My conversation with Bombay Jayshree about Ilayaraaja

Yesterday, I had been to Garden City college to see (most importantly, to listen) concert of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (6:30PM-8PM) and Bombay Jayshree (8PM-9:30PM) organised by SPICMACAY. Myself, my friend Jithu went with Prof. Sadagopan and his wife. We went early and Bombay Jayshree also came at 6PM itself though her program was scheduled only at 8PM.

No wonder, Bombay Jayshree was aware of Prof. Sadagopan. He introduced me to Bombay Jayshree. We had some casual discussions about how 'Bombay' got attached to her name, her view about current form of concerts etc. I was waiting to get her thoughts about Ilayaraaja.

Here goes my conversation with Bombay Jayshree about Ilayaraaja.

Me: I would like to call myself as a devotee of Ilayaraaja. You have sung so many popular numbers..
B.J : (Interrupted) Not many (with a smile)
Me: At least most of your numbers are popular. My favorite song of yours is 'Kai Veenayai Endhum Kalaivaaniye' from the movie 'Vietnam colony', Ilayaraaja's composition. I would hear that song in loop for hours together.
B.J: You know what? It is my favorite song. But it didn't become very popular.
Me: Can you tell one line about Ilayaraaja?
B.J: How can I tell just one line about such a great composer?
Me: Well, I would like to hear more about him. 
B.J: Working with him is a great learning experience. If I sing one song for him, it will be a lesson for one year. I learn a lot while working with him.
Me: It is usually told that Ilayaraaja does not give much freedom for singers. Being a classical singer, does he consider your improvisation?
B.J: The notion of 'freedom for singers' itself is wrong. Singers are just part of a song. There are many more factors like situation, actors etc. About Ilayaraaja; he would have already set some high standards for singers while composing. It will be a big task to accomplish that. We won't have anything more to make it better because he is already at the top. At times, if I add something and if it is nice, he will appreciate and accept. If it is not ok, he will say a strong No. A movie will be in some form before Ilayaraja gives his music. The moment, Ilayaraaja adds his music, the movie will take a completely different dimension. So he knows what is needed for a song.

Actually, it was looking like she would speak more and more about Ilayaraaja. But it was already 6:30PM and it was time for Pt. Hapriprasad Chaurasia's concert. Organisers were asking everyone to get settled. So I thanked her and took a leave.

It is a known factor that most of the people in music industry are fans of Ilayaraaja. But it is always a nice feel for a fan (a devotee) like me to hear about him from people who are popular musicians.

No doubt, performance of both Pandit ji and Bombay Jayshree were so soothing. It was definitely a satisfying day.

Nandalala BGM (Theatre Recording)

I recorded some BGMs in my mobile phone. Kindly bare with the bad quality of recording.

Nan1.mp3
Nan2.mp3
Nan3.mp3
Nan4.mp3
Nan5.mp3
Nan6.mp3
Nan7.mp3

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Appended on Dec 8, 2010

Found 2 links which has a better quality BGMs of Nandalala

http://www.indianbackgroundscore.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=599&start=0

http://ilayaraja-mp3songs.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-12-03T00:38:00-08:00&max-results=3&reverse-paginate=true

Beyond Time

Today I am going to discuss 2 songs from a same movie which got released in 1999.

It was time when trend changed but this man (since being a trend setter) didn't change. He didn't use those fancy sounds which ate up lyrics and feel. He kept composing those simple and soul touching melodies.

Only we classify his compositions as 70s, 80s, 90s etc. But his compositions are beyond our perception of time.

The 2 songs 'Kadhal Neethana' and 'Thavikkiren' from the movie 'Time' which I am going to discuss can be put in "I think I have heard these songs" category

Kadhal Neethana

In the earlier paras, I told his compositions as simple. It is simple only for ears of lay-man like me. But the amount of complexities that have gone behind each song will be known only to Raaja's close associates and few expert audiences.

This lay-man ears can sense some rhythm pattern magic in this song but couldn't explain what it is. One could sense that in the prelude itself.

Unnikrishnan is known for carnatic based or 'tough to sing' melodies with high range of pitch. But he needed a music director named Ilayaraaja to show case just the melody in his voice without gimmicks. Sujatha is known for her soothing voice.

