Ante Sundaraniki: The Panchakattu song is an innovative fast-paced number that taps into the fun side of Aruna Sairam

In mainstream Telugu cinema, it's very rare for a filmmaker and a composer to go beyond conventions while introducing the film's lead charater through a song. It's refreshing that the team behind Nani and Nazriya Fahadh's Ante Sundaraniki has put some thought and purpose behind its first single, Saaroru a.k.a The Panchakattu song, lyricised by Brochevarevarura filmmaker Hasith Goli. The number marks the singing debut of legendary carnatic singer Aruna Sairam in the Telugu industry. The film has Vivek Sagar handling the music score. 

The purpose behind the song is quite basic and simple - what if an orthodox youngster from a conservative, traditional Brahmin family experiences a culture shock while stepping afoot in the US? The makers have used the services of Aruna Sairam quite smartly for The Panchakattu song to explore the traditional side to the lead character Sundaram. The satirical tone of the fast-paced song which has an underplayed classical dimension serves the purpose of the storyteller and the listener equally well.

Vivek Sagar finds a smart way to give a classical twist to the song without losing its foot-tapping quality and it's more interesting when we see a classical singer like Aruna Sairam tapping into her fun side without any apprehension. The intermittent gamakas and aalaps enhance its appeal. The lyrics using a unique mix of traditional and modern-day Telugu lingo are a perfect fit for the song.  

The number truly gains momentum with the lines 'Rangamlo Dunkaaru.. Bhale Andamgaa Maastaaruu.. Hey Saradaalaa Sarukee Meeruu' and it's hard not to be smitten by it. It's experiments like these that breathe a new lease of life into an industry where commerce is more or less overpowering the art form. In the song, Nani is venturing into many streets in the US, also visiting the Times Square in New York. Nadhiya, Harshavardhan, Rahul Ramakrishna, Rohini and Suhas too play important roles in the film. 

Edited by Raviteja Girijala, the film has cinematography by Niketh Bommi and production design by Latha Naidu. Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar Y have produced the film under Mythri Movie Makers.