Thursday, December 29, 2016

ஏழிசையாய் - A Kaleidoscope in Kambhoji!

I have always been fascinated and gone on a trance listening to this composition. The way the symphony reaches a crescendo from 2:00 onwards leading to Abhishek Raghuram rendering ஏழிசையாய் at 2:18 is like opening the doors to the celestial abode of heaven. Never heard such a beautiful transition and the way it seamlessly moves from western classical to Indian classical is simply sublime.
If you observe, the symphonic piece is in the 4 beat cycle (4/4) and switches unobtrusively to the 3 note thalam (6/8) within the flash of an eyelid and it all happens serenely without diluting the essence one blotch. The percussion bits add to the delight and the way Abhishek goes back and forth in Kambhoji is so joyous. The subtle phrases adds colour throughout establishing the beauty of the raga. The manner in which the song connects to the Pallavi of Aezhisayai, the wondrous chiaroscuro invoking the fusion and the clarity of thought in doing all this leaves you spellbound. And that signature ending traversing backward across the octave and then going frontal to give the finishing flurry is like the icing on the cake.
There are masters in Western classical music and pioneers in Indian classical music but simply no one virtually blends the two so effortlessly with nonchalant ease bringing out the virtuosity of dimensions like Ilaiyaraaja. Truly an International treasure belonging to India. 

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