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Malaysian Deepavali Show - RAJANNA RAJA THAAN - From Annakkili to Azhagi

Topic started by Manisekaran (@ 202.156.2.8) on Sun Nov 7 05:23:27 EST 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Last year I did a show on Ilayaraja for Deepavali. IT was so great a hit that the ASTRO Private TV Station is repeating on 9 NOvember at 4.00 pm Malaysian time. This is called RAJANNA RAJATHAAN- covering 25 years of Raja's music contribution. From Annakkili to Azhagi. A great hit. If you can, pls do catch it. You can post your comments on the show here, and I'll respond to them.
Thanks.

Archive of the older songs: http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/f13.html .
If you want to post comments on older songs, pls go to this archive. There you'll find the previous songs/episodes indexed as separate threads. Post your comments on the appropriate thread.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: RRA (@ 203.199.213.4) on: Tue Dec 7 22:08:46 EST 2004
  
  senthilv: Reg. "Ninaivo Oru", the charanam tune is similar to that of an old song, I think from the movie "Subhadinam". Radio Ceylon played the two songs one after the other in one of their programs.
  RRA
  
  
• From: RR (@ 192.122.134.249) on: Tue Dec 7 22:43:50 EST 2004
  
  Senthil: I've linked it directly in your writeup.
  

• From: SN (@ 220.227.179.5) on: Tue Dec 7 23:57:38 EST 2004
  
  Senthil, great narration about the song seq. I thoroughly enjoyed. You are adding lot of colours and flavours to this great thread anchored by Manisekaran.
  
  Eagerly waiting for more interesting notes :)
  
  
• From: G.Ragavan (@ 61.16.168.141) on: Wed Dec 8 01:11:05 EST 2004
  
  Vijay Wrote
  >>Manisekaran, I am requesting this again, but if you have any info on the rationale which IR adopted in choosing singers like Jency, Deepan, S.N. Surendar, MV etc please let me know. Also as to why Uma R always got the choicest of tunes despite being no more than a decent light music troupe singer. These are some things that have baffled me.Was it because he just wanted to introduce fresh voices?( just like how we had a spate of fresh voices in the mid-90s when a new trend set in)
  
  Hi Vijay,
  
  I feel IR knows more about music and choosing the singers for any particular tune than us. And Uma Ramanan is a wonderful singer and obviously she too has restrictions like any other singer in world. I wish better way of addressing singers and their capabilities.
  
  Thanks,
  Ragavan
  
  
• From: Jaiganesh (@ 203.101.103.2) on: Wed Dec 8 05:36:49 EST 2004
  
  Hi!
  I thought IR always went for Uma Ramanan, whenever the character of the heroine was docile, and soft spoken. Songs that come to my mind are "Manjal Veyyil" in nandu and "Poongadhave " in nizhalgal.
  
  Thanks,
  Jaiganesh
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.16.25.50) on: Wed Dec 8 09:40:46 EST 2004
  
  G.Ragavan, Uma Ramanan is an average singer at best. SJ, Chithra, PS and even VJ were lightyears ahead of her. Anyways, thats my opinion and if you happen to be a UmaR fan you can stop reading my posts :-)
  
  
• From: BarathiRajaBakthan (@ 143.115.159.56) on: Wed Dec 8 12:09:14 EST 2004
  
  Senthilv's interpretation to the songs are totally half baked.I am working with Iyakunar Imayam since Nadodi Thenral and i know exactly the protocol he follows in picturising the songs.He is one among the very few gifted directors, who has got an extrordinary imagination.MD's has got very less to improvise, since our Director brings the whole picture infront of them when he explains the scene.All they need to do is to justify his picturisation.He follows a pattern of blending the characters with nature.Those claps in sevvandhi poomudicha sinnakka has got nothing to do with the slaps.If you notice, in most of his movies the claps will play a major role.For instance in Alaigal Oyvathillai, Aayiram thamarai mottukale starts with claps and then elevated by mirudhangam.The claps portray "AAyiram Thamarai mottukal" -- kottum anandha kummi, not that Radha slapped Karthik.Also to say that "Indha mottukal viriya, Devadhaikgal ezhuppum kai oosai".In Mudhal Mariyaadhai, when the title card is displayed you can listen to the claps.This is to announce the starting.As you all know in film making, we use to start a scence using the clap board.FYI, more instances of claps in our Director's work:
  In Puthumai penn, Kasthoori Maane song starts with claps. In Manvaasanai, the song Anandha Thensindhum poonjolaye has an interlude filled with claps.In Super star's kodi parakuthu , "Kadhal ennai kadhalikka villai" had claps when he concludes "I LOVE YOU".So Claps are just a signature of our Director, not as u interpreted.
  
