Sita Ramam (soundtrack)
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Sita Ramam
| type = soundtrack
| artist = Vishal Chandrashekhar
| cover = Sita Ramam album.jpg
| released = 3 August 2022
| recorded = 2021–2022
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = 20:18
| language = Telugu
| label = Sony Music India
| producer = Vishal Chandrashekhar
| prev_title = O2
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title = Soppana Sundari
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Sita Ramam
| type = soundtrack
| single1 = Oh Sita Hey Rama
| single1date = 9 May 2022
| single2 = Inthandham
| single2date= 1 July 2022
| single3 = Kaanunna Kalyanam
| single3date = 15 July 2022
| single4 = Oh Prema
| single4date = 3 August 2022
| single5 = Eppudo Ninnu
| single5date = 12 August 2022
| single6 = Tharali Tharali
| single6date = 19 August 2022
}}
}}
Sita Ramam is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language soundtrack album to the film of the same name composed by Vishal Chandrashekhar. The film's musical score is composed by Vishal Chandrashekhar in his third collaboration with Raghavapudi after Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha (2016) and Padi Padi Leche Manasu (2018).
Sita Ramam featured nine songs in the film, which had lyrics written by Ananta Sriram, Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry and Krishna Kanth. For the dubbed versions, Madhan Karky (Tamil), Arun Alat and Vinayak Sasikumar (Malayalam), Kumaar, Jai Atre, Mandar Cholkar, Varun Grover, Vaibhav Joshi, Neha Shitole and Vishal Chandrashekhar (Hindi), were the lyricists. The soundtrack album only had four songs which are released as singles.
The soundtrack album was also released by Sony Music India on 3 August 2022. The soundtrack and score consisted of "organically rich" tunes which Chandrashekhar had attempted for the film, and has influences of Indian music from the 1960s to 1980s, interpreting traditional classical and orchestral music. The music received positive response, with praise on Chandrashekhar's composition.
Background
For the music of Sita Ramam, Raghavapudi met his regular collaborator Chandrashekhar and narrated the script, which the latter called it as "fantastic story that has good situations which require songs", and added that "If the music has to be good, the story needs to demand music. One such film is Sita Ramam. The plot made me give exceptional music."{{Cite web |date=2022-07-27 |title=Interview : Vishal Chandrasekhar – Sita Ramam's music will be very rich |url=https://www.123telugu.com/interviews/interview-vishal-chandrasekhar-sita-ramams-music-will-be-very-rich.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=123telugu.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-28 |title='Have Done This Film Organically': Sita Ramam Music Director Vishal Chandrashekar |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/have-done-this-film-organically-sita-ramam-music-director-vishal-chandrashekar-5641711.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=News18 |language=en}} Chandrashekhar opined that for a situation, he would conceive nearly three to four tunes, and as the film keeps developing, the preference of that particular tune might change. As he wanted to produce "organically rich music" for the film, he extensively researched on Indian music originated from the 1960s to 1980s. He was also devoid on using synthetic sounds for the film, to authenticate the musical setting.{{Cite web |title=Interview of Vishal Chandrasekhar about Sita Ramam |url=https://www.ragalahari.com/celebrity-interview/1930/interview-of-vishal-chandrasekhar-about-sita-ramam |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=www.ragalahari.com |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Sita Ramam Music Director Vishal Chandrashekhar Interview {{!}} Dulquer Salmaan {{!}} Rashmika {{!}} Sumanth | date=23 July 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYACxcvCyPc |language=en |access-date=2022-09-06}}
Since Sita Ramam was initially planned to be simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil, the musical team had to work on composing the songs in both languages, and made several changes to ensure the uniqueness of the album. For the track "Inthandham", the tune of the original Telugu version was different from that of the dubbed Tamil version. The Tamil version of the song did not have the choral part in the initial recording. As Chandrashekhar was impressed with the choral tunes, he immediately recorded those portions for the Tamil. Each tracks had different tunes for multiple versions of the album. About the lyric writing process, he explained "Words are pronounced differently in different languages. I have a basic sense of how words are pronounced and how to make them sound the best in a song." Most of the songs in the film were based on Hindol raga, as according to Chandrashekhar, "songs not using that ragam used to become hits at that time."
