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Ilaiyaraja before and after 1987.

Topic started by Viswanath S. (@ webgate6.mot.com) on Thu Mar 26 23:55:06 EST 1998.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I have this feeling that there was a marked change (drop ?) in Ilaiyaraja's music sometime in early 1987. And it has not attained that magic ever since. Comments ...

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Viswa (@ webgate0.mot.com) on: Wed Dec 30 21:13:18 EST 1998
  
  Guys,
  Glad to see you guys debating on this topic that I have strong convictions about. But then there are some things that have made me confident that it is not nostalgia that makes me feel so, but something that is more objective (though I can't describe it in words). That is what I meant by abrupt change early on.
  
  My personal opinion is that "EnnuLLE" is not as memorable as "ILamai enum poongAtru", and it is not nostalgia that is making me feel so. For instance, I loved IR's music of the mid 80s more than some songs of the late 70s.
  
  The quality of his BGM may have improved in some sense, but the ability to haunt one has not improved (acc. to me). What I mean is, even though he may be coming up with more sophisticated BGM scores, the scores that he came up with early on were more haunting.
  
  Anyway, I welcome more comments from you all on this....
  
  
• From: kiru(ba) (@ surf0004.sybase.com) on: Thu Dec 31 04:16:55 EST 1998
  
  Sankaran,
  You have some interesting observations about IRs use of percussion. Lot of people here have complained about his over-used, oft-repeated use of tabla. But I have found his tabla to be very fascinating (not that I am the kind of guy who listens to Zakir Hussain, even though I do).
  
  At that time, listening to IR on the AM radio, we surely missed his bass guitar and good tabla work I think.
  Now that I am able to afford better audio systems I am discovering so many instruments in his score. And whatever was just audible is just more enjoyable (like tabla).
  
  (I would never understand why there was not enough interest in the 'Good Music System' thread. I am always updating/tweaking my audio system).
  
  
• From: kiru(ba) (@ surf0004.sybase.com) on: Thu Dec 31 04:18:23 EST 1998
  
  Pre and Post 1978 difference -
  Does it have to do with the fact that he started writing his score down instead of playing it out for his instrumentalists ?
  Or was he doing this all along ??
  
  
• From: tharini (@ spider-wm043.proxy.aol.com) on: Wed May 17 04:26:01 EDT 2000
  
  where can I download the songs from moondram pirai?
  
  
• From: mariasebastian (@ 202.54.39.123) on: Wed May 17 08:45:59 EDT 2000
  
  guys,
  
  acc. to me there is no difference in his comp.better directors with better stories bring the best out of him.for example for fazil,balumahendra,mahendran he always posts hit songs for all of their films.because they have held on to him even in times of crisis.these are
  evergreen melodies.
  
  
• From: NaNbaN (@ schidambaram.ap.bdi.gte.com) on: Wed May 17 15:57:42 EDT 2000
  
  Generally, IR's tune and song sounds really good if he uses real instruments for his orchestration instead of lot of keyboard and techno sounds. His song doesn't seem to glue that well with lot of 'techno' sound and pads, which he is doing very much off late.(I guess, it started with Agninatchathiram). Except for Agnicahthiram (which was amazing) and Anjali to an extent, I find IR's 'techno' songs less appealing compared to his non 'techno' songs.
  
  Partial list of classic non ‘techno’ songs of IR. (Post 90’s)
  
  Sunthari kannal Oru – Thalapathi
  Kanmani Anbodu kathalan – Guna
  Unnai Nan arivain - Guna
  Alla Poll vella Pol - Yejaman
  Nilavae Mugam Kaattu - Yejaman
  Oru Nallum Unnai maravatha – Yejaman
  Samy kitta Solli vaachu - Vinith as a crazy guy(whatz the movie name?)
  Allolam paadi – Vinith as crazy guy
  NathiOrum KadalOrum – Vinith as a crazy guy.
  Muthumani mallai – Chinna Gounder
  Chinna Kille Vanna Kille – Chinna Gounder
  Kuyile Pattu O --- Rajkiran first movie.
  Most Aranmannai-kille songs
  Nenjukullai Ennarunu sonall - Ponnumani
  Kunkumam Manjaluku - Enga Muthalali
  Ennulle Ennulle - Valli
  Santhanam javthu panneer – Valli
  Othaiyela Ninnavaney….Enna mannavanai - Urvasi Sings in a KR film.
  Oru Goondu mani - Avatharam
  Thendral Vanthu thendum - Avatharam
  Aritharatha pusi.... - Avatharam
  Ellorum Sollum pattu – Marupadiyum
  Nalam valla Ennallum - Marupadiyum
  Sree Ranga Ranga nanthanin – Mahandi
  Pongalu Pongalu - Mahandi
  Inthji Edupalagi - Thevar mahan.
  Nee partha paarvai - HeyRam
  Vasantham - HeyRam
  
  I am sure there are lot more to list in this category.
  
  Some of IR’s good ‘techno’ songs in same period.
  
  Sunthari NeeUm Suntharan Nanum – MMKR
  Anbay Nee enna untha Mananoo kannanoo - Pandiyan
  Pattu Poo Poo Ethu pattana Poo pu - Veera
  MalaiKovil vasalil karthikai Deepam – Veera
  Ennai Thalaata varuvala – kaathaluku Mariyathai
  
  This list is short compared to the non-techno category.
  
