'Kolaveri Di' song criticized by Javed Akhtar &#82 - Page 5

Composer Anirudh Ravichander reacts to the lyricist describing 'Kolaveri Di' as a song with an ordinary tune & substandard singing

Priyanka Dasgupta

Javed Akhtar's reaction to "Kolaveri Di" on his microblogging site has taken the Internet by storm. On his micrologging site, the lyricist posted: "Kolavari-D". Every one is praising the robes but the emporer is naked. Tune ordinary, singing substandard. words an insult to sensibility… Some get over awed by success but to me it is only the quality that matters... Ideally what is desirable is success with quality Even If bad taste is in the cover of " personal taste" at least I don't find acceptable. (sic)" The comment triggered off a lot of reactions. Akhtar later posted: "Its a barrage of comments about my comment on KOLA...some are calling me jealous, even abusing me, others praising me for belling the cat. (sic)"
When CT got in touch with Anirudh Ravichander, the composer of "Kolaveri Di", he was taking a flight from Mumbai to Chennai after having done the mixing of his songs from his forthcoming film, "3". Ask him if he knows about Akhtar's comments and he says, "Yes, I do. Javed Akhtar saab is entitled to his opinion. I'm accepting his criticism. He is a legend and I'm happy that my song in my debut film has reached his ears. This is a Tamil song composed from Chennai. To have reached a level where he has heard it is a big achievement for me." So, what will he tell Akhtar should he meet him? "I will only seek his blessings," he says.
Meanwhile, does Anirudh feel that his tune is mediocre or "ordinary" as Akhtar has said? "Mine is a simple song and doesn't require a great musical genius to compose it. It has a very simple tune. But I wouldn't
call it mediocre because if that was the case, it wouldn't have reached out to so many people. The tune is catchy and the lyrics also attract. I suppose, there is some external force too working in the favour of the number," he says. As for the lyrics, Anirudh specially likes the lines that go like: "God i'm dying now-u/she is happy how-u/this song for soup boys-u."
Among the countless versions that "Kolaveri Di" now has, Anirudh is fascinated by the Milk version by Sonu Nigam's son. "I must have heard it at least 10 times over. There is a Japanese version. A group of Japanese women have sung it in the original Tamlish version. Another one is from the US which has been sung by a guy called Bruce. He has tried to pronounce the Tamil words and it's quite funny and nice," he says. Meanwhile, Anirudh is happy that Rahman too has liked his number. "Someone told me that Rahman has said he likes the song. That's really big for me. However, if I were to ask whose comments really touched me, I can't put forward any one name. I am grateful to all the 18 million viewers who have liked the number." Has he heard the Pakistani "Aloo Andey" number from the Beygairat Brigade that was a rage in the subcontinent till "Kolaveri Di" took over? "No, I must have been very busy with my own work. Hence, I haven't heard it," he says.
Anirudh has got four Bolly offers. While Dhanush met up with Big B on his Mumbai trip, Anirudh stayed away. "I was busy with my music. Talks are on to do a Hindi version of "Kolaveri Di" with Dhanush. I'm a big fan of Salman and Aamir and would want to score the music for their films. As for singers, I'm fond of Mohit Chauhan. He has sung for this Tamil film of mine. I'd want to record more with Mohit," he says.
At 21 and with so much of adulation, how has life changed? "Nothing much has changed apart from the number of interviews I am doing. The success isn't scary since I know that a song like "Kolaveri" comes only once in two decades," he explains. Does he want to face the camera now that the world has also seen him in a video? "No, I don't want to act," he says. On a personal note, has he ever had to sing "Why this "Kolaveri Di"?" "No, I am single now. Thankfully, I've never had to sing any breakup song," he concludes.

Javed Akhtar

Anirudh Ravichander

RITUPARNO GHOSH REACTING TO JAVED AKHTAR
Can't agree more #kolaveri-d Hw lng shall we kp laughing at regional pronunciations & slf mockery of d inept Indian Englsh?

TASLIMA NASREEN
Why does da stupid thingy Kolaveri di bcm popular in India, a country rich in its musical heritage?Anarchism or the hidden hippies coming out

RITUPARNO GHOSH REACTING TO TASLIMA NASREEN
#kolaveri di: And a rejoicing of the English speaking elite. Subverse colonialism

Agreed! I am totally not fascinated by this song whatsoever, in fact, I cant even stand it anymore but I dont get why he had to put it down so much. I have a feeling his next tweet would look something like "Somebody hacked my id" 😆

Criticizing is one thing. Pointing fingers at an individual is another.

While he has all the right to criticize and state his opinions, he should chose his words carefully. It is very important that a well known figure uses a sensible approach to things.

When I first heard this song I hated it. I still think its overrated. But hearing it more and more it eventually grew on me. Its very catchy. But I still prefer the Gujarati version. 🤣

My bhabhi had the same problem, she was all "I ahte how mediocre things like this get attention"

CHILLAX my pals =D if bullcrap movies can become blockbusters, then learn to accept the fact that others will like stuff that you perceive as apparent bullshit, and you won't be able to do anything about it =D

also, not every song needs to be taken seriously, just like some would argue that not every movie needs to be taken seriously. When Javed saab has written the breathtaking lyrics of songs like Toh Zinda Ho Tum, or older gems, he has to realize that even HE has let his lustrous hair down and written stuff like "Dard-E-Disco".

now DON'T tell me ke the lyrics of Kolaveri Di make less sense than those of Dard-E-Disco -_____- you know you wouldn't be kidding anybahday

My 2 pence, PAYCE.