Vaazhl (soundtrack)
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Vaazhl
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Pradeep Kumar
| cover =Vaazhl (soundtrack).jpg
|border=yes
| alt =
| released = 9 July 2021
| recorded = 2019–2021
| studio = {{hlist|Krimson Avenue Studios, Chennai|2 BarQ Studios, Chennai|Sapthaa Records, Kochi|Voice and Vision Studios, Chennai|Gray Spark Audio, Pune}}
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = 42:45
| language = Tamil
| label = Sony Music
| producer = Pradeep Kumar
| prev_title = Andhaghaaram
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Veyil
| next_year = 2022
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Vaazhl
| type = soundtrack
| single1 = Aahaa
| single1date = 7 September 2020
| single2 = Feel Song
| single2date = 27 January 2021
}}
}}
Vaazhl is the soundtrack album to the 2021 film of the same name directed by Arun Prabu Purushothaman and produced by Sivakarthikeyan under his banner Sivakarthikeyan Productions and Madhuram Pictures. The soundtrack consisted of nine songs composed by Pradeep Kumar, with lyrics written by Muthamil, Kutti Revathi, Arun Prabu and Pradeep himself. The album was preceded by two singles—"Aahaa" and "Feel Song"—before the soundtrack was released on 9 July 2021 under the Sony Music India label.
Development
The film's music is composed by playback singer-turned-composer Pradeep Kumar who also wrote the lyrics for the songs along with the director Arun Prabu Purushothaman and lyricists Muthamil and Kutti Revathi, who worked with the director in Aruvi (2017).{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC9L__VriF8 |title=Arun Prabu Purushothaman Interview With Baradwaj Rangan {{!}} Vaazhl {{!}} Sivakarthikeyan {{!}} Deep Focus |date=2021-07-17 |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |language=ta |publisher=Film Companion South |access-date=2025-02-17 |via=YouTube}} Prabu described the film's narrative as a musical despite being set in a mixed genre and is considered an integral part of the film.{{Cite news |date=20 December 2019 |title=The narrative of Vaazhl will be musical: Arun Prabu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/the-narrative-of-vaazhl-will-be-musical-arun-prabu/articleshow/72903848.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317224057/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/the-narrative-of-vaazhl-will-be-musical-arun-prabu/articleshow/72903848.cms |archive-date=17 March 2021 |access-date=2021-02-13 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sekar |first=Raja |date=2021-07-14 |title=Arun Prabhu talks working with his cousin Sivakarthikeyan for Vaazhl, shares his definition of modern-day mainstream cinema |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arun-prabhu-talks-working-with-his-cousin-sivakarthikeyan-for-vaazhl-shares-his-definition-of-modern-day-mainstream-cinema-9804761.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708131518/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/arun-prabhu-talks-working-with-his-cousin-sivakarthikeyan-for-vaazhl-shares-his-definition-of-modern-day-mainstream-cinema-9804761.html |archive-date=2023-07-08 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}
Like the previous film, Arun Prabu employed a similar technique for the music of Vaazhl, where the music was designed during the pre-production stage.{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj |date=2021-07-25 |title=Arun Prabhu Purushothaman On Why He Chose A Surreal Ending For Vaazhl |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/interviews/vaazhl-tamil-movie-sonyliv-arun-prabhu-on-why-he-chose-a-surreal-ending-for-vaazhl-pradeep-kumar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809024325/https://www.filmcompanion.in/interviews/vaazhl-tamil-movie-sonyliv-arun-prabhu-on-why-he-chose-a-surreal-ending-for-vaazhl-pradeep-kumar |archive-date=2024-08-09 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Film Companion South |language=en}} Pradeep had composed the music and score even before the film began production, so that Prabu would shoot and edit the film respective to the songs, instead of using temp tracks. Prabu felt that the songs helped to set the emotions right and also helped the actors to understand the context behind their performance.
