Kuyil Paattu - When birds sing, it's Ecstasy

There is something about this song that pierces a deep indentation on to your soul. A few portions of this magical composition actually gives goosebumps in the real sense. I find it very difficult to explain in mere words but the experience simply shakes you into a state of elysium.

This song is as rustic as it gets and Maestro's usage of flute gives it the nativity and folkish tinge so very profound. The real superstar of the song however is the rendition of Swarnalatha who brings in a mixture of both passion & pathos with her soul stirring singing soaked with emotions in abundance.

It sounds like the chirping of birds and rightfully so the lyrics by 'Ponnadiyan' pays tribute to it by evaluating with the beautiful humming sound of the morning birds. The true moment of reckoning however arrives during the Charanam portion with the crooning of "mannavanum pOgum paadhaiyil vaasamulla malligaippoo meththai virippaen". This line appears suddenly out of the blue and parallelly with the violins at the background communicating the desired effect leaves you with a lump in the heart. Totally unexpected and out of the box.

Thought of wanting to try this number Kuyil Paattu from the movie 'En Rasavin Manasile'. An evergreen song for the ages from early 90s predominantly based on raga Shivaranjani known to induce yearning, melancholy and longing. This number perfectly exhibits all these feelings and stands as a great testimony to the handling of the intensity which this raga is exquisitely and explicitly known for.

Malargale - Blooming Musical Flowers!

I always have a sugary soft corner especially with regard to ARR's early day compositions. Growing up, it was almost a ritual to get absorbed in his music in some way or other. He had taken the city of Madras by storm with his sound coming across as not only new age but also endearingly refreshing.

The melody content was sweet and he was always certain of hitting the right chords thereby finding a way into many a youth's heart. The 90s style of music from the junction box of ARR especially the melodic numbers had a honey coated tenderness to it that usually got one flayed and caught up sucking the nectar. 'Malargale Malargale' is a vintage melody that has always been attractive and establishes itself as a charming composition. The charanam portion especially with the subtle gamakas, zigzag phrases and jumpy notes transgressing across octaves adds such a vibrant touch. The lyrics indicate the flowers telling a dream and the music supports it by painting a swirling canvas encapsulated with varied emotional hues.

Just attempted a little portion of the number beginning with my favorite Charanam portion and clawing back thereby to the Pallavi and also mildly straddling along to this hard hitting western bit that gives another contrasting complexion. Today marks 28 years of the entry of the man who captured the generation of the 90s with his swayful music making his debut with Roja which hit silver screens on this very day on the 15th of August 1992. May the music continue to meritoriously mesmerize.

Simon & Garfunkel - Central Park 1981

The groove, riffs, acoustics, arrangements, progressions and patterns make for the perfect ensemble. Paul Simon was an effing genius to come up with such poignant lyrics and is definitely one of the best songwriters ever. And Arty Garfunkel used to nail it with his all ranging vocals. This duo re-defined great American music and the New York style whip in their sound gives the much desired whiff of fresh air.

These guys just killed it back in the day. The lyrics in the compositions are so profound and at times also symbolic. The strum of the guitar couldn't sound more sonorous. This is one pair I certainly connect with on an emotional ground. When in the solivagant mood, S&G just come in so damn handy and is a default go to choice. (Night time walks at Boat club away from the wilderness listening to S&G is quite surreal).

Even the scat wordings are so kickass - Lai la Lai, Koo ka choo etc ensuring they blend so well with the music. And the deeper meanings "Heaven holds a place for those who pray", "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest", "vision that was planted in my brain still remains" et al are thought provoking and connects densely and spiritually with the soul.

The Beatles and the Beach boys were the dominant force in the 60's but S&G have a magnetic quality in their music which makes them so imperial. Despite the creative differences they churned out many brilliant songs and it's an irony that the most colossal of all their numbers "Like a bridge over troubled waters" led to the eventual split.

The time stamp of the numbers maybe ephemeral but the impact is everlasting. The music of Simon & Garfunkel (erstwhile Tom & Jerry) is ethereal and if ever I could go back on time, I would like to witness the free concert at Central Park in 1981 along with half a million spectators thronging away swaying and swirling to the tone of S&G.