Composers Sushin Shyam(L) and Sumesh Parameswar (R) and poster of the movie 'Kismath'Malayalam film Kismath carries a 'based-on-a-true-story' tag and whatever we've caught so far of this directorial debut of Shanavas K. Bavakkutty sure lifts our expectations. And with Malappuram as the backdrop, I was even more curious to see how the music of the movie would unfold.
The album has seven tracks shared among three composers – Sumesh Parameswar, who has tuned 5 of them, Sushin Shyam and Shamej Shreedhar who've composed one each. Multi-composer soundtrack is not in vogue in Malayalam and it is interesting to see this movie effecting the change.
♫ Kismath playtime. ♫
Kisa Paathiyil (Singer: Sachin Balu)
Whatever little of this song that the trailer featured made me yearn for this song. This intense tune is the first song composition of Sushin Shyam of the Kerala-based metal band 'The Down Troddence' for a film and what a debut it turned out to be! (Sushin has already done background music for Sapthamashree Thaskaraha and Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi.) Sachin Balu breathes soul into this track and his emotive rendition gets the agony of love to sting us, and quite painfully too. When Sushin and Suchith Suresan do the chorus that is high on Malabar flavor, you'd just want to close your eyes and sit back. The pensive sufi-ish chorus is the highlight and I was hoping that I would hear it for a second time in the song, but Sushin is not one to overuse the magic. You realize that you have fallen in love with the short track when it ends, making you wanting to go back to the song. Anwar Ali, whose lyrics in Kammatipaadam struck a chord with the audience, syncs his poetic lines with the tune to great effect. Sushin, keyboard player and programmer of a thrash metal band, wins our hearts with this exquisite melody.
Nilamanaltharikalil (Harishankar K.S. & Shreya Raghav)
Setting up a simple, melodious song is not a simple task. Guitarist-turned-composer Sumesh Parameswar does that with ease in ‘Nilamanaltharikalil’. Plus, the song has two talented singers – Harishankar, who sings like a dream, and Shreya Raghav who has a rather unique voice. Anand’s tabla flows with the song and the flute by Josy Alleppey mesmerizes. ‘Nilamanaltharikalil’ is unpretentious and a delightful tune to listen to.
Loneliness (Shreya Raghav)
In the company of strings and piano, Sumesh deputes Shreya to render a short, melancholic tune. ‘Loneliness’ is the apt title for this one, considering its moody sound and the song sticks to the realm of intense that the movie is aligned with.
Chilathunaam (Madhushree)
Composed by Shamej Shreedhar, 'Chilathunaam' is an admirable qawwali number that brings to mind the classic A.R. Rahman songs of the genre, at times. Madhushree takes hold of our attention with her exemplary singing and is backed ably by an effective chorus. The heartwarming, joyous tune is quite the 'singalong' number. Anand works his charm with the tabla again. Shamej has handled the sufi sound wonderfully and ‘Chilathunaam’ will fill your heart with enchanting music.
Aane Madanapoo (Kabeer Nallalam)
Sumesh Parameswar brings onboard Kabeer Nallalam to render Moyinkutty Vaidyar’s evergreen Mappila Paattu 'Aane Madanapoo'. Kabeer's raw vocals do justice to the song’s legacy. Keeping the soul of the old song intact, the composer creates a refreshing piece of music. 'Aane Madanapoo' showcases the composer in superb form.
Vinnu Churanna (Neesa MP)
I wasn't expecting a lullaby in Kismath, but there it is. Interestingly, it does not sound like a lullaby when the first two lines play out, but slowly makes its way there. Sumesh has yet another lesser-heard singer Neesa MP for this song, and she does her job with finesse. Anwar Ali's lyrics, full of warmth, make for just the right fitting for the serene song that 'Vinnu Churanna' is.
Kismath theme (Shreya Raghav; Chorus: Ajay Sen & Joju Sebastian)
The theme track is inclined to Arabic music and the chorus sounds fabulous, again, as they go 'Kismath oh Kismath'. Sumesh also pitches in Shreya's humming to pack it tidy.
Verdict
Sushin Shyam does just one song for Kismath and walks away with all the honors. 'Kisa Paathiyil' is an outstanding melody and easily, our first pick from the album. We highly recommend 'Chilathunaam' by Shamej Shreedhar and 'Nilamanaltharikalil' by Sumesh Parameswar as well.
Onmanorama rating: 4/5
Fun fact: Most of you already know this. Sushin Shyam is the guy who appears in a brief role in the popular film Thattathin Marayathu and tells Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese - He will screw you guys!
