Singer Jollee Abraham has presented different perspectives on Christmas — through old and new songs about the Nativity — in “Christmas Carols”, a Tamil MP3 collection. One of the 55 carols, “Chinna Anna”, records a curious child's questions about the significance of the festival. A little girl asks someone wiser — it happens to be her brother, who is only a few years older — why Christ was born in Bethlehem and why he had to be born in a manger. This song was recorded when Jollee's children, Rohith and Reshma, were in primary school. “Virundu Vaipomae” is a reformer's protest at Christmas being reduced to a celebration of good food. In a brief interlude, between lines about culinary delights, the singer drives home the message of Christmas: being of service to our fellowmen.
The collection — which includes performances by Jollee, Hema John, Sasi Rekha, Minmini, Reshmi, Rohith and Reshma — is an attempt at reviving old carols. Jollee displays his fascination for Jim Reeves by including three carols sung by the legend. Jollee has worked on his voice to present them in Tamil, the way Reeves sang them in English.
“Munorunalli” is based on “Long Time Ago in Bethlehem”, Mounamai on “Silent Night” (where Jollee dovetails the Tamil version of the song with the English) and “Vanil Venilla” on Jingle Bells. Jollee has also included other carols such as “Bhaktharey Varum” (O Come, All Ye Faithful), “Athi Mangalakarananey” and “Arasanai Kaanamal” that are imbued with a timeless charm.
Jollee points out that the carols have undergone changes over the years and he and his team have tried to present them in their purest form.
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