The Q&A kind of charanam with these romantic voices... Awesome.. Especially the lines like

"Enna Kanavu kandai" in higher half of octave

and

"Nee Vandhai Mutham thandhaai" in the lower half of octave. Raaja's touch! 

Next song from the same movie is a peppy melody

Thavikkiren

This time its Bhavatharini with her unique voice and Hariharan with his evergreen voice.

The prelude will no way appear like approaching the tune of pallavi but raaja (and only raaja) can do a fast and smooth transition in just 1 or 2 bars. Briliant!

We could get some jazzy feel in 1st interlude. The 2nd half of 2nd interlude is so interesting to hear. No rhtyhm. Harmonium and bass guitar doing all the job. Intelligent!

In 2nd charanam, there is a line

"காலமே காலமே காலத்தால் அழியா வாழ்வு கொடு"

The lyricist might have prayed to Time that the songs of IR should last long. But he is not aware that Ilayaraja already got the boon of composing songs which will last for milleniums.

Today I am posting about these songs.

Even after 100 years, there would be a guy writing about this is in some form in some medium. Yes after 100 years, everything might have changed. Blogpost,  Orkut, Internet, the way we type, the medium through which we hear.. Everything... But there will be comething constant. It is those gifted group of people hearing the compositions of our isaignani.

Because, his compsotions are beyond Time.

Download link

Kaadhal Neethana

http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=464274

Thavikkiren

http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=464279

Karpoora Mullai BGM

A long awaited search ended today!

I had been home for weekend and was sleeping today afternoon. When I woke up at 4, I saw Amala and Srividya on Jaya TV. OMG! Karpoora Mullai. I just can't believe. It was a dream or true or 'dream come true'?

This movie has a wonderful BGM which will just stir your heart and surely make you cry. We had an audio cassette in our home which had this BGM as bit music to fill the gap on 'A' side. It was unfortunate that I missed that cassette.

Then it had been a long search on net. I never got this BGM :(

Today I don't want to miss it. 2 cellphones with recording facility and recording tool in my laptop. All set to record the wonderful BGM! And I finally did it.

Yes I recorded that brilliant piece of music and I am going to share it with you all.

The audio quality is not good. But something is better than nothing.

Enjoy the great musical piece by Music maestro, God of Music, Isaignani, 'Ilayaraaja'.




D/L Link 1:
http://www.4shared.com/file/205083417/a984f20/karpoora_mullai.html

D/L Link 2:
http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=469778

Ilayaraaja 2009

Thought of giving a list of Ilayaraaja's music which got released in the year 2009 and also discuss briefly about my favorite song of 2009.

Ilayaraaja has given a lot of gifts for us in 2009 unlike previous years.

*Dubbed ones not numbered in the list.

Tamil


1. Naan Kadavul
2. Nandalala
3. Azhagar Malai
4. Valmeeki
5. Kadhal Kathai
6. Jaganmohini
7. Kannukulle
8. Mathiya Chennai

*Pazhassi Raja came in Tamil too

I think IR is the composer who has got most number of Tamil albums released in 2009

Hindi

1. Paa
2. Chal Chalein

Malayalam

1. Bhagyadevatha
2. Pazhassi Raja

Telugu

1. Om Shanti

*Jagan Mohini, Naan Kadavul (Nenu Devudni) and Pazhassi Raja (?) were also released as dubbed version in Telugu

Kannada

1. Nannavanu
2. Bhagyadha Balegara
3. Prem Kahani
4. Suryakanthi

*Pazhassi Raja had a Kannada version too(?)

It is very difficult to tell one favorite 2009 IR song. Anyway let me try to discuss one song which inspired me a lot.

It is the song Koodavaruviya from Valmiki.

Wow! What a song! Fresh!

Percussion sounds are interesting to hear.

Interludes are soothing.

Bela Shende has such a wonderful voice.

This song deserves a better reach.

Paa - Music Review

The tune of Mudi Mudi  (and all other versions) is something which only Ilayaraja can produce. A continuous wave like flow. The way charanam blends back to pallavi is brilliant! The way instruments are used largely differentiates each version

Gum Sum Gum -  One more dimension to Thumbe vaa. Great guitar and piano works! (Hear all the older versions here)

Halk Ke Se Bole - Again I am stuck how come the old female solo beautifully fitted in this children chorus. I hope this song will see the screen at least this time. (Old Version is must hear)

Hichki Hichki - Complex rhythm pattern followed. Sheer brilliance of Ilayaraja. I like the rendition "Jaane Do na". Waiting to see the picturisation of this song [;)]


Paa Song - "Full Lights On [:D]" Kudos to Amitabh. This song should be the crowd puller.

