Illayaraaja's Symphony - Release Date ??

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Illayaraaja's Symphony - Release Date ?? Illayaraaja's Symphony - Release Date ??

Topic started by Deepak M (@ pc109.renewal-iis.com) on Wed Feb 18 08:25:31 EST 1998.
All times in EDT/EST +9:30/10:30 for IST.

Responses:

From: Deepak M (@ pc109.renewal-iis.com) on: Wed Feb 18 08:28:49 EST 1998

Is it true that it is going to be released on April 14th 1998? Any information ?
From: Gokul (@ p1.echostar.com) on: Wed Feb 18 14:04:45 EST 1998

I read somewhere during my trip to India,that on this Thamizh new year day, IR is planning a concert to release his Symphony.
The Symphony will be played by Artistes from abroad . If this is true, I will be the happiest person on the face of earth.
From: Bhaskar (@ ww-tp06.proxy.aol.com) on: Wed Feb 18 21:44:43 EST 1998

Why can't IR just compose the same symphony in Madras and produce the CD/Cassette ? Will there some problems with copyright from RPO ??

Kattthirundhu kathirundhu kaalangal pOgudhadi
Paarthirundhu paarthirundhu poo vizhi nOgudhadi
Nethu vara saerthu vachha aasaigal vaegudhadi
IR isaitha symphony kidaicha nimmadhi aagumadi
From: MSK (@ dhcp-877019741.qualcomm.com) on: Wed Feb 18 23:22:59 EST 1998

Bhaskar.,

Cool!! may be we shd send u'r song to IR ;-)
From: pAvam (@ bones.deneb.com) on: Thu Feb 19 09:03:53 EST 1998

Bhaskar:

Again its ego problem. IR approached Sony to release the CD worldwide.
They said NO (last year Kumudam).
The same SONY approched ARR to make VandemAtram -
it was a big hit all over the world.
Now Sony has asked to make Part II of VandemAtram,
and ARR is busy with that.

Another BIG Audio event of last week was that the
Audio rights of "Engineer" was sold for 5.5 Crores, the highest paid for any Tamil movie,
on the poojai date of that movie. ARR hasn't even
scored a single song yet (this week Kungumam).

ippadi nadakkum pOthu - IRku manasu valikkathAn seiyum.

Symphony mudichu vandha kaiyOda release paNNAmal vitutAr.

enakkum varuthamAthAn irukku - but sila nEram
rasigargaLai vida matra ego/panam mukiyamA pOguthu.

(her I don't want to say what Deva said in this
week's Kungumam Cover Story - about IR. IR fans
romba kashtapaduvAnga)
From: sree (@ orchid.cs.concordia.ca) on: Thu Feb 19 10:12:49 EST 1998

Could you pl tell what Deva told about IR.Being an IR fan i am very eager to hear it.
From: pg (@ gate02.merck-medco.com) on: Thu Feb 19 12:29:12 EST 1998

idhu nyAyamA bones ? dEvA enna sonnArunnu sollidunga please !
From: Swami (@ 129.107.61.38) on: Thu Feb 19 14:09:20 EST 1998

Deva told he's wants to compose a symphony.......
adak kadavule asai yara vittathu..

Swami.
From: sathiya (@ client-151-200-126-38.bellatlantic.net) on: Thu Feb 19 21:19:55 EST 1998

Deva can take the symphony from IR's composings. this is not new to him.
From: mannAru (@ ns.arraycomm.com) on: Thu Feb 19 23:51:23 EST 1998

The news i heard that is IR is going to release
his symphony as a first release from his
recording studio.

He is waiting for completion of that it seems.

