Perfect Play of Beauty & Divinity - Sri Ranga Ranga Nathanin Padham

'Hamsadhwani' is an eternally ethereal ragam. It is a simple pentatonic scale comprising just 5 syllables 'Sa Ri2 Ga3 Pa Ni3' derived from Shankarabaranam but immanently feels like a variant of Kalyani as it is steeped in divinity which more or less falls in the heavenly hegemony of the latter. It has a contagious charm to it and seems like the apt scale to light up an occassion due to it's auspicious effect. Many of us have the habit of inaugurating any new work we begin with a Ganesha symbol and in the same vein most of the kritis pertaining to the Lord tend to usher in only from the resplendent and full of fervour ragam that is Hamsadhwani.

This particular song however is lyrically penned in veneration to Lord Sri Ranganatha Perumal. The Lord's birth star is believed to be Revathi Nakshatra and it's also the star in which Venus gets exalted rightfully at the feet of the Kalapurusha as that's where Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu is always set to reside and hence becomes extremely powerful. It's a perfect play of beauty and divinity going hand in hand.

The song Sri Ranga Ranga Nathanin though predominantly set in Hamsadhwani uses slight traces to deviate from the same especially in the pallavi portion. But however there is no such compromise in the charanam which is pristinely pure Hamsadhwani and you can starkly feel the essence of it in all it's glory. I attempted a small hand at the middle tranche of this number from where it connects back to the Pallavi. In no way is it anywhere near the verve that this number connotes but I've always wanted to try this miniscule segment out and on what better day I suppose than when the moon lit sky be adorned with the fulcrum of delicacy depicting Revathi Nakshatra invoking the divinity of Hamsadhwani raga and seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

View this post on Instagram

Hamsadhwani is an eternally ethereal ragam. It is a simple pentatonic scale comprising just 5 syllables 'Sa Ri2 Ga3 Pa Ni3' derived from Shankarabaranam but immanently feels like a variant of Kalyani as it is steeped in divinity which more or less falls in the heavenly hegemony of the latter. It has a contagious charm to it and seems like the apt scale to light up an occassion due to it's auspicious effect. Many of us have the habit of inaugurating any new work we begin with a Ganesha symbol and in the same vein most of the kritis pertaining to the Lord tend to usher in only from the resplendent and full of fervour ragam ie Hamsadhwani. This particular song however is lyrically penned in veneration to Lord Sri Ranganatha Perumal. The Lord's birth star is believed to be Revathi Nakshatra and it's also the star in which Venus gets exalted rightfully at the feet of the Kalapurusha as that's where Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu is always set to reside and hence becomes extremely powerful. It's a perfect play of beauty and divinity going hand in hand. The song Sri Ranga Ranga Nathanin though predominantly set in Hamsadhwani uses slight traces to deviate from the same especially in the pallavi portion. But however there is no such compromise in the charanam which is pristinely pure Hamsadhwani and you can starkly feel the essence of it in all it's glory. I attempted a small hand at the middle tranche of this number from where it connects back to the Pallavi. In no way is it anywhere near the verve that this number connotes but I've always wanted to try this miniscule segment out and on what better day I suppose than when the moon lit sky be adorned with the fulcrum of delicacy that is Revathi Nakshatra invoking the divinity of Hamsadhwani raga and seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu. #Sriranga #Mahanadhi #Hamsadhwani #ragam #divine #beauty #eternal #ethereal #blessing #1994 #Kamal #IR #evergreen #goodoldays

A post shared by Rajiv Shankar (@rajiv_revel) on Apr 21, 2020 at 6:58am PDT

Un Paarvaiyil - The Stinger and the Stunner!

There are very few compositions that bedazzle, befuddle and bamboozle you in a way that you just cannot but not fall to the trance of it's aural aura. Un Paarvaiyil Oraayiram rightfully falls in such an esteemed category. Every time I listen to it, I'm left speechless at the sheer outrageous audacity in fusing indigenous tamil folk with a pristine hindustani classical ragam like Behag and creating an output that is nothing short of an evergreen masterpiece.

