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Asuran (soundtrack)

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Asuran
Soundtrack album by
Released2 September 2019
Recorded2019
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length28:20
LanguageTamil
LabelKalaippuli Audio
Divo
ProducerG. V. Prakash Kumar
G. V. Prakash Kumar chronology
100% Kadhal
(2019)
Asuran
(2019)
Soorarai Pottru
(2020)
External audio
audio icon Audio Jukebox on YouTube

Asuran (transl. Demon) is the soundtrack album composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar for the 2019 Indian Tamil-language film of the same name written and directed by Vetrimaaran, which stars Dhanush and Manju Warrier. The soundtrack album which had seven songs written by Ekadesi, Yugabharathi, Eknath and Arunraja Kamaraj, was consisted to be a mix of raw folk elements with the approach of international music and had begun production during March 2019 and completed within that August. The soundtrack album was launched on 2 September 2019, at Prasad Studios in Chennai, with a simultaneous release through YouTube and digital platforms. The album received mostly positive reviews from critics and audience and fetched accolades at various ceremonies.

Production

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After collaborating with Santhosh Narayanan for Vada Chennai, Vetrimaaran was reported to collaborate with G. V. Prakash Kumar for this film during the official announcement in December 2018.[1] The same was reported when Dhanush recorded one of the songs for Kumar's Jail, directed by Vasanthabalan, and the former suggested his name to Vetrimaaran.[1][2] In January 2019, Vetrimaaran confirmed Prakash as the music director for the film, which was his third collaboration with the director after Polladhavan, Aadukalam and Visaranai.[3] The film further marked Dhanush's collaboration with Prakash Kumar, eight years since his fallout with the composer during the production of Selvaraghavan's Mayakkam Enna.[4]

In March 2019, Prakash tweeted that he had started working on the compositions of the film, after completing the Suriya-starrer Soorarai Pottru (2020), directed by Sudha Kongara.[5] Within the end of the month, he had completed working on two dance numbers of the film.[6][7][8] In June 2019, Prakash Kumar composed a peppy number (which was later deciphered as "Polladha Bhoomi"), with Dhanush, along with Ken Karunas and Teejay, who played Dhanush's sons in the film.[9] In July, another song from the film was recorded during the production stage, which was named "Kathari Poovazhagi".[10][11] The song was written by Ekadesi and crooned by Velmurugan, with female vocals being accompanied by Rajalakshmi and Napolia. Both the singer and composer worked in the song "Otha Sollala" for the film Aadukalam also composed by Prakash.[12][13]

According to Prakash, the music of the film is dominated with raw folk and earthy elements, but the approach was international. He added that "the thought process was about mixing folk and world music; the voices will be folk, but the instrumentation will have an international flavor, like using an electric guitar with this raw folk. I have treated it like a Coke Studio project and will be exciting for fans and listeners."[14]

Release

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The official track list of the film featured seven songs in the film, while composer G. V. Prakash initially revealed that there are four songs in the album.[9] The album eventually had a reprised and an alternate version of a tune he had composed. On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi (2 September 2019), the makers unveiled the soundtrack album at a launch event held in Prasad Studios, Chennai.[15] The event saw the attendance of the cast members, Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Ammu Abirami, Ken Karunas, singer-turned-actor Teejay Arunachalam director Vetrimaaran, composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, and producer S. Thanu amongst other press and media.[16][17] In addition to the soundtrack release, the album was unveiled on streaming platform Gaana and in YouTube, the same day.[18] The track "Polladha Bhoomi" was not featured in the film.[19]

Reception

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The film's music, including the background score, received positive responses from both audiences as well as critics, with songs "Kathari Poovazhagi", "Yen Minukki" and "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" topped the charts and received the most consumer response, benefiting to the success of the film.[20] A reviewer from Moviecrow rated 3.5 out of 5 to the soundtrack stating "Vetri Maaran's, Asuran's soundtrack composed by G. V. Prakash, is intense, cinematic and drives the listener to witness the rawness of the lands and times where the story is set in!"[21] Siddharth K of Sify added that "The album was rustic tonally and added so much depth to the raw nature of the film".[22] Film websites like Sify and A Humming Heart listed the albums in the first position,[22][23] and the song "Kathari Poovazhagi" was listed in the Top 15 Tamil Songs of 2019 by The Times of India.[24]

Track listing

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No.TitleLyricsSinger (s)Length
1."Kathari Poovazhagi"EkadesiVelmurugan, Rajalakshmi, Napolia3:45
2."Polladha Bhoomi"YugabharathiDhanush, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Ken Karunas, Teejay Arunachalam3:58
3."Yen Minukki"EknathChinmayi, Teejay Arunasalam4:32
4."Blood Bath"Arunraja KamarajArunraja Kamaraj4:02
5."Ellu Vaya Pookalaye"YugabharathiSaindhavi5.58
6."Yen Minukki" (Reprise)EknathChinmayi, G. V. Prakash Kumar4:32
7."Kannazhagu Raththinamey"YugabharathiDhanush1:38
Total length:28:20

Background score

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G. V. Prakash Kumar started composing for the background score for Asuran during August 2019,[13] and was completed within eight days.[14] His work in the background score was praised by the critics and audiences, along with the audio engineer T. Udayakumar, who worked on the final mix for the score.[25] The original soundtrack was released on 16 November 2019, for music streaming and download.[26][27]