  Ninaivo Oru paravai, an interesting song.Perfect song to stage Kamal as a playback singer.Again a total misinterpretation(Sridevi's imaginary world and real world) by Mr.sentilv.Sridevi is shown as an average girl with lots of love towards her husband.Even as a psychopathic killer, Kamal loves Sridevi with all his heart.He just want's to forget all the pain that he has gone through.In his thoughts now he has only his wife and the life ahead of him.Puyal kadandha boomiyil, Por mudintha amaithiyil, aanandham meendum vandhal, nam ninaivu siraku mulaithu parakum allava.Its nothing but "Iru Jeevangal aanandha kalavi kolluvadhai sollum paadal".Moreover this song,eases the audiance to get them ready for all the villainy going to be performed by Kamal after that.Both Raja's made sure that there should not be any traces of the forthcoming tragedy to be felt in that song.
  
  Our director always reveals the human emotions blend with nature.Love can be termed as a spontaenous overflow of feelings as Shakespeare always mention.Athaye engal iyakunar madai thirnadhu payum vellamaga kaatuvar(Ofcourse, elevated by Isignani with violin bits).Pen poopadaivathai malar malarvathu polavum(16 vayathinile) Pen thaimai adaivathai , karmegam thirandu mazhai thoova, am mazhai mannil vizhuvadhu polum kaatuvaar(Kizhakku Cheemaiyile).Even a magazine(IDhayam) will play a character in his movies(Pudhiya Vaarpugal).
  
  These kind of works can't be degraded by a sub standard interpretation.People are getting Phd's researching the works of Isaignani and Iyakunar Imayam.
  
  
  
• From: Genesis (@ 136.2.1.101) on: Wed Dec 8 13:10:12 EST 2004
  
  Mr.Bhakthan seems to be new guy here. Please forgive him.
  
  
• From: BarathiRajaBakthan (@ 143.115.159.56) on: Wed Dec 8 13:39:25 EST 2004
  
  Genesis, i'm not here to create ripples. I have freedom and substance to express my views.I'm offended by senthilv's immatured interpretation on the greatest works by the legends.I felt its my responsibility to correct him.
  
  
• From: senthilv.com (@ 69.148.82.103) on: Wed Dec 8 14:04:09 EST 2004
  
  BarathiRajaBakthan, Thanks for the post.
  
  First, I've lot of respect for Director Bharathiraja. IMO, 16 Vayathinile is one of greatest Tamil film of all time.
  
  Some clarification:
  
  1) My commentaries are a musical interpretation of the underlying film situation and not a visual interpretation of the music. While I'm definitely stepping into Raaja's domain, I'm not in anyway stepping on Bharathiraaja's (BR) toes. I've no clue of BR's description to Raaja. So, I try to guess that collective inspiration from the music. I'm not directing the music.
  
  2) These commentaries are strictly my own interpretations. I�m not claiming to know Raaja's composing techniques or BR's directorial techniques. I'm not evaluating the quality of their work either. I�m just commenting. Of course, I can be totally wrong! As I said in the first post, I�m bound to make mistakes and some wild speculation. If you think I�m wrong, please feel free to point out the mistakes. I�ll be happy to be wrong ;;)
  
  3) While music itself is very well analyzed in this forum its connection with film situation was not discussed much. So, I�m sharing my thoughts on it.
  
  Interesting you bring up the clap in �AAyiram Thamarai mottukal�E They also stand for *celebration* of lover�s union which is the theme of the song (Similar in idea to the clap in �Sevvanthi poo mudicha sinnaka�E A simple clap has different meaning in different context/situation. You�re trying to see it out of the context/situation. A motif without a meaning has no place in art (Commercial art too!)
  
  ----Pen poopadaivathai malar malarvathu polavum(16 vayathinile) Pen thaimai adaivathai , karmegam thirandu mazhai thoova, am mazhai mannil vizhuvadhu polum kaatuvaar(Kizhakku Cheemaiyile).----
  
  You point out the symbolism used by BR but fail to grasp the musical symbolism used by Raaja.
  
