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.

'Kalyani' with a Twist - Sundari Kannal Oru Seyidhi & Nee Oru Kadhal Sangeetham

Whenever Raaja touches the raga scale 'Kalyani', there is an eerily divine human intervention that is so magical and totally transports you to experience an elevated phenomenon that simple feels out of this world. Every stroke of it is seeped in mastery that exudes magnificence. 

The thing with Kalyani songs of Ilaiyaraaja is that they also tend to be experimental at times. Kalyani is a very pure ragam and used to denote auspiciousness especially. It doesn't really offer scope for twitches as it can go woefully wrong when not handled in the right fashion. But that's not applicable to the Maestro at least.

He has used it in it's most pristine form as well as broken the mould to convey various emotions through this mellifluous ragam that harps largely on the Prati Madhyamam (second Ma). The two songs showcased are not refined Kalyani's by any stretch of the imagination but yet the base of the ragam comes out in full furore due to the strong foundation created.

'Sundari Kannal Oru Seidhi' uses an alternative phrase of Ga and changes to 'Kosalam' for a wee bit which is a pretty rare ragam especially from the film songs parlance. 'Nee Oru Kadhal' breaches upon the Hindustani angle and borders on something called 'Shyam Kalyan' which has a robust Kalyani pedestal yet infuses it's own independent flavour. 

Just attempted a little portion of the charanam of these songs that can be christened exceptional experimental 'Kalyanis' with a twist. The music played maybe pretty amateur but the brilliance is certainly unquestionable.

Kanmani Anbodu - Undefined, Unfiltered, Unadulterated Love ❤

Certain compositions are pure love and this one gets cobbled, cuddled and coated with g(h)lee aplenty the way it strokes the senses with it's indefatigable melody lines. Such a simple sounding souffle soaked with staunch silver lining solitude igniting all evergreen epic love feels. 

The charanam portion is the one that gets me intrigued every time as the flow suddenly enhances consisting chirpy phrases that strikes the center of the heart chord. These weaving melody lines act like a beautiful passage as it rolls down back to the pallavi in such a scintillating fashion. This is just a mild attempt at this wondrous classic trying at best to capture these saccharine sweetened vintage bits. 

Revel in this rivulet of this reposeful rendezvous that's called Kanmani Anbodu!

Song : Kanmani Anbodu
Movie : Guna (1991)