Kohli and his Bloopers

Despite Kohli continuously trying to make himself a laughing stock :P ,his bloopers need to be appreciated because it has led to some legendary and never seen before IPL cricketing moments :D

Moonjila kari poosifying moment #1
- Coming on to bowl the penultimate over with CSK requiring a herculean 40 plus in 2 overs only to make Albie Morkel a hero by hitting him for 30 in an over and enabling CSK to crossover the line. (IPL 2012)

Moonjila kari poosifying moment #2
- RCB being on the threshold of qualifying for the playoffs and he plays a ridiculous shot with just few runs needed resulting in an inconsequential victory for bottom placed Hyderabad but more importantly allowing CSK to get to the playoffs this despite the team cooling their heels in the hotel room. (IPL 2012)

Moonjila kari poosifying moment #3
- The ecstasy of a victory and the despair of a defeat both happening at the same time within seconds all wonderfully captured in Kohli's face after RP Singhs infamous lass ball no ball vs CSK. (IPL 2013)

Moonjila kari poosifying moment #4
A match which RCB looked like winning in a canter turning completely anticlimax with him dropping an absolute siiter paving the way for David Miller to produce perhaps the most astonishing , unbeleivable and destructive century of all time in T20 history leading to an improbable victory for Kings XI. (IPL 2013)

P.S - I am a big fan of Kohli the cricketer. This post is just on a lighter side about some of his bloopers in the IPL.

Ragamalika 500 - Musical Non Pareil !!

It was a perfect tribute to golden tamizh film music of the bygone era. An unforgettable and spectacular musical evening of a lifetime honouring the greatest of the greatest of music composers from G Ramanatha Iyer to Ilaiyaraaja.

Mere words cannot explaing the feeling of being present there and witnessing the musicians perform gem after gem with such precision and aplomb.

The show began in an auspicious manner with Bharat Sundar rendering a medley of devotional based numbers such as Muthai Tharu (Arunagirinadhar) , Vadivelum Mayilum Thunai - Ambikapathi and couple of other songs.

And then the 1st song got underway and it was the chartbusting Yaaradi Nee Mohini. It just lifted the spirits of everyone and ignited signs that we are all going to witness and be a part of an unforgettable musical event of another level.

Just have a look at some of the songs and names mentioned below and you can visualise how awestruck, awesomatic and mindblowing it would have been for all who witnessed this musical spectacle.

- Yaaradi Nee Mohini - Uthama Puthiran - G Ramanathan
- Nenjil Kudiyirukkum - Irumbu Thirai - S Venkatraman

Andhra Medley Section :
- Aaha Aaha Inba Nilavinile - Mayabazaar - Ghantasala
- Ariya Paruvamada - Misiamma - S. Rajeswara Rao
- Kanninum - Nageswara Rao
- Amuthai Poliyum Nilave - Thangamalai Ragasiyam - Lingappa
- Andha Sivagaami Maganidam - Pattanathil Bhootham - Govardhanam
- Kanna Karumai Nira Kanna - Naanum Oru Penn - Sudharshanam
- Chinnan Chiru Kiliye - Manamagal - C R Subbaraman
- Singara Velane Deva - Konjum Salanga - Subbaiyah Naidu

MS Viswanathan - TK Ramamurthy Section :
- Mayakkum Maalai pozhude - Gulebagavali
- Kangal Enge - Karnan
- Mazhai Kodukkum - Karnan (Special mention as to how such tough songs are sung only in Ragamalika)

KV Mahadevan Tribute :
- Paatum Naane - Thiruvilayadal

PB Srinivas Special (Performed brilliantly by singer Karthick) :
- Mouname Paarvaiyal - Kodi Malar
- Thulli Thirintha Pen Ondru - Kathiruntha Kangal
- Paadatha Paatellam - Veerathirumugan
- Anubavam Pudhumai - Kadhalikka Neramillai
- Chinna Chinna Kannanukku - Vazhkkai Padagu
- Manidhan Enbavan - Sumaithangi