  ---Moreover this song,eases the audiance to get them ready for all the villainy going to be performed by Kamal after that.Both Raja's made sure that there should not be any traces of the forthcoming tragedy to be felt in that song.�E
  
  I stated this point in my interpretation. You�re looking from audience point of view and I�m looking from character point of view.
  
  At the point of song, you don�t know kamal�s real intentions, his real love of Sridevi is revealed as the film progresses towards the end of film. My interpretation of the song little based on the psychoanalysis of the characters and the composition of the songs. If I�m wrong please explain why a counterpoint melody is used there. Thanks.
  
  Just because I do something does not mean I know EXACTLY what I�m doing. That includes you, me, Raja and BR.
  
  The beauty of a good film or for that matter any good art is, it is open to different interpretations.
  
  Hope to hear more.
  
  
• From: eden (@ 136.2.1.153) on: Wed Dec 8 14:04:17 EST 2004
  
  BRB, why BR left out a great treasure like `putham pudhukkAlai' from picturisation? IMHO, that song is in the top 10 of IR songs for BR films...(my top 10 are as below -not necessarily in that order):
  
  1. idhu oru pon mAlaippozhudhu
  2. sendhoorappoovE
  3. putham pudhukkalai
  4. poongathavE thAzh thiRavAi
  5. poongAtRu thirumbumA (the best picturised song ever by BR, IMHO)
  6. vetti vEru vAsam (a song complete in all respects)
  7. kodiyilE, malligappoo (most emotional song for a BR movie ever, IMHO, especially the second interlude melts me)
  8. thamthana namthana thALam varum
  9. Ayiram thAmarai mottukkaLE
  10. kAdhal Oviyam, pAdum kAviyam
  
  I forced myself to leave out great songs like madai thiRandhu, Ayiram malargaLE etc. because for some reason, the songs of the list above appear extremely brilliant compositions...
  
  
• From: kiru (@ 192.138.150.249) on: Wed Dec 8 14:08:18 EST 2004
  
  BarathiRajaBakthan,
  You have the right to express whatever you have, but the way you express it is important. Politeness. man, Politness. kanivu very very important.
  It is all Senthil's interpretation, he probably does not have the insider information like you have. It is possible the director himself may not have intended that way, but works of art, are free to be interpreted in any way by an appreciative audience. Senthil, has clearly, described how counterpoints are used by IR. I myself have observed for eg. in one bgm for a fight scene, the foregroud fight music is backed by a sad string section (to show the heroine is being raped while the fight is going on). In ooradangum samathilE, the strings play just like 'kaathu pOla' as in the lyrics. Most of Senthil's interpretation are not farfetched and highly plausible.
  
  BTW, To me it is very clear, IR wants to portray the two characters are in their own world. Also, I think, IR, hints at the upcoming doom in the first interlude. The heavy percussion is a contrast in a placid song and that too is followed by tumultous strings.
  Please understand you are not the only fan of bharathiRaja, many of us here are. whether bharathiraja or ilaiyaraja we are aware of shortcomings/minuses but this thread is about appreciating the postives/landmarks of one composer. So please help in maintaining a positive tone in this thread.
  
  Folks ..actually this is what I wanted to write earlier.
  
  mani maniyaana posts from mani sir :-). Mani and RR have managed to create much positive energy in newtfmpage with this thread. Mani's posts are a lesson in writing. He touches upon all the major aspects of a song, whether it is the background information, new musical technique or lyrics. This provides cues for enthusiasts and specialists like, Senthil, to follow upon. If he is the main melody, people like Senthil, are playing nice counterpoints, harmony with it and friends like eden et. all are doing the fills. And music fans like me who enjoy polyphonic music are enjoying the thread. (Ofcourse, I would like to ignore some discordant notes, just like I enjoy certain songs even when recorded badly).
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.16.25.50) on: Wed Dec 8 15:19:12 EST 2004
  
  "BRB, why BR left out a great treasure like `putham pudhukkAlai' from picturisation? IMHO, that song is in the top 10 of IR songs for BR films."
  
  Its not just that one song. The great "Iyakkunar Imayam" made a habit of leaving out good songs from the film like "dhooraththil naan kanda", "oru kaNam oru yugamaaga" "raasave unna nambi", "malargaLe nadhaswarangaL" etc. Maybe his bhakthan here could explain :-)
  
  

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