with Yesudas, the recording process was completed in one-and-a-half hours on 27 August 2016.[5] The theme song starting with the line "Muruga Muruga" was written by Harinarayanan; its lyrics were written after finishing the composition.[6] The songs were recorded in a studio in Ernakulam.[7]
Unlike his previous films, where he would complete scoring the film within a month, Sunder, took three months for Pulimurugan and worked in two schedules.[8] Without any short-notices, Vysakh gave Sunder enough time to compose the score. He composed while watching a rough version of the film before the final editing. At that time, the computer-generated imagery of the tiger was at its early stage and far from perfect, so Sunder had to envisage the tiger while composing for these scenes.[9] The composition of score was completed on 11 September 2016,[10] and the DTS pre-mixing of the music was done on 17 September at G Studio in AVM, Chennai.[11]
Marketing
The first music video from the film, "Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe" sung by Yesudas and Chithra, was released via YouTube on 14 September 2016—the day of the Hindu festival Thiruvonam. The song features Mohanlal and Mukherji enjoying their country life.[12] On 11 October 2016, in response to audience demand, Sundar released the theme song attached with a video of the making of the film.[13] The film's second music video, "Manathe Marikurumbe" sung by Jairam, was released on 27 October 2016.[14]
Reception
Describing the song "Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe", Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times said, "It is a paean to marriage[...] Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe is a beautiful celebration of Kerala—so lush and so soothing to the eye and so lovingly captured by cinematographer Shaji Kumar".[15] Anjana George of The Times of India also gave a positive review, highlighting its visuals and saying, "while beautifully showcasing the chemistry between Lal [Mohanlal] and Kamalini, the director has also tried to capture the magical splendour of forest. The lovely shades of green, yellow, orange and blue are being magnificently used in the visuals."[16] However, Firstpost-based Rajesh Pandathil criticised it as "dull" and "repetitive" highlighting that it lacks the "novelty, excitement and magic" of Sundar's previous numbers.[17]
Sanjith Sridharan of The Times of India wrote "Gopi Sundar is in top form with a brilliant accompaniment of rousing theme music that adds to the movie’s mass elements."[18] Srivatsan S of India Today wrote "Pulimurugan doesn't have the space for mood-killing songs. Gopi Sundar is the most promising find in recent years. Pulimurugan solely lies on its striking background numbers, and Sundar just upped the crescendo to the maximum."[19] Chinta Mary Anil of The News Minute felt that "the songs are largely forgettable, but the background score is sure to stay with you."[20]
Accolades
The songs "Kaadanayum Kaalchilambe" and "Maanathe Maarikurumbe" were selected among the 70 eligible songs contending for the Academy Award for Best Original Song nomination in the 90th Academy Awards,[21] and the film score was also selected among the 141 eligible scores contending for the Academy Award for Best Original Score nomination.[22]
Notes and References
- News: 5 October 2016 . Pulimurugan set to be Mohanlal's biggest release, audio launched . . live . 5 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161110025228/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/pulimurugan-set-to-be-mohanlal-biggest-release-audio-launched-3067155/ . 10 November 2016 . dmy-all.
- News: George. Anjana. 1 January 2016. Pulimurukan to have two songs. The Times of India. live. 16 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112050305/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/Pulimurukan-to-have-two-songs/articleshow/50404902.cms. 12 January 2016. dmy-all.
- News: R.. Manoj Kumar. 4 October 2016. Legendary singer S. Janaki ends her illustrious career with soulful lullaby in Pathu Kalpanakal, watch video. The Indian Express. live. 10 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235658/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/s-janaki-last-song-malayalam-pathu-kalpanakal-ammapoovinum-watch-video-3065404/. 10 November 2016. dmy-all.
- News: K. S.. Aravind. 2 September 2016. Dream come true: Gopi Sunder. Deccan Chronicle. live. 28 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160925205804/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/020916/dream-come-true-gopi-sunder.html. 25 September 2016.
- Web site: Sunder. Gopi. 27 August 2016. Legends Are Always Legends. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110122620/https://www.twitter.com/Official.GopiSunder/posts/835699023197296. 10 November 2016. 10 November 2016. Twitter. Gopi Sunder - Timeline.
- News: വിജയൻ. ലക്ഷ്മി. 2 November 2016. ഹിറ്റ് പാട്ടുകളുടെ എഴുത്തുകാരൻ. Malayala Manorama. live. 10 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208231430/http://www.manoramaonline.com/music/interviews/interview-with-lyricist-b-k-harinarayanan.html. 8 December 2017. dmy-all.
- News: ശ്രീകാന്ത്. വി.. 'പുലിമുരുകൻ എനിക്ക് ഏറെ സ്പെഷൽ'. ml. Pulimurugan Is Much Special To Me. Deepika. live. 10 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161111060611/http://www.deepika.com/bigscreen/BigScreenNews.aspx?ReviewID=112. 11 November 2016. dmy-all.
- News: Onmanorama Staff. 17 October 2016. Monday Motivation Gopi Sunder on rising above criticisms. Malayala Manorama. live. 10 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235241/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/gopi-sunder-mohanlal-pulimurugan-music.html. 10 November 2016. dmy-all.
- News: Kumar R.. Manoj. 12 October 2016. I had to deal with public pressure in Pulimurugan: Music composer Gopi Sunder. The Indian Express. live. 5 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235636/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/i-had-to-deal-with-public-pressure-in-pulimurugan-music-composer-gopi-sunder-3078492/. 10 November 2016. dmy-all.