Paa Theme- Grand orchestration! Have you guys ever heard these kind of music? I hope now you will stop saying Ilayaraja is some south Indian folk music composer. Should I mention whom I am referring as 'you'?




A wonderful album by Ilayaraja! Wishing the movie a great success!

Pazhassi Raja - Music Review

1. Maathanga

Seems, It is a vanthana sloka usually performed in Kathakali. ‘Adithya Hrudayam’ from ‘Sindhu Bhairavi’ kind of song. Who else can sing it better than KJY?

2. Kunnathe

Beautiful melody sung by Chitra. Typical Malayalam melody. The way charanam ends (last 2 lines) and loop backs to pallavi is brilliant and something unique about IR songs.

3. Adhiyshash sandhya

This is a historic film produced with a mega budget. A King’s story. A freedom fighter’s story. This song exactly sets the mood. Who else can provide a grand and quality music like this other than Raaja? What an orchestration! Very interesting to hear the rhythm usage in this song. Majestic voice of Sreekumar in Charanam.

4. Ambum Kombum

Should be a celebration song praising the King. Good usage of charanam. Again, a very clear tune. Maestro’s voice fits in perfectly. Pallavi is too good.

5. Odathandil

Sangeetha’s voice is very sweet. Chandrashekar’s voice is very different (Huhoo. I found out. The same voice in Kaathirundhen thaniye from Raasamagan. Man, I love your voice!). The tune? Should I say? Isn’t it default? J Raaja at his best. Melodic tune. Beautiful interludes. It is nice to hear those music added between the lines of charanam.

6. Aalamadankala

There are chances for this song to be compared with ‘Azeem O Shaan’ from ‘Jodha Akbar’.

On the whole, this is a wonderful album and one of the best in 2009. I appreciate director’s decision to choose Ilayaraja for composing music of this film. Ilayaraja has given the best needed for film. The BGMs must be rocking. Waiting to watch the movie!

Kannukulle - Ilayaraja - Music Review

1. Enge Nee Sendralum

Prelude reminds 'Pooveru Konum' of 'Thiruvasagam'. Karthik's voice is clear and soothing. Nice orchestration. Good usage of violin. The rhythm pattern shift in charanam is nice to hear. A good melody!

2. Naan Pirandha Nerama

Another 'amma un pillai naan' kind of song. IR is master in 'urukkamaana' songs like kadavul ullame (Anbulla Rajinikanth), En Guruvum (House Full), Anathai endru (Sethupathi IPS) etc. This song is one more of that genre from him.

3. Paattu Kekka Suthudhu

A beat number. Pallavi and interludes are not much inspiring. First charanam is very good. Bhavatharini and Rahul Nambiar's voices are nice. I don't like second charanam because Tippu.

4. Pudhu Pournami Nilavugal

Sriram Parthasarathy is blessed with a different voice. Pallavi and interludes are wonderful! Charanam is OK

5. Pachameni

A very promising item number. Thambigala, IR was the one who composed 'Pon Meni Urugudhe'. Appo Silk. Ippo Namitha. Avlo dhan. IR is always IR.

'yo-yo' to 'oho'

"Ilayaraja! Yeah I know that man. Will always use violin and tabla and put some uninteresting music. Does he know the existence of guitar. I think he has sung few songs too. He sings nothing but sad songs.

Oh yeah I have heard about Janaki too. That old lady who always tries to sing in child voice?? Did she sing in any colour movie or she retired with B&W movies?"

This is a typical 'yo-yo' youngster's view on songs we call as rare gem, vintage song, piditha padal and musical wonder.

How can we tackle that guy? [Should we even try tackling him?]

If I am given that work, I will call him(like gounder[:)]) "Dey Baerikka manda thalaya, inga va". Then I will insert the ear phones and play this song.

Which song?

It is 'Pon Oviyam' from the movie 'Kazhugu'.

No violins, no pathos.

