July Maadham Vandhaal - Get grooving!

This song is just sheer joy. A throwback to ARRs good old early days as a composer where he used to churn out one hit after another along with effortlessly touching upon a multitude of genres. This particular movie Puthiya Mugam didn't fetch the requisite rewards due to being a dampener at the silver screen but the entire soundtrack is curated with exceptionally decorated gems. 

The bits of music that are consecrated across this particular composition is simply pure delight. You just feel like dancing with ecstasy every time the guitar tugs the heart strings with it's superlative phrases. The ample feel good factor is evident across the entire piece.

The song also captures Colombo City in it's mighty glory. My formative years were spent in this beautiful country of Sri Lanka and seeing depictions of Galface, Taj Samudra, BMICH, Independence Square, Buddha Temple etc. bring back fond memories. 

It's the interlude which really blows away in this song with the guitar showcasing it's mastery. The guitar also doubles up as a call & response technique and the riveting interlude portion is an absolute feast. Also not to mention SPB's flawless rendition giving it the much desired zeal. 

I tried attempting a bit of the interlude followed by the charanam and pallavi on the veena. First time trying out the 3rd string to capture the bass element.  Just hope I've been able to capture a miniscule bit of the magic this song is laced upon in all it's vigor.

Running riot - Valai Osai

This song is a riot from the very inception. The way it picks up pace and gathers momentum throughout the course of the composition is something to behold. Though Lata Mangeshkar had sung a couple of songs before this one, it was Valai Osai that imprinted the stamp of her voice in Tamil Language

If one looks at Raaja's ouevre in terms of ragas touched, he would have virtually tried his hands at everything there ever was but if there is one raga that stands out then it's certainly Sindhu Bhairavi. The majority of numbers from a percentage terms composed by the Maestro would include this incomparable raga that is almost like a template design for breathtaking song constructs. 

If ever one feels demotivated, it's a tip to listen to this one as it can pep you up in an instant with it's high octane energy levels. A landmark number in every way with 4 legends Vaalee, Ilaiyaraaja, Lataji and SPB joining in to create a timeless eternal masterpiece. 

Attempted a portion of this song right from the interlude and then latching on to the charanam and clawing back on to the Pallavi. Just hope I've been able to capture a minute essence of this remarkable composition to the best of my ability.

Kaapi Konashtai and Breezy Bass - The magic behind Naguva Nayana/Paniyil Nanaiyum

'Naguva Nayana' is an iconic composition when viewed from the Kannada hinterland. Pallavi Anupallavi was the first movie that ace director Mani Ratnam helmed and this also happens to be the first ever pairing of the famed Mani Ratnam-Ilaiyaraaja duo who combined to produce sensational stunners from around the mid 80s till the early 90s. Almost every song from this combo sparkles with ecstasy and steeped in musical monarch. 

Around the mid 2000s, I heard that there was a Tamil version of this song and remember searching feverishly across erstwhile sites such as cooltoad, sukravathanee.tk, mohankumars etc but to no avail. Then finally I got to source it from a gentleman abroad who procured it once I described about this song and movie. I recall it was such a blissful experience listening to 'Paniyil Nanaiyum Malargal Rendu' for the first time though it was in it's dubbed avatar. 

This song has always remained a perennial favorite and I absolutely love the freshness that this song infuses every time you listen to it. You tend to mirage a verdant lushness to it that feels so invigorating and refreshing. The ebbs & flows of Kaapi ragam is handled so delicately and the way the bass breezes through is simply riveting. 

Just attempted a portion of this magical song. This beauty also happens to be one of my most favorite romantic duets rendered by SPB and Janaki/Chitra (former Kannada and latter Tamil). An evergreen number for the ages!.

The Dazzling Damsel - Azhagu Azhage

This song has been written as an ode to describe the captivating beauty of a women. The same can also be depicted for the song in question as it's in every way as breathtaking as a beautiful damsel. The curvy overtures, the subtle nuances, the alternate notations add such a dignified stance that makes you go all awww and admire the piece in it's full splendor. 

This song is difficult to describe with respect to the raga pattern it follows but it utilizes both the gandharams and dhaivatams in such an elevated manner leaving you go all awestruck. The gentle manner in which the song meanders along makes it feel serene and gives such a soothing effect. Though Andhi Mazhai is the torch bearer song of this movie, there is a certain refined elegance to this one that is sure to make you fall in love with it. 

I just attempted a bit of the veena piece that originates in the middle of the interlude giving way to the Charanam and then back to the Pallavi of Azhage Azhagu Devathai. I hope my minimal strive was able to capture a glimpse of the magic that this composition is gloriously dipped all over with.

