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Ghazal is certainly part of Hindustani classical music. But then the ghazal is characterised, defined by its poetic content and sweet, melodious music. It is more like light music than the other classical forms. The soul is its poetry, which is only made more beautiful by sensitive music and singing. The strength of this album is the poetry by Chandran Nair. But the flip side is the over emphasis on a classical style that very often interrupts the unhindered enjoyment of the ghazals.

Srinivas, who renders six of the eight songs, is at his best. A brilliant opening number ‘Chandini…’ is replete with lovely images that are effectively transferred through the music of Prakash Ullyeri and the voice of Srinivas. But after the opener, in most of the ghazals, there is an over emphasis on the ‘alaap’ and ‘swaras.’ This very often interferes with the mood of the lyrics, like in the ghazals ‘Ente mounam ni arinjilla…’ and ‘Chirikuvaan ashichu…’

Chinmayi and Raghuram Krishnan are the other singers, both of whom show a lot of promise. There is a lavish use of instruments, but perhaps the music director could have made a fuller use of the sarangi, which is very often restricted to the openings only.

This album of 12 light songs has an interesting mix of rookie and experienced singers.

There are songs to fit every mood, straightforward, simple tunes; songs with strong Western backup and lilting melodies.

The album opens with a typical Vineeth Srinivasan brand of song, ‘Akale…’ that often slips into an oration-kind of mode.

Another feature of this album is that it has four lyricists, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri, Muraleedharan, Sivan Muppathadam and Rakesh. Their lines have been set to tune by three music composers, Roopesh-Murali, Muhsin and Sunny Viswanath.

There are two songs that will call for repeated listening. One by Srinivas, ‘Neerada sravana…,’ a soft melody, very comforting and the other by Biju Narayanan ‘Manamithil ezhunirangal…,’ which is uncomplicated, simple and easily the pick of the songs.

Another song that will grab attention is Delcy Ninan’s ‘Jeevane nee onnu mindumo…,’ which, with its Western backup and rendering, stand out differently.

The other singers featured in the album are Roshni, Jyotsna, Vijay Yesudas, Radhika Venugopal, and Sabari Girish.

Another album of Malayalam ghazals this one may not hit you with the power of its poetry, but the music will grow on you.

Use of the sitar and tabla, with the soft notes of the flute wafting in makes some of the ghazals worth a second listening.

Two songs by Manjari, ‘Chandni…’ and ‘Iniyum…,’ along with the two sung by Shabeer ‘Irul chayum…’ and ‘Karalinte…’ make this album worth it. The lyrics are by M. D. Rajendran and Viju Kunnumpuram. The music is by Muraleekrishna. Surprisingly, the seasoned singer Nishad comes up with a rather diffident show.

In both the songs he sings there is a clear lack of confidence. Raghuram and Abhilash Rama are the other singers.

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