Maestro ilaiyaraaja news & titbits

my question(s):

1. what is the science/art behind infusing a local flavor to a given song/album ? there are many tracks of IR, which even without the lyrics, if you hum and add the instrumental tracks, will give you the native feel that track is composed for! many malayalam songs, as well as telugu songs (rooted in east godavari district, such as 'swathi muthyam' or even 'ponnar shankar') have that regional flavor/aura ? this is akin to what Kamal refers to as the 'higg boson' effect of IR's music! - but how does IR manage to do that with such perfection, as compared to others ?

A Suggestion. If ppl are hesitant to buy individual albums of BGM, i guess Box Set with Bulk no of tracks in few 100s, somewhat discounted price will help more sales!

skv - pls check ur feee emmm

Ramki, here's another one from my side:

One of the stand-out features of your music has been your usage of the electric bass guitar, which, quite possibly, no other Indian composer appears to have used so extensively, in so many varied forms and styles (featuring diverse techniques like tapping, plucking, sliding, etc). The bass has made appearance in almost all genres of songs you’ve composed, be it folk or classical or rock or jazz or pop, which I think is very unique to Raaja the composer. Fans like me yearn to learn more about this aspect in your music.
a) Firstly, the idea of incorporating the electric bass in your music - can you share some insights on the genesis of this idea? What/who inspired you in this regard?
a) Folk songs in particular could make an interesting case study on your usage of instruments like guitars and bass (that are completely alien to the genre) without any loss in authenticity. On a very high level, can you share your approach and perspective on composing bass lines?
c) Playing the bass lines on keyboard versus playing it on electric bass guitar - is it possible to produce on the keyboard/synthesizer, the impact and effect of the various techniques that the electric bass allows?

ramki, please check your pm.

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Originally Posted by jaiganes

marubadiyum modhallendhaa?
sari vitruvom.. my jimpil koschans.
1. Why Jazz and Why now?
2. When 4000 divya prabandhams ?
3. Why has the baton passing chain of instruments that we heard in 80s and 90s stopped now?
(eg: In ennai thottu aLLikkonda song from UNPP, the stream of violins begin a melody - but it is completed by sections where
there is a musical conversation between folk flute, santoor (or bulbul tara in keyboard) and then back to violins again to
end up in swarnalatha's silken voice - indha roller coaster is not there anymore in today's songs - it is more like functional
interlude with some ambient string section in background) is it bcoz of synth and multi track?
or philosophically there is nothing left to do in that area?
4. Not much of singer aalaaps or a human voice singing an instrument notes these days??? - does S.Jaanaki's vocals in "idhayam oru koyil" ring a bell?
5. when can we hear the psychedelic rock stuff that we heard in "uravenum" or "DeepangaLe " (from Dooraththu pachchai) or " Kanavu ondru thoandrudhe" ?

Sorry if the koschans were more of "cribs" by some one longing for nostalgia...

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+1 on 3 and 4.

MumbaiRamki, Here is a list of questions from my Twitter friends @mayilSK & @ezharai They both are as ardent raja fans like us :)

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/it70po

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Questions from @ezharai

1) Who owns the Rights to all his Songs and BGM Tracks.
There are Fans Who are willing to buy his entire Discography including Unreleased Film Soundtracks, Non-Film Albums and BGMs but they're NOT AVAILABLE to Buy

2) All The TFM Radios Play His Music at-least 20-30% in its Airtime, Is he even paid anything for this?

3) How does IR choose his RAGAMs?

4) Any News about the IR School of Music?

5) Why is IR not active online? When will the website begin to function?

Questions of @mayilSK

1) ’பேரிசைவகைகளை நோக்கிச் செல்வேன்’ என்று ‘98 பேட்டியில் சொல்லியிருக்கிறீர்கள், இப்போது அதற்குரிய சூழ்நிலை வந்துவிட்டதாக நினைக்கிறீர்களா?

2) திருவாசகம், Music Messiah போன்று மேலும் பல தொகுதிகள் செய்யும் எண்ணமுள்ளதா?

