Silent Night...Holy Night...

"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!