"Silent night, Holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Saviour, is born!
Christ the Saviour, is born!"
Its almost 24 hours since Xmas day passed and I am a little late in putting this up here. But the blame goes to Jim Reeves and Boney M. Yes, I ushered in Christmas with Carols sung by these 2 legends and for once I didn't miss going to the church for the midnight mass this year.
In the last few years, I have had the good fortune to visit churches quite frequently, thanks to my friends in Bangalore. For me a visit to the church for a mass is synonymous with music. I have always been enchanted by the Choir, the Hymns and the Prayers. After all, music as a means to reach out to the divine is an age old concept in our country, isn't it?
To reach out to the divine through music is one thing. Instances are abundant. Saint Thyagaraja, AaNdaaL Naachiyaar, Maanicka Vaachagar and the list goes on. But there is this man, who through his music has reached out to an entire generation of music lovers, to the extent that he is treated no less than god by a sizeable population of his fans. Irrespective of what one feels, he is undoubtedly blessed and so are we, to be born in an era of such greatness. The one and only Maestro Isaignaani ILaiyaraaja!
"Unaroo" is a 1984 MalayaLam film directed by Mani Rathnam starring Mohanlal and Deepa (aka Unni Mary). This only direct Malayalam movie that Mani Rathnam directed, dealt with trade unions and labour party issues in Kerala.
The song that I wish to share is sung by "Gaana Gandharvan" Dr.Kattassery Joseph Yesudas. The song starts with a jazzy saxophone followed by a peppy humming by Dr.Yesudas. The sax now picks up the pep and leads us to the rendering of "VeLaankanni PaLLiyilae Kanni ThirunaaLu".
Towards the end of the Pallavi the chorus pitches in wishing 'Mary's Little Boy Child' a Happy Birthday! The guitar and the saxophone interwine in the first interlude as we rejoice the birth of the king.
The CharaNam is pure bliss. The fun continues with Dr.Yesudas singing "PaavanangiLi PoovanangiLi" which is repeated by the chorale. In the second interlude, the tabla and the Gada Singaari beats give way to the flute that belts out a fabulous folkish melody. The celebration continues with the yummy second charanam that goes, "Thaen Ozhuganam, Paal Ozhuganam, Paayasam Venam".
The bells chime, the angels sing and the celebrations continue into the wee hours as it is joy to this world!
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh"
Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season!
Listen to it here!
26 December 2009
24 December 2009
ஞாபகம் வருதே! ஞாபகம் வருதே!
"Memory" in psychology is "an organism's ability to store, retain and recall information". (Thanks Wikipedia!)
I referred the wikipedia page thrice atleast before I wrote the above properly. (Ability to store, retain and recall! huh!!). But I have this uncanny ability to remember names and phone numbers (no one asks me any definitions these days!).
'To Memorize' (Dabba adikkaradhu-nnu solluvaangale) has always been an integral part of our educational system, irrespective of whether one understood the essence of what he/she is studying (rather 'reading' in most cases).
I vividly remember my elder brother trying to memorize the Silappadhigaaram poem (தேரா மன்னா செப்புவதுடையேன்!) during his 10th standard (Thamizh was not his most favorite subject then). I used to pick up those poems quite effortlessly and as a matter of fact remember that till date. (Its a different story that his grades were always better than mine. He scored good marks in all other subjects unlike me!).
In 2005, Blessy adapted a short story by Director Padmarajan and made Thanmaathra, a movie that depicted the effects of Alzheimer's on an individual and his family. The movie starred Mohanlal (in a stellar and what I consider his best performance till date), Nedumudi Venu and Meera Vasudevan. The short story was aptly titled 'Orma'.
The same year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali made 'Black', starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Ayesha Kapoor, that also dealt with Alzheimer's.
Both movies had great performances, but somehow the former has managed to stay closer to my heart for a stupendously realistic portrayal of the sufferings of a middle aged man who aspires and prepares his son (with emphasis on memory techniques) for the administrative services exams. Needless to say, it is one of my all time favorite movies.
So what?? Yes, I 'remember' that this post is supposed to be about Raaja's music. Ormai undu! :)
Hence without much ado (ennadhu?) let me divulge the song. It is "OrmagaLaai Koode Varoo" (Idhukkuthaanaa!!) from Oomakkuyil, starring YG Mahendran and Poornima Jayaram (Bhagyaraj). I had earlier posted the song "Thaazhampoo ThaaLil" from the same movie. This movie as many might know is the remake of Kokila, which was subsequently remade in Hindi as "Aur Ek Prem Kahani" starring Ramesh Arvind and Heera.
A beautiful duet by KJ Yesudas and S.Janaki, this song depicts the heroine reminiscing the beautiful days she shared with her beloved (who was a paying guest in her house), after he absconds and all efforts to trace him remain futile.
Picturized in typical Balu Mahendra style, the Piano at the very beginning coupled with the strings, capture the girl's misery simultaneously transporting the listener to the flashback portion. The violin conversations in the prelude say it all!
The flute makes a brief and beautiful entry, in the first interlude dominated by the guitar. The charaNams take a splendid turn at the phrase, 'snehikkyuvaanaai' to complete the cycle. awesome stuff! Yesudas and Janaki are at their best, as always.
Great Composition! Happy Listening!