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Jai, KV Qs are beautiful but what can he answer?
:roll:
His works are spontaneous! 'WHATEVER HAPPENS ON THE SPOT, THE TIME HE LEARNS THE SITUATION...'
I don't think that he plans 'oh...let's dazzle this composition with refined bassline'.
yedho annikku vandhadhu!:musicsmile:

**************
This part from GVM-IR chat bothers me...:???:
VOICE MATTUM RECORD PANNALAAMNU SONNEENGA... THEN WE DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO LONDON TO DO MUSIC PART!
neenga edhukku ok sonneenga?
I KNOW THE QUALITY OF MUSICIANS!
PAA ..PEE... NNU,VAASICHU,
ILLAIYAA FEEL VARALAIYAANNU SOLLI VAASIKKARADHU VERA!
appadi our sentence in the bhadhil!
so composers like Raja finds hard to locate quality instrumentalists in India now? (his early yrs masterpieces are worked by local artists, MEGA JOB THEY HAVE DONE! prelude of anandha raagaam...... or even Embar Kannan's IVAN violin passage gone greater hts!:thumbsup:)
adhu kku munnadi
YENNA IDHUVARAI NAAN PANNALAI ILLAYA!
appadi oru sentence vera!
************
dearth of quality instrumentalists appadingara feeling erukkulla, Rajakku
this MUSIC SCHOOL PROJECT is a relevant, important question!

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Originally Posted by baroque

so composers like Raja finds hard to locate quality instrumentalists in India now? (his early yrs masterpieces are worked by local artists, MEGA JOB THEY HAVE DONE! prelude of anandha raagaam...... or even Embar Kannan's IVAN violin passage gone greater hts!:thumbsup:)
adhu kku munnadi
YENNA IDHUVARAI NAAN PANNALAI ILLAYA!
appadi oru sentence vera!

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baroque,

In a recent Telugu program, SPB stated that most of the talented instrumentalists in Chennai are not active any more. (Blame it on synth invasion in mid-90s). It's been getting increasingly difficult to find quality instrumentalists. Situation in Hyderabad is far more worse. Raja seems to be hinting at the same thing.

yeah... I got the feeling from his chat!
I think MUSIC SCHOOL PROJECT is an important question!

remember reading a news on MUSIC COLLEGE at Trupathi!
what is the status on that project?

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Originally Posted by teja

Q. Could you please make some efforts to release the BGMs of your films, (atleast the recent ones), either in the Audio CD or a separate CD. You're taking some much pain and effort to ensure that the film gets the best quality BGM (Budapest, London orchestra etc). But clearly it is not reaching out to a wider audience. We know that the rights are usually with the producers, but perhaps you could negotiate this with the producers upfront.

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aDDED

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KV

Ramki, here's another one from my side:

One of the stand-out features of your music has been your usage of the electric bass guitar, which, quite possibly, no other Indian composer appears to have used so extensively, in so many varied forms and styles (featuring diverse techniques like tapping, plucking, sliding, etc). The bass has made appearance in almost all genres of songs you’ve composed, be it folk or classical or rock or jazz or pop, which I think is very unique to Raaja the composer. Fans like me yearn to learn more about this aspect in your music.
a) Firstly, the idea of incorporating the electric bass in your music - can you share some insights on the genesis of this idea? What/who inspired you in this regard?
a) Folk songs in particular could make an interesting case study on your usage of instruments like guitars and bass (that are completely alien to the genre) without any loss in authenticity. On a very high level, can you share your approach and perspective on composing bass lines?
c) Playing the bass lines on keyboard versus playing it on electric bass guitar - is it possible to produce on the keyboard/synthesizer, the impact and effect of the various techniques that the electric bass allows?