Regards
mannAru
From: k.r.ravi (@ m32.pppmad.vsnl.net.in) on: Fri Feb 20 03:08:45 EST 1998

SYMPHONY will be released on april 14th, and pyramid audios has confirmed that its a six volume pack. This news was confirmed by my friend who has contacts in pyramid audios. Lets wait for that great day.
From: raja m (@ draco.eisi.com) on: Fri Feb 20 09:37:43 EST 1998

I am not clear on this. Is there a studio version, recorded in India, or whatever that was recorded in England, is being released on Apr 14th. I did not know it was a six volume set.
Any additional information is always welcome
From: Kanakku (@ worf.qntm.com) on: Fri Feb 20 10:33:03 EST 1998

I thought the whole Symphony was only a tad over an hour( the longest I believe is Beethovens 2 hours ) and if so, how can it be a 6-volume set. If at all, it can be a 2-volume set of about 30 minutes each.
From: k.r.ravi (@ m31.pppmad.vsnl.net.in) on: Fri Feb 20 12:10:05 EST 1998

Well, guys reagarding the number of cassettes i am not sure. Any way i will get a clear picture in a day or two.
From: Deepak M (@ pc109.renewal-iis.com) on: Fri Feb 20 13:08:50 EST 1998

Is there a web site for Pyramid Audio?
Do they have affiliates in the US?
I just cannot wait to find more information on it.
From: pg (@ gate02.merck-medco.com) on: Fri Feb 20 13:59:41 EST 1998

Pyramid Audio URL :

http://www.pyramidaudio.com
From: Anand Mahadevan (@ 201-112-191.ipt.aol.com) on: Sat Feb 21 08:30:02 EST 1998

I heard a rumour that IR has some copyright problems with his symphony.Most of the record companies are reluctant to release the album as it contains a portion of someone else's composition.This was informed to me by a friend who works for a major recording company in US.The symphony is for 60 mins and the shocking part which might smash most of the IR fans is that IR was'nt invited by Royal philharmonic but he volunteered
himself.Also he has paid for all the musicians(300 sterling pounds an hour).This is just a heresay news and I hope being an IR fan myself, this turns out be false.But its preplexing as to why he has'nt released the album.I thought he was beyond monetary ring.If ARR can get a great deal out of Sony its b'cause he has a captive youth market.Ir ca'nt expect the same deal for his symphony.Yanni does'nt make as much as "spice girls".Its stunning that IR has decided to hold it back for such a long time.This creates a lot of suspicion.Infact if he even releases it now,I think he will have lukewarm response as not many people in TN or in India can appreciate symphony.
Good luck to IR.Hope he does'nt make a fool of himself and gets this album out quickly.
From an ardent IR fan.
Anand Mahadevan
From: RAJAN (@ proxy-153.iap.bryant.webtv.net) on: Sat Feb 21 10:46:26 EST 1998

Another rumour:

IR's symphony and Jeans albums are releasing together. (for competitions!?!?!)
From: raja m (@ ww-tj01.proxy.aol.com) on: Sat Feb 21 12:56:53 EST 1998

Anand:

Who is the other composer? You have indeed provided `some' bad news regarding Symphony.. :(
From: raja m (@ ww-tj01.proxy.aol.com) on: Sat Feb 21 12:59:20 EST 1998

Anand:

Your news in indeed a sad one.. :(
From: raja m (@ ww-tj01.proxy.aol.com) on: Sat Feb 21 13:04:30 EST 1998

Anand:

Your news is indeed a sad one.. :(
From: raja m (@ ww-tj01.proxy.aol.com) on: Sat Feb 21 13:07:06 EST 1998

Anand:
Your news is indeed bad news:(
From: MSK (@ dhcp-877019741.qualcomm.com) on: Sat Feb 21 14:27:34 EST 1998

This is Utter Crap.! If i volunteered to compose and am ready to spend all the money , will RPH let me do it.?? I understand IR is the first Asian to compose at RPH. So till then No asian Volunteered or had the money.???

Later
From: MSK (@ dhcp-877019741.qualcomm.com) on: Sat Feb 21 14:34:01 EST 1998

Thank God!! Deva has all the money now. So far he has not volunteered to compose at RPH. (though he has expressed his desire ).