The blend of instruments in conjunction with the flow of melody exacerbates the chiaroscuro and the whole song is structured in a fashion that exhibits musical camaraderie in gregarious proportions.

Attempting a shot at this song mandated to be as nimble fingered as possible with the precision for error being really high with just about 4 inches (approx 10 cm) of area to play with. Not withstanding the field, the quality of the number is akin to a sprawling stadium punctuated with slew of swaras perpetrated all over pitch forked with flowing drives moving up and down. I just tried my level best to beat the googly and come unscathed. Not sure how much I succeeded but it was an experience that left me stung and also stunned :).

Nalam Vaazha - Mellow & Mellifluous!

There are compositions which happen to be mellifluously mellow that caress and comfort the soul. Nalam Vaazha definitely goes into that bracket. The way it slithers through you with unbridled with sweetness in abundance.

The underlying tone of this majestic melody is the fact that it touches virtually every single note and those slides which canoodle the chromatics is something worth rejoicing. It touches a chord and hits you straight in the heart.

This is generally viewed as a birthday song dedicated to celebrate an event. I choose this to usher in the sun's entry into Aries (Chithirai) signifying the beginning of a new year as per the Hindu calendar.

It was an indeed quite an exercise to play few titbits from this vintage musical construction of the 90's. Wishing the sun a very auspicious solar return as it ingresses onto Mesha rasi which in essence auspices the entry point of the zodiac.

Joyous Jotheyali!

Some compositions are simply sheer joy and Jotheyali fondly falls into that exquisite category. It just caresses off in blitzkrieg fashion right from start to finish. The turbo galloping pace does not hinder it from being lardy-dardy which it so crystal clearly is.

Though this song has a version in every regional linguistic, it's the original Kannada version that takes the cake. The lyrics meld so well with the tune and the synchronization is magical. This one's an evergreen timeless classic and makes me reminisce the good ol' Bangalore days when invariably every bus used to hoot this in full blast.

And from a technical perspective, the pallavi largely employs a hitherto unknown janya raga called 'Katyayani’ which is a derivative of Natabhairavi. You would also notice an eerie resemblance to 'Shivaranjani' with just the Dhaivatam being different. However as it takes off, lustre is added in the form of plenty of alien notes which is a signature of IR.

Do also observe the rivetting trills (rapid alternation between adjacent notes) at ’Ooooo Endha Mathadidhe' and charismatic chromatics (three or more consecutive notes played back or forth) gliding along nonchalantly. All in all makes for a thrilling glissading adventure.

I just tried a wild shot at a couple of portions of this song. These are numbers totally beyond my reach but ultimately it's just the bliss of having attempted it. As the saying goes it's 'Nothing but joy' at the end of the day.

Note: From an astrology point of view, if one is interested to know what planetary positions help in playing the veena, I would say Jupiter and Saturn are most important. The reason is because you make you use of the index finger and middle finger a lot to play the instrument. The mount ruling the index finger happens to be Jupiter and the mount ruling the middle finger happens to be Saturn. Ideally both these planets need to connected with the 3rd house which is known for skills, activities performed by the hand. In my own case both Jupiter and Saturn happen to have aspect on my 3rd house of Leo. Strength depends on where these 2 planets are placed and how they are influencing your 3rd house and also not to forget the zodiac sign in which your 3rd house is falling into. 

View this post on Instagram

Joyous Jotheyali! Some compositions are simply sheer joy and Jotheyali fondly falls into that exquisite category. It just caresses off in blitzkrieg fashion right from start to finish. The turbo galloping pace does not hinder it from being lardy-dardy which it so crystal clearly is. Though this song has a version in every regional linguistic, it's the original Kannada version that takes the cake. The lyrics meld so well with the tune and the synchronization is magical. This one's an evergreen timeless classic and makes me reminisce the good ol' Bangalore days when invariably every bus used to hoot this in full blast. And from a technical perspective, the pallavi largely employs a hitherto unknown janya raga called 'Katyayani’ which is a derivative of Natabhairavi. You would also notice an eerie resemblance to 'Shivaranjani' with just the Dhaivatam being different. However as it takes off, lustre is added in the form of plenty of alien notes which is a signature of IR. Do also observe the rivetting trills (rapid alternation between adjacent notes) at ’Ooooo Endha Mathadidhe' and charismatic chromatics (three or more consecutive notes played back or forth) gliding along nonchalantly. All in all makes for a thrilling glissading adventure. I just tried a wild shot at a couple of portions of this song. These are numbers totally beyond my reach but ultimately it's just the bliss of having attempted it. As the saying goes it's 'Nothing but joy' at the end of the day. #jotheyali #kannada #tamil #hindi #geetha #shankarnag #IR #SPB #music #ugadi #bangalore #1981