June and the Music connection!

June is the month when the International Music Day is celebrated which falls exactly on Jun 21st. It also marks the summer solstice and said to be the longest day of the year. In the Tropical Zodiac the month of June consists of both Gemini & Cancer whereas as per the sidereal zodiac it includes the month of Taurus and Gemini coined locally as 'Vaigasi' and 'Aani'. 

From a constellation perspective the Sun traverses the 3 Nakshatras of Rohini, Mrigashira and Arudra during the month of June. Rohini happens to be the Nakshatra of Lord Krishna and everything associated with beauty comes under the ambit of this star and is there anything more beautiful than music? Mrigashira is said to be a soft & tender star and as per muhurtha it's said to be ideal to start learning any new activity like music on this day. Arudra or 'Tiruvadirai' as it's termed in the South is denoted itself by the symbol Veena, hence music and this star tend to blend really well. 

Apart from all the astronomical gazing, taking a cursory glance of some of the finest musicians many of them incidentally happen to be born in the month of June. Some all time favorite names that pop up include Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, SP Balasubramaniyam, Mellisai Mannar MS Viswanathan, Kavignar Kannadasan, Rahul Dev Burman, Madan Mohan, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson etc. Though the Music Day was just chosen to be one of the days in the year, the fact that it's in June seems to bear exemplary significance and relevance. 

The song dedicated for this music month happens to be a partnership of two legends who formed an irreplaceable musician cum lyricist duo churning out some of the most memorable hits from the bygone era. And the one who rendered this number has a repertoire of the greatest ever songs to be sung on celluloid running into plenty of '0000 multiples. And all these 3 legends were born in the month of June - Kannadasan (24th June), MSV (24th June) and SPB (4th June). 

Just tried attempting a small portion of this song. The way swaras alternate adds a diminutive touch giving it an extra zep. This jewel is almost half a century old and still lingers on merrily as ever in it's own dashing style. A truly evergreen number from the golden era of Tamizh cinema.

RDB's honey soaked melody - Pyaar Hua Chupke Se

There are certain songs from Hindi Film Music of the bygone era that I've thoroughly enjoyed and taken a liking. Inevitably a majority of those seemed to be composed by Rahul Dev Burman.

He can be considered a trendsetter with his unique retro style chartbusters not to forget some of his softer songs deeply steeped in soul. RDB also revolutionized hip hop and can be said to be a pioneer in Hindi film music raising the bar many a time.

His last movie 1942 A Love Story was brimmed with such mesmeric compositions that each number will make you want to feel in love with it. Within this oeuvre I chose one of my perennial favorites Pyaar Hua Chupke Se.

Wishing a very Happy Solar Return to the trendsetter of Bollywood - Rahul Dev Burman

A Magnum Opus masterpiece - Poo Malaye Thol Serava

I was introduced to a major part of Maestro's music only much into the 2000s and one of the initial compositions that completely blew me bonkers was Poo Malaye Thol Serava from Pagal Nilavu. All sorts of pyrotechnics were happening and it seemed too unreal to be true.

This song taught me the meaning of counter point and how call & response lines should blend so bewitchingly. It feels like a western symphony smothered with a native element and the output created is nothing short of histrionic. 

Have always been awestruck as to how these counter melodies keep going side by side with the harmony uniting to create such a picture perfect unison. This is song construction at such an astounding level. The song IMO can be used as a typical illustration to teach a finance student the effect of how synergies are construed from the various layers at play. 

Today being World Music Day and all, I just tried attempting the prelude, postlude and interlude of this jaw dropping composition. This was difficult for me personally as it's way beyond my scope as the notes gallop and throttle around all over the place. But the sheer joy of attempting is what makes it worth it at the end of the day. #WorldMusicDay

'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.

Mundhinam Parthen - Feel good romance

There was a phase in time when Harris Jeyaraj used to churn out chartbusters that seemed instantly appealing and alluringly catchy. 'Mundhinam Parthen' from Varanam Ayiram certainly vetoes onto that esteemed category.

The entire song is breezy and also forms an interesting backdrop as part of the movie when an older Suriya narrates all his shenanigans to a younger Suriya to woo his lady love. The depiction also travels back in time to show a retro culture prevalent and gives a picturesque feel good vibe.

Tried attempting a bit of the interlude followed by the high rising middle portion and back to the sweetened nectar bit of the opening that is Mundhinam Parthen. This number is also pretty nostalgic as it attracts plenty of high school feels. Fall in love and take a trip down memory lane with this scorching love dripped melody 'Mundhinam Parthene'.

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)