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IR's interview on Sun TV

Topic started by Hari Prasad A (@ dail.pppmad.vsnl.net.in) on Wed Jan 26 12:38:51 EST 2000.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Sun Tvyil Ilayaraajavin interview paarthen. About the music, in His own words, " Indhiya thirai isai ulaga varalaatrile migapperiya thuvakkam, idhai pola yaarum panniyadhum illai, pannapovadhum illai" enru solli irukkkirar. Eppadi irukka poginradhu endru ninaithaale manadhil nadukkam pirakkindradhu...

The BGM, as we all know, has been played by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra. IR talked proudly about how much He enjoyed working with them, and how the conductor appreciated His work. He talked about how this was the first time a symphony orchestra has played for a film in Indian history, and how superior he felt the quality of sound and feel would be.

Later, He became sentimental about how people in India do not respect the artists we have. He felt really sad that while every small town in Europe had a symphony orchestra, there was nothing here.. One could detect even a touch of anger, when He said - " Bombayil Tata Opera Hall katti irukkanga. Yaaru vasikkappora? Adhukkum velinaattu aalungala dhan kooppiduveenga... Yenna maadhiri aalunga ellam edhukku irukkirom? naan oru film music director, yennaala symphony orchestrakkaga ellam ezhudha mudiyadhu paarunga..."

I am dying to see and listen to the movie ....

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: AthiNarayanan (@ 1cust251.tnt12.chi5.da.uu.net) on: Fri Jan 28 00:09:13 EST 2000
  
  SK,
  
  Thanks for the interview.It was wonderful time listening to his voice and the clarity in his thought is amazing.
  
  Geniuses like him should compose albums for patriotic themes instead of people who are good at Nursery Rhymes.
  
  Thanks,
  Athi
  
  
• From: Neels (@ ppp-203-197-9-141.bom.vsnl.net.in) on: Fri Jan 28 02:11:13 EST 2000
  
  Srikkanth,
  You're right. On one hand he says we should speak and sing in Tamil and preserve our culture. On the other hand he wonders why there's no support from the Governments for promoting Western Classical Music. He laments the fact that he has to go all the way to Hungary to record with a symphony orchestra and that there are no efforts to develop orchestras in the state or the country for that matter.
  Though both his points are understandable, they do contradict each other.
  Probably what he wanted to say was that Classical music, be it western or Indian needs to be promoted and youngsters need to explore its wealth.
  
  He did mention that the new opera hall in Bombay has performances by western orchestras. May be somebody should initiate a performance in the above theatre, of his now famous score for HeyRam (1.5 hours of WC music) recorded in Hungary, with the same philharmonic orchestra.
  Are you listening Mr. Kamal Haasan?
  This will definitely help introduce this genius to the ignorant North Indian population.
  
  Neels
  
  
• From: STS (@ nas-99-49.stockton.navinet.net) on: Fri Jan 28 02:35:51 EST 2000
  
  Neels,
  
  IR does not any introduction to North India. Anand-Milind, Anu Malik does PRO work for him there apart from his own music direction. Probably you may need an introduction. Just kidding.
  
  STS
  
  
• From: Subbiah (@ 202.54.34.82) on: Fri Jan 28 03:53:37 EST 2000
  
  Thanks to SK for uploading the interview.
  
  1. Yes. IR sounded very assertive (not arrogant). But, Thiramai UllaVargal Idathil Garvam Konjam Irunthaal Athuvum Oru Azhagu thaanae !!
  