Also, the only reason I feel IR is hesitating to release his Album is , he has'nt got any good deal from any company like Sony. Quite Obvious.! Sony is not ready to invest in something in which it is not sure of the returns. They are smart cookies.! They have asked ARR to do one more of the recycled stuff , b'cos it sells like hot dogs.!!! No wonder. It's all money Guys!!. And that's exactly the same reason for IR holding back on his album.
B'cos he wants to make good returns of waht he considers his MAsterpeice. Nothing wrong abt it.!!
If he releases now, it might fare worse than a Deva Hit .!!!

So he is waiting for the right time.! I guess with KM, he has made the TFM fans look back and say "Hey! this guy still has'nt run out of stuff!!" Maybe a couple of more hits and then he'll find the right moment to release it.?
So he is waiting for the right time!
From: SATHIYAVAGEESWARAN (@ client-151-200-126-106.bellatlantic.net) on: Sat Feb 21 14:52:05 EST 1998

During the perfomance of Symphony I have seen news papers publishing a letter from Queen of England calling IR as MAESTRO and inviting him to perform the composings. From there he gained the knight Maestro I hope? Does anybody remember this?
From: MPR (@ dyn07.iacc-t23.ndsu.nodak.edu) on: Sat Feb 21 15:30:15 EST 1998

RPH didn't invite IR, he volunteered himself. True, but you know what, IR did apply for conductor (a person who conducts the orchestra) position not for composing. But RPH people came to know his talents and they flew down to Chennai to verify them. After viewing his works couple of times, they were verymuch impressed and they sent him a letter saying that he is the person who can compose his own symohony instead of conducting others work. The bottom line is RPH indeed invited Ilayaraaja and asked him to compose a symphony for them
From: MPR (@ dyn07.iacc-t23.ndsu.nodak.edu) on: Sat Feb 21 15:31:12 EST 1998

Typo:

RPH should be RPO
From: raja m (@ ww-tk04.proxy.aol.com) on: Sat Feb 21 18:28:30 EST 1998

Sorry for the extra posts. Something went wrong..
From: Rajesh (@ pdxss902.jf.intel.com) on: Sat Feb 21 19:47:51 EST 1998

I dont know how authentic is the news by Anand. The story is weak. If RPO can do that, there would
have been millions of symphony by now. And I am
positive it won't have the reputation it has if RPO does things like this. Namma oorla oru aal
yethavadhu saadhicha avana azhikaradhula namma
dhaan firstnu nenaikaran. The very thought is a disgrace to IR and his contributions. No wonder he
takes years and years to release his symphony bcos
what would he get back in his own home where there
question his authenticity.
From: Anand Mahadevan (@ 172-122-123.ipt.aol.com) on: Sun Feb 22 10:25:32 EST 1998

Guys,
I guess a few guys have gotten worked up.well I heard this from a friend who works for a recording company.I do'nt want to go into details.But I was just sharing a rumour.i do'nt want this to be a gossip mill and rather would want TFM to evolve into a constructive forum.But from a rational sense,if I was IR I would'nt be expecting a great deal for a symphony album.C'mon guys !!How many of us know the diff between a thodi and a kalyani for us to diff between a a sympony and a chamber music.I am not mocking at any one but I am just elucidating the market for symphony in India.The only good market is in Europe.Even in US the market for symphony is not wide spread.IR would be well advised if he takes up a world tour like Yanni and gets his music across to millions of people around the globe.Its high time he gets the album out.I do'nt buy the story of waiting for a good deal from a recording company.No company worth the salt would offer IR any excorbitant sum for a stuff which has a selective audience.C'mon this is basic business prudence.I am asking this question to U.Will U pay up the this supposedly big time money to buy IR symphony when U know the reach will not be outside the borders of TN.There has to be marketting involved and its tough to market something on the lines of symphony.Thats a work of class.Yanni is doing the right thing to add a little bit glamour.IR should give a thought to it.Just b'cause we are IR fans, we should 'nt be biased.I am a hardcore IR fan but there is a limit.IR has promised 4 diff dates for the release but has backed out every time.If U ask him, he gives an abstract answer "God's will".Thats crap.Let him come out clean.He has been prompt enought to accept accolades from millions of people for his work but nobody knows what the heck the stuff contains.
From an angry IR fan
Anand Mahadevan
From: pg (@ client-116-148.bellatlantic.net) on: Sun Feb 22 10:52:48 EST 1998

Bones :

Did dEvA say anything to this effect ? (what Anand Mahadevan says ?)
From: gOpAl (@ 1cust88.tnt1.sarasota.fl.gt.uu.net) on: Sun Feb 22 11:48:32 EST 1998

Forget it. Hearsays are bound to be there, always.
I even heard (from a tfm related guy....)that it was Karthik Raja who helped IR in completing the scores for RPH in a short time. It seems some of the compositions are KRs!!!!!!! Forget it and get going guys.
From: Nithin Sreedevan (@ nc.pr.mcs.net) on: Sun Feb 22 17:38:52 EST 1998

Hey, this speculation is going fine. But, don't bring a thorn into this. I mean, Yanni. What is that noise he generates?

Please don't tell this showman's name in the same breath as you say Ilaiyaraja.

Regarding Raja's symphony, I think Raja did not have interest in releasing it as the taste for music has changed in India, there was a time people used to flavor ABBA, Boney M, Paul Mauriat, James Last and Symphonies. Now, the crowd is highly influenced by rhythm and noise for the heck of it. Also, as Anand Mahadevan has claimed, the market for western classical type music has a very very limited audience. Raja has probably realised the futilitiy of wasting so much of his energy in western classical type music. That is the reason he has decided to come back with a renewed vision back into Indian film music.

I think, Raja should instead invest his time in producing some light instrumental music for today's love generations. There is great market, why even that senseless Kenny G floats around with that weirdest of sounds he creates, with no beginning and no end. Just keeps phieeeing.

People who are listening to Yanni and Kenny G, I do not mean offense. I am a purist and a connoisseur of music, while I have somewhat begun ot like Rahman's creations after a great deal of patience and tolerance, I am not anywhere near coming to truce with Yanni's and Kenny G's piece of s.
From: Aravind (@ 202.42.152.9) on: Mon Feb 23 04:03:38 EST 1998

Anand & MPR

When IR decided to write his symphony, he wanted it to be recorded at RPO. So HE APPROACHED RPO requesting them to conduct and record it for them. RPO in turn asked for his credentials and copies of his earlier work. IR sent copies of HTNI & NBW. Impressed, RPO agreed to IR's request. These are facts and were published in almost all TN magazines in 1993. I don't think this is shattering news to anybody.

Raja M

You need not feel bad thrice for these :-)))
From: cool_deva (@ 198.111.62.32) on: Mon Feb 23 04:09:52 EST 1998

pg:

NO DEVA didn't say anything about this.
He said IR is a genius (that is why has his and MSV's photos in his drawing-room)

He mentioned something about IR's nature - not being friendly with other MDs
(he compared how MSV/KVM, TMS/Seergazi used to be..)...
From: raja m (@ draco.eisi.com) on: Mon Feb 23 09:50:06 EST 1998

Anand:

You have an excellent point regarding Yanni. I watched his Delhi concert on PBS, it was really great. I had earlier seen his Live at acropolis concert . That was the first time I heard about him.

His music is not noise and it appeals to an international audience. !! ( that is what being a success is all about .)

We need to get out of this loop of blind IR worship. Only when we appreciate music of various origins, one realises how much of good music is out there. Just by being critical of X does not make Y greater. TFM is not a place for non IR music bashing. Grow up guys..
From: Sai Satheesh (@ 205.160.36.67) on: Mon Feb 23 10:53:44 EST 1998

I have a newspaper article on the Synphony (IE) which was published after Raja completed his symphony. The article clearly states that Pyramid wanted Raja to do an album. Raja expressed interested in it but wanted musicians from abroad to perform in his work. RPH was decided as their choice and Pyramid contacted RPH. RPH's initial response was Raja ! Who ?. Pyramid later sent him the copies of his two albums (NBW & HTNI). After listening to these albums the Director of RPH flew down to Madras to chat with Raja on his compositions. After talking to Raja then they asked Raja to write his composition. Raja took a month off stayed in Trivandrum and completed his work. The he went to London for the final recording which was conducted by John Scott.

The following is what I heard from a source in the music record industry. After the recording Raja wanted international exposure for his album and he wanted somebody big to release it. Pyramid objected to it saying that it was instrumental in Raja composing his symphony and it should release it. Raja waited for years to release his symphony and this might be the reason for Sony refusing it because of the legal complications in case Pyramid files a suit.
From: Mukund (@ internet-gw1.hea.com) on: Mon Feb 23 14:20:40 EST 1998

Hi

Satheesh:
Thanks for the info. Looks like the most logical explanation to me. It could very well happened this way.

Nithin:
I dont think Anand ever compared Kenny G or Yanni's music with IR's. Only reasonable comparison that could have been drawn out of it was about the professional way in which these people market themselves. There is not much of professionalism in Raja's marketing. Period. Personally I dont think Yanni or Kenny G is noise, but there is absolutely not much creativity involved. Buy 5 CDs from them they will all sound the same. I would be the happiest person if IR also concentrates into non-film music and releases some more albums.

Mukund
From: Aravind (@ 202.42.152.9) on: Wed Feb 25 01:10:07 EST 1998

Sai Satheesh

You have clarified few unclear happenings. If Pyramid felt that IR may ditch them, they would have certainly warned Sony (or whoever) regarding legal issues.

But did Pyramid release any of IR's albums in the recent past?
From: RAJAN (@ proxy-121.iap.bryant.webtv.net) on: Wed Feb 25 08:33:20 EST 1998

Yes! Last month PYRAMID released IR's "VEERA THALAATTU" album.
From: IRF01 (@ ) on: Mon Oct 4 04:59:39 EDT 1999

Hi Folks,

The following is the original English article, a version of which appeared in Ananda Vikatan some time in August 1998. Please put forth your views on this.

-------------------------------

Where is Ilaiyaraaja?

I am a lover of music. Particularly Ilaiyaraaja's music. That is more because basically I love instrumental works, western classical works. And I know there are millions like me out there whom, I am sure, will share my feelings expressed in this article.

Of course, there are some people who will proclaim that any music with out words is like a body without head. Let us not bother about such frogs in the well. We can only pity them. They can not understand that just because instrumental music does not belong to us it need not be bad. Composing a music specifically for an instrument or a group of instruments is certainly not an easy task. You would understand if you think about the fact that the music played by the so called instrumental vidhwans here is primarily the music composed for vocal singing.

This is addressed to the conscience of Ilaiyaraaja. The Ilaiyaraaja who has been missing since 1993 July.

In 1993 July Ilaiyaraaja recorded his first major western classical work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He announced this with a great fan fare press conference and rightfully it was covered widely by the entire journalistic community in this country -not only in English language dailies and magazines but also in all regional language news papers and magazines.

On his return from London after the recording also he addressed a press conference where he narrated his experience of working in a new area with a new orchestra in an alien country. The press gave a wide coverage for this also. For nearly two years, numerous functions were organized to felicitate Ilaiyaraaja on his achievement. Again, not only in Tamil Nadu but even in places like Bombay, Kerala and USA. Topping it all was the grand function organised by the film industry in Madras in which the conductor John Scott and other representatives from the Orchestra participated. In the mean time he was given honorary doctorates in three universities for his achievements.

It is all okay. Nobody disputes the fact that Ilaiyaraaja deserves all that. But the irony is, what has he given in return for all these adulations and honors heaped on him for his achievement? The least he can do is to give the chance to these people, his own people, to listen to that music, that he recorded in London played by that great institution called Royal Philharmonic Orchestra(RPO).

But has he done that? No, he has not done that till date. Actually he should be feeling guilty for not doing that. Is he? Why has he not done that? What stops him from doing that?

Has he developed a cold feet, second thoughts and doubts as to whether his first work would be accepted by the critics as a true western classical work? Is he afraid that critics will tear him to pieces for writing some thing in a new format?

I understand what Ilaiyaraaja used was a 80 piece classical symphony orchestra of the RPO and the music is in five independent movements (according to the news reports appeared at that time). I am not one of those fortunate few like the big wigs of Ilaiyaraaja's circle who would have got a chance to listen to his Symphony. So I have no way to describe that music.

But I know Indian music and I know western music too. And I have been following Ilaiyaraaja's music for the past 18 years (though on and off I have been living outside India). I can safely guess the kind of music that would be.

A beautiful mix of east and west. But not in the context of a "novelty item" or a fusion of East and West in ways which have already been explored. Should be full of melodies, haunting tunes and challenging orchestrations. Must have used dialogue and imitation extensively. It should contain lot of his own Indian influences particularly in rhythms but over all adhering to the western classical idiom. That is the kind of music that he has been writing for films all along and when he has written his first big, independent work the continuation of these elements is natural.

Of course, I may be wrong. It is quite possible that finally what has come out is some thing totally unconventional and path breaking. But certainly it should be a good music to listen to. When you consider the fact that one of the best orchestras in the western classical world in London has agreed to play that music then it must be really an interesting music.

Actually, when you think about it, what is music? To quote Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) one of the great composers of the 19th century "What music talks about is just man in all his different aspects (that is feeling, thinking, breathing, suffering)". These words could be ascribed to just about any composer.

But does Ilaiyaraaja not aware of the saying "Any composer's first work is not always a matured work". Why does he not have the guts to let the world listen to his music and make their own judgements instead of he himself deciding that it is not fit for public consumption. From when has Ilaiyaraaja become afraid of critics? To our knowledge all his professional life he has been a rebel who has defied rules and regulations. Then how come suddenly he has changed his colour? Even Brahms (1833-1897) had his fear before writing his first symphony. Brahms said "I shall never write a symphony! You can't imagine what courage it takes to resolve to do that when you can hear the steps of that giant". Brahms was referring to his illustrious predecessor Beethoven (1770-1827). This he said when he was 40 and had already won fame in Europe for his remarkable chamber music, piano pieces, choral works and songs. Of course, with such reservations Brahms completed his first symphony in 1876, some twenty years after he had started work on it and after that he wrote many symphonies and all of them continue to be world's favourite concert items even today.

From his first film "Annakkili" Ilaiyaraaja has been a path breaker. From then onwards his evolution and progression to the present level of writing a full scale western classical work is gradual but in gigantic progression. At first he was termed just as a folk tune charmer. Then slowly he started showing his knowledge of carnatic classical music. And his orchestrations also started showing a beautiful mix of melody and powerful arrangements. Purists may not have liked it. But can you forget the "Mohanam" varnam beautifully turned into a lovely song as in "Agninatchatram"? Can you forget that song with out "Avarohanam" in "Sindu Bairavi"? I believe his "Vedic Chants" is still a hot selling album in which he has made an 8 year old girl chant the Vedas, against the tradition. And we can not deny the fact that he elevated film's background scoring to an art form. So much so, even the themes he used in the films background music became humming tunes. And even today there is no one like him who can carry an entire film through on the strength of his background music alone.