Kannadasan Special :
- Aarodum Mannil - Pazhani

Classy Classicals (Performed out of the world by Haricharan as said by SPB himself) :
- Manmadha Leelai - Haridas - M K T Bhagavathar
- Isai Tamizh - Thiruvilayadal - T R Mahalingam
- Amudhum Thenum - Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum - Seergazhi Govindarajan
- Erikaraiyin Mele - Muthalai - T M Soundararajan
- Oru Naal Podhuma - Thiruvilayadal

V Kumar Tribute :
- Unnidam Mayangikiren - Then Sindhudhe Vaanam

Dakshinamurthy Swamigal Tribute :
- Nanda Nee En Nila - Nanda En Nila

Ilaiyaraaja Section:
- Mouna Ragam BGM
- Oru Iniya Manadhu - Jhonny
- Azhage Azhagu - Raaja Paarvai
- Aayiram Thamara - Alaigal Oyvathillai (specially for SPB)
- Hey Paadal Ondru - Priya
- Thedum Kann Paarvai - Mella Thirandhadhu Kanavu - MSV & IR (Repeat of the astonishing goosebumpy violin interlude by orchestra team)
- Paruvame - Nenjathai Killathe (Goosebumby moment when SPB joins at the end and sings along with Janani Kamakshi)
- Vaanam Kezhe - Thoongathe Thambi Thoongathe
- Isaiarasi - Thaai Mookambigai

SPB Special Tribute (By the man himself , the legend) :
- Nilave Ennidam Nerungathe - Ramu - For PB Srinivas
- Aayiram Nilave Vaa - Adimai Penn - For MGR
- Then Sindhudhe Vaanam - Ponnukku thanga manasu - For GK Venkatesh
- Enakku Oru Kadhali - Mutthana Muthallavo (Combined performance by SPB and Bharat Sundar)
- Vaa Vennila - Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu (Backed by humming from Subhashree Thanikachalam)
- Enna Satham - Punnagai Mannan - For K Balachander
- Mandram Vandhu - Mouna Ragam - For Mani Ratnam
- Kadhalin Deepam Ondru - For Rajinikanth
- Unnai Nenechen - Aboorva Sagotharargal - For Kamal & Vaali
- Vanam Konda Vennilave - Sigaram - For SPB

All the singers deserve a huge round of applause for rendering all these gems with such dedication and elan ..
A gazillion adjectives will not suffice or justify the work done by the orchestra team comprising of Keys , Guitar , Flute , Strings and Percussion. Listening to the music unleashed was like being in another world. It was unparallelled bliss.

Very happy to have seen some of the senior musicians like VS Narasimhan Sir , Sada Sir , Napolean Sir , Prabhakar Sir and Veena Parthasarathy Sir being honoured. They are the soul and life givers to many of the extraordinary compositions.

Nice to see MSV sir lighting the lamp and inaugurating the event.
And what can one say about the legend SP Balasubramaniam. How much ever encomiums we shower on this great personality will not be enough. Such a humility and humbleness personified gentleman. He made the show so lively and gripping through his humour and narrations of interesting background incidents.

Vijay Adhiraj did a good anchoring job and was witty and engaging.
Kodaana Kodi Nandri to Subhasree Thanikachalam for conceptualising the show , handpicking such marvellous gems and treating the audience to a musical whirlwind. Greatly appreciate your rasanai in choosing such varied gems from different eras and paying tribute to so many extraordinary musical geniuses. A Rasika could definitely have not asked for more.
Karthiks speech on Subhasree Madam totally summed it up and clearly underlined the efforts and pain taken in grooming and shaping the careers of so many aspiring young talents. Bask in the glory Madam and you deserve every bit of it. This show stands a true testimony for this.

As a rasika , feel proud and privileged to have attended this monumental musical event on the 5th of May 2013. So many everlasting moments to cherish which will last a lifetime.

Hats off Team Ragamalika !!
Let the Karagosham keep flowing !!

