Sivaji (soundtrack)

Infobox Album | Name = Sivaji
Type = Album
Artist = A.R. Rahman


Released = April 2, 2007
Recorded =
Genre = Feature film soundtrack
Length = 36:10
Label = AVM Music
Producer = A.R. Rahman | Reviews = Yahoo! India Movie Reviews Rating|5|5cite web| title="Sivaji: Music Review"| work= [http://www.yahoo.com Yahoo.com] |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/070404/226/6e4vb.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]
Last album = "Provoked"
(2007)
This album = "Sivaji"
(2007)
Next album = "London Dreams"
(2007)

Sivaji is a Tamil language film directed by Shankar and produced by AVM Productions.

Early, on speculations were high that the songs would be remarkable as A. R. Rahman was paid two Indian Crores for the project, making him the highest paid Indian music director.cite web| title="The costliest Tamil film ever!"| work= [http://www.rediff.com Rediff.com] |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/apr/26spice.htm|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]

Background Score

A.R. Rahman is re-recording the background music in London.cite web |title=Background score for 'Sivaji' mixed in London! |url=http://www.tamilstar.com/news/publish/article_3084.shtml |accessdate=2007-04-12 ] [ cite web |title=Audio raises expectations on Sivaji |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30448.html |accessdate=2007-04-12 ] A.R. Rahman always does all of his important work in London. Previously some re-recording of the score happened in Paraguay.cite web |title=Background score for 'Sivaji' mixed in London! |url=http://www.tamilstar.com/news/publish/article_3084.shtml |accessdate=2007-04-12 ] Foreign nations are being used to perfect sounds using more expensive equipment.

Unofficial Versions

As "Sivaji" became a major anticipated project, several false information about the soundtrack of the film were announced to websites and magazines. Despite the fact, that early on during the project, Vairamuthu confirmed he had written a song called, "Vaa..ji Vaa..ji Sivaji", no other major details about any other song was mentioned. Rumours went around that certain singers had sung in the project, including Rajinikanth. However on October 11, 2006, the source, Behindwoods.com, mentioned that they had received credible information that "Sivaji" contained seven songs, five of which were set to be in the audio, with the other two being situational songs. Surprisingly, they also mentioned the five songs which were in the album. "Vaa...ji Vaa...ji Sivaji"cite web| title="Sivaji songs unveiled"| work= [http://www.behindwoods.com Behindwoods.com] |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/11-10-06-sivaji.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] was mentioned to be the opening song of the film. They also reported that a philosophical song titled, "Unpeyar Ennada"cite web| title="Sivaji has a philosophical song"| work= [http://www.behindwoods.com Behindwoods.com] |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/11-10-06-sivaji.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] was in the film, as per usual Rajinikanth films since "Baba". Another song titled, "Jee Boom Ba"cite web| title="Rahman stirs brains in Sivaji"| work= [http://www.behindwoods.com Behindwoods.com] |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/11-10-06-sivaji.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] was mentioned as its picturization was to be filmed in either fireign locations or in Karnataka featuring the lead pair. A song called, "Talla Dimi Takka Dimi Pucha.."cite web| title="Japanese lyrics in Sivaji"| work= [http://www.behindwoods.com Behindwoods.com] |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/11-10-06-sivaji.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] was apparently supposed to contain Japanese lyrics and was set to be filmed in Japan, however the "Sivaji" crew did not travel to Japan for any purposes during the shoot. The final song mentioned was, "Adaal Udan Pesadha Di... En Salangaiku Bhadil Solladi.."cite web| title="A remix in Sivaji?"| work= [http://www.behindwoods.com Behindwoods.com] |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/11-10-06-sivaji.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] and it was mentioned as a remix from another film titled "Vanjikottai Valiban", Behindwoods.com labelled this song was set to come in the climax. However none of these possible songs barring "Vaa..ji Vaa..ji Sivaji". were in the final audio cassettecite web| title="Sivaji Songs Download"| work= [http://www.smashhits.com Smashhits.com] |url=http://www.smashits.com/music/tamil/songs/3728/sivaji.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]

Before the official audio release on April 2, on March 22, 2007 there was a huge dilemma sparked over the illegal release of three premilinary tracks onto the internet.cite web| title="Sivaji songs sure a hit!"| work= [http://www.oneindia.com Oneindia.com] |url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.indian.misc/browse_thread/thread/266da399d9bb0e96/3ed511581a7693a2|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] Songs titled, "Vaa..ji Vaa..ji En Jeevan Nee Sivaji", sung by Hariharan and Madhushreecite web| title="No longer a secret!"| work= [http://www.oneindia.com Oneindia.com] |url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.indian.misc/browse_thread/thread/266da399d9bb0e96/3ed511581a7693a2|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] "Sahana Saaral Thoovudho" sung by Udit Narayan and Sujathacite web| title="Black Thursday in Chennai!"| work= [http://www.oneindia.com Oneindia.com] |url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.indian.misc/browse_thread/thread/266da399d9bb0e96/3ed511581a7693a2|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] and finally a song titled, "Oru Koodai Sunlight" rendered by Tanvi, Shaggy and Blaaze became available on the internet.cite web| title="Shaggy in Sivaji?"| work= [http://www.oneindia.com Oneindia.com] |url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.indian.misc/browse_thread/thread/266da399d9bb0e96/3ed511581a7693a2|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] However despite the uproar these songs caused, they were dismissed as scratchings for the picturization. Later the tracks were offiically released with Chinmayi instead of Sujatha, in "Sahana" and Suresh Peters added to the group of singers in "Style" "(Oru Koodai Sunlight)".cite web| title="Sivaji songs released"| work= [http://www.oneindia.com Oneindia.com] |url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.indian.misc/browse_thread/thread/266da399d9bb0e96/3ed511581a7693a2|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]

