Santosh Narayanan’s “Sounds of the South” which took place on March 18th, 2023, was undoubtedly one of the most energetic musical events of the year. With a massive crowd of 10,611 attendees, the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil was packed to capacity, and the atmosphere was electrifying.
The concert was a true celebration of South Indian music, showcasing the unique style and talent of SaNa and his team of exceptional artists. In this review, there are some highlights of the most memorable moments from the concert, giving you an inside look at what made it such a crazy night.
So, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to relive the magic of “Sounds of the South.”
SaNa’s Thenmozhi
Santosh Narayanan’s live performance of his recent hit song Thenmozhi, composed by Anirudh, was nothing short of perfection. The song has been on a constant loop and has become a favourite among many. During the live performance, audiences sang along with Santosh, and their voices even drowned out the singer at times.
The lines that went, “Nejama naa senja paavam, Muzhusa un mela vedhacha paasam, Nezhalum pinnaala kaanom, Adhukkum ammaadi pudhusa kovam,” were particularly well-received and had the crowd singing in unison.
Santosh’s rendition of Thenmozhi definitely would have been an unforgettable experience for everyone present that night.
Yogi B and Mista G
Yogi B and Mista G’s “Engeyum Eppothum ” from the movie Polladhavan at the concert was an absolute treat for the audience. The energy and passion of ‘Our Malaysian Legends’ had the entire crowd on their feet, cheering and clapping to the beat. It was a proud moment to see our Mannin Mainthans take on the Kollywood playlist with such finesse and command.
The emotional father-daughter round
Father-daughter duo, Santosh Narayanan and Dhee, gave an emotional and healing feel that night. Santosh was on keys while Dhee sang her favourite and close-to-heart song, “Usuru Narambulay.” Dhee had previously expressed her love for this song during a meet and greet session with Varnam Malaysia, mentioning how it had remained special to her since she sang it at 16 years old. Performing this song alongside her father made it even more special.
I would also personally like to express how deeply moved she was when Dhee performed with intense emotions and sang the lines, “Yen sirippu odanji sethari kedakku, Eppo varuva eduthukka, Un nenappil manasu kadhari kedakku, Enna konjam sethukka.” These lyrics touched my heart and left a lasting impact, conveying a sense of profound emotions that were felt throughout the performance. Thank you Dhee for such blissful lines.
Also, Vijay Narain Ei Suzhali was euphoric and Ananthu thank you for transporting us to an emotional side with your soulful Kannamma.
“Agayam Theepidicha” by Vijay Narain was so captivating that it left us in awe of his beautiful voice. The dreamy quality of the song added to the overall enchanting experience. We couldn’t help but admire his soulful singing throughout the entire performance. Meanwhile, Ananthu’s mellifluous melody had a mesmerizing effect on us. Like said, he had us all transported to the emotional side with his mellifluous voice.
At every concert, there is always a need for that one heartthrob, particularly the handsome ones who make girls scream their hearts out. At the Sounds of the South, there were not one, but two of these heartthrobs – Siddharth and Dhruv! Let’s start by highlighting the first one –
Paalpolae padhinaaril, Enakkoru girlfriend venum
Guessed it right- Siddharth it is.
Evergreen Munna’s entrance with his famous song “Paalpolae padhinaaril” filled the atmosphere with nostalgia. His charming smile captivated many, leaving them in a dream-like state. Not leaving out how every cute reaction and every line he sang had the arena admiring him with excitement. Not just the arena, but Siddharth was equally excited to perform that night.
Malaysians to be the first to hear Dhruv’s “Poomathiye”
Dhruv was that definition to ‘’put me in a fridge and I’d still sweat’. He performed an unreleased song exclusively for the audience that night. The song entitled “Poomathiye” was composed by the talented musician Santosh Narayanan. As Malaysians, it was a great privilege to witness such a special performance, as the song had not been released anywhere else to date.
