Poongatru Pudhidhaanadhu - Entranced Trance!

There are some compositions which are very hard to decipher and "Poongatru Pudhidhaanadhu" from Moonram Pirai (1982) falls in that esteemed category. The song has always haunted me with the way it's been structured. It probably could be classified under the genre of 'Trance' but irrespective it's a number that has always entranced beyond imagination.

It gives the impression initially of being a hard hitting number with the fast paced beats opening up the prelude and then the actual Pallavi kind of takes a pause and goes in a slightly slower trajectory but the eeriness continues unabated. The second stanza slows down majorly and has a beautiful melody interlaced crooned by the incomparable KJ Yesudas. If you split the song in parts, you wouldn't think the pallavi and anupallavi are from the same number based on the construction. It becomes even more hard to fathom when the opening prelude bit is played.

In effect, the song follows a pattern and yet portions of it go on in it's own individual patterns but the unison generated is perfectly synchronised and falls in place nonchalantly. The composition appears to be largely set in the Sindhu Bhairavi ragam and can be described as a mystical composition transcending the magic across waves of intricate layers.

I just gave a stab at this masterful composition as I've always been fond of wanting to try that opening bit which tends to reach a crescendo with the beats gushing in full furore. Tried a portion of the opening portion and also the middle part which lowers the tempo of the melody and gets backed by the beats of the Tabla. It's just a basic try but more of an exploration unravelling the beauty of this musical wonder. The composition is over 40 years old but continues to enthral.

Running riot - Valai Osai

This song is a riot from the very inception. The way it picks up pace and gathers momentum throughout the course of the composition is something to behold. Though Lata Mangeshkar had sung a couple of songs before this one, it was Valai Osai that imprinted the stamp of her voice in Tamil Language

If one looks at Raaja's ouevre in terms of ragas touched, he would have virtually tried his hands at everything there ever was but if there is one raga that stands out then it's certainly Sindhu Bhairavi. The majority of numbers from a percentage terms composed by the Maestro would include this incomparable raga that is almost like a template design for breathtaking song constructs. 

If ever one feels demotivated, it's a tip to listen to this one as it can pep you up in an instant with it's high octane energy levels. A landmark number in every way with 4 legends Vaalee, Ilaiyaraaja, Lataji and SPB joining in to create a timeless eternal masterpiece. 

Attempted a portion of this song right from the interlude and then latching on to the charanam and clawing back on to the Pallavi. Just hope I've been able to capture a minute essence of this remarkable composition to the best of my ability.

The Dazzling Damsel - Azhagu Azhage

This song has been written as an ode to describe the captivating beauty of a women. The same can also be depicted for the song in question as it's in every way as breathtaking as a beautiful damsel. The curvy overtures, the subtle nuances, the alternate notations add such a dignified stance that makes you go all awww and admire the piece in it's full splendor. 

This song is difficult to describe with respect to the raga pattern it follows but it utilizes both the gandharams and dhaivatams in such an elevated manner leaving you go all awestruck. The gentle manner in which the song meanders along makes it feel serene and gives such a soothing effect. Though Andhi Mazhai is the torch bearer song of this movie, there is a certain refined elegance to this one that is sure to make you fall in love with it. 

I just attempted a bit of the veena piece that originates in the middle of the interlude giving way to the Charanam and then back to the Pallavi of Azhage Azhagu Devathai. I hope my minimal strive was able to capture a glimpse of the magic that this composition is gloriously dipped all over with.

Pudhucheri Kacheri - A sheer combined brilliance of Kodambakkam

சரக்கிருக்கு
Sa ri ga ma pa
முறுக்கிருக்கு
Ri ga ma pa da
எனக்கெதுக்கு 
Ga ma pa da ni
மனக் கவலை
Ma pa da ni sa

What tongue in cheek word play by Vaali, side gap la Ilayaraaja teaches Sarali varisai with vocal harmony in background. SPB does a rollicking voice over and Kamal dances to glory in his bagpiper avatar.

Kodambakkam was once infested with such sheer creativity. Audacious levels of thought process and bang on execution. And the fecundity to conjure up brilliance at that pace was astonishing. Such joy this song is, with lyrics weaved magically. Wonder where all the talent got dissipated down the years. Those days, those days only. 25 years old and certified agmark gold. Absolutely delightful!

25 years of a Magnum Opus - Michael Madana Kama Rajan (MMKR) ★★★★★

There are only some movies which can claim to be downright rib-ticklingly funny on so many counts. Michael Madana Kama Rajan (MMKR) is one for the ages and can never be replicated.The kind of all round performance on virtually every front makes it firmly etched as one of Tamizh cinema's greatest creations. Seldom have films been so everlastingly entertaining and MMKR rightly falls into the place of all time great cinema.