A post shared by Rajiv Shankar (@rajiv_revel) on Apr 7, 2019 at 2:39am PDT

30 years of Mella Thiranthathu kadhavu!

It's 30 years to the day (Sept 12th 1986) since 2 Musical Messiah's - 'Mellisai Mannar and Maestro' joined together to present a monstrous and memorable soundtrack 'Mella Thiranthathu kadhavu'. It was a melange of magnificence with each of the compositions being special in their own right.

MSV's lilting tunes embellished with Raaja's orchestral layering gave it the much desired synchronisation which has continued to haunt the listeners down the years. Everytime I get to hear the interludes in Thedum kann Paarvai makes me gobsmacked. Vaa Vennila is such an everlasting delightful melody, Kuzhaloothum Kannanukku is the quintessential evergreen romantic lullaby, Dil Dil Manadhil shows how fun waltz can be, Ooru Sanam just the initial couple of lines is enough to transcend you to another plane and Sakarakattikku gives the rustic local folk twang.

It's hard to fathom powerhouses of any kind combining for a project and this movie is indeed a significant milestone in the annals of Tamizh Cinema for bringing 2 legendary Musical Mughals to work in a movie together for the first time. And boy, they made it count by delivering a monumental musical chapter, one for the ages.

IR Playlist - Genre Abounding and Themes Galore!

There are different Isaignani songs which kindle our emotions in different ways. For every situation, mood, feel, thought etc his music always comes in handy. One can always start forming their very own Raaja playlists from his mast oeuvre. A theme can be undertaken and it could be anything ranging from songs on a rainy day to a long distance drive or maybe an instrument usage such as Guitar Ragalai/Violin Convergence or perhaps foot tapping dance chart busters or even numbers apt for a festival occasion like Pongal, Diwali etc and lots more. It can be made more interesting by having various themes to enjoy one's own self and thereby also celebrate some of his greatest creations. Start music!

One particular theme which Raaja has walked the walk and talked the talk is with regard to flower songs. The Govt of Tamil Nadu can consider providing a honour to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for beautifying and glorifying the 'flower' or 'poo' to such an extent in his compositions.

