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Impact of TFM on other communities

Topic started by Nirupama (@ 209.153.226.35) on Fri Jul 24 00:46:10 EDT 1998.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Ravi: Thanks for your prompt response. With your suggestion, I am starting this new thread.

Hi Friends,

I'm Nirupama from Vancouver, Canada. Since I visit this site quite often and have found out your passion for tamil film music, I thought this bit of information will be interesting for you.

With a help of a friend who hosts a hindi show on radio, I started my own radio show for tamil film music. Since there are no other tamil radio shows in Vancouver, I thought tamils living here might appreciate this. But to my surprise, I received many calls from non-tamils(White Canadians, etc) inquiring about this strange yet wonderful eastern(or fusion, rather) music. The show is only three-weeks old, and every week I've been getting these phone calls. I've described this type of music to the best of my abilities, but still their curiosity is overwhelming.

Some of their comments in their own words are:
"Hey, I love this music! What is it called?" , "This is great! Where is it from?" , "I like traditional Indian music, but what you're playing sounds very interesting!" Some even asked me for the film and song names.

In order to find out more about their music preferences, I tried playing songs from different periods, styles etc. What do guys think about this? Any guesses on whose music style or what type of tamil film music they like?? I'll talk more about that later.....

Nirupama

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Srinath (@ socks10d.raleigh.ibm.com) on: Wed Jul 29 15:09:57 EDT 1998
  
  Nirupama:
  Have you considered introducing them to TFM Page? I promise, we'll behave ;-)
  Maybe, Ravi or Rajaraman could establish a completely moderated section where we wouldn't scare them off with our belligerence !
  
  
• From: Nirupama (@ van-as-01b02.direct.ca) on: Wed Jul 29 18:04:56 EDT 1998
  
  Srinath:
  Oh, no, no! I think it's a very bad idea to bring them over here, especially when we have you around :-)) What if they start forming their own ARR fan club right here? You wouldn't like that, would you?? Now, seriously speaking Srinath, I think that it is not very good for somebody to be attached to only a certain music director's style. In Illaiyarajah's case, it's very hard not to be like that. I find it very difficult to stop myself from saying too much(praising) about his music. But when I'm acting as a DJ, I do try my best to represent all music directors fairly. Oops, that reminds me of something. I haven't played a single Deva song yet. Should I? May be I shouldn't?? I don't know......
  
  
• From: Nirupama (@ van-as-04c10.direct.ca) on: Wed Jul 29 18:50:40 EDT 1998
  
  Hi Udhaya,
  
  Thanks for understanding my situation. But, if this situation changes and I start getting regular phone calls, I might consider doing that. Till then, I'll just keep a written record of these calls and keep everybody here informed.
  
  For You and Others, here is what happened yesterday on the show:
  
  I think all our non-indian friends were all out in the beaches as it was supposed to be the hottest day ever for the month of July in B.C. We are experiencing an unusual heat wave this week. Anyways, most of the calls were from the Tamil audience. The Tamils' preference regarding TFM usually depends on their age. If they are over 35 yrs of age, they prefer listening to the hits of 50s, 60s, 70s and some of the 80s classics from IR. If they are younger, then it's mostly songs of the 90s or late 80s.
  
  I must also admit here that I didn't put in all my effort into the show yesterday. This whole week had been very tiring and the weather didn't help either. But, I did came across an unexpected caller who called right after I played this song. "Ethu Sugam Sugam" - Vandi Cholai Chinnaraasu (ARR). I believe it's not the music but the singer Vani Jayaram who brought him to the phone. The caller is from North India(he's also a muslim) and did not speak Tamil at all. He immediately recognized VJ's voice and started raving about her. He said he also listens to Tamil songs once in a while and was always captured by the beauty in VJ's voice. He actually requested me to play some of her hindi bajans and I answered him that this show is exclusively for TFM,but I wouldn't mind playing for him one of VJ's best songs from Tamil. He was happy to get anything from VJ. So, now I have to find a good VJ song, maybe "Ezhu Swarangalukkul', or "Malligai en Mannan" will be good. VJ may have had a short career in the North, but it seems like she still has a good fan following there.
  
  I have the rest of the week off from work, giving me plenty time to prepare for next week. Hopefully, I'll have something interesting like this to share with you then.
  
  Bye for now...
  
  Nirupama
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ socks10d.raleigh.ibm.com) on: Wed Jul 29 19:11:15 EDT 1998
  
  Nirupama:
  Why do you think it is not a very good idea to be attached to one particular MD's music ? I don't want to go into an elaborate explanation here (believe me, I did plenty of that in atleast half a dozen discussions here !). But, the more I try to be fair to other MDs the more I appreciate IR ! Remember, that way I have to be fair towards him too ! As a DJ, I guess you have your duty to do, and impartially at that - like Ravi often does in the DF. For all you know, an acceptance of ARR's music from a wider spectrum might cure me of my IR addiction (though I seriously doubt it :-)).
  
  Maybe I am overstepping my limits here - but how about gathering a couple of questions from us DFers every week to ask of your audience ? That way, nobody would come under the threat of personal attacks (you pick and choose the Q's) and we would also be allowed the joy of sharing some of your experiences in a more direct way. I am sure you have plenty of your own questions to ask of them, and am sorry if I am barging in on your achievements, but I just had to ask :-))
  
  As for playing Deva's songs (knowing fully well that you don't require any advice on this one :-)), it may be some time but, sooner or later the truth will out ! Intially though, I am sure they will appreciate it as an interpretation of modern day hits !
  