The track "Kaanunna Kalyanam", the lyrics pattern has been followed in Malayalam and Hindi version songs. But in Tamil version song "Kannukkulle" the lyrics pattern was different. Compare to Telugu version, Tamil version has a change over of male and female lyric part written by Madhan Karky. To match the lip sync, the song was reshot in Tamil version alone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/video-of-kannukulle-song-from-sita-ramam-is-out-watch-it-here-5950585.html|title=Video of Kannukulle Song From Sita Ramam is Out; Watch it Here|website=news18.com|date=13 September 2022 }}
Chandrashekhar hired nearly 140 musicians from different countries, who were instructed to play instruments specific to that country, which he stated as: "If we are using a specific German electronic instrument, it was played by a German musician and not an Indian. It's because only a native practitioner can play it authentically." Chandrashekhar's wife and playback singer, Sinduri Vishal had recorded three songs for the film in multiple languages, had also coordinated the music, with the entire team of musicians.
Release
Vishal Chandrashekhar stated that the film had nearly nine songs, while the album only had four songs. The first track "Oh Sita Hey Rama" was released as a single on 9 May 2022.{{Cite news |title=Oh Sita Hey Rama: First lyrical single from Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur's 'Sita Ramam' out - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/music/oh-sita-hey-rama-first-lyrical-single-from-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakurs-sita-ramam-out/articleshow/91437193.cms |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-09 |title=Sita Ramam's Oh Sita Hey Rama song: Dulquer Salmaan & Mrunal Thakur's soulful melody depicts a love story |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/sita-ramams-oh-sita-hey-rama-song-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakurs-soulful-melody-depicts-love-story-1085077 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}} It was also released in Tamil as "Hey Sita Hey Rama" and in Malayalam as "Pen Poove Thenvande". S. P. Charan, who sang the male portions of the song in Telugu and Tamil, called the song as "timeless" and "beautiful", appreciating Chandrashekhar's composition, lyrics, music, programming.{{Cite web |title=Sita Ramam: SPB Charan shares his experience of singing 'Oh Sita, Hey Rama' for Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/regional-film-news/sita-ramam-spb-charan-shares-his-experience-of-singing-oh-sita-hey-rama-for-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}} The second single track "Inthandham" was released on 1 July, and also released as "Kurumugil" in Tamil and "Aaromal" in Malayalam, respectively.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-01 |title=Inthandham: Sita Ramam's second single narrates Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur's characters' love story |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/inthandham-sita-ramams-second-single-narrates-dulquer-salmaan-and-mrunal-thakurs-characters-love-story-1155217 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sita Ramam: Inthandham, the second single from Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur's war-romance, is a classic retro-styled melody |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/sita-ramam-inthandham-the-second-single-from-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakurs-war-romance-is-a-classic-retro-styled-melody/831ca14d4e417 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}} The third single, "Kaanunna Kalyanam" was released on 15 July, alongside the Tamil and Malayalam versions, titled "Kannukkulle" and "Kannil Kannil", respectively.{{Cite web |last=Telugu360 |date=2022-07-15 |title=Sita Ramam's Third Single: Addictive Track |url=https://www.telugu360.com/sita-ramams-third-single-addictive-track/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Telugu360.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kaanunna Kalyanam: Third single from Dulquer Salmaan's Sita Ramam is out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/videos/2022/jul/18/kaanunna-kalyanam-third-single-from-dulquer-salmaans-sita-ramam-is-out-32846.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Cinema Express |date=18 July 2022 |language=en}} The fourth song "Oh Prema" (in Telugu), "Piriyadhey" (in Tamil) and "Thirike Vaa" (in Malayalam), were released alongside the album on 3 August.{{Cite web |title=Oh Prema, the fourth single from Sita Ramam, talks about the agony of separation |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/oh-prema-the-fourth-single-from-sita-ramam-talks-about-the-agony-of-separation/72348c4aed316 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}
Post the film's release, the song "Eppudo Ninnu" was released as a bonus single through YouTube on 12 August.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=Sita Ramam: Team releases 'Letter' video song |url=https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/sita-ramam-team-releases-letter-video-song.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=123telugu.com |language=en}} The video song "Tharali Tharali" was released on 19 August.{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Tollywood |date=2022-08-19 |title=Tharali Tharali from Sita Ramam: Everyone in awe of Mrunal Thakur dance moves |url=https://www.tollywood.net/tharali-tharali-from-sita-ramam-everyone-in-awe-of-mrunal-thakur-dance-moves/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Tollywood |language=en-US}} The soundtrack of the Hindi version, released on 1 September 2022, featuring all the nine songs from the album, including the film's theme music.
