Alaipayuthey (soundtrack)
The original Tamil album has nine tracks, while the Telugu version contains seven. The music was praised for its rhythmic fusion with modern synthesizers.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- A. R. Rahman
- Released
- 12 January 2000
- Recorded
- Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai
- Genre
- Feature film soundtrack
- Length
- 47:45
- Language
- Tamil
- Label
- Saregama
- Star Music
- Cee (I) TV Audio
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
Alaipayuthey – Standard edition
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Endrendrum Punnagai | 4:00 |
| 2 | Pachchai Nirame (Sakiye) | 5:21 |
| 3 | Kadhal Sadugudu | 4:35 |
| 4 | Evano Oruvan | 5:56 |
| 5 | Alaipayuthey | 3:34 |
| 6 | Snegithane Snegithane | 6:05 |
| 7 | Maangalyam | 1:41 |
| 8 | Yaro Yarodi | 5:46 |
| 9 | September Madham | 5:08 |
| Total length | 42:52 | |
Sakhi
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kailove Chedugudu | 4:38 |
| 2 | Snehithuda | 6:07 |
| 3 | Yede Yedeydey | 5:49 |
| 4 | September Maasam | 5:11 |
| 5 | Alai Pongeraa | 3:38 |
| 6 | Kalali Poyenu | 5:59 |
| 7 | Pachhadanamey | 5:21 |
| Total length | 36:14 | |
Track listing from the source article.
Development
Mani Ratnam initially asked A. R. Rahman to handle only the background score, but by the time filming wrapped, nine songs had been recorded. The lyrics of "Pachchai Nirame" revolve around colors, and the track draws from Kitaro’s instrumental style. It is set to the raga Kharaharapriya and uses reverb throughout, with light percussion, soft acoustic guitar strums, and a mix of acoustic and synthesized versions of the same instrument, plus flute, violins, and percussion. Cinematographer P. C. Sreeram matched different colored lenses to the lyrics while shooting at the Taj Mahal, a village, a lake, and Kashmir’s forests. "Snegithane Snegithane" is a wife’s tribute to her husband, rooted in the Shringaar rasa. Its video edit version features extra opening vocals by Ustaad Rashid Khan; this version appeared only as a bonus track on the original Tamil soundtrack and cassettes, not on the Telugu dubbed version, but was used in all three film versions. "Kaadhal Sadugudu" has guitar riffs and fits the IndiPop and coming-of-age style, which Ratnam called the 'Beach Song'. "September Maadham" is a funky number loosely inspired by fast-paced R. D. Burman music. "Maangalyam" weaves nuptial mantras into the lyrics of "Endrendrum Punngai". The title track "Alaipayuthey" was originally composed by Carnatic musician Oothukkadu Venkata Subbaiyar in the raagam Kaanada, with Rahman adding extra beats. "Evano Oruvan" has an Egyptian foundation. Singer Bombay Jayashri recorded for the film score, singing raag Sindhu Bhairavi for half an hour; portions were used in a scene where the lead actress was hospitalized.
Critical response
A critic based at The Hindu asserted that Rahman's numbers were already a hit, citing "Pachchai Niramae", "Snegithanae", and "Yaaro Yaarodi", but noted that "September Madham" was criticized for obstructing the smooth flow of scenes with music. Methil Renuka of India Today praised the music as 'great'. St. Louis International Film Festival critic Rich Cline called the music exuberant and colourful. James Grey, reviewing the 5.1 surround DVD release, stated that the soundtrack is obviously heavily dubbed and while the music does not have particular weight, it comes across nicely enough and is surprisingly accessible.
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