Listen to it here!
Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWeXKRrcvUc
I referred the wikipedia page thrice atleast before I wrote the above properly. (Ability to store, retain and recall! huh!!). But I have this uncanny ability to remember names and phone numbers (no one asks me any definitions these days!).
'To Memorize' (Dabba adikkaradhu-nnu solluvaangale) has always been an integral part of our educational system, irrespective of whether one understood the essence of what he/she is studying (rather 'reading' in most cases).
I vividly remember my elder brother trying to memorize the Silappadhigaaram poem (தேரா மன்னா செப்புவதுடையேன்!) during his 10th standard (Thamizh was not his most favorite subject then). I used to pick up those poems quite effortlessly and as a matter of fact remember that till date. (Its a different story that his grades were always better than mine. He scored good marks in all other subjects unlike me!).
In 2005, Blessy adapted a short story by Director Padmarajan and made Thanmaathra, a movie that depicted the effects of Alzheimer's on an individual and his family. The movie starred Mohanlal (in a stellar and what I consider his best performance till date), Nedumudi Venu and Meera Vasudevan. The short story was aptly titled 'Orma'.
The same year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali made 'Black', starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Ayesha Kapoor, that also dealt with Alzheimer's.
Both movies had great performances, but somehow the former has managed to stay closer to my heart for a stupendously realistic portrayal of the sufferings of a middle aged man who aspires and prepares his son (with emphasis on memory techniques) for the administrative services exams. Needless to say, it is one of my all time favorite movies.
So what?? Yes, I 'remember' that this post is supposed to be about Raaja's music. Ormai undu! :)
Hence without much ado (ennadhu?) let me divulge the song. It is "OrmagaLaai Koode Varoo" (Idhukkuthaanaa!!) from Oomakkuyil, starring YG Mahendran and Poornima Jayaram (Bhagyaraj). I had earlier posted the song "Thaazhampoo ThaaLil" from the same movie. This movie as many might know is the remake of Kokila, which was subsequently remade in Hindi as "Aur Ek Prem Kahani" starring Ramesh Arvind and Heera.
A beautiful duet by KJ Yesudas and S.Janaki, this song depicts the heroine reminiscing the beautiful days she shared with her beloved (who was a paying guest in her house), after he absconds and all efforts to trace him remain futile.
Picturized in typical Balu Mahendra style, the Piano at the very beginning coupled with the strings, capture the girl's misery simultaneously transporting the listener to the flashback portion. The violin conversations in the prelude say it all!
The flute makes a brief and beautiful entry, in the first interlude dominated by the guitar. The charaNams take a splendid turn at the phrase, 'snehikkyuvaanaai' to complete the cycle. awesome stuff! Yesudas and Janaki are at their best, as always.
Great Composition! Happy Listening!
Listen to it here!
Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWeXKRrcvUc
05 December 2009
PAA PAA pa pa PAA!!
2 (or more) reasons why you should watch Paa!
1. The Shahenshah: The Big B is amazing and adorable as 'Auro' and every accolade going his way is well deserved. Period.
2. The Raaja: There is a writing on Auro's wall that says "Behind every monkey there is a man called Auro". And behind Auro is the great Raaja! This is one background score I enjoyed thoroughly and loved to bits after Naan Kadavul. The background score is this movies biggest strength (apart from Auro, of course).
and the few more..
3. Balki: Great Job! Neat screenplay devoid of the cliche's (Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu...?!). Deserves a special bouquet for his visualization and execution of Auro. Superb dialogues!
4. Near Perfect Casting: Vidya Balan is outstanding (and looks quite ravishing in the flashback portions :p) and is brilliantly supported by AB Jr., Arundathi 'Bum' Nag and Paresh Rawal (in an extended cameo). Auro's friends are as adorable as Auro himself.
5. Technically Good: Kudos to PC Sreeram and Anil Naidu (editor) for their lovely work.
Could anything have been better??
- The Doordarshan episode I thought could have been a li'l better.
- The Delhi Metro train as a location and the bond Amol develops for Auro in a matter of days was a bit puzzling to me.
For Raaja fans: You have to be content with the full version of 'Gumm Summ' (and 'Hichki' to an extent) in the Audio CD. I am not complaining!
My Verdict: Watch it for the 'Shahenshah' and the 'Raaja'! (you will discover 'the few more' on the way..)
Its more of a "Mom-Son-Daughter-Mom" relationship that you end up watching!
[P.S. I am an ardent ILaiyaraaja fan.But my comments about the music above are honest words and not biased in any way :)]
03 December 2009
வானத்துத் தாரகைகள்!
நாள்தோறும்,
மாலை வந்ததும்,
வான வீதியில்,
நிலவுத் தெருவிளக்கின் கீழ்,
மேக ஊர்தியில் வரும் எந்த ஆடவனை
கண்ணடித்து அழைக்கின்றனவோ?!
இந்தச் சிங்கார
வானத்துத் தாரகைகள்!
மாலை வந்ததும்,
வான வீதியில்,
நிலவுத் தெருவிளக்கின் கீழ்,
மேக ஊர்தியில் வரும் எந்த ஆடவனை
கண்ணடித்து அழைக்கின்றனவோ?!
இந்தச் சிங்கார
வானத்துத் தாரகைகள்!
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