This year, Balki (director) drags him back to the hindi film music scene with Paa. Somehow, although Illayaraja is a legend in the South, his foray into Hindi films has not been entirely successful. Even though Cheeni Kum was a mini gem, any hope of Paa’s soundtrack being a bigger bauble can be whittled away by the simple rule of thumb that Illayaraja does not here orchestrate music for grand illusions. His is a mellow outpouring, like collecting rain water in a glass bottle, and dancing euphorically around it, till it fills up your senses.

Paa opens up with Mudhi Mudhi Itefaq Se – a jazz piece so delicious you want to carouse at each of its tuneful turns. Songstress Shilpa Rao glides over it as if she’s a two seater airplane, and her limbs are wings zig-zagging joyously; a zeitgeist - this one track.

Gumm Summ Gumm is when you begin to notice Illayaraja’s background as a musician – it is not wholly hindi film territory. The lyrics are hurried by South Indian singers in a chirpy chorus we don’t hear in Bollywood soundtracks. It’s a sweeping score, no doubt, but it harkens to the sounds we have heard in Cheeni Kum and the ilk of Raja’s work for Mani Ratnam films. Anjali, anyone? (Pardon my Tamil, I don’t know much on Illayaraja oeuvre except those film soundtracks that have streamed into the Hindi film music ocean).

Shilpa resounds with Udhi Udhi – a slight variation of Mudhi Mudhi – but with the same verve. Here you go, Shilpa soaring smoothly higher up in the azure air!

Hichki Hichki is hotch-potch, the music is well…hiccuppy! Sunidhi Chauhan should have improvised the track with her hichki, it would have given the song a kick. This is a classic Asha Bhonsle number sung under a strict baton with little room for personal nuances, which Asha would have certainly flourished with her inflected singing. Sunidhi sounds stymied.

Shaan gets Gali Mudhi Itefaq Se – a simple solo rendering of its previous avatars – this time it’s a paper airplane – sad and desolate – wandering aimlessly in a forgotten lane. It has the anointing effect of a Zen balm for the lovelorn.

Halke Se Bole is kiddie stuff and quickly done with in just over a minute. It rings as some sort of an alternative prayer for kids imagining a fantasy future. Amen!

Amitabh Bachchan is the baccha singing Mere Paa – can you even begin to imagine a 60 plus actor mimicking a ‘differently abled’ child’s voice? God help you with the cuteness of this song – save for the hoo-haa when you see the song on screen. Genuinely ticklish. The Auro theme (remix) is strictly for its screen time.

Paa is not 'hit' film music, but some of us are going to be severely affected by its infectious charm. Give this Paa a big bear hug!

Rating: 3 on 5

Composer: Illayaraja

Singers: Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shilpa Rao, Amitabh Bachchan

Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire