Alaipayuthey is the soundtrack album, composed by A. R. Rahman, to the 2000 Indian Tamil film of the same name. The soundtrack album consists of nine tracks in original Tamil and Hindi versions of the albums whereas the Telugu version of the album has seven tracks. The soundtrack of Alaipayuthey was unanimously hailed as a Mani Ratnam film soundtrack turning for rhythmic fusion using modern synthesizers. A film, initially planned with film score, the recording of the songs eventually took place. The soundtrack was well received by the audience and received a number of awards held in the subsequent year. The original soundtrack sold over six lakh cassettes, and A. R. Rahman won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in 2000. The film score achieved cult status after the release of the film.
Development
Initially, director Mani Ratnam wanted A. R. Rahman to compose only the film score. However, by the end of filming, nine songs were recorded. The lyrics of the track "Pachchai Nirame" are based on colours. The track is influenced by the instrumental works of Kitaro. The song is based on the raga "Kharaharapriya" and brings out the relaxing effect by using the facets of the musical scales. Cinematographer P. C. Sreeram used different color lenses as per the lyrical lines while filming this track. The song uses reverberating effect throughout its length. However, Rahman used light percussion, gently strummed acoustic guitars and layered the acoustic and synthesized versions of the same instrument. Additionally, the track has sounds of flute, violins and percussions. For Pachchai Nirame, Rahman ensured to use the timbres effectively so that the picturisation of the song matches to the tune. The track was filmed at Taj Mahal, village, lake, forests of Kashmir. The track "Snehithane Snehithane" is an ode by a wife to the husband. The track is based on the Shringaar raag. "Snehithane Snehithane" has a video edit version, with additional opening vocals by Ustaad Rashid Khan. The video edit version was released only as a bonus track on the soundtrack and cassettes of Alaipayuthey and not on Sakhi or Saathiya. However, the video edit version was used in all the three film versions. "Kaadhal Sadugudu" consists guitar riffs, based on the IndiPop and coming of age genre. The song was regarded as 'Beach Song' by Ratnam. The track "September Maadham" is a funky track, loosely based on fast paced R. D. Burman music. "Yaaro Yarodi" is a rustic number that blends of folk instrument sounds appearing intermittently. The track was used in the 2008 filmThe Accidental Husband. "Maangalyam" song consists of nuptial mantras interspersed with lyrics of "Endrendrum Punngai". The rhythm pattern of the song "Endrendrum Punnagai" was inspired by the song "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys. The title track "Alaipayuthey" was originally composed by the Carnatic music composer Oothukkadu Venkata Subbaiyar, who also set it to the raagam 'Kaanada'. Rahman added additional beats to the track. The track "Evano Oruvan" which has an Egyptian base to its composition. Singer Bombay Jayashri recorded for the film score. Rahman made her sing the raag Sindhu Bhairavi for half an hour whose portions were used in a scene when the lead actress was hospitalized in the film. For the Hindi version of the soundtrack, the songs, "Alaipayuthey" and "Evano Oruvan" were not re-composed. Instead, Rahman composed a Sufi track "Mere Yaar Mila De" and "Naina Milaike", a classical number. Lyricist Gulzar, who wrote all the Hindi version songs, stated, "In Saathiya I wrote 'Mere Yaar Mila De', which isn't a typical romantic number though it's essentially a love song." Unlike previous soundtracks recorded by Rahman for Ratnam, the former composed majority of the songs by fusing the classical carnatic music genres into moderns rhythms.
Critical response
Original version
Critic based at The Hindu asserted, "A. R. Rahman's numbers are already a hit – be it "Pachchai Niramae zestfully rendered by Hariharan or the melodious "Snegithanae or "Yaaro Yaarodi. Now they come with added flavour in the form of excellently captured visuals and scenic presentations." However, the song "September Madham was criticized to obstruct the smooth flow of scenes with music. Methil Renuka of India Today praised the music of the film, calling it 'great'.St. Louis International Film Festival, critic Rich Cline called the music exuberant and colourful. Based on the 5.1 surround DVD release, James Grey stated, "The soundtrack is obviously heavily dubbed, which is not the disk's fault, and while the music doesn't have particular weight it comes across nicely enough. the music surprisingly accessible."
Hindi version
On penning review for Bollywood Hungama, critic Taran Adarsh stated, "A.R. Rahman's music is melodious and easy on the ears. The title track is the pick of the lot, but the item song can easily be deleted, for it serves as a speed breaker in the goings-on. Perhaps, even this song was added to add spice." Critic based at Australian Cine Urban praised the music, "A superb digital sound mix drives the all important soundtrack, fantasy music video clips on the cable music channels in that they are multi-costume and multi-location showpieces, taking us from waterfalls to snowy mountain fields to idyllic shorelines. Duets and full scale wedding routines follow each other as the first half zips along with its charter to set the musical mood." Vijay Ramanan of Planet Bollywood, "A. R. Rahman's music and score, while simply re-created from the original except for two songs is as usual – fantastic.Mr. Brown reviewed the music of the film, "The songs-chiefly are the lilting title number; the percussive wedding song "Chhalka Chhalka Re" ; and the seductive ballads "Chupke Se" and "Aye Udi Udi Udi" a highlight. Glamsham pointed, "All in all, all praises to the music composition by A R Rahman; the music is unique and upbeat. A R Rahman has been successful in creating a different genre of music for his ever increasing list of fans. The lyrics is definitely getting subdued by the exciting music. A must buy for people who love new music".
Track list
Original version
All lyrics by Vairamuthu, except track "Alaipayuthey", written by Oothukkadu Venkatasubba Iyer. The order of track listing is according to the music cassette or soundtrack CD. The order of tracks in the listing differs in the digital download websites.
Telugu dubbed version
All lyrics by Veturi. The order of track listing is according to the digital download websites.
Hindi dubbed version
All lyrics by Gulzar.
Album credits
Credits adapted from A. R. Rahman's official website.
Additional programming: Pravin Mani Strings conducted by V. J. Srinivasamurthy Additional sound design: H. Sridhar Sound Engineers, H. Sridhar, S. Sivakumar