- Web site: Sunder. Gopi. 11 September 2016. Pulimurugan bgm got over just now. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110121532/https://www.facebook.com/Official.GopiSunder/videos/845834962183702/. 10 November 2016. 10 November 2016. Twitter. Gopi Sunder - Timeline.
- Web site: Sunder. Gopi. 17 September 2016. Pulimurugan music premix dts. At Avm G. Chennai. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110115712/https://www.twitter.com/Official.GopiSunder/videos/849679038465961/. 10 November 2016. 10 November 2016. Twitter. Gopi Sunder - Timeline.
- News: Onmanorama Staff. 15 September 2016. 'Pulimurugan' first song out: Yesudas, Chithra offer a breezy number. Malayala Manorama. live. 15 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918003915/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/music/mohanlal-pulimurugan-first-video-song-kaadaniyum-kalchilambe.html. 18 September 2016. dmy-all.
- News: Onmanorama Staff. 12 October 2016. Pulimurugan: watch the making video of Mohanlal's super hit. Malayala Manorama. live. 15 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161015072710/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/mohanlal-pulimurugan-making-video-muruga-muruga-theme-song.html. 15 October 2016. dmy-all.
- News: Onmanorama Staff. 28 October 2016. Here's the song you've been waiting for: Manathe Marikurumbe from Pulimurugan. Malayala Manorama. live. 10 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161111061004/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/music/pulimurugan-song-manathe-marikurumbe.html. 11 November 2016. dmy-all.
- News: Mishra . Nivedita . 15 September 2016 . Pulimurugan official song: Come, fall in love with Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe . . live . 10 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161110154424/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/pulimurugan-official-song-come-fall-in-love-with-kaadaniyum-kalchilambe/story-QPJiOSQgaZwnfXlzAZ2YsL.html . 10 November 2016 . dmy-all.
- News: George . Anjana . 15 September 2016 . Pulimurugan song explores the splendour of forest . . live . 14 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161014153645/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/Pulimurugan-song-explores-the-splendour-of-forest/articleshow/54345137.cms . 14 October 2016.
- Web site: 2016-09-15 . Mohanlal's 'Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe' from Pulimurugan is dull, repetitive; Gopi Sunder disappoints . https://web.archive.org/web/20201118092129/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mohanlals-kaadaniyum-kalchilambe-from-pulimurugan-is-dull-repetitive-gopi-sunder-disappoints-3005784.html . 2020-11-18 . 2023-10-25 . Firstpost . en.
- News: Pulimurugan Movie Review . The Times of India . 2023-10-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161108114439/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/pulimurugan/movie-review/54735114.cms . 2016-11-08 . 0971-8257.
- Web site: Pulimurugan movie review: Mohanlal's film is ambitious, but falls flat . https://web.archive.org/web/20210702003347/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pulimurugan-movie-review-mohanlal-kamalini-mukherjee-kishore-lal-345689-2016-10-09 . 2021-07-02 . 2023-10-25 . India Today . en.
- Web site: Anil . Chintha Mary . 2016-10-07 . Pulimurugan review: Mohanlal's brilliance alone will ensure a great box office ride . https://web.archive.org/web/20231025165548/https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/pulimurugan-review-mohanlals-brilliance-alone-will-ensure-great-box-office-ride-51018 . 2023-10-25 . 2023-10-25 . The News Minute . en.
- Web site: Willman . Chris . 18 December 2017 . Oscars: Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas Among Eligible Writers as Academy Announces 70 Best Song Choices . https://web.archive.org/web/20180124223359/https://variety.com/2017/film/awards/oscars-best-original-song-race-1202644044/ . 24 January 2018 . 19 December 2017 . Variety.
- Web site: Burlingame . Jon . 19 December 2017 . Oscars: ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi,’ ‘Dunkirk’ Among 141 Original Scores Declared Eligible by Academy . https://web.archive.org/web/20180216155228/https://variety.com/2017/film/awards/oscars-original-scores-eligible-academy-1202644494/ . 16 February 2018 . 19 December 2017 . Variety.
- News: Onmanorama Staff. Asiavision Movie Awards 2016 announced: and the winners are.... https://web.archive.org/web/20161116145545/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/asiavision-movie-awards-2016-nivin-pauly-manju-warrier-mohanlal.html. 16 November 2016. 16 November 2016. Malayala Manorama. 16 November 2016. live.
- News: James. Anu. SIIMA Awards 2017 nominations (Malayalam): Maheshinte Prathikaram leads; check date, venue, ticket details. 7 December 2017. International Business Times. 31 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170603062820/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-awards-2017-nominations-malayalam-maheshinte-prathikaram-leads-check-date-venue-ticket-728836. 3 June 2017. live. News: Soman. Deepa. SIIMA awards: Here's the winners list from Malayalam. 7 December 2017. The Times of India. 2 July 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171011163346/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/siima-awards-heres-the-winners-list-from-malayalam/articleshow/59409434.cms. 11 October 2017. dmy-all.
- News: Onmanorama Staff. Vanitha-Cera film awards: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier win top honors. 7 February 2017. Malayala Manorama. 7 February 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170208034845/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/vanitha-film-awards-mohanlal-manju-warrier-win.html. 8 February 2017. dmy-all.