  Even the techno songs might sound better if it composed with *real* intruments. I strongly feel that might be reason why IR's BGM's are so good anytime. Frankly I haven't disliked any of IR BGM scores.
  Lastly, better directors with better stories bring the best out of him (courtesy: Mariasebastian)
  
  JMO
  NaNbaN
  Sorry for my Tamil typo and any other typo's.
  
  
• From: craM (@ 206.103.12.102) on: Thu May 18 05:58:36 EDT 2000
  
  IR himself said in an interview to ananda vikatan that he has been giving good songs in the 90s, but people were too busy listening to ARR (he didn't say so, but it was obvious).
  though IMHO, IR's 70s and 80s creations are definitely his best, he has given a few good ones even in the late 90s.
  the ones that qualify:
  
  siru koottil - kolangal
  maruthani arachchu - raman abdullah
  muththamizhe - raman abdullah
  all songs - kannukkul nilavu
  ennai thaalaatta - kaathalukku mariyathai
  oru pattampoochchi - ''
  maala en vedhanai - sedhu
  tirunelveli - tirunelveli
  kaadhal neethana - time
  thavikkiren - time
  
  
  
• From: csg (@ 202.144.10.93) on: Thu May 18 07:06:23 EDT 2000
  
  i agree with you cram, even ir has given some good songs in the mid 90's like abborva sagotharargal, some one said that ir uses more of percussion, but my strong feeling that it is because of the directors compulsion.
  
  
• From: S. Narasimhan (@ 210.212.54.10) on: Mon May 22 14:42:40 EDT 2000
  
  The topic in this thread is quite a sensible and really something to ponder over.
  
  It is very true that one can draw a line in the year of 1987 roughly and I would like to put it even earlier, say the time when Man Vaasanai was released.
  
  I really don't know what happened to him after that. From the days his picture started appearing in the posters of movies, I think we lost him as a music director who gave haunting songs.
  
  According to me (I am a HCIRF) there are only very few songs in the post 1987 era which were haunting. I am listing them. If somebody can comeup with any, I would be grateful.
  
  1. Kuyil Paatu Oh Vandhadhena -En Rasavin Manasile
  2. Ooradangum Jaamathiley - Pudupati Ponnuthayi
  3. Kaadhal Kavithaigal Padithidum Neram-Gopura Vasalile
  
  But prior to 1987, God. Most of his songs were with you forever once you have heard them.
  
  Suddenly I am reminded of the song from Metti (a Mahendran Movie), Metti Oli (he sings the song himself). The violin interlude rips you apart with emotion.
  
  He is the greatest we ever had, when it comes to music which haunts you.
  
  With Regards
  Narasimhan
  
  
• From: eden (@ 61.1.250.174) on: Sat May 27 05:39:29 EDT 2000
  
  This `1987' thing has got something to do with the date when the taste shift of the person who started this thread began...has nothing to do with Raja at all.. IMHO... for e.g. please listen to `niRam piriththu' in Time (1999) which has such rich, haunting score typical of Raja...That the prolificity has come down after 1993 or so, that too a little bit, may have much to do with Raja's interests related to, say, his age, no-more-thrill-with-run-of-the-mill-films, promotion of children etc. but please make no mistake about it: his capability and mastery has only improved!
  
  
• From: Vinayakam (@ ) on: Thu Jan 4 12:20:22 EST 2001
  
  I want to know a good site to download IR mp3 songs. There are lots for ARR but i cannot seem to locate any for IR. Please help
  
  
• From: Rags (@ 204.114.255.2) on: Thu Jan 4 12:50:03 EST 2001
  
  well...what i feel is...
  
  following things have gone a long way thru and is more effective in IRs music these days...
  
  1. BGM Scores
  2. Interludes
  
  nowdays...after the advent of ARR Mania...IR has changed from his traditional tabla/violin/flute/ guitar to the electronic instruments...
  
  he is still the same and at times gives everybody the haunting nos...like "engey sellum" in Sethu....
  
  IMO...its just bcos to keep up with the latest trend and advent of elec inst...IR is using it more often to feed the latest gen of music...
  
  everything has a got a period and hoping that when this cycle changes...v can hear the haunting nos once again...
  
  but i personally feel that except for the instrumentation...IR still gives the haunting nos as in the past but not at the same frequency which he used to do those days...may be reduction in number of films he is scoring music be a vital reason for that...
  
  And..Viswanath...its a real good topic...thanx...
  
  
  
• From: S (@ 192.135.244.69) on: Fri Jan 5 03:53:36 EST 2001
  
  interludes are more effective ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
  
  i wish to differ there...
  
  
• From: rags (@ 204.114.255.2) on: Wed Jan 10 09:03:35 EST 2001
  
  well..man...listen to songs..dont give blunt opinions....
  
  even the absolute latest has got haunting interludes....
  
  1. thendral - friends
  2. manjal poosum - friends
  3. kuyillukku - friends
  4. malayin - sethu
  5. enge sellum - sethu
  6. ethilum - barathi
  7. nirpathuvey - barathi
  8. kellada - barathi
  9. mayil polla - barathi
  10. isai yil - hey ram
  11. nee partha - hey ram
  
  i can give u a list which will go on n on n on......
  
  
  
• From: deva fan (@ 12.20.190.1) on: Wed Jan 10 11:47:24 EST 2001
  
  all these songs are nothing compared to aNNa nagar ANdALu
  
  
• From: Saravana (@ ) on: Tue Mar 5 03:58:59 EST 2002
  
  guys,
  
  I want "Manjal Poosum..." song from "Friends".
  
  Saravana
  
  

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