With his arrival on the scene, for the first time in India, we got a complete music director who does every thing-composing, orchestration, arrangement of instruments and writing notations. A music director who unlike his predecessors and contemporaries, not dependent on faceless orchestrators and arrangers who are in plenty in the Indian film industry. That is, Ilaiyaraaja's music alone is one hundred percent his own creation. Today for most of the Hindi films the music director whose name appears in credits composes the songs only. Even for this he gives the tune and some orchestrator/arranger does the rest. The film's re-recording music is mostly not by him. It will be either by some nameless arranger or some music director from the south. Actually in today's world any one can become a film music director. No great job really. What you require is a good collection jaz, pop, rock music CDs, that is all.

People may pounce on me for this. But the fact remains Ilaiyaraaja is the only composer in India, even today, who composes the entire music mentally and puts it directly on paper. That is, composing at the highest possible level. If you have seen the film "Amadeus" -the film on the life of Mozart, then you would understand what I mean. Apart from Ilaiyaraaja there are only two composers capable of writing notataions-Vanraj Bhatia and (Laxmikant)Pyarelal in Bombay. But certainly not at the speed of Ilaiyaraaja. To compose music what Ilaiyaraaja requires is just a pen and paper, that is all.

Just when every one thought that Ilaiyaraaja has settled into a pattern, he again surprised every one by bringing out two independent albums. But even in these two works Ilaiyaraaja has been a path breaker. His albums "Nothing But Wind" and "How to Name It?" proved that .

For the first time in the annals of the history of music, fusion has been explored and exposed in depth by Ilaiyaraaja. Though fusion has been attempted by many others, this is the first successful attempt, where he has altered and shaped the meaning of fusion into its actual interpretation and has given this interpretation not only self-expression but also a correlation of the traditional and modern techniques in music. But the sad part was that these two interesting works did not reach all the possible audience throughout the world because of poor marketing. More over they are not performing music-that is nobody else can perform that music.

In the mean while he composed his own krithis in carnatic music, even performed in a concert during one of the December seasons in Madras. Of course, it is the same tragic story again. Those krithis are not available in vocal form. But surprisingly they are available as an instrumental album-all the krithis played by Mandolin Srininivas. It never ceased to puzzle me how on earth Ilaiyaraaja decided to release the instrumental version first when no one has heard the vocal version of these brand new krithis.

If he is not releasing this new western classical work for his own whims and fancies then he is not being truthful to his creator. From a man who is supposed to be having a spiritual bent of mind this is strange. Any music once written should reach the widest possible audience. Many enchanting musical pieces written by great composers like Brahms, Mozart, etc. were never performed by any orchestra during their life times. Not because they did not want to. But they did not have the resources to commission an orchestra to play it. So some of their glorious music that the world enjoys now, they never had the chance to hear. They just wrote what they heard in their mind, that is all.

Ilaiyaraaja must know very well that writing a symphony or a large work of that kind is not an easy task. Writing a music for a concert hall performance is very, very difficult. Because the balancing of various instruments have to be on the score unlike a studio recording where you have the mixing console to do that job. Even if you write, getting an orchestra to play that, more so by a giant like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is not some thing possible for every body. But having crossed all that if this man says no to the world then some one has to put sense into him that he just does not have the right to do that.

Though there are some Indians in the international classical music scene no one has come to this level. There is a Zubin Mehta. But he is only a conductor and not a composer. And there is Ravi Shankar, L Subramaniam, et.al. But they are all performers primarily. Even when they do some thing with a western orchestra it is more like a fusion music. With a clear separation between the western orchestra and the Indian players, with a lot of jugalbandi type interaction between the players. And that kind of music can not be played by anybody else. Because these works contain lot of things the performer/composer has composed to show his mastery over his chosen instrument.

If you take Yanni's music, it does not fall under any idiom. Critics always tear him apart whenever he releases a new album. I also don't rate his music very high in terms of composition scale or colours. It is a gentle jugglery of electronics with some live instruments like strings and percussion and each piece is not more than 5-6 minutes. It is some thing like the music of Paul Mariat.( Apologies to Paul Mariat for this comparison because his music is far superior in colour and structure like Ilaiyaraaja's songs).