In July 2018, Arun Prabhu posted on Twitter about the music sessions of the film with a music team in Cincinnati in the United States.{{Cite news |date=9 July 2018 |title='Aruvi' director begins work on his next film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/aruvi-director-begins-work-on-his-next-film/articleshow/64914793.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317224108/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/aruvi-director-begins-work-on-his-next-film/articleshow/64914793.cms |archive-date=17 March 2021 |access-date=2021-02-13 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} Pradeep also recorded the songs at his home studio during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Pradeep |date=2020-05-16 |title=Singer-composer Pradeep Kumar explains why his documentary is a tribute to 'Thiruppugazh' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/singer-composer-pradeep-kumar-explains-why-his-documentary-is-a-tribute-to-thiruppugazh/article31601023.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024084730/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/singer-composer-pradeep-kumar-explains-why-his-documentary-is-a-tribute-to-thiruppugazh/article31601023.ece |archive-date=2020-10-24 |access-date=2025-02-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} The song "Seemaan Magalai" is based on poet Arunagirinathar's works from Kandar Anuboothi, and also features a dual version performed by Gina Mirenda.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2021 |title=Semmaan Magalai (feat. Gina Mirenda) [From "Vaazhl"] |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2RKeeZ5kOGN3jwjcrEJsx9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816135014/https://open.spotify.com/album/2RKeeZ5kOGN3jwjcrEJsx9 |archive-date=16 August 2021 |access-date=2021-08-16 |website=Spotify |language=en}}
Release
On 7 September 2020, Sony Music India released the lyrical video of the first song "Aahaa", which was released in all digital platforms as the first single.{{Cite news |date=7 September 2020 |title=First single 'Aahaa' from Arun Prabhu's 'Vaazhl' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/first-single-aahaa-from-arun-prabhus-vaazhl/articleshow/77978581.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318161828/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/first-single-aahaa-from-arun-prabhus-vaazhl/articleshow/77978581.cms |archive-date=18 March 2022 |access-date=2021-02-13 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-09-07 |title=First single from Arun Prabhu's 'Vaazhl' out, produced by Sivakarthikeyan |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/first-single-arun-prabhus-vaazhl-out-produced-sivakarthikeyan-132537 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919205115/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/first-single-arun-prabhus-vaazhl-out-produced-sivakarthikeyan-132537 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |access-date=2021-02-13 |website=The News Minute |language=en}} On 27 January 2021, the makers unveiled the second track of the film titled "Feel Song", which was sung by veteran film composer Deva.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-27 |title=Feel Song (From "Vaazhl") – Single |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/feel-song-from-vaazhl-single/1550900202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429072736/https://music.apple.com/us/album/feel-song-from-vaazhl-single/1550900202 |archive-date=2022-04-29 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Apple Music}} The album in its entirety was released on 9 July 2021, at a special audio launch event which was streamed live through YouTube.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-09 |title=Vaazhl (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/vaazhl-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1575873557 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623042128/https://music.apple.com/in/album/vaazhl-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1575873557 |archive-date=2024-06-23 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Apple Music}} The event also featured the presence of the few cast and crew members, with a musical performance hosted by Pradeep Kumar performing all the songs for the album.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r_wxJO7wxE |title=Vaazhl Audio Launch Live {{!}} Sivakarthikeyan {{!}} Arun Prabu Purushothaman {{!}} Pradeep Kumar |date=9 July 2021 |language=en |publisher=Sony Music South |access-date=2021-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710072132/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r_wxJO7wxE |archive-date=10 July 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}
