A Soulful Ode to Love and Longing
Released on February 13, 2025, Kannadi Poove, the first single from Retro, has taken Tamil music lovers by storm, clocking over 15 million YouTube views in just a month and trending across platforms. Composed and sung by Santhosh Narayanan with lyrics by Vivek, this soulful track introduces us to the world of Retro, a Suriya-starrer directed by Karthik Subbaraj, set for a May 1 release. Featuring Suriya as a heartbroken prisoner and Pooja Hegde as his distant muse, the song blends nostalgia, heartache, and a retro vibe that’s as captivating as it is haunting. Here’s why Kannadi Poove is a melody worth dissecting.
From the first note, Santhosh Narayanan’s composition grabs you with its old-school charm, layered with modern finesse. The orchestration—soft strings, breezy rhythms, and a melancholic undertone—feels like a throwback to classic Tamil love ballads, yet it’s fresh enough to hook today’s listeners. Santhosh’s vocals are the heartbeat of the track, drenched in raw emotion as he croons lines like “Kannala en kannoda modhum, kannadi poove needhandi” (“My eyes meet yours, oh mirror flower, you’re all I need”). Vivek’s lyrics elevate this further, painting a vivid picture of longing with poetic metaphors—a “glass flower” symbolizing beauty and fragility, untouchable yet ever-present.
The lyric video adds depth, showcasing Suriya in a rugged, long-haired avatar behind bars, his eyes reflecting a storm of love and despair. Interspersed with behind-the-scenes glimpses and stills of Pooja Hegde, it teases a narrative of separation and yearning that ties into Retro’s “Love, Laughter, War” tagline. Suriya’s subtle dance moves, choreographed by Sherif M, feel organic—less flashy, more heartfelt—mirroring the song’s tone. It’s a visual treat that complements the audio, making you crave the full music video.
What sets Kannadi Poove apart is its emotional heft. This isn’t your typical peppy love anthem; it’s a “love failure” track with a soul. Lines like “Vandarkodi, en vannakili” (“My colorful bird, my soul’s wound”) hit hard, capturing a lover’s vulnerability. Santhosh’s experimental flourishes—think faint percussive beats and a haunting chorus—add texture without overwhelming the melody. It’s an earworm that grows on you, as posts on social media note, with fans praising its “touching” quality and Suriya’s “powerful” presence.
That said, it’s not flawless. The 4-minute-21-second runtime might feel stretched for some, with the repetition of the “ru ru ru” hook teetering on overindulgence. Yet, this minor quibble fades against its replay value—over 40K Instagram reels prove its organic reach. Kannadi Poove is a promising start for Retro, blending Santhosh Narayanan’s musical wizardry with Vivek’s poetic soul. It’s a song that lingers, much like the love it mourns, making it a must-listen for romantics and Suriya fans alike.