Attached below is the list of Maestro Flower Songs.
1) Chinna Poo Chinna Poo - Japanil Kalyanaraman
2) Aivagai Malargale - Adhigaaram
3) Poovarasampoo Poothaachu - Kizhakke Pogum Raiyil
4) Poovadikalil Alayum - Vyaamohan (Malayalam)
5) Poove Ilaya Poove - Kozhi Koovudhu
6) Poo Malaye - Pagal Nilavu
7) Poove Poochudavaa - Poove Poochudavaa
8) Chinna Chinna Roja Poove - Poovizhi Vasalile
9) Poovadai Kaatre - My Dear Kuttichaathan
10) Poovukku Poovale - Anand
11) Poove Sempoove - Solla Thudikkudhu Manasu
12) Then Poove - Anbulla Rajinikanth
13) Poova Eduthu - Amman Kovil Kizhakkaale
14) Senthaazham Poovil - Mullum Malarum
15) Aayiram Malargale - Niram Maaratha Pookal
16) Poovil Vandu - Kadhal Oviyam
17) Poonthottam Poovil - Nadhiyai Thedi Vantha Kadal
18) Poovaana Aetta Thottu - Ponmana Selvan
19) Poovendrum Ponne Endrum - Dhruva Nathchathiram
20) Poonthalir Aada - Panneer Pushpangal
21) Poo Malarnthida Nadanthidum - Tik Tik Tik
22) Poovum Thenral Kaatrum - Pickpocket
23) Poo Pookum Masam - Varsham 16
24) Poo Poo Poo Poo Pootha Solai - Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu
25) Poove Poove Ponnamma - Paattuku Naan Adimai
26) Poovile Medai - Pagal Nilavu
27) Vanamellam Shenbagapoo- Nadodi Pattukaran
28) Poo Mudithu Pottu Vaitha Nila - En Purushan Dhaan Enakku Mattum Dhaan
29) Oar Poomaalai - Iniya Uravu Poothadhu
30) Poovizhi Vaasalil - Dheepam
31) Poothu Poothu Kulungudhadi Poovu - Kumbakkarai Thangaiyaa
32) Malargale Nadhaswarangal - Kizhakke Pogum Raiyil
33) Hoomale Hoomale - Hoomale (Kannada)
34) Jeeva Hoovaagidhe - Nee Nanna Gellaare (Kannada)
35) Vaa Vaa Manjal Malare - Rajadhi Raja
36) Naan Thedum Sevvanthi Poovithu - Dharma Pathini
37) Putham Puthu Poo Poothatho - Thalapathi
38) Poo Poothadhu - Mumbai Express
39) Pothi Vecha Malligai Muthu - Mannvasanai
40) Rojaappoo - Agni Natchathiram
41) Malliga Mottu Manasa Thottu - Sakthivel
42) Kodiyile Maliya Poo - Kadalora Kavithaigal
43) Poo Sirikkudhu - Vaalmiki
44) Azhagiya Malargalin - Ullasa Paravaigal
45) Pani Vizhum Malarvanum - Ninaivellam Nithya
46) Pudhiya Poovidhu - Thendrale Ennai Thodu
47) Kothamalli Poove - Kallukkul Eeram
48) Poo choodum - Aan Azhagan
49) Rojavai Thalattum Thendral - Ninaivellam Nithya
50) Alli vacha malligaye - Inimai Itho Itho
51) Chembaruthi Pen Oruthi - Raman Abdullah
52) Roja Poonthottam - Friends
53) Pattu Poove Mettu Paadu - Chembaruthi
54) Solai Poovil - Vellai Roja
55) Malargalil Aadum - Kalyanaraman
56) Sempoove Poove - Siraichalai
57) Magizham Poove - Pudhiya Adimaigal
58) Thalaiye Kuniyum Thamaraye - Oru Odai Nathiyagiradhu
59) Sithakathi Pookale - Rajakumaran
60) Kaathodu Poovurasa - Anbukku Naan Adimai
61) Malargalile aaradhanai - Karumbu Vil
62) Poonkaviyam - Karpura Mulai
63) Thalam Poove - Kai Kodukkum Kai
64) Poomele Veesum - Echchil Iravugal
65) Poonkodi Than - Idhayam
66) Oru Poo Vanatthila - Kazhugu
67) Yezhaippoo unnai - Echchil Iravugal
68) Sembaruthi Poove - Naanum Oru Thozilali
69) Adukkumalli - Aavarampoo
70) Adukkumalligai - Thangamagan
71) Sendhoorappoove - 16 Vayathiniley
72) Indha Poovukkoru Kadhai Undu - Iravu Pookkal
73) Indha poovukkoru arasan - Poovarasan
74) Idhu Rosappoovu - Naan Sigappu Manithan