Track listing
= Telugu =
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Oh Sita Hey Rama
| length1 = 4:06
| lyrics1 = Ananta Sriram
| extra1 = S. P. Charan, Ramya Behara
| title2 = Inthandham
| length2 = 3:38
| lyrics2 = Krishnakanth
| extra2 = S. P. Charan
| title3 = Kaanunna Kalyanam
| lyrics3 = Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
| extra3 = Anurag Kulkarni, Sinduri Vishal
| length3 = 3:51
| title4 = Oh Prema
| length4 = 3:28
| lyrics4 = Krishnakanth
| extra4 = Kapil Kapilan, Chinmayi
| total_length = 20:18
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Extended Soundtrack
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title5 = Eppudo Ninnu
| length5 = 2:51
| lyrics5 = Ananta Sriram
| extra5 = Yazin Nizar
| title6 = Nene Aa Nene
| length6 = 3:58
| lyrics6 = Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
| extra6 = Hariharan, K. S. Chithra, Sinduri Vishal
| title7 = Evarini Adaganu
| length7 = 2:28
| lyrics7 = Krishnakanth
| extra7 = Yazin Nizar
| title8 = Tharali Tharali
| length8 = 1:17
| lyrics8 = Krishnakanth
| extra8 = Sunitha Upadrashta
| title9 = Ninnati Theepi
| length9 = 2:45
| lyrics9 = Krishnakanth
| extra9 = Sunitha Upadrashta
| title10 = Sita Ramam (Theme)
| length10 = 3:34
| lyrics10 = —
| extra10 = —
| total_length = 20:18
}}
= Tamil =
{{Track listing
| all_lyrics = Madhan Karky
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Hey Sita Hey Rama
| length1 = 4:06
| extra1 = S. P. Charan, Sinduri Vishal
| title2 = Kurumugil
| length2 = 3:38
| extra2 = Sai Vignesh
| title3 = Kannukkulle
| extra3 = Haricharan, Sinduri Vishal
| length3 = 3:51
| title4 = Piriyadhey
| length4 = 3:28
| extra4 = Kapil Kapilan, Chinmayi
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Extended Soundtrack
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title5 = Uraiyum Theeyil
| length5 = 2:51
| extra5 = Yazin Nizar
| title6 = Thoodha
| length6 = 3:58
| extra6 = Hariharan, K. S. Chithra, Sinduri Vishal
| title7 = Kurunchiragu
| length7 = 2:28
| extra7 = Aravind Annestt
| title8 = Azhagin Azhagu
| length8 = 1:17
| extra8 = Sinduri Vishal
| title9 = Kaalangal Thaandi
| length9 = 2:45
| extra9 = Sinduri Vishal
| title10 = Sita Ramam (Theme)
| length10 = 3:34
| extra10 = —
| total_length = 20:18
}}
= Malayalam =
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Pen Poove Thenvande
| length1 = 4:06
| lyrics1 = Arun Alat
| extra1 = Sharreth, Nithya Mammen
| title2 = Aaromal
| length2 = 3:38
| lyrics2 = Vinayak Sasikumar
| extra2 = Sooraj Santhosh
| title3 = Kannil Kannil
| lyrics3 = Arun Alat
| extra3 = K. S. Harisankar, Sinduri Vishal
| length3 = 3:51
| title4 = Thirike Vaa
| length4 = 3:28
| lyrics4 = Vinayak Sasikumar
| extra4 = Kapil Kapilan, Anne Amie
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Extended Soundtrack
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title5 = Ariyum Thorum
| length5 = 2:51
| lyrics5 = Vinayak Sasikumar
| extra5 = Yazin Nizar
| title6 = Njaanai
| length6 = 3:58
| lyrics6 = Anwar Ali
| extra6 = Yazin Nizar, K. S. Chithra, Sinduri Vishal
| title7 = Oru Karayarike
| length7 = 2:28
| lyrics7 = Arun Alat
| extra7 = Shibi Srinivasan
| title8 = Naa Dhir Dhi
| length8 = 1:17
| lyrics8 = Arun Alat
| extra8 = Sinduri Vishal
| title9 = Oru Yugam
| length9 = 2:45
| lyrics9 = Arun Alat
| extra9 = Sinduri Vishal
| title10 = Sita Ramam (Theme)
| length10 = 3:34
| lyrics10 = —
| extra10 = —
| total_length = 32:01
}}
= Hindi =
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = O Sita
| length1 = 4:00
| lyrics1 = Kumaar
| extra1 = Hrishikesh Ranade, Anweshaa
| title2 = Dil Ka Pata
| length2 = 3:49
| lyrics2 = Jai Atre
| extra2 = Abhay Jodhpurkar, Sinduri Vishal
| title3 = Dil Se Dil
| lyrics3 = Mandar Cholkar
| extra3 = Mandar Cholkar, Shashwat Singh
| length3 = 3:32
| title4 = Ishq Karu
| length4 = 3:22
| lyrics4 = Kumaar
| extra4 = Arunita Kanjilal, Shashwat Singh
| title5 = Aaja Sajna
| length5 = 1:20
| lyrics5 = Vishal Chandrashekhar
| extra5 = Aanandi Joshi
| title6 = Chitthi
| length6 = 2:49
| lyrics6 = Varun Grover
| extra6 = Yazin Nizar
| title7 = Jane Kis Mod Pe
| length7 = 2:27