Blown by the Wind - Thendral Varum Ennai Anaikkum

Certain songs have a power or magic embedded which makes them so special.
Enakku ariyama have been humming this number since yesterday.
There is so much of warmth and sweetness all over , the rendition and feel brought out by the singers is like a red velvet cheesecake melting in your mouth. Paaaahhhhhhh what an intoxicating feel and on top of that you have those scintillating piano run ins , sitar reverberation , the placement of the strings , beauty of the bass and flute takeover which gives such an unabiding happiness.
Music like this give so much of joy that you automatically tend to have a smile on your face.

Mohan , Maestro and Melody - What an evergreen combination.
A big salute to Raaja & team and SPB and S Janaki _/\_
80s 80s dhaaaaan !!

Thendral Varum Ennai Anaikkum - Paaru Paaru Pattanam Paaru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBO4VAhtYdE

East meets West !!

A melody in Indian style showcasing the Mohanam ragam very beautifully via Flute + Tabla first followed by a friendly banter between the Tabla + Jalatarangam with Tabla again for company.
The mood gets all dark suddenly with the strings in the background expressing the tense situation prevailing and then from nowhere you have a WCM (Western Classical Music) treat with violins in full fury unleashing its brilliance indulging in a mix of call and response and counterpoint music.
So many varied emotions all communicated and captured via music.
East meets West !!

Portion of My Dear Kuttichathaan BGM Score
https://soundcloud.com/pon-janahan/isai-gnani-ilaiyaraaja-kodai

My Dear Kuttichathaan Full BGM Score
https://soundcloud.com/nagsnathan/re-recording-my-dear

Music truly indebted to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja !!

2 Parallel melodies alternate between each other , the piano flows freely and traverses across octaves whereas the notes of the flute stick closely to each other communicating an emotion of a different scenario.
This is counterpoint music at its best , 2 totally unrelated melodies going their own way but when blended reach proportions of enormity.
As a music lover , you really dont know which to concentrate more as they both are so hypnotising and powerful in their own ways.
The spellbinding experience just doesnt end there as you observe a minor variation at 00:36 which oozes soul all over and to boost an arpegio style play between 0:50 to 0:53 which gives more added colour to this spectacle.
Wait , theres more treat to the ears. The contrapuntal melody gets over at 01:11 and then you are unleashed to a Mouna Ragam style musical style mayhem.
Listen to it closely , the way its structured , the complications and patterns woven around it elevates it much further than the Mouna Ragam theme.
2 & a quarter minutes of sheer musical monstrosity and bliss combined !!
Music is truly indebted to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja !!

Vanna Vanna Pookal Title Score Music
https://soundcloud.com/kameshratnam/vannavannapookal-title-bgm-ir

Vanna Vanna Pookal Full BGM Score
https://soundcloud.com/navinmozart/illayaraja-vannavannapookal

Mindblowing is an Understatement

An absolutely breathtaking title score of the 70s which makes you go wonderstruck.
So many varied emotions are communicated via music in this 3 minute piece.
There are counter music portions criss crossing one another but not for a moment it looks jarring and instead only elevates it to another pedestal.
I do not know much about the movie , but imagine just this piece would have got the viewers hooked for the movie to unfold and created so much of excitement.

Mindblowing is an an understatement.
Pattakathi Bhairaban Title score
https://soundcloud.com/kameshratnam/pattakathibairavan-titles

A scorcher of a WCM composition by Maestro!

This song has been fascinating me for quite some time.Wondering how that unison was achieved in the first interlude with the violin counterpoints, on top of that you have a flute also. And what about that guitar flanging in the second interlude. To add to all this, you have chorus adding harmony in the prelude plus bass backing, an interesting rhythm pattern, guitar counterpoint with keys in the second interlude and for nativity flavour you have an Indian classical touch in the combination of Mridangam + Flute.

Its astonishing to think all this packaging has been done in a mere 4 and half minute song and best thing it all sounds so amazing. To achieve this co-ordination, the musicians must have been an extraordinary talented bunch. Imagining how the mood must have been in the studio after this song was recorded. And to think this number was recorded over 30 yrs ago seems even more astounding.
I don't think an orchestra would be able to reproduce this number even today with all the technology available. Vintage 80's music of the highest order. You just feel spell bounded by the sound achieved and output produced.

