7G, Rainbow Colony is one of the most successful movie of the year 2004. Though the main reason behind the success is the screenplay and direction of Selva Raghavan, one cannot forget the excellent music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The songs were big hit even before the release of the movie which created enough hype. Besides the songs, Yuvan shines in the BG score all through the movie and it really elevated the emotions and moods of the scenes. It feels so good to see directors and composers concentrating more on BG scores these days to an extent that they release the OST albums in hollywood fashion. It is really a welcome trend. Following the success of the OST album of Kadhal Konden of the same team, OST of 7GRBC releases almost six months after the release of the movie. The album has totally 33 tracks inlcuding 9 previously released songs.
Take any review on the movie, you will find a mention about Yuvan’s background score. Even a layman noticed the BG score and appreciated it which explains everything about the quality of music and how well the visuals and the music gels with and complement each other. Before only Illayaraja’s BGM’s would get such unanimous appreciation from one and all and now his son successfully walks in his father’s path.
Flaws
One of the most beautiful cues from the movie is missing in the album. It appears when Kathir presses the calling bell continuously to distrub when Anitha and her would be are alone inside their house. The symphony of a pleasant flute melody with a nice violin choir aptly gives a sweet funny mood to the scene and it will also sound great as a stand alone music piece.
No any appropriate names are given to the tracks, they are simply named as Sound Track1, Sound Track2 etc., Usually the tracks would be given suitable names matching the situation in the movie for which the music is scored. Though I mention it as a flaw, it has its own advantage when we look at it other way. The success of the music can be easily checked. The music wins only if it is able to convert its sound into the right visuals the evoke right emotions as in the movie in the minds of the listeners without getting any clue from the name of the track in Cd wrapper about for which scene that music is scored. Though I watched this movie six months before I was able to recollect and visualise each and every frame of the movie from the music and there lies the success of the music.
The background score pieces are not placed in right order as it is used in the movie. The music of the climax scene immediately follows the title music which interrupts the flow and continuity of the music and our visualisation from it and thereby a great experience of watching the whole movie through its background music is completely lost.
Yuvan has overdone with music at some places where it is absolutely unnecessary like when Kathir takes care of Anitha, the music seems okay initially but it stretches beyond a point till she completes the exam and leaves the exam hall, which I think is unnecessary. Though it is (Sound Track 7) good to hear as a stand alone music piece it was loud with the visuals in the movie.
God only knows what made Yuvan to choose PB.Srinivas to sing the brief song “Ithu enna mayam”. Also I don’t know why the song is used for the second time when Anitha comes to Kathir’s house, because the mood of Kathir is completely different from that of the situation for which the song is originally scored and used first.
Anyway we can execuse all the above flaws as Yuvan has delivered a great quality of music for the movie and also has got the guts to release his BG pieces as an album which even A.R.Rahman or Illayaraja have never done before.
After Flaws …. about Flawless Music
Yuvan has worked with a 40 piece orchestra for one month to complete background score for this movie. Yuvan has taken the path of his father by using lot of violin and vocal choir, guitar, flute in the background to create the sound of emotions out of the visuals. The score is not based on any single theme, instead every single episode has a theme of its own and the orchestra interpretes it differently at different places that falls in the same genre of mood/emotions.
Guitar is widely used for lighter moments and for initial clashing and dashing scenes between the lead pair. Especially the layers of emotions like anger and subtle love is well brounght out in the theatre clash scene with rocking guitar layered over a keyboard melody. The actions of mischievous teens are aptly backed by casual Guitar stums and keyboard rhythms. The best usage of the guitar is when Kathir dreams himself married with Anitha, the melody is so soothing in that scene and also have funny traces to suit the situation.
Anitha’s anger is well brought out in the music using tablas in that chocolate distribution scene. The irish folk rhythm with discrete flute notes and percussions is excellent which mixes the chill, thrill and excitement of Kathir in the scene where he challenges to his friend that she will look at him while passing. The marvadi festive song in hindi slowly transcneding to a well timed hindustani alap which when we find Kathir standing before Anitha elevates the enthusiasm of the audience and it is one of the best moments where Yuvan’s brilliance comes to the fore.
The psyche of Schezophrenic Kathir is well brought out in the music piece with some complex string choir and an excellent flute piece where anything and everything that Kathir sees reminds Anitha after her death in the accident. Also the twist and turns in the strings backing the scenes liks where Kathir meets Anitha for the first time and when Kathir steps up in the ladder of success is a musical treat to listen to. The title music starts with a Duduk piece and slowly moves on to a mild violins and then bursts out into full throated choir which aptly suits the surprise we get when we see Kathir casually riding on his bike while it is heavily raining is again a great piece of work in music.
Finally the best and the most brilliant score of the lot is the western vocal choir used when Kathir and Anitha spend a whole night togather, the slowly buildup of vocal harmony and church bell sounds with percussions elevates the whole sequences and gives a divine sound to the happenings.
Well, on the whole this is a must buy album for those who like the movie. It will take you to a nostalgic journey into the movie. Hats off to Yuvan and Selva Raghavan for giving us this album.