Tell me a music director who has used vocals better than our maestro. IR is not just master of using instruments. Orchestra is not just 50 violinists. Ilayaraja has mastered all forms of orchestration.That is why he is the only Asian to score a symphony.

This song is just one example of his chorus usage. Hear the interludes, man! (especially 2nd interlude).

Hear the freshness in IR and Janaki's voice. Were they in 20s during the recording of this song? It is not just the age but mind is what that matters. Ilayaraja is young forever so is his music.

Look the amount of experimentation done in this song. This song has lot of convention-breaking aspects.

Now the 'yo-yo' guy after long thinking says, 'Oho!'

Dream Comes False

If there is a phrase "Dream Comes True" why not "Dream Comes False" ? All of us dream of something and most of them don't happen. We regularly lose something at some point of time. Do we die for that? We have practiced to live with what we get. Sometimes failures and sorrows give a kind of peacefulness to us.

"What happened to you Karthik? Turned philosophical???"

The song which I am going to discuss made me speak like this.

It is 'Kanavu Kaanum Vaazhkai' from the film 'Neengal Kaettavai'

Those were days when I started claiming myself as a die-hard Ilayaraja fan and if some one asked me "What is your favourite song?” my reply will be this song. I would hear it repeatedly for days together.

Ilayaraja's music, Yesudas voice, Balumahendra's picturisation and brilliant lyrics together have made this song a master-piece.

Is there any other piece like the second interlude of this song which can console minds with sorrow? This is why Ilayaraja’s music is part of us.

I am a kind of listener who don’t pay much attention to lyrics. But there are few songs which force me hear the lyrics. This is one such song.

Some of the lines which I admire are

துடுப்பு கூட பாரம் என்று

கரையை தேடும் ஓடங்கள்

உடம்பு என்பது உண்மையில் என்ன?

கனவுகள் வாங்கும் பை தானே

பேதை மனிதனே கடமையை இன்றே

செய்வதில் தானே ஆனந்தம்

Don’t worry if Dream Don’t Come True.

We have Ilayaraja’s music to console us.

Download Link

http://www.4shared.com/file/58589679/550055f/kanavu_kanum.html

The video is must-watch

Nannavanu - Music Review

This is a newly released Kannada album.

Music: Ilayaraja

I wish to discuss about 2 songs from this film

1. Hey Mamu

The music director of this song is 66 years old. Will any one believe?

Did Yuvan compose and gave to Ilayaraja? This is what a lay-man who don't know about Ilayaraja will ask.

But fans of Ilayaraja know how young he is.

How enjoyable the recording studio would have been while recording! Ilayaraja should have nearly danced while teaching the song to singers and orchestra. Smile should have filled his face. It would have been a treat if we had been in studio that time. We would have seen a different Ilayaraja.

The song is completely packed.

I should mention about the first interlude. Very different sound. The interlude ends in a unconventional way. We ll never expect the charanam to start that time but IR did that. There should be some special carnatic aspect in the note at which charanam is started.

Charanam starts normally with the drums rhythm which is used throughout the song. Suddenly drums stop and just 'jal jal' sound and bass guitar accompanies voice. The melody flavor of Ilayaraja! Again the gears are shifted up. The last 2 lines of charanam are wonderful. It brilliantly gives lead to 'Hey Mamu'. Only Isaignani can do such wonders.

2. Modalane

A song which is 180 degree out of phase with the previous one.

A melody number and Ilayaraja is the king of melodies. Kekkava Venum?

SPB is the male singer and his voice is fresh like 80s. Kekkava venum?

Prelude: Starting with Piano, the humming by Bela Shande gives a good start. I am reminded of 'vaanaville vaanaville' from Ramana for no reason.

Pallavi: Clear tune. After hearing pallavi, we are sure that it is going to be a great song.

First Interlude: Oh Man! Violin and flute are blended so well that we get a new sound. So melodious!

Charanam: Vandhuttar pa SPB. Even if a tune is somewhat shaky, SPB can balance it with his soothing voice. Now he has got a crystal clear tune. SPB took it one step higher and made it even melodious.

The 2nd and 3rd lines of charanam ends with violin accompaniment. Wow! This is the grammar for Improvisation.

The way SPB ends first charanam is great!

Second Interlude: Ilayaraja is not outdated. Hear the sound man! I beg you all to hear atleast this interlude with earphones.

