Oh Priya Priya from Geethanjali/Idhayathai Thirudathe - The Golden Gem

'Geethanjali' was Mani Ratnams first and only full fledged film directed in Telugu. It was subsequently dubbed in Tamil as 'Idhayathai Thirudathe'. The movie received much publicity and catapulted Nagarjuna into a pronounced romantic hero back in the day.

The soundtrack of this album is nothing short of stellar with every number individually being sterling to say the very least. The breathtakingly cinematic cinematography also had a major role to play in elevating the screen presence of the songs from the movie. The lush green presence of Ooty by portraying it's hills and landscapes in all it's splendour enhanced both the visual panorama and aural experience a notch further above.

'Oh Priya Priya' can be considered to be an eternal timeless classic. The layered orchestration enables a dream like setting emitting golden hues and it just gets all the more rosy with the crystal clear rendition from the duo of SPB and Chitra who ooze all their soul into this lustrous composition. The overall musicality puts this number in the higher echelons of songs to have ever been composed.

It was pretty testing to even attempt playing this song. This melody has such beautiful curves sprouted throughout it's timeline and also introduces alternative notes from time to time giving it such a finesse elevation. This song transcends time and by all means is a golden gem in every way. It was truly a joy dream even trying to play this memorable composition.

Povoma Oorkolam - Keeravani Kaleidoscope

This musical piece can be said to be a perfect and pristine composition based on pure play Keeravani raga but there is a hoodwink intersected within which is pretty hard to dissect. The Charanam switches briefly to the upper Gandharam bringing a finesse touch of Karaharapriya before handing the baton back for Keeravani to take centerstage.

It all happens beautifully as from Melakarta #21 (Keeravani), it changes tone by a minor note to bring an alternative colour in the form of Melakarta #22 (Karaharpriya) and then drifts back to the original with veritable verve and valour. They both anyway form under the same structural scheme of Veda Chakra but the interplay and alterations brought into the mix is pretty precious to say the least.

The soundtrack of this movie Chinna Thambi is mentioned on record to have been composed in a mere 35 minutes. There are anecdotal evidences backing this claim and it's just unfathomable even comprehending how Maestro's reticular system could have worked like this to compose for an entire album at a zip lining pace and in addition also come up with such a sterling souvenir.

This particular number specifically deserves all the encomiums especially on the soul angle as it caresses the core of the heart and leaves such a lasting impression. The pairing of SPB and Swarnalatha do full justice by soaking the soul to the fullest extent through their melting rendition. I was so smitten having randomly listened to the mid portion of this pearler that I wanted to take a hoick at trying the same on the veena. Just the joy of trying and nothing beyond since this wonder is true love.

Sorgame Endralum - The charm and warmth of Homeland

This song is a satirical take on how whatever and wherever life takes you, it's never the same as being in one's native place. I concur with the views completely as despite all the issues plaguing the country, there's an unmissable charm prevalent at homeland which is simply irreplaceable and also impossible to replicate.

Also for authoritatively showcasing the stamp, the composer prances along by taking a rustic folk theme as the base indicating the foundation of one's native location with dollops of western classical music brought into the mix briefly transporting one to a different land.

This composition is predominantly composed in the pentatonic scale of Hamsanadham touching upon the notes Sa Ri2 Ma2 Pa Ni3. Incidentally it's a collaboration of brothers in arms Ilaiyaraaja and Gangai Amaran with the former composing the music and the latter penning the lyrics by expressing the nostalgia and specialty of one's neighbourhood.

Attempted a little take on this extremely rural themed song touched up with urban elements of this vintage melody paying homage to the charm and warmth of one's local roots.