| lyrics7 = Mandar Cholkar
| extra7 = Mandar Cholkar, Rahul Mukherjee
| title8 = Aise Dhale Raat Re
| length8 = 3:55
| lyrics8 = Vaibhav Joshi
| extra8 = Aanandi Joshi, Shivam Pathak
| title9 = Khwab Tere
| length9 = 2:45
| lyrics9 = Neha Shitole
| extra9 = Aanandi Joshi, Neha Shitole
| title10 = Sita Ramam (Theme)
| length10 = 3:34
| lyrics10 = —
| extra10 = —
| total_length = 31:36
}}
Reception
Vishal Chandrashekhar's music for Sita Ramam, received positive response from critics, who called it as an "integral part of the storyline".{{Cite web |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |title='Sita Ramam' review: Ambitious period romance overstays its welcome |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1031679/sita-ramam-review-an-overstuffed-romance-that-overstays-its-welcome |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Scroll.in |date=2 September 2022 |language=en-US}} The songs and the visual picturization also received praise.{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2022-08-05 |title='Sita Ramam' movie review: A poignant love story with charming performances from Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/sita-ramam-movie-review-a-poignant-love-story/article65730859.ece |access-date=2022-09-06 |issn=0971-751X}} Behindwoods wrote "Vishal Chandrasekhar has indeed elevated the film with his timely musical cues."{{Cite web |date=2022-08-07 |title=Sita Ramam (aka) Sita Raamam review |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/sita-ramam/sita-ramam-review.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Behindwoods}} Indiaglitz wrote "The composition has been deliberately made to let the listener rejoice in the Ilaiyaraaja-era nostalgia."{{Cite web |title=Sita Ramam Music review songs lyrics |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/sita-ramam-songs-review-telugu-movie-23139 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}} Pinkvilla
Outlook wrote "Vishal Chandrashekar's music, be it for the background score or for the songs, work big time. The songs in this film have considerable retention value and that credit must go entirely to Vishal. His background score is also apt."{{Cite web |date=2022-08-07 |title='Sita Ramam' Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan And Mrunal Thakur's Brilliantly-Crafted Poetry On Screen |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/-sita-ramam-movie-review-dulquer-salman-and-mrunal-thakur-come-up-with-a-beautiful-poetry-on-screen-movie_reviews-214784 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Outlook India |language=en}} Firstpost-based critic Priyanka Sundar, called the music as "sweet and charming, just like the film which stops short of being a classic."{{Cite web |date=2022-08-11 |title=Sita Ramam movie review: Just short of a classic |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sita-ramam-movie-review-just-short-of-a-classic-11043101.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Firstpost |language=en}} Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote "The musical score by Vishal Chandrasekhar is the soul of the film and if not for the great tracks, this would’ve been a lifeless tale of love".{{Cite web |date=2022-08-05 |title=Sita Ramam review: Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur's romance drama is a sensitive depiction of Indo-Pak conflict |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/sita-ramam-review-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-s-romance-drama-is-a-sensitive-depiction-of-indo-pak-conflict-101659703853216.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} After the film's release, Dulquer Salmaan praised Chandrashekhar for the compositions, calling him as the "heartbeat of Sita Ramam".{{Cite news |title=Dulquer Salmaan heaps praise on music director Vishal Chandrashekhar: You're the heartbeat of 'Sita Ramam' - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/dulquer-salmaan-heaps-praise-on-music-director-vishal-chandrashekhar-youre-the-heartbeat-of-sita-ramam/articleshow/93386984.cms |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}