Official Version

The official audio of "Sivaji" released in India and overseas on 2nd April, 2007.cite web| title="Sivaji audio from April 2nd"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] Unlike, other major films, no pooja was held for the event and the album hit the stands straight away. The original audio cassette cover had an image of four Rajinikanth's on its cover while as the CD version had an image of the lead pair on its cover.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] The first song in the album, is "Balleilakka", which supposedly will feature Rajinikanth dancing with Nayanthara, who is making a guest appearance in the film. It is set to picturize him dancing and singing while returning to Tamil Nadu from the United States of America, with the backdrop of paddy fields. Over four hundred dancing extras will be used in the song including Pulikali artistes from Kerala. The songs lyrics were penned by poet, Na. Muthukumar and the song was sung by, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who like he did in "Amarkalam" has sung without stopping for nearly two minutes. The other singers are, Rahman's elder sister, Reihana and Telugu language singer Benny.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]

The second song in the abum, is entitled, "Style" which is sung by Rags, Tanvi, Blaaze and Suresh Peters. The song was previously titled, "Oru Koodai Sunlight" and was picturized in Bilbao, Spain. The song praises Rajinikanth's style and hero qualities.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] The lyrics were penned by poet, Pa. Vijay. The third song is "Vaa..ji Vaa..ji Sivaji", which was picturized at Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, with sets at a cost of three Indian Crores. Reports claim the song picturizes Rajinikanth in knee-length warrior clothing as the King of Egypt and Shriya Saran as Queen. The song penned by Vairamuthu, has renowned singers, Hariharan and Madhushree singing.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]

The fourth song in the album is "Athiradee" and is sung by A. R. Rahman and Sayonara with lyrics written from poet, Vaali.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] The fifth and sixth songs of the album are titled, "Sahana" and "Sahara" - one being a peppy rendition and the other being a soulful rendition of the same number. Singing the peppy rendition is Hindi language singer, Udit Narayan with Chinmayi while the soulful rendition singers are Vijay Yesudas with Gomathishree, both songs have the lyrics written by poet, Vairamuthu, who was praised by Rajinikanth personally for his effort.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007] The final song in the album, is a situational theme song entitled, "The Boss" sung by Naresh Iyer, Blaaze and Raqueeb Alam, with lyrics from Na. Muthukumar and Blaaze.cite web| title="Sivaji out!"| work= [http://www.indiaglitz.com Indiaglitz.com] |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/30185.html|accessdate=3 April|accessyear=2007]

ongs

oundtrack Success

The audio of "Sivaji", which opened up on April 2, 2007 saw the biggest response to an audio track since the Rajiv Menon multistarrer, "Kandukondain Kandukondain", which also had music by A. R. Rahman.cite web |title=First Week Report Exclusive |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/11-04-07-sivaji.html |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-04-11] There was a pre-order of about 105,000 CDs and 90,000 cassettes, before the release in Tamil Nadu, India. Repeat orders were received even by the close of the first day and many retail outlets reported stock outs.cite web |title=First Week Report Exclusive |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/11-04-07-sivaji.html |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-04-11] By the end of April 2, the total CD sales has notched up to about 140,000 and cassettes have touched 108,000 sales. On the overseas front, the sales of CDs in Malaysia and Singapore reportedly set new records for Tamil films in terms of the amount of tracks sold.cite web |title=First Week Report Exclusive |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/11-04-07-sivaji.html |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-04-11]

Within the first three days of the release of the Sivaji audio over 150,000 phone treats (ringtones, truetones and wallpapers) had been downloaded.cite web |title=Mobile treat for Rajinikanth fans |url=http://sivajimovie.blogspot.com/2007/04/mobile-treat-for-rajinikanth-fans.html |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-04-11] Over Rs. 5,000,000 ($ [http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=5%2C000%2C000+INR+in+USD 117,000] ) has been made from this.cite web |title=Mobile treat for Rajinikanth fans |url=http://sivajimovie.blogspot.com/2007/04/mobile-treat-for-rajinikanth-fans.html |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-04-11] On the ring tone department, 200, 000 ring tones have been downloaded as of April 12, 2007. The popularity rating for ring tones of Sivaji songs are – "Athiradee" tops the list, followed by "Vaaji Vaaji" and "Style" finishing a close third.cite web |title=First Week Report Exclusive |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/11-04-07-sivaji.html |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-04-11]

References