The playful banter in Cheeni Kum between the acid-tongued chef and his young lover is echoed in the music and songs of the film as well. Ilaiyaraja's music in Cheeni Kum is a fine example of music being married to the soul of the film. It fits the theme of the movie and catches the playful note perfectly, making for some really fresh and enervating fare. A lot of this 'fresh' quality is due to the presence of Shreya Ghosal. This young singer, with her as yet, underexposed vocal talent, is absolutely delightful in the three songs that she renders in this film. One really needs to hear more of her.
It all begins with the title track Cheeni Kum rendered by Shreya. The title track, as in the best of traditions, captures the essence of the film. Ghosal's rendition is playful and mischievous. The song teases and coaxes you into a relaxed frame of mind. Her second number in the film, Baatein Hawa Hain, has two versions.
The first has Shreya sharing space with Amitabh Bachchan, while the second is a solo venture by the singer. In its first appearance in the album, BaateinHawa Hain is like a repartee between two characters. Shreya's light-as-air vocals are a marked contrast to the Big B's deep rich baritone and it's an interesting jugalbandi that takes place between the two. Amitabh doesn't actually sing, but speaks. However, what takes place is like an actual dialogue between the two, with one of them singing and the other speaking. The second version of the song, minus the Big B, sounds just as good, musically. There is of course less drama in it, but Sherya holds her own with ease.
Jaane Do Na, the third number by Shreya in the album, continues the playful note set in the beginning. But the playfulness here acquires a more seductive tone. It is still playful but one can feel the sexual tension in the song. However, Ilaiyraja never lets it go out of hand. There is nothing overbearing about it but it runs as an undercurrent in the song. You can almost feel the breathless anticipation in the song.
Though all the three songs by Shreya in this film have a common thread, in that they all have a light playful element to them, the music director has ensured that there is no song which resembles the other in tone. There is a subtle difference in degree and type. Full marks to the singer as well for doing such a good job with the songs. The lyrics by Sameer and Manoj Tapadia are clever and intelligent as is the film.
The only change in sur happens with Vijay Prakash's rendition of Sooni Sooni. It is the male equivalent to Cheeni Kum, as in, they both share the same tune, but the resemblance ends there. The song, as the words suggest, has a desolate quality to it, which is well bought out by the singer. But the music director never lets that desolate note get out of hand. It is reined in well and so finds it place in the world of frothy romance.
The best thing about movies and music is the world of romance that they open up for the singer and the viewer, respectively. If R Balki has given us an endearing love story, music director Ilaiyaraja has matched him by opening up a world of lilting romantic sounds for our ears.
