Addiction...on its way!

An addiction according to the english lexicon can either be positive or negative. A positive addiction is one that enables a beneficial habit, that outweighs the cost involved.

Music to me is a positive addiction. 'Addiction' because invariably there is something or the other playing in my system or in my 'system'. The positivity aspect is something that every music fan can relate to and I believe needs no elaboration. Trust me, this habit invariably outweighs the cost involved.

Language has never been a barrier to me when it comes to choice of music. I enjoy anything and everything, whether it is MalayaLam, Goan, Telugu or Kannada, as far as there is 'music' in there. As a matter of fact, I never knew a word of Hindi, leave alone Urdu, when I first got addicted to the music of 'Shahenshah-e-Qawwali' Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sa'ab.

Of late I have been exploring a lot of MalayaLam film music. MFM has been a favorite ground for Maestro ILaiyaraaja and more often than not he has been in swashbuckling form here (a la VVS Laxman at the Eden Gardens). The song I plan to share today is as magnificient as VVS' 281, one that is quite classy and stylish too.

Guru (1997) directed by Rajeev Anchal, starring Mohanlal and Kaveri, had some amazing compositions from the Maestro viz., Aruna Kirana Deepam and Deva Sangeetham Neeyalle, which are immensely popular too. For a long time I believed that these are the only 2 songs in that album (I have not seen the film yet) until, in 2007 I chanced upon a collection of Raaja's MalayaLam compositions titled 'Deva Sangeetham' (how apt!) that contained all the songs from this film.

"Minnaaram Maanaththu Mazhavillodinjallo" sung by Sujatha is an irresistible piece of work that triggered another round of the now familiar positive addiction. This song is not so popular even among the hardcore MalayaLam music followers that I have met.

It all starts with the guitar in the prelude that leads to a refreshing Santoor bit. The rhythm section make a seamless entry and the violins playout a scintillating melody before a brief rhythmic pause. What ensues is a spell binding treat in Sujatha's honey fresh voice ably supported by a equally vocal bass guitar. I suggest you grab your headphones to make the most of this bass guitar marvel.

The first interlude is melody personified with the violins and the flute. From the lyrics (as much as I can understand) it appears to be a song glorifying mother nature and its pristine beauty. Watch out towards the end of the charanam. Is that the bass guitar that plays that Mandolin like sound? Awesome!

The Veena and the violins engage in a conversation mediated by the guitar in the second interlude before the flute passes the baton back to Sujatha and the bass guitar... and the feast continues.

I have read somewhere Sujatha stating that this is her favourite song. I am not surprised!

The addiction begins here...



I am not sure if this song was picturized as I have never seen a video of this song anywhere. If you know of one, please pass it on.
Got the answer..
Here is the video link to Minnaaram Maanaththu….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaET21Mv1IY&feature=related
Cheers!