Naatu Naatu for Oscars: Take a look at other impressive numbers from MM Keeravaani’s album for RRR

Beyond all the awards, global recognition for RRR, the film is a reflection of the precision and minimalism of director SS Rajamouli with his craft and how he’s progressed by leaps and bounds with every project. RRR isn’t important as a film alone but also for how it uses its songs so effectively to further its story. While Naatu Naatu, lyricised by Chandrabose, was the most appealing and glossy number from its album, the situational value and the impact of the other songs in RRR can’t be ignored either.

If you need a song to summarise the core emotion of RRR - friendship - then you can’t think of a better number than Dosti. Using the imagery of Ram and Bheem as fire and water, the song, while portraying the bond between the men, throws a hint of what’s to arrive later (with the lines - Oohanchani Chitra Vichitram, Snehaaniki Chachina Hastam, Praananiki Pranam, Isthundo Theestundo). Written by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, it grows on you with time and its composed intensity lingers on your mind.

RRR, in fact, begins with a lullaby, Komma Uyyala, sung by a little girl Malli who’s kidnapped by a British officer later. Sung by Prakruthi Reddy, this is a territory that MM Keeravaani has always excelled at - a good ol’ melody with impactful vocals and minimal instrumentation. Meanwhile, did you notice Komuram Bheemudo’s similarity to Komma Uyyala? The similarity is a fantastic yet underplayed attempt by the composer to reiterate Komaram Bheem’s cause (to bring back the girl) in the second half.

While Jr NTR’s expressions in Komuram Bheemudo leave a lasting impact, it’s Suddala Ashok Teja’s love for the soil in the lyrics that stands out (for instance - Kaaluvai Paare Nee Gunde Netthuru..Nelamma Nudhiti Bottaithundi Soodu..Amma Kaala Paaranaithundi Soodu..Thalli Pedhavula Navvai Merisindi Soodu) The under-discussed and poignant Janani is another number that audiences deserve to dig deeper, showcasing the brilliance of MM Keeravaani as a composer, singer and a lyricist too.

Ramam Raghavam, written by MM Keeravaani’s father Shiva Datta entirely in Sanskrit, was another song utilised brilliantly to throw light on Ram Charan’s transformation (from a police officer to a warrior) in the second hour and adding a mythical layer to the character. Etthara Janda, the final song from RRR, gives just the high that audiences expect while they leave the theatres.

While Etthara Janda, written by Ramajogaiah Sastry, was notorious for not taking note of the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle, it offers a perfect, energetic finish to the emotional tale and is choreographed like a celebration, with the majority of the cast, crew enjoying their time on the dance floor.

Vedala Hemachandra, Rahul Sipligunj, Kaala Bhairava, MM Keeravaani, Vijay Prakash, Chandana Bala Kalyan, Charu Hariharan, Vishal Mishra, Prudhvi Chandra, Sahithi, Harika Narayan and Prakruthi Reddy are among those who’ve crooned for various songs in the album. Most of the leading Telugu lyricists worked on RRR - including Sirivennela, Suddala Ashok Teja, Chandrabose, Ramajogaiah Sastry.