According to me, This is the best song which has come so far in 2009

Today's Travel and Ilayaraja

I was traveling from Bangalore to my home at Chengalpattu today.

Whenever i travel home, the travel from Bangalore to Vellore will be smooth, Vellore to Kanchipuram will be little tiresome and Kanchipuram to Chengalpattu will be completely tiresome.

But today, it was completely 'ulta'.

Bangalore to Vellore was horrible. I boarded at 10:30AM in Blore and reached Vellore at 3:00 PM. I was terribly hungry from 1:00 PM itself. The bus was stopping everywhere. Adding to the headache, they put 'Sachin' film in the bus. Appa Saami! Mudiala! Even if i avoid Vijay's film, i am forced to see. Enna koduma da sami!

Though the food at Vellore was not great, i ate well. I was so dreadful towards the rest of travel.

Then i went to the platform where Kanchipuram buses come. To my surprise, i saw a Kalpakkam express (Kalpakkam buses goes through Chengalpattu) waiting. It won't stop in many places. So i was relieved.

The conductor switched on the CD player. "Naan Erikkarai Melirundhu..."
Hohooo.. He has put Ilayaraja hits CD. Thank you conductor!

All my headache gone. The last 3 hours of travel was cool and calm.

There was a family(father, mother and a 22 yr old son) on my right seat. They were going to Kalpakkam. The son was constantly questioning his mother, the film name after each song. I called him once and answered for a song. Then we introduced ourself. I introduced myself as 'Ilayaraja Veriyan'. He introduced himself as 'Konjam Ilayaraja Veriyan' :)

So both the veriyargal were enjoying the songs together till i parted at Chengalpattu.

On the whole, Kalpakkam express and Ilayaraja gave a happy ending to my travel.

Sevvarali Thottathile-Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate

A typical peppy IR folk.

But we all know that a typical IR folk is not a typical folk.

He blends western classical, carnatic and whatever is there in the world of music.

This song has got most number of hits in my playlist.

Prelude

It starts with a wonderful humming. All will be expecting a tabla to start. But our maestro starts with a guitar. Sounding fresh, isn't it?

Now we get a rich music with dolakki(?), santoor(?), flute and strings.

Pallavi

A good start for a folk! But it is a peppy folk. Uma Ramanan and Dolakki bang during the first line adds the 'X" factor for a peppy folk. Uma Ramanan have always been good. This song is no exception.

Hear the "Akkam Pakkam Yaarum Illa.....". The seduction feel have been brought in beautifully. Oh my God! Was it she who sung "Poongathave?"

Interlude 1

Now comes the king of orchestration. Brilliant string portions in the beginning of first interlude. The music which follows beautifully gives lead to our maestro's voice.

Charanam 1

I have observed one thing. Whenever, male voice introduces only in the first line of charanam, the song had been wonderful. There are many IR songs like that. A series can be written about songs which follow that pattern.

This is one such song with male voice introduced in charanam. The male voice is a divine voice. Appo kekkava venum?

"Unnudamba Paakkayile bodhayum theeraville...."

Oh man! What a feel? You are great! He can sing with that feel even now at the age of 66.

Uma Ramanan ends the charanam beautifully with crystal clear stops. Those stops are essential for a folk song.

Interlude 2

This is my favorite interlude. How soothing the male voice is!! That plucking of string in the background add more feel to the voice. It is followed by the flute piece. I am reminded of 'Uchi Vagundhetuthu'. Is the interlude is approaching towards a sad charanam? No!

Ilayaraaja can shift gears seamlessly. In just last 5 seconds of interlude, he came from 1st to 5th gear. Epdiya unnaala mattu idhellam mudiudhu?

Charanam 2

This is exactly the complement of Charanam1 except for that 'mukkal' which was there in the line "unnudamba..." of charanam 1 is not in the second charanam.

But again "Unnavida Yaarum Ille...." need not have the mukkal. Lyrics, song rendition, music everything goes hand-in-hand.

Listen to the difference between 'ன' and 'ண' which IR gives in the line "என்ன என்ன எண்ணமிருக்கோ ..."

Who in the world these days care for those differences?

All together, this song is a wonderful treat by Ilayaraaja!

mp3 link:
http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=242604

youtube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkQ0RUdZJSg