Reception
The album opened to positive reviews from music critics. Zoom TV, stated the film's song "Aahaa" as an "emotional number with holds a certain amount of breeziness that is beautiful and it also sets the right kind of mood for the film."{{Cite web |date=7 September 2020 |title=Sivakarthikeyan's first song from Vaazhl will instantly win over your heart |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/sivakarthikeyans-first-song-from-vaazhl-will-instantly-win-over-your-heart/649067 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708125535/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/sivakarthikeyans-first-song-from-vaazhl-will-instantly-win-over-your-heart/649067 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |access-date=2021-02-13 |website=Zoom TV |language=en}} Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "Pradeep Kumar's score is so much in sync with the narrative. The music seems to be part of the film's DNA as if Arun knew exactly where he wanted sounds and silences. Unlike the usual big background scores, the music just flows with the film. Even when it stands out, it goes with the narrative."{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=2021-07-17 |title=Vaazhl, On SonyLIV, Is A Sophisticated Film With A Superb Sense Of Cinematic Craft |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/streaming-reviews/vaazhl-movie-review-sonyliv-sophisticated-film-with-a-superb-sense-of-cinematic-craft-pradeep-kumar-tj-bhanu-baradwaj-rangan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222181006/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/streaming-reviews/vaazhl-movie-review-sonyliv-sophisticated-film-with-a-superb-sense-of-cinematic-craft-pradeep-kumar-tj-bhanu-baradwaj-rangan |archive-date=2024-02-22 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Film Companion South |language=en}} Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express wrote "composer Pradeep Kumar’s meditative score keeps us invested in the narration."{{Cite web |last=Kumar R |first=Manoj |date=2021-07-17 |title=Vaazhl review: A trippy, meditative film on the meaning of life |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/vaazhl-movie-review-a-trippy-meditative-film-on-the-meaning-of-life-7407699/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813184908/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/vaazhl-movie-review-a-trippy-meditative-film-on-the-meaning-of-life-7407699/ |archive-date=2021-08-13 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} Ramya Palisetty of India Today noted that "Pradeep Kumar's background score adds life to the tale".{{Cite web |last=Palisetty |first=Ramya |date=2021-07-16 |title=Vaazhl Moview Review: Pradeep Anthony's tale of self-discovery on SonyLIV is confusing |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vaazhl-moview-review-pradeep-anthony-s-tale-of-self-discovery-on-sonyliv-is-confusing-1828960-2021-07-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721212553/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vaazhl-moview-review-pradeep-anthony-s-tale-of-self-discovery-on-sonyliv-is-confusing-1828960-2021-07-16 |archive-date=2021-07-21 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}
Ranjani Krishnakumar of Firstpost wrote "Pradeep Kumar's music plays along, tunes across genres blending and swaying effortlessly throughout. It plays a fundamental role in giving the film its timbre. Without the music, the film might have appeared confused or even disjointed. Pradeep Kumar elevates the film, confirms that its staccato nature is deliberate."{{Cite web |last=Krishnakumar |first=Ranjani |date=2021-07-16 |title=Vaazhl movie review: Arun Prabhu Purushothaman's film lacks self-awareness, engages only with romanticised idea of nature |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vaazhl-movie-review-arun-prabhu-purushothamans-film-lacks-self-awareness-engages-only-with-romanticised-idea-of-nature-9810401.