IR New Albums - Old responses (5 Aug 2006)

Are we still trying to evaluate each of IR's albums through the prism of the 80's, expecting the magic of a Johnny or a Moondram Pirai? Given close to 3 decades of prolific output, is it a fair expectation to have that an artist, or indeed any professional, perform at the same creative level? Are we just as fresh, enthusiastic and energetic in our work even with the passing of 10 years?

I think ONOK is a far superior album than anything sitting on our market shelves today. Never mind that "Sachien" with its quota of Chiranjeevi inspired 'nothing' songs (and remember, this is supposed to be a tender love story) and a very ordinary "Chandramukhi" (which is as faux-IR as VS can get) are the two chart-toppers. In his 5 albums this year (3 Tamil and 2 Malayalam), IR has shown fleeting, but many glimpses of his magic that can still put other contemporary MDs to the shade.

Poo poothadhu (Mumbai XP), Kaattu vazhi (Oru naal oru kanavu), Kaatril Varum (ONOK) - show me any set of 3 songs by a single MD in 2005 that has straddled this diversity in genres and moods? My expectations from IR are tempered by an understanding of his limitations - age, limited inspiration, perhaps a dwindling in creative instincts.. So I'm more than happy if there's even one song in an album that springs a surprise, with the subtle nuances that an experienced IR-listener can pick and revel in. If the likes of Sathyan Anthikkad, Fazil and Balu Mahendra stick to him and even celebrate their collaboration, evidently there's a meeting of minds between them and IR that may not necessarily result in platinum discs, but are contributing to the larger aesthetics and wholeness of their films.

I would request you to watch the song clip of "Enthu paranjalum" in Sathyan Anthikkkad's "Achuvinte Amma" if you get a chance, and then listen to the audio track where Sathyan describes the evolution of the songs with IR's harmonium-backed humming. You will see a rare (in present times) confluence of minds that have been able to conjure in a few fleeting minutes of creative collaboration, a memorable piece of cinema where the visual, the audio and the script merge so seamlessly to present a perfect example of choreographed teamwork.

Vem, I don't think Fazil has ever used VS in any of his Malayalam films. It's always been Ouseppachan in Mal (if not IR) and IR for Tamil.

suresh - you have nailed it right there ! but, as a HCIRF, I am a pampered music fan (spoonfed by IR's own hands, with rich music food from childhood) and and I WANT STRINGS, VIOLIN ENSEMBLES, CELLOS, VIOLAS, and the sound of natural percussion, either TABLA or DRUMS or whatever - for some reason or the other, IR is forcing himself to ignore/avoid all these instruments that served him like the magic wand and that is what bugs me (and I suppose several others) - 'oru naal' from Devadhai, had an outstanding baroque style movement in the second interlude - for me I want things as grand as that

guys - after listening to ONOK several times, my gut feeling is that the album will be an out-and-out chartbuster! 'Ponnukkindha' song will become as popular as 'yeh aathhaa' when Payanangal Mudivadhillai was released

A song from film "Poo vizhi vaasalile". Satyaraj and the kid.

Another song. Prathap pothan and a small girl in the song. Film:Moodu pani(?)

"Are we still trying to evaluate each of IR's albums through the prism of the 80's, expecting the magic of a Johnny or a Moondram Pirai? Given close to 3 decades of prolific output, is it a fair expectation to have that an artist, or indeed any professional, perform at the same creative level? Are we just as fresh, enthusiastic and energetic in our work even with the passing of 10 years? "

Suresh, this is not a completely valid argument. IR is doing less number of films these days, just 4 or 5 per year. So no harm in expecting freshness in atleast 3 out of 5 songs in every album, but we still get duds like Karagatakaari and so on. Also when his mind is still creatively fresh enough to do something like TIS, if he even shows a fraction of that creativity/enthu/dedication in doing TFM albums the output would be far better. Raja's best in the last 10 years has come in MFM, not TFM.

Similiarities by something

Khajiraho - Roja Poonthotttam
Katril Varum - Janani Janani
Konjam Thira - (a) Naal Thorum (b) Thavikiraen
Ponnukintha - Kalyana Tharagarae
Antha Naal Gnabagam - Oliyilae Therivathu

:poke:

Suresh I absolutely agree with you. Vijay you have defeated your own argument. Look at these 5 albums - ONOK, AOK, MX, Karagatakaari and Konji Pesalam. Do you mean to say that not even three out of these 5 lack freshness. Please note that whenever the situation has demanded it , he has delivered. You keep harping on karagatakari whenever you can. But have you seen the movie? It did not even deserve the songs it got(which btw were quite decent, though not path breaking). Some time back you were complaining that he is not choosy about his projects, but now that you have films from the cream of Indian cinema lined up - BM, Kamal and Fazil, you crticize the lack of freshness, which again is vain.

In the 80's IR could try out anything, and set the trend, but unfortunately, as Suresh says, now the so called trendsetters relying totally digital loops and the requirement that songs should set the boombox in your car stereo vibrating, where is the outlet for all the rich orchestration of the 80's. If you notice there has been a progression in IR's music. His 70's music sounded different from his 80's music, as did his 90's music. Obviously, the 21st century has brought changes to his music according to the changing times. But the core of his music is still the same. When you listen to a Poo poothathu or a Kaatril varum geetham, you know its IR!

I also see reviews saying, that the first line sounds like an old song or a small portion of an interlude reminds one of another old song. Come on guys! 30 years of premium music and you still want each note to be different?!

" It did not even deserve the songs it got"

then why did he accept to do the movie?

12bums, Kaatril varum geetham - is the lone winner from ONOK and even this is not anything out-of-the-world. Have heard many and better songs from IR in the same Kalyani scale. The orchestration(or the lack of it) in ONOK is pretty disappointing.For MX, the interludes were different, but the tunes?

"but now that you have films from the cream of Indian cinema lined up - BM, Kamal and Fazil,"

you must be kidding :-)) we all know very well that all these 3 guys(veterans) are IR loyalists and despite the commercial fate of their movies/music albums they will keep going back to IR. That doesn'nt say much about the quality of IR's musical output. Cream of indian movies? Not any more. BM has been washed up. Fazil's last movie was average and he has'nt done a tamil film in 6 years!. Kamal doesnt go to IR for non-Rajkamal films. What next?

I'll wait for TIS, listen to it, see how different it is (or not) from TFM albums and then comment further.

The above discussion is political, opinionated and pointless :wink: . IR had a very special relationship with the mass not long ago. There are some who continue to nurture this relationship - music is the language of expression for this relationship. ONOK is a serving for those few who still yearn for his music. If it doesn't appeal to you then it was not meant for you. You have two options, wait for your turn or look elsewhere :wink: . Kajiraho Kanavil will do for now.

Good one Kavin.