Baahubali 2 comes a full two years after Baahubali: The Beginning. And the music is infinitely better. There is no one track or sound that stands out in the first movie. The song Sivuni Aana (Kaun Hai Voh in Hindi, sung by Kailash Kher) doesn't really count, since the beginning is based on a hymn on Shiva, and the rest of the tune is a common folk tune.
In keeping with the theme of the movie, the songs are simple, yet grand. The arrangement is devoid of unnecessary frills.
Saahore
The first time Keeravani used Daler Mehndi was in Yamadonga (2007), for the song Rubberu Gaajulu (rubber bangles). The tune wasn’t that great, but the singing was explosive. NTR Jr and Priyamani dance like there’s no tomorrow.
Saahore too uses the, by now familiar, Chinese strings to tug at your strings (he he), in addition to larger-than-life sounding tambourines, which make you want to pledge allegiance to the supreme leader; Baahubali.
Dandaalayyaa
Keeravani has scored for ALL of Rajamouli's films thus far. And his music has been relevant for over 27 years, which is no mean feat! The song Dandaalayyaa is set in no particular raga. It has aurally contrasting notes, and yet, flows with a sort of silent power.
This is very reminiscent of the song Jaamu Raathiri, from a Ram Gopal Varma film (Kshana Kshanam, 1991), which shot him to fame.
Kannaa Nidurinchara
This song is meant for the theatre, and not for the mobile phone, unless you’ve got great sounding headphones. Otherwise, it just sounds dull.
In almost all of Rajamouli’s movies, except Eega (Makkhi), there’s this one song set in traditional Telugu folk that a treat for the ears, but which also features lyrics filled with innuendo. Telugu is probably the only language that can make puns sound beautiful, and not cheesy.
Usually, Keeravani himself does the honours and sings the male voice, while it’s KS Chitra for that sweet yet crisp female vocal, that only she is capable of. Kanna Nidurinchara is very much of the same style, but the theme is only suggestively romantic, where the woman cajoles her ‘Krishna’ to go to sleep.
Hamsa Naava
Hamsa Naava is a song that quite belongs to the enchanted world that Rajamouli has created for Baahubali. We are, as viewers of this great spectacle, willing to suspend disbelief at various levels. Sometimes, the visuals are so breathtaking that one does not really care about the story’s logic. And occasionally, the story takes such an unexpected, delicious twist, that the occasionally cheesy graphics or that unrealistic bull is almost overlooked.
This is true with this song as well. Unlike the other songs that are predominantly just rhythm and a powerful chant, Hamsa... features vocal riffs, and instruments that have no place in a palace, especially one with no electricity. And yet, it isn’t hard to imagine Anushka singing and dancing in the golden light, as the song unfolds.
Oka Praanam
I’ll leave you with Oka Praanam (one life), penned, composed and sung by Keeravani. I have a feeling this is more a background score than an actual song, since it sounds like a eulogy of sorts. I may be wrong, but there isn’t much else to write about it, until the visuals are in!
Join The Quint on WhatsApp. Type “JOIN” and send to 9910181818
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)