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723131955/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vaazhl-movie-review-arun-prabhu-purushothamans-film-lacks-self-awareness-engages-only-with-romanticised-idea-of-nature-9810401.html |archive-date=2021-07-23 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express added that "Pradeep Kumar's magnificent, experimental score is an incredible source of strength for this film" and the music being "as varied and beautiful as the places in it".{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=17 July 2021 |title='Vaazhl' review: Fable-ish, even if not fabulous |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2021/jul/17/vaazhl-review-fable-ish-even-if-not-fabulous-2331241.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718170240/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2021/jul/17/vaazhl-review-fable-ish-even-if-not-fabulous-2331241.html |archive-date=18 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-18 |website=The New Indian Express}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| headline =
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aahaa
| length1 = 5:01
| lyrics1 = Pradeep Kumar
| extra1 = Pradeep Kumar
| title2 = Mudhal Darisanam
| length2 = 2:51
| lyrics2 = Pradeep Kumar
| extra2 = Bharath Shankar, Pradeep Kumar, Shahid Hameed
| title3 = Feel Song
| length3 = 3:02
| lyrics3 = Arun Prabu Purushothaman
| extra3 = Deva
| title4 = Inba Visai
| length4 = 2:55
| lyrics4 = Arun Prabu Purushothaman
| extra4 = Pradeep Kumar, Lalita Vijayakumar
| title5 = Pudhu Vidha Anubavam
| length5 = 4:10
| lyrics5 = Muthamil, Arun Prabu Purushothaman
| extra5 = Pradeep Kumar, Kalyani Nair
| title6 = Semmaan Magalai
| note6 = Version 1
| length6 = 4:16
| lyrics6 = Arunagirinathar
| extra6 = Pradeep Kumar
| title7 = Vaazha Vaa
| length7 = 5:23
| lyrics7 = Pradeep Kumar, Arun Prabu Purushothaman
| extra7 = Pradeep Kumar, Radar with A Kay
| title8 = Vaazhl
| note8 = Theme
| length8 = 4:54
| lyrics8 = —
| extra8 = Instrumental
| title9 = Naan
| length9 = 5:57
| lyrics9 = Kutti Revathi
| extra9 = Pradeep Kumar
| title10 = Semmaan Magalai
| note10 = Version 2
| length10 = 4:16
| lyrics10 = Arunagirinathar
| extra10 = Gina Mirenda, Pradeep Kumar
| total_length = 42:45
}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from Sony Music South:{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLNKujDVe0U |title=Vaazhl - Jukebox {{!}} Sivakarthikeyan {{!}} Arun Prabu Purushothaman {{!}} Pradeep Kumar |date=2021-07-09 |last= |language=ta |publisher=Sony Music South |access-date=2025-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715232034/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLNKujDVe0U |archive-date=2024-07-15 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}
{{div col}}
- All music composed, produced, arranged and programmed by: Pradeep Kumar
- Additional programming and arrangements: Kalyani Nair, M. S. Yeshwanth, Bharath Sankar, Rahul Ramachandran, Satish Raghunathan
; Instruments
- Backing vocals: Kalyani Nair, Susha, Vidhya Vijay, Shahid Hameed, Bharath Sankar, Pradeep Kumar
- Guitars: Pradeep Kumar, M. S. Krsna, Gowri Shankar, Tapass Naresh, T. T. Sriram, Susha, Marti Bharath, Jhanu Chanthar
- Drums: Tapass Naresh
- Keys: M. S. Yeshwanth
- Theremin: Carolina Eyck
- Harmonium: Satish Raghunathan
- Nadaswaram: Mylai M. Karthikeyan
- Thavil: V. Prasanth
- Konnakol: Aarvay
- Tabla: Ganapathi, Venkat, Kiran, Sruthi
- Flute: Nikhilram T. P.
- Indian percussions: Ramki, Bharath Sankar
- Latin percussions: Allwyn Jeya Paul
; Cincinnati Orchestra
- Bass: Maurice Todd
- Bassoon: Randal Dennler
- Cello: Shu-Li Cheah
- Clarinet: Srila Fukumoto
- Flute: Annie Gordon
- Oboe: Austin Smith
- Trumpets: Audrey Schmid, Dave Zeng
- Trombone: Sean McGhee
- Violins: Jordana Greenberg, Yein Jin
- Viola: Dan Wang
- Orchestra conductor: Issac Selya
- Recording studio: Audiogrotto, Newport, Kentucky
- Recording engineer: Ashley Shepherd Orchestra
- Artist manager: Goutham Iyengar
- Orchestra coordination: Radar With A Kay
; Studios (recording, mixing and mastering)
- Krimson Avenue Studios, Chennai: Vishnu M. Namboothiri, K. S. Maniratnam
- 2 BarQ Studios, Chennai: Sujith Sreedhar
- Sapthaa Records, Kochi: Krishnamoorthi
- Voice and Vision Studios, Chennai: Lijesh Kumar
- Gray Spark Audio, Pune: Rahul Ramachandran, Tapass Naresh, Nitin Murali Krishna
{{div col end}}
Accolades
Notes
{{Notelist}}