Briefly summarizing in points on all the awesomeness happening :
1) The tumbling sound of the vessels which is musically rhythmical.
2) The guitar strumming the notes Ga Ma with the Tu Ru Ru humming in the side by the one and only S Janaki to be joined by the Bass moving Sa Pa Sa downward across octaves.
3) Gangai Amaran opening up and boy has he ever sounded so romantic. (Gangai Illa Mangai chorus adding the perfect harmony)
4) The first interlude with the triple counterpoint between violins , violins (I think) and flute is just more than enough for a lifetime.
5) The Guitar vamping and the Guitar counterpoint with the keys in the 2nd interlude , didn’t I just say the 1st interlude was more than enough - but he doesn’t listen he always gives more than you want. An additional Indian classical touch for you too in the combination of flute and Mridangam.
6) The mild shift from major scale to chromatic scale when Gangai sings Pudhu Raaga Jaadhikalum.

This man's music gives us so much happiness which can never be expressed in words but can only be experienced. Ecstasy in Abundance - A big salute to Maestro and team !!

Pongum Aagaya - Aagaya Gangai

ARR Concert Dec 2012

Last minute decision to attend the ARR concert and I somehow managed. First of all i didn't have tickets and behold they were issuing 3000 Rs tickets for 500 bucks.

The organisation was very shoddy and poor. They didn't have chairs for about 40 % category of those who brought high priced tickets and obviously majority of them were agitated and a mini ruckus was going on and to add to the drama it was raining. But thankfully it stopped and when ARR arrived there was a deafening roar.Frankly never before have i seen this much craze, frenzy, hysteria and madness for anybody before. Rahman's popularity stake is still at an all time high and it was unimaginable. You would have to have seen it to believe it.

Coming to the songs in the concert , some of the medleys were nicely performed & enjoyable and ARR kept the energy throughout the concert. Also we had most of the Kadal songs which received a rapturous response. The disappointments for me were there were some minus 1 songs, some of my favourite vintage Rahman songs of 90's weren't performed. The thing i didn't like at all was having a different rock kind of feel for legendary songs like Kadhal Rojave, Nenjinile etc. which resulted in the essence of the song getting totally diluted and in fact spoilt.

For me spending just Rs 500, I thought I had my moneys worth, but those who had spent 3000 bucks and above to sit through the event without a chair i felt was very unfair. The final song of the evening was the landmark Thaai Manne Vanakkam which the audience lapped up. Many of us were standing on the chairs and cheering. ARR s infectious smile was evident throughout. Overall it was a decent experience but felt it could have been much better with a well thought out selection of songs and a little extra care in organising the event.

List of songs that were performed in the concert.
Undhan Desathin Kural ( ARR Intro )
Elay Keechan
Arima Arima
Manoothu manthaile
Veerapandi Kotayile
Thilana Thilana
Kadhal Rojave
Enakoru Girl Friend
Omane Penne
July Maadham Vanthaaal
Aathangarai Marame
Endrendrum Punnagai
Mustafa Mustafa
Nila Kaaigirathu
Uyire Uyire
Kanamoochi yenada
Azhage Sugama
Engae Enathu Kavithai
Nenjinile Nenjinile
Nenjukulle
Adiye
Irumbile oru iruthayam
Hello Mr Ethirkatchi
Oorvasi
Magudi Magudi
Moongil Thotam
Jai Ho in Tamil
Thaai Manne Vanakam

Sachin the One Day International Batsman

Since 1994 when i started watching and enjoying cricket, one name has always been tied with the sport like a string attached to a guitar. There maybe cricketers who might match or even surpass your test records, but you are the one and only numero uno when it comes to the original form of limited overs cricket - One Day Internationals. How can I forget waking up early in the morning watching you score a trailblazing 82 off a mere 49 deliveries in your new avatar of One Day Opener, how thrilled was I seeing you score your 1st One Day Century against the Australians at the Singer Cup 94, then your 96 WC exploits with that blitzkrieg 90 against the Aussies at Mumbai and then I was so gutted when you got out stumped and India fell short of the target eventually by 16 runs. That 137 vs the Lankans on a misty day at Delhi with only a run out averting you from getting to 150 - what fun it was seeing you and Azhar rip the Lankan bowling attack in the last 5 overs. What about that glorious 104 at Benoni vs Zimbabwe when you had to get the target within just about 40 overs or so to reach the final vs South Africa, then that 1998 back to back hundreds under the Desert Storm in Sharjah - ah those vivid memories of you coming down the wicket and tonking Fleming and Kasprowicz for 6 with Tony Greig going bazooka is epic level of the highest order.