  Another idea ! How about playing songs from different MDs that share a particular style ? That way, your audience too will have an opportunity to compare (I am not sure that's what you want though :-)) and find out which MD excels in which particular style. I don't really know whether this will be productive, but it's just another idea all the same.
  
  
• From: Udhaya (@ 205.218.142.217) on: Wed Jul 29 20:32:22 EDT 1998
  
  Srinath, regarding Deva, I would suggest playing his folsky songs for most of them are his originals or at least ripped off of IR which is not bad. Why give obvious Western copies of Deva when there is so much treasure to wade through in TFM?
  Also, I would sincerely hope Nirupama will cover other MDs: V. Kumar (Thaen Sindhudhae Vaanam), Vijayabhaskar (Kalyaanamaam Kalyaanam, Soundharyamae Varuga Varuga, Thangathilae Vairam), Vidhyasaagar (Karnaa,Priyam), Ravindhran (Rasigan oru Rasigai), Shivaji Raaja (Kaatrukkena Veli), V.S. Narasimhan (1000 pookkal malarattum), S.A.Raajkumar (Kungumakkoadu,Soorya Vamsam,Pudhu Vasantham), Manoj Gyan (Sendhoorappoovae, Uzhavan Magan, Oomai Vizhigal, Inaindha Kaigal), and Shankar Ganesh (Neeya, Paalaivanachchoalai, Kannoadu Kann, Ennadi Meenatchi, Sigappu Malli).
  
  Nirupama,
  Here is the VJ must list:
  "Maegamae Maegamae" from Paalaivanachchoalai
  "Malligai en mannan mayangum" from ?
  "Ilamai Oonjalaadugirathu" (all songs with a female voice)
  
  From "Azhgae Unnai Aaraathikkiraen":
  -Naanae Naanaa
  -En Kalyaana Vaiboagam
  
  
  
  
• From: Udhaya (@ 205.218.142.217) on: Wed Jul 29 20:35:00 EDT 1998
  
  oops! correction from my posting: "folsky" may be a Polish or Russian word, but I was trying to write "folksy".
  
  
• From: vijay (@ nagornia.ece.sc.edu) on: Thu Jul 30 00:00:14 EDT 1998
  
  two more classics from VJ:
  
  muthu muthu therottam - aani ver -SG
  
  yaaradu sollamal nenjalli ponadhu - nenjamelam neeye - SG
  
  
• From: Nirupama (@ van-as-07b13.direct.ca) on: Thu Jul 30 01:19:22 EDT 1998
  
  Srinath,
  I didn't mean to get you upset. I was just trying to tease you. As for my music preferences, I can only tell you this. I was born in the golden year of "Annakili"(1976). I am the last person on this earth that you should try to convince about IR's music. Just like you, my admiration for IR only increases when I listen to others' music. I can't help but feel that he is a one-time wonder. But to avoid comparisons and also to give the other composers their due, I try to forget the fact that IR was/is in the music industry. I think that is the best way to do it. What do you think? Are we still friends?? I hope so:-))
  
  What do you mean by asking DF members questions? Can you explain this a bit more, please?
  
  
• From: Nirupama (@ van-52-1936.direct.ca) on: Thu Jul 30 01:54:36 EDT 1998
  
  Srinath,
  I don't really mind the listeners making the comparisons, but I'm only trying not to influence their thoughts. It's not very easy, believe me.
  
  Udhaya,
  Don't worry, I have already played some classics of MSV and V.Kumar. My collection of songs from 50s & 60s is very limited right now. I'm still trying to collect as much as possible from my friends and acquaintances. I also like Vidhyasagar, Maragathamani, & Karthik Raja's songs. Certainly, I will make sure that all these composers are represented in my show.
  
  You're right about Deva's Dappanguthu songs. They are quite catchy. Maybe I should try that sometime.
  
  Thanks very much for the VJ song suggestions. Unfortunately, I don't have any of them except for" Ore Naal Unnai Naan Nilavil Paarthathu". My favourites from the above songs are Naanae Naana & Yaaradhu Sollamal. Marvellous songs! I wish I had them with me. Talk to you later!
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ socks15d.raleigh.ibm.com) on: Thu Jul 30 09:53:43 EDT 1998
  
  Nirupama:
  I wasn't upset at all ! Of course, we're still friends ! I was just trying to shake this image of an irrational IR fanatic (of my own making, I am sure !) that I seemed to have acquired - I have always considered myself the most rational IR fan :-).
  
  I guess, DFers asking questions would more suit our own purposes than anyone else's. One question that I can think of right off the top of my head is whether the listeners think that the music suits the theme of the song - of course, that would mean that you would have to give them a short description of the song first. I think it would help to identify the difference amongst various cultures when it comes to expressing emotions. A second question might ask what the highlight of each song is according to your audience. Hope this helps :-)
  
  
• From: Nirupama (@ van-52-0933.direct.ca) on: Thu Jul 30 15:07:32 EDT 1998
  
  Srinath,
  I'm glad you're taking this in the right spirit. I wouldn't consider you an irrational IR fan only an emotional IR fan. But then, this is also true for me as well. Even though I don't participate in this forum that much, I do get into similar arguments and discussions with my family/friends. And, I always find myself highly emotional when talking about his music. Does this only happen to IR fans like us??
  
  Regarding your suggestions on questions to DFers, it all depends on the callers. It is an interesting idea! Maybe before I start talking about a certain caller, I can give you some clues in the forms of questions and lead you into a discussion. Or, like you said we can continue the discussion by talking about what clicked with the audience. Very Interesting! I will try to do that the next time!
  
  Bye
  Nirupama
  
  

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