  2. Like LS / Yesudas, if IR moves out of India - probably to London, I think he can do lot of WC composing. Definitely India is not going to use his talents. Atleast the europeans will play his compositions forever.
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Neels (@ ppp-203-197-9-141.bom.vsnl.net.in) on: Fri Jan 28 07:42:21 EST 2000
  
  STS...
  I have always regretted the fact (it's a fact, believe me!) that IR never got ANY recognition from The North. Agree the Anand-Milinds and Kalyanji-Anandjis (remember 'Nile Nile Ambar Par'- a rip off on 'Ilaya Nila', in 'Kalaakar', the Hindi remake of 'Payanangal Mudivathillai'?) have capitalised on his enormous talent. But how many people out there know this fact? 'Dhak Dhak Karne laga' is still considered a modern 'classic'. How many people recognised the original composer when the same song appeared in the Hindi dubbed version of the Telugu hit 'Jakadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari'?
  How many of them know that down South, Raja's photograph on a poster will draw the crowds into the movie halls?
  IR has never gone out of his way to do more Hindi films, something I wished he did in the Eighties. A Sadma, and low-profile dubbed versions like Appu Raja, Anjali, Dalapati and some non-significant flicks like Kaamagni and Mahasangram didn't help establish himself out there. If only they had retained IR in the Hindi remakes of Chinna Thambi, Agni Nakshatram and Geetanjali(Telugu), I am sure the music-starved North would have lapped it all up, the Southie-bias notwithstanding. (And ingrate parasites like Anand-Milind will not have enjoyed such mega success!!!) A fact that's proven by ARR. Thanks to ARR and the channel boom, we have the Northies feasting on the 'different', quality sound something the AMs and AMs couldn't provide.
  Which is why I maintain that IR needs a REAL GOOD INTRODUCTION to the 'ignorant' North.
  
  Neels
  
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.22.112) on: Fri Jan 28 10:41:40 EST 2000
  
  KJY could move out because there is none other than the family which is dependent on him. But in case of IR, a big troupe is dependent on him. Moving out is ruled out, I think.
  
  
• From: kiru (@ surf0004.sybase.com) on: Fri Jan 28 13:52:29 EST 2000
  
  Srinath,
  IR will surely make a good professor or researcher. He is more westernised than any of us, in the sense, that he is very systematic in the way he goes about his work. I kind of equate being systematic, and applying standard processes and procedures to western culture. (People can contradict me on this). Compare this with the rest of the folks in the movie industry. It will be obvious IR is a PROFESSIONAL. Also note, his admiration for Kamal for his planned script.
  He is surely proud of his abilities. But I dont see any contradiction in him wanting a Orchestra in every district. I am not musically savvy, cant we play Indian music using written notation ?? We'll lose the gamakam and brighas ??
  I think it is impossible for us folks to have a single musical orchestra even for a small town. Everybody wants to start their own group and be the boss. I think this is something cultural and a negative one. I also find fault with IR for not using his financial muscle to start something to popularise WCM. Maybe I am not aware of this side of him, if he has attempted something
  
  
• From: Debater (@ anubis.sabre.net) on: Fri Jan 28 19:20:39 EST 2000
  
  IR and his pipedreams. WCM is the culture of the West. Why would anyone in India (in their sane mind) establish dedicated symphony halls in every district? Firstly, there are not enough people who come and sit through a Carnatic Kacheri (read OUR Culture), so it makes no sense in what Raja is talking.
  Secondly, in the interview he mentioned about how dedicated and disciplined the WCM artistes are..etc. Arent Carnatic/Hindustani musicians disciplined if not better than WCMusicians?
  Raja compares pop music as plastic and talks highly of WCM. Would he place such high regard for Carnatic music as compared to say folk music? I doubt it..
  
  Fine, he is a genius. A non-western guy composing WCM with such ease is definetly a mark of a genius, but at the same time, he needs to talk a little more highly of our culture (Carnatic/Hindustani - which are as rigorous and disciplined)
  
  Any takers?
  