Kanda Vara Sollunga was a dynamite
I personally feel ‘Kanda Vara Sollunga’ exudes a unique vibration that resonates deeply within. Meenakshi Elayaraja and the “Parai Isai” team definitely left the arena spellbound. Words fail to fully capture the magic and perfection of the performance, which touched the hearts and souls of everyone in the audience. Indeed a masterpiece of dynamic energy.
Maatna Gaali on 360
Santosh Narayanan’s performance of “Maatna Gaali” was an incredible sight to behold. With the 360-degree stage designed, SaNa’s decision to perform on a swivel chair only added to the visual spectacle. His performance was not only impressive but also adorable, as he brought a certain level of swag to his act. One cannot help but commend SaNa’s unique approach to performing his music, especially with the use of a swivel chair.
The dancers deserve a huge shout-out here- Their ability to keep up with Santosh Narayanan’s seamless transitions was beyond impressive, and the combination of their movements with his music made for a truly dope experience.
Special thanks to Siddharth Nagarajan on drums
SVDP and Yanchan’s Electrifying Rap
The Sounds of the South concert was set ablaze by the electrifying rap performance by Shan Vincent de Paul, known to his fans as SVDP, and Yanchan. Their stunning entrance from beneath the stage added to the excitement, as they elevated the energy to an unprecedented level. SVDP was that brown Eminem that had set his rap on fire. Meanwhile, Yanchan’s beat on his mridangam left the audience’s mouths agape.
Starry Atmosphere
Haricharan and super singer junior fame, Priyanka NK, performed the song ‘Aval’ from the movie ‘Manithan’ in the starry arena. Haricharan shared his thoughts about the song, saying, “This beautiful melody is filled with hope and love. Let’s spread some love tonight.” In response, the audience waved their flashlights high, bringing the concert to life as they created a beautiful and unforgettable moment that night.
DJ Battle
Sounds of the South had a special round that no other concerts have recently come up with – a DJ battle round and for this concert, it was between our local DJ, DJ Nexto, and Santosh Narayanan himself. This battle was an enthralling round that had the audience completely hyped up. Not leaving out, the neon dancers added an extra dimension to the DJ battle.
Rowdy Baby
The rowdy baby performance by Dhee and Gana Muthu during the Sounds of the South Concert was nothing short of amazing. The crowd was thrilled by their performance, and the energy in the arena was electric. Dhee’s ‘kuthu dance’ was fiery, and she brought a unique energy to the stage that left the audience wanting more. There was also this breakdance team that left everyone in awe.
Rakita
“Rakita Rakita” at the end created an explosive wrap to SaNa’s concert that night. The whole arena was seen jumping, dancing, and singing along. As the song reaches its climax, this song left the audience breathless. The finale was indeed an explosive one as the crowd sang along to “Rakita Rakita” repeated over and over, creating a powerful and unforgettable impactful energy to the concert. The beauty of this round was that the artist wrapped it up with a conga line dance.
Finally, I must acknowledge the incredible work of the dancers, band, and musicians. They were all integral to the success of the concert, and their contributions should not be overlooked.
Reacch Productions
The Sounds of the South concert was a great success, thanks to the one and only Reacch Productions. Without their efforts, this incredible event would not have been possible. They were instrumental in bringing the vision of the concert to life, and their attention to detail ensured that everything ran smoothly. It is truly remarkable to see the level of skill and dedication that Reacch Productions brought to this project. Great job to the entire team and crew!
Here is one beautiful piece I would like to express about SaNa before wrapping up the review
The concert was not just a celebration of music but also the spirit of unity that SaNa instilled in his team.
It was clear that SaNa’s mission was to create an atmosphere where every artist felt valued and appreciated for their unique talents.
The way he gave his lineups the stage to perform their hit songs and share their love with the audience was a beautiful act that spoke volumes about his character as a person and as a musician. For instance- Dhee’s rowdy baby performance was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh’s composed of Thenmozhi, Yogi B’s Engeyum Eppothum by G. V. Prakash and the list goes on.
As the concert drew to a close, it was clear that this was not just any ordinary concert but a celebration of the power of the Sounds of the South.
Varnam Malaysia is the Media Partner for “Sounds of the South” A Santosh Narayanan Tour
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