Rain (மழை) Connection !!

I recently happened to listen to this gem of a song rendered by Asha Bhosle and put to tune by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja viz "Mazhai Megam" from "Sakkarai Pandhal" and my mind immediately correlated to the popular "Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu" from Raja Kaiya Vacha.

I just couldn't help but understanding the analogy of the 2 songs
Mazhai Megam somehow looks like a pre-runner to the immensely successful Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu.

Some interesting analogies between both these songs :
1) They both are based on the theme of Rain (மழை).
2) Both the songs begin with a lovely Aalaap.
3) Both have an underlying Hindustani undertone.
4) Both are based on the same Raga "Bhageshri".
5) Infact in both the songs , the first 4 swaras are Sa Ri Ga Ma.

But despite the imminent similarities , somehow the song Mazhai Megam happens to be rare and not often listened as compared to its illustrious counterpart Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu.

But hey when you think of it, aren't there enough brilliant Raaja songs which haven't got its due because of some or other reason. Perhaps this is just one more to the list. Am thankful however for discovering this serenely delightful beauty of a composition.

Mazhai Megham - Sakkarai Panthaal (The rare beauty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpKvVrwPGmc

Mazhai Varudhu - Raja Kaiya Vacha (The evergreen beauty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiMy6ZYYBDQ

Raaja's WCM Delights!

We have listened to classical pieces of Bach, Mozart and others which have delighted and spell bounded us. Raaja is one Indian Composer who has not only paid tribute to many of these great composers but also defined an identity of his own through his remarkable creativity and usage of WCM techniques. Many of his creations truly undermine his skill, repertoire and potential in Western classical music. Like the above mentioned composers, Raajas brand of WCM is also epoch making and should truly stand the test of time. Lets explore and celebrate some of his greatest WCM based compositions/re-recordings.

1) Title Score - Ullasa Paravaigal
A re-recording score to get this underway. Royalty and grandness all over this score, just the immediate piano transports you to Europe and feels like you are having vineyard wine at Paris or strawberries and cream at Wimbledon with this man's music for company. Absolutely delightful and soul stirring. Great drumming, brass sections and lovely keys. The softness in the tone elevates the score to an all together another level. Beautiness and royaltiness personified!. You can hear the full background score here.

2) Pon Vaanile - Anbin Mugavari
The baroque era captured in a shade under 5 minutes. Listen to the instruments all coriscating along to give a fillip submerging the beauty of WCM in all it's splendour. Vintage and Victorious!

3) Teaser Music - Happi
Unfortunately this movie never saw the light of the day. Just the teaser is enough to transport you to the golden era. This is Western Classical Music in its Purest Form. Such Intricate harmony of Violins, violas & Oboe.

4) Eriyile Elandha Maram - Karaiyellaam Shenbagapoo
Absolutely lovely this composition is. The prelude and interludes are so WCMish whereas the singing is so folkish but not once does it feel out of place with all the harmonization and choir going in a glorious sync.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAMwSek4sk

5)  Azhagiya Malargalin - Ullasa Paravaigal
Everything about this song is just a sheer delight. The salad days, IR in replete WCM form. The sounds of the marching drum, those violins traversing across octaves, the flute prancing joyfully, the la la chorus in the background, the sounds of the bell, major scale blues, S Janaki's brilliant rendition etc etc all transport you to Euro Land in a whisker. 3 and a half minutes of sheer ecstasy and joy. This is World Class Music at its most enjoyable and pristine form.

6) Jiske Sahare - Kamagni
Closing this thread with a golden agmark classic slathered with western elements. The prelude just knocks you out cold with it's soul stirring orchestration. You just can't but smile at the way the composition flows like a free flowing river with the la la chorus handing the baton beautifully to the prelude portion. There are also some fun bits of musical xylophene created for a slightly softer touch. This one is sheer wizardry in the evergreen major scale Shankarabaranam.