Indiaglitz said that "GV Prakash's background score elevates many sequences, and builds the momentum in tense episodes".[28] A critic from Sify too wrote that "the BGM haunts you even after you leave the hall".[29] Sreedhar Pillai wrote for Firstpost that Prakash's score is "one of his best works in recent times" and "perfect as per the mood of the film".[30] Bharath Vijayakumar of Moviecrow stated that "Prakash Kumar's intense score keeps your adrenaline pumping".[31] In the film review for The News Minute, critic Sowmya Rajendran wrote that "GV Prakash's rousing background score makes the sequences all the more impressive".[32]

Awards and nominations

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Award[a] Date of ceremony[b] Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 11 January 2020 Best Female Playback Singer Saindhavi for "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" Won [33]
Best Lyricist Yugabharathi for "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" Won
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards 15 January 2020 Best Female Playback Singer Saindhavi for "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" Won [34]
Osaka Tamil International Film Festival Awards 31 March 2021 Best Music Director G. V. Prakash Kumar Won [35]
South Indian International Movie Awards 18 September 2021 Best Music Director – Tamil Nominated [36]
[37]
Best Lyricist – Tamil Yugabharathi for "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil Velmurugan for "Kathari Poovazhagi" Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil Saindhavi for "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" Won
Zee Cine Awards Tamil 4 January 2020 Best Background Score G. V. Prakash Kumar Won [38]
[39]
Best Female Playback Singer Saindhavi for "Ellu Vaya Pookalaye" Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

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  1. ^ a b "GV Prakash in talks to compose music for 'Asuran'!". Sify. 25 December 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Magical combo reunites for Dhanush's 'Asuran'?". IndiaGlitz. 26 December 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  3. ^ "GV Prakash to compose music for Dhanush's 'Asuran'". The News Minute. 23 January 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  4. ^ "GV Prakash to compose music for Dhanush's Asuran". The Indian Express. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Asuran compositions in progress". The Times of India. 17 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  6. ^ "GV Prakash completes two songs in Asuran". The Times of India. 31 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  7. ^ "G.V. Prakash completes 2 dance numbers for Dhanush's Asuran". Moviecrow. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  8. ^ "GV Prakash on Kuppathu Raja, Suriya 38, and being appreciated by Ilaiyaraja, AR Rahman". Firstpost. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Dhanush croons a song in GV Prakash's music in 'Asuran'". The Times of India. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  10. ^ "'Aadukalam' combo back in Dhanush's 'Asuran'". The Times of India. 30 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  11. ^ "GV Prakash shares an important update on Dhanush's Asuran". Behindwoods. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  12. ^ "GV Prakash's shares an important update on Dhanush's Asuran". Behindwoods. 28 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  13. ^ a b "GV Prakash begins work on background music of Asuran". The Times of India. 12 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Did you know, the blazing 'Asuran' background music was scored in just 8 days?". The Times of India. 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Dhanush, Vetri Maaran & Manju Warrier at the audio launch of Asuran". Pinkvilla. 2 September 2019. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Asuran audio launched". Sify. 3 September 2019. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  17. ^ S, Srivatsan (29 August 2019). "I was disappointed: Dhanush reacts to Vada Chennai's National Awards snub at Asuran launch". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  18. ^ Kalaippuli S. Thanu (2 September 2019). "Asuran – Official Jukebox | Dhanush | Vetri Maaran | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Kalaippuli S Thanu". Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "After eight years, Dhanush sings in GV Prakash's music!". Sify. 25 June 2019. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Tracing how music is still a big commercial pull in Tamil cinema". Firstpost. 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  21. ^ "Asuran Songs – Music Review". Moviecrow. 3 October 2019. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Analysis: Top Albums of 2019". Sify. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  23. ^ Natarajan, Nagarajan (10 January 2020). "Top 15 Tamil Film Music of 2019". A Humming Heart. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Top 15 Tamil songs of 2019". The Times of India. 30 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  25. ^ Kumar, Pradeep (9 November 2019). "How sound brought 'Asuran' to life". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  26. ^ "Asuran's OST releasing on 16 November". The Times of India. 25 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Asuran Original Sound Track (OST)". Moviecrow. 29 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Asuran Music review songs lyrics". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Asuran review: Solid in both, its craft and storytelling!". Sify. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Asuran movie review: Dhanush, Manju Warrier deliver intense performances in Vetrimaran's riveting drama". Firstpost. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Asuran Review – An intense and violent revenge drama that reiterates a very pertinent message!". Moviecrow. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  32. ^ "'Asuran' review: Dhanush-Vetrimaaran's film is a dark tale on caste violence". The News Minute. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Vikatan Awards 2019: Taapsee Pannu wins 'Best Actor' for Game Over, shares surreal moment with Dhanush and Vetrimaaran". The Statesman. 12 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  34. ^ "11th NTFF 2020 – Winners list of Awardees – Tamilar Viruthu – Tamil Nadu". Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards. 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  35. ^ "Osaka Tamil International Film Festival awards announced". The Times of India. 30 March 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Chetan Kumar, others: SIIMA Awards announces nominees". The News Minute. 28 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  37. ^ Radhakrishnan, Manjusha (19 September 2021). "SIIMA 2021: The big winners from the South Indian movie awards night". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  38. ^ "Zee Cine Awards Tamil 2020 winners list: Ajith, Kamal Haasan, Dhanush won these honours". International Business Times. 5 January 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  39. ^ "Zee Cine Awards Tamil 2020: Dhanush bags Best Actor award, 'Pernabu' wins Best Film". The News Minute. 5 January 2020. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
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