The year 1998 in entirety when you scored truckloads of centuries and officially assumed the status of God in the minds of millions of cricket fans, that unforgettable massacring of Henry Olonga at Sharjah when he thought he had the better of you hahahaha, that 186 not out vs the Kiwis on a field day when you were involved in the best ever partnership of 331 runs with Rahul Dravid, those pulverising sixes hit off Shoaib Akhtar over third man on way to a destructive 98 off a mere 70 odd deliveries in a crucial World Cup Indo Pak clash at Centurion, the brilliant 175 when you almost single handedly snatched a famous win chasing 350 against the Aussies at Hyderabad, the first ever double hundred in ODIs at Gwalior where you treated the South African bowlers with utter disdain. Coming to the memorable WC 2011 where you showed your class yet again on the big stage by cracking hundreds against both England and South Africa, your 85 against Pakistan probably one of your worst innings, but nevertheless helped Ind to defeat its arch rivals in a do or die Semifinal at Mohali thus taking India to the final and making your lifetime dream of winning a word cup come true and finally your laboured 100th international century which came against Bangladesh making you the first man on the planet to get to the coveted landmark. These are just a gist of evergreen glorious Sachin memories.

Sachin - you just didn't set benchmarks but you were a benchmark yourself. Thanks for all the moments, memories and entertainment. Your exploits on the cricketing field will be etched in the minds of millions of cricketing lovers forever. I still cant get over the fact that the next time i switch on my television to watch a ODI involving India, I won't be seeing the name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar on the scoreboard.

 
One Day International Cricket will never be the same without your larger than life persona!

Remembering Rajesh - A Trip down the Bygone Era!

Attended a Gala Musical evening at the Music Academy on the 19th of Nov'2012 which celebrated some of the greatest hits of India's superstar Rajesh Khanna from the bygone era. It was an event which was part of "The Hindu"November Fest" and evoked nostalgic reactions amongst many who witnessed the concert. The performers of the event were Srinivas Doraisamy (Captain) , Naresh Iyer , Swetha Mohan , Saptaparna Chakraborty and a wonderful orchestra led by Mani Bass. There was also a cameo by Haricharan. You can read the Hindu Review of the concert from the link below http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/remembering-rajesh/article4105798.ece

Attaching below the list of songs which were performed during the memorable evening.
1) Jeevan Se Bhari - Safar
2) Mere Dil Mein - Daag
3) Reina Beeti Jaaye - Amar Prem
4) Kora Kaagaz - Aaradhana
5) Zindagi Ek Safar - Andaz
6) Hum Dono Do Premi - Ajnabee
7) Roop Tera Mastana - Aaradhana
8) Kuch To Log - Amar Prem
9) Gulabi Aankhen - The Train
10) Gunguna Rahe - Aaradhana
11) Na Jiya Lagena - Anand
12) Yeh Jo Mohabbat - Kati Patang
13) Zindagi Ka Safar - Safar
14) Mere Sapnon Ki Rani - Aaradhana
15) Gore Rang - Roti
16) Kahin Door - Anand
17) Karvate Badalte - Aap Ki Kasam
18) Chala Jaata Hoon - Mere Jeevan Saathi
19) Chingaari Koi Badke - Amar Prem
20) Yeh Shaam Mastani - Kati Patang
21) Mere Naina - Mehbooba
22) Humhe Tumse Pyaar - Kudrat
23) Duniya Mein - Apna Desh
24) Jai Jai Shiv Shankar - Aap Ki Kasam