75) Malligai Maalai Katti from Puthiya Raagam
76) Poo Enbadha - Uyire Unakaaga
77) Anbu Malargalin Solai - Kannukku Mai Ezhudhu
78) Poove Nee Naanaagavum - Kannukku Mai Ezhudhu
79) Vaada Malliye - Kannukku Mai Ezhudhu
80) Sevvandhi Poomudicha - 16 vayathinile
81) Thamarai Kodi - Ananda Kummi
82) Va Va Mysooru Malligae - Aduthathu Albert
83) Oru Poongavanam - Agni Natchathiram
84) Roja Thottam - Alai Osai
85) Aayiram Thamarai - Alaigal Oyvathillai
86) Azhagaana Pookkal - Anbe Odi Vaa
87) Rathiriyil Poothirukkum Thamarai - Thanga Magan
88) Poovendhum - Anthapuram
89) Nattu Vecha Rosa Chedi from Aranmanai Kili
90) Senthazhampoovil - Athiradippadai
91) Panneer Pushpangale - Aval Appadithaan
92) Devan Thiruchabhai Malargale - Avar Enakke Sondham
93) Kurunji Malaril - Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren
94) Poojaikketha Poovidhu
95) Sevvarali Thottathile from Bhagavathypuram Railway Gate
96) Sembaruthi Poovukku - Dharma
97) Poovodu Kaatru Vandhu - Dharmam Vellum
98) Poothu Nikkudhu - Echchil Iravugal
99) Poo Vendumey - En Iniya Pon Nilaave
100) Manadhil Ore Oru Poo Poothathu from En Purushan Thaan Enakku Mattum Thaan
101) Parijaadha Poove - En Rasavin Manasule
102) Madhura Marikkozhundhu - Enga Ooru Paattukkaran
103) Shenbagame - Enga Ooru Paattukkaran
104) Malligappoo Kattilile - Enna Petha Rasa
105) Malare Pesu from Geethanjali
106) Poove Idhu - Graamathyu Athiyayam
107) Vaadatha Rosappoo - Graamathyu Athiyayam
108) Poo Vaadaikkatru - Gopurangal Saivathillai
109) Kaatru Poovil - I love India
110) Eeramana Rojave - Ilamai Kaalangal
111) Mottu Vitta Mullai Kodi - Indru Nee Naalai Naan
112) Thazhampoove - Indru Nee Naalai Naan
113) Or Poomaalai - Iniya Uravu Poothathu
114) Malli Malli - Iravu Pookal
115) Yaar Veettu Roja - Idhaya Koyil
116) Poothathu Poovu - Jagan Mohini
117) Poo Potta Dhavani - Kaakki Sattai
118) Malare Malare - Kadhal Kadhai
119) Malare Malare Ullasam - Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthaal
120) Poojaikkaha vazhum poovai - Kadhal Oviyam
121) Nadhiyilaadum Poovanam - Kadhal Oviyam
122) Sangeetha Jathi Mullai - Kadhal Oviyam
123) Poovarasampoove - Kadavul
124) Kothamalli Poove - Kallukkul Eeram
125) Vanthaaley Allippoo - Kan Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum
126) Maalai Soodu - Kanne Radha
127) Roja Poonthottam - Kannukul Nilave
128) Chinna Poove Poove - Kattumarakkaran
129) Mama Poo Poo - Kavalaipadaathey Sagotharaa
130) Poo Polaeh - Kavari Maan
131) Kaatrum Poovum - Kavidhai Paadum Alaigal
132) Karpura Mullai Ondru - karpura mullai
133) Pacha Mala Poovu - kizhakku Vaasal
134) Poo Nilavonnu - Kizhakkum Merkkum
135) Then Thoongum Poove - Kodai Mazhai
136) Roja Ondru - Komberi Mookkan
137) Roja Onru Ullankaiyil poothadhu - O Maane Maane
138) Poothu Poothu Kulunguthadi Poovu - Kumbakarai Thangayya
139) Malligai Poovukkul - Magane Magane
140) Madhu Malargale - Magane Magane
141) Kaathirunda Malli malli Mallu Vetti Minor
142) Aavaram Poovaithottu - Manamagaley Vaa
143) Pavala Malligai - Mandhira Punnagai
144) Sevvanthi Pookkalil - Mella Pesungal
145) Endha Poovilum - Murattu Kaalai
146) Naan Poo Eduthu - Naanum Oru Thozhilali
147) Pattu Poove - Naanum Oru Thozhilali