It's been a quarter century since its release on Diwali day - 17th October 1990 but even to this day references are made with regard to the characterization's and dialogues. MMKR chestnuts are one of a kind and every now and then you would inevitably associate a fleeting presence of this movie in some form or the other sometimes even acting as an ice-breaker.

There are just too many things to marvel about MMKR ranging from the spectacular performances, timed to perfection dialogues, scintillating screenplay causing confusion aplenty, story with plethora of twists and turns, direction at pace with the events and the brilliant music and BGM. The subtlety and poise in each of the quadruplet roles portrayed by Kamal is breathtaking and each of the artists induce so much life to the characters and add to the fun quotient. The humorous dialogues and wordplay never ceases to invoke the funny bones, remember - Yaarukku kalyanam? Nekka? Nokka? Nekkum nokkumaa?, Indha Avinashi oru visuvaasi, Thripurasundari illai thiruttu sundari nee etc to just name a few. A pulse racing story line backed up a gripping screenplay and deftly handled direction causing nerve wracking excitement to go along with the pot boiling mixture of chaos, mayhem and hullabaloo over mistaken identity. And what fabulous array of songs in different dimensions making it such a memorable soundtrack and one cannot shy away from mentioning the precision of the re-recording which reigns supreme in elevating the scenes to a higher pedestal. It's seriously hard to pinpoint one flaw.

The synergy effect works perfectly in Michael Madana Kama Rajan where every individual in the movie is a hero but the movie ends up becoming the biggest hero of em all. A comic caper catering to the masses and the classes and to the young and old, this one's a cult classic in every way. Many of us grew up in the 90's with this film and for many of the movie buffs this laugh riot remains one of the most watched movies ever. One won't be surprised even if it has been seen over a triple digit times as it offers so much unlimited entertainment guaranteed.

25 years has passed since the saga of Michael Madana Kama Rajan and it's place as one of the undisputed comical giants of the silver screen will forever remain. Remembering everyone's favorite MMKR for completing a landmark silver jubilee. There are great movies and there is Michael Madana Kama Rajan - a riveting laughathon like never seen before and perhaps never ever after!.

Some tit-bits & trivia on MMKR:
● It was the second association of the Kamal Hassan and Crazy Mohan combo after the immensely successful Apoorva Sagotharargal (1989).
● MMKR was a Diwali release of 1990 and incidentally there were 5 other films releasing the same day with Ilaiyaraaja as the music director - Amman Kovil Thiruvizha, Mallu Vetti Minor, Puthu Paattu, Chatriyan and Sirayil Sila Raagangal
● Sundari Neeyum song was picturized by playing the song at twice the original speed in order for Kamal and Oorvasi to lip sync correctly.
● The song Sundari Neeyum was supposed to be sung by KJ Yesudas but dates played foil eventually leading to Kamal singing himself. Infact in an interesting tale, YG Mahendra actually congratulated Yesudas on the song and when KJY quipped that credit should go to Kamal, it left the former completely stumped.
● MMKR was perhaps the first Tamil or even Indian Film to feature a laptop as early as 1990.
● It was the first film to have 'Face Morphing Technology' in Tamil Film Industry.
● The Bheem boy character who is the body guard for Kamal Hassan is played by Praveen Kumar Sobti, an Indian athelete who was 6'7" and a Double gold medalist in discus throwing in the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games.
● There were 2 songs in the movie which were not shot but part of the audio records viz Aadi Pattam Thedi sung by Mano, Chitra & chorus and Maththa Poovu Oru Penna rendered by Chitra, both penned by Vaali.

Celebrating 33 years of Sigappu Rojakkal !!

Sigappu Rojakkal released this day on 28th Oct 1978.
Before this film,it was believed that Raaja was clubbed by the name 'Gramathu Raja' and he was criticized that he was suitable only for folk/village based songs. But it was with this movie and later Priya which released a month later that Raaja truly showcased his repertoire by unleashing some stunning WCM based songs/re-recordings and proving that he was more than just a one genre wonder and make the critics eat humble pie.

This movie in a way is a cornerstone in Maestro's career.
Just 2 songs tuned for this movie but both had the stamp of class written all over it and to this day it remains the favourite of many a Maestro fan.

The movie directed by BharathiRaja was a psycho thriller and much ahead of its times . A gripping entertainer Kamal Hassan as the Mysterious Businessman 'Dileep' and Sridevi as Salesgirl 'Sharada' remain etched in memory.
A truly landmark movie in all respects.