  
• From: Naveen (@ rocib104-13.splitrock.net) on: Fri Jan 28 20:04:58 EST 2000
  
  Debater,
  
  In our music there is some flexibility. like, as long as we stick on to the raga it is fine.. Mostly the attention is given to one expert who can sing or play instrument in his own style. (concentrating mostly on the melody) In Western Classical Music, harmony plays a very important role. and also each note has to be played exactly as in the score. The symphony orchestra guys have to have very good discipline. And definitely European people have that. They play as if you have programmed music in the computer. at the same time they can give life to each note (thats what IR mentioned) They hardly make any mistake.
  A person who is interested in a particular field likes to bring that up. there is nothing wrong in saying that he likes to have symphony orchestra everywhere in Tamilnadu. How many of you know about TCO (Tirunelvelli Chamber Orchestra)? may look funny!!! but this orchestra has been playing western classical music for so many years. They play string quartets, Concertos, any solo, usually combine with Trivandram choir and have given many TV programs.
  IR has given lot of importance to carnatic in film music. But he is very much interested in WCM too. There are so many complicated stuff (like carnatic) has to be learnt in WCM. Thats the reason IR admires it.
  
  Naveen.
  
  
• From: STS (@ firewall.baan.com) on: Fri Jan 28 21:12:26 EST 2000
  
  I believe nothing can beat Carnatic music. Many of our cultural things are not popular because it is too complicated or too much disciplined. I think IR compares the western orchestra with those music players of his own troupe not with our Carnatic musicians. Carnatic = Discipline. There is no doubt. I think what IR feels is that if you want to be noticed at international level then symphony BGM is a sort of must for our films.
  Atleast thats what I guess
  
  STS
  
  
• From: Ramaswamy.K (@ codc-proxy.cisco.com) on: Sat Jan 29 00:57:28 EST 2000
  
  Carnatic = Discipline When ? Not Now, Only during days of the Trinity. People now in the name of popularising Carnatic Music are making world tours like Mickel Jacson and are rendering music with all cosmetics and makeup. Now music is only meant for money for our carnatic musicians. They will voilate everything for the sake of money. Dont ever compare them with Western classical Players.
  Discipline also means good character and conduct.
  There's nothing out here. People will sing Rama and Krishna in the stage and involve all sorts of Ego wars in the background. Getting the stalwarts together has become millinieum event at the music academy. These group of people who just know a few krithis and dont possess any qualfication call themselves as Vidwans and you are comparing these people with a symphonic orchestra player who has to slog it out to get a grade.
  
  Carnatic musicians today stand as a typical example of hypocracy and snobery in our society. They spread Bakthi at the stage and do all manipulations behind it. Talk to a Sabha Secretary he will tell you more on Who's Who.
  
  Please dont compare our muscians with a Symphonic orchestra player.
  
  
• From: Subbiah (@ 202.54.34.82) on: Sat Jan 29 06:03:41 EST 2000
  
  Thanks for some serious music talk. That is a good beginning for this thread.
  
  Basically I think - the major difference between an WCM orchestra and Carnatic/Hindustani music is the ability to excel in teamwork. Definitely WCM Orchestra needs all the players to perform in sync - which needs more discipline that CM/HM.
  
  In CM/HM , the discipline being talked (by some people here) is about the way the sole performer (or two people in duet) adheres to the norms/rules of the tradition.
  
  Teamwork in CM/HM is generally not upto the mark. eg. all most all mridangam players are left in the lurch without knowing what to do when the singer starts the 'manodharma' swaras. They just end up playing the Nadai. Nothing prevents the singer from having an understanding with the other artist just before the start of the kutcheri. This only shows their disrespect for the audience - and they do this in the name of 'manodharma' !
  
  At another level - in many kutcheris in the Thaniaavarthanam, when the mridangam player starts the final korvai the other Uba pakkavaathiya karargal (Gadam, Kanjira) will blink in the first cycle. Only from the second cycle they will catch something and in the third / final cycle of the korvai things will study. Hope many of you would have observed this also. Here again how much time would it take to just share the korvai to be played for the Thani - before the kutcheri starts ?
  
  Good teamwork definitely is tougher thing to achieve for Indians - but not impossible.
  
  Forget the output - whether it is our music or others - composing a full score for an orchestra and performing it is certainly a more difficult thing to achieve than CM / HM.
  
  

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