But Yanni's last album "Live at Acropolis" was in the top ten audio CD list for a record 124 weeks in the second spot. It has sold 17 million copies so far. And the Video album of the same recording has sold 2 million copies and it was also in the top ten music video list in the first position for 76 weeks. The reason is simple. People like his music. I am sure Ilaiyaraaja's music will touch the heart and soul of many people living in many part of this world provided he gives them the chance to listen to his music.

Ilaiyaraaja has written a music which is accessible to any market where classical/instrumental music is liked and listened to. More over, for the first time he has written a music that can be performed by any western classical orchestra throughout the world-like the music of the greats like Ilaiyaraaja's own favourite Bach. That is, for these kind of concert music, once the music is released on CDs/Tape, normally the full score would also be published so that any orchestra can play it in their concerts.

But after coming this far, now Ilaiyaraaja himself is the stumbling block between his music and the world. And the fact remains he has no moral rights to do that. Once written, that music belongs to this world. Not to him. It is for the world to decide what to do with that music. That decision is not his.

By doing this he is not doing justice to his people who are proud about his achievements and are hoping that he would continue to write more such works which will stand the test of time instead of wasting his energy in the trash films at Kodambakkam. After all, given the quality of our films they do not need an Ilaiyaraaja, isn't it? He may not like to live outside India. But sitting in Murugesan Street, T Nagar he can spread his wings of music throughout this planet Earth. I would not term Ilaiyaraaja a film music director. Ilaiyaraaja is a composer who happens to be working in the film medium all these years. So his present commercial rating in the film industry would not be relevant to him unlike other film music directors. He is still one of the most original composers India has produced in recent times. You can not take it away from him.

Why has Ilaiyaraaja not released his new music yet? That is the question uppermost in the minds of people who have been waiting for the past four years to listen to his new music. Though on and off we have been hearing about the possible release of this new album (even recently there was a question to Madhan on this and after checking with the people concerned Madhan answered that it will be released soon).

In this 50th year of Indian independence it would be a grand occasion if Ilaiyaraaja releases his work. He would not be just telling the world what an Indian can achieve in the highly complex, traditional western classical music. He would be giving a very good reason to his people to celebrate the victory of the Indian spirit and its unquenching thirst to conquer new frontiers.

Tamilian has got a very bad trait in him called "modesty". Modesty beyond a point is not a virtue. And covering one's lack of self confidence under the guise of modesty is still worse. Otherwise a Tamil would not have lost the opportunity to lead this country. The fact remains that he did not take it up when the opportunity knocked at his doors the first time.

Like wise, Ilaiyaraaja is losing up a great opportunity that life has thrown at him. He has all it requires to become one of the great composers of this century. After his grounding in India for the past 20 years, he has the knowledge and experience to burst on the international music scene. And now is the right time for that.

And Ilaiyaraaja can not keep on putting the blame on God whenever he is asked about the release of his new work. What does he expect God to do-to come and finalise a good record label with good terms for him? He can not keep on fooling his fans and admirers by invoking God's name all the time. He is infact trying to fool the people. But the fact is he is fooling himself also in the process.

In the recent interview in Vikatan he has said that what he has served sofar is only pickles and papad and the feast is yet to come and he can write music that can stand for 200 years, etc. Come on, you first give us what should be a good feast sleeping in your cupboard for the past four years. And let that music do the talking. Not you.

It is exactly four years since Ilaiyaraaja recorded his symphony. It is sad but it is quite possible he may be creating another record of sorts- the longest gap between the recording and release of any music in any part of the world in this century.

Come on, my country men, it is time to start another series of felicitations to the Maestro for this singular achievement.

Any takers?

Will the Maestro come out of his shell?

Either to let the world listen to an Indian symphony; or to accept a new series of felicitations and honors.

Of course, now he has a choice!

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