148) Gulu Gulu Malare - Nee Sirithaal Deepavali
149) Paarijadham Pagalil - Nilavu Suduvathillai
150) Poove Pani Poove - Nilavu Suduvathillai
151) Pookkal Sindhungal - Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal
152) Malliye - Pandithurai
153) Aayiram Poovum Undu - Pasa Mazhai
154) Solai Malare - Paattu Vaathiyaar
155) Malligaye - Periya Veettu Pannaikkaran
156) Poove Varuga - Periyamma
157) Potteney Poo Vilangu - Poo Vilangu
158) Iniya Malargal - Poonthottam
159) Yezhai Poo Unnai Theduthey - Pudhiya Adimaigal
160) Ye Marikkozhundhu - Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu
161) Manakkum Malligai - Rickshaw Mama
162) Athimara Poo Idhu - Saadhanai
163) Nenjukkuam Poo Manjangal - Sattai Illadha Pambaram
164) Malliga Mottu - Sakthi Vel
165) Vaasalile Poosanipoo - Shenbagame Shenbagame
166) Un Pakkathula Oru Poova Vecha - Sendhooram
167) Vaasamalli Poovu - Sevvandhi
168) Gundu Malli - Solla Marandha Kadhai
169) Kan Malargalin - Thai Pongal
170) Pani Vizhum Poo Nilavil - Thai Pongal
171) Malligai Pandha - Thanga Mama
172) Poothathu Poonthoppu - Thanga Manasukkaran
173) Mullai Arumbe - Thanikkaattu Raja
174) Then Malli Poove - Thiyagam
175) Naan Thanga Roja - Time
176) Solai Pushpangalae - Ingeyum Oru Gangai
177) Sengamalam Sirikkudhu - Dhavani Kanavugal
178) Germaniyin Sendhen Malare - Ullasa Paravaigal
179) Narumana Malargalin - Urangaatha Ninaivugal
180) Malare Nalamaa - Urimai
181) Poove Siru Poove - Va Va Vasanthame
182) Chinna Chinna Poo - Chinna Kannamma
183) Nerunjippoo - Vazhga Valarga
184) Azhagu Malaraada - Vaidehi Kathirundhaal
185) Pattu Poo - Veera
186) Malare Thendral - Veetila Viseshanga
187) Kombula Poova Suthi - Virumandi
188) Poovai Virinju - Adharvam (Malayalam)
189) Thenchodi Poove - Anuraaga Kottaram (Malayalam)
190) Alli Poove from Bhagya Devadha (Malayalam)
191) Malar Thoppinil - Dooram Arike (Malayalam)
192) Shivamallipoove - Friends (Malayalam)
193) Punnarapoovilum - Friends (Malayalam)
194) Chempoove - Kalaapaani (Malayalam)
195) Pala Poo Mahangalazha - Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal (Malayalam)
196) Alliyilam Poovo - Mangalam Nerunnu (Malayalam)
197) En Poove - Pappayude Swandham Appoose (Malayalam)
198) Thazhampoo Thalil - Oomakkuyil (Malayalam)
199) Poo Kumkumapoo - Rasathanthram (Malayalam)
200) Mandarapoo - Vinoda Yathra (Malayalam)
201) Oru Pushpavum - Vyaamohan
202) Sooreedu poova - Anthapuram (Telugu)
203) Sindhoorapu Poo thotalo - Killer
204) Malle Puvvulo - Malle Puvvu (Telugu)
205) Ponnaaram Poovaram - Pagalil Oru Iravu
206) Banti chaamanti - Abhilasha (Telugu)
207) Navvinthi malli chendu - Abhilasha (Telugu)
208) Malli Malli -Rakshadalu (Telugu)
209) Malle Poovula - Sreekaram (Telugu)
210) Poovakelu - Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai
211) Indha Maamanoda Manasu Malliyapoo - Uthama Raasa
212) Panpaadum Thaamaraye Vaa Vaa - Nee Thodum Podhu
213) arumbaagi mottagi poovagi - Enga ooru kaavalkaaran
214) Arumbarumba Saram Thoduttha - Chinna Thaayi

Similar to this a bucket load of many different playlists can be considered as IR compositions have so much muster in them that it not only captures varied emotions but also captivates the senses.