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added

Thanks guys - i sent some 25 odd questions to KR . Lets see - I dont know how many of them will be asked :)

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Originally Posted by sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar

MumbaiRamki, Here is a list of questions from my Twitter friends @mayilSK & @ezharai They both are as ardent raja fans like us :)

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/it70po

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My humble list of questions please for our MELODY OASIS . please pardon me if I have repeated some of others questions. If so it was not intentional

1. Many of your compositions contain mind boggling usage of instrumentation which is practically impossible to conceive in written music. One example is the "Kazhugu" title instrument piece in which almost all the instruments com to play. How do you compose such instrumental piece. what is the typical time taken for composing them. Have you used multi-track mixing in these tracks because they sound so "live" to hear.
2. As everyone knows that you dont use a stopwatch while composing and you dont make "finer" corrections in post sound processing. Having said that, we find some of your compositions contains unintended gaps in timing, which we feel is unavoidable in multi-instrument based recording. The question is "Have you ever felt you could have done better in terms of timing for such tracks which has some of the world class orchestration concepts.
3. With proper funding will you consider doing a full fledged symphony again?
4. which one is more difficult for you to do? Composing the main melody tune for a song (both "tune-for-lyric" and "lyric-for-tune") or composing the underlying background and BGM instrumental piece?
5. I always felt that you are the best when it comes to opening a song. How do you approach this process for a simple song and a GRAND song like "Sundar kannal oru"?
6. we wish you hit the 1000 films soon.
7. Will you ever reconsider doing a full instrumental album with some famous instrumentalist
8. which was the most difficult song you have ever composed interms of orchestration?

http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=15402268

Padithurai sample song, in verygood quality

Two more such mini clips feature in a programme on Padithurai - Thedorum (in Hamsanadam by Bombay Jayashree) and one song by Bhavatharini.

Aaaargh ! How much I wish that sanity prevails over the producers to release atleast the damn audio!

By the way, Cant we request Raaja (in the conclave meet) to pursue efforts, from his side, to get Padithurai album released. Or infact, at a larger picture - get all his unreleased songs/albums released - all songs collectively in a Private album?

Can anyone ask this question please (and cite Padithurai - so that it gets noticed).

Bhavatharini ‏@bhavatharini

Hi ppl...Dad is sharing his life and journey in music with his fans. This is not a concert but a once in a lifetime opportunity

To hear the maestro share his views directly with us. Pls don't miss this event. 20th Aug 2012 9am Chennai trade Center.

This conclave is one such forum our maestro has envisaged. A long cherished dream of maestro sharing with you varied perspective in music

Here is your opportunity to explore various facets of music with maestro...one to one

Retweeted by Sridhar @maya_twit

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Originally Posted by sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar

Bhavatharini ‏@bhavatharini

Hi ppl...Dad is sharing his life and journey in music with his fans. This is not a concert but a once in a lifetime opportunity

To hear the maestro share his views directly with us. Pls don't miss this event. 20th Aug 2012 9am Chennai trade Center.

This conclave is one such forum our maestro has envisaged. A long cherished dream of maestro sharing with you varied perspective in music

Here is your opportunity to explore various facets of music with maestro...one to one

Retweeted by Sridhar @maya_twit

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Madam: So many days so many people asked you what the conclave was about. Just before 2 days you come and tweet about this and that too when the conclave is a near sell out. I have no words.

Kamesh,

Next time I will ask someone to suggest that you be appointed as the official PRO of Raja :D

Jokes apart, using your contacts, can you check out what it would take for Arya to release the music of 'Padithurai'? I think Suka has tried his best to get the music released but no response from Arya's side. As Aakarsh says, everyone is looking forward to the music. It will make a great decision if those fellows release the music, given that there is so much hype around NEP.

Since Raaja himself expressed wish to interact with fans... he might take things positively if all fans collectively express their wish for more raaja works to get released. Be it unreleased films or instrumental albums. If he gets a fair idea about what all fans want, he might try to get them released right?

Kamesh, could you please ask him about Padithurai.

To Suresh sir and Aakarsh:

I would love to be the PRO of RAAJA: So many times so many places, i and millions of others have given ideas to promote stuff but sadly we have been ignored. As far as i know and the information i have the auditor associated with the production house of the padithurai movie has got the rights and i guess he is not willing to release the audio since the movie is not according to their expectation/s. If SUKA can give me the contact information then i can talk to them.

Also, IR has nothing to do with the release of padithurai

I have given a question to Ramki and will try asking to relese all his unreleased stuff such as Padithurai (esp) , Happi , Soundarya Lahiri , SRK , Whos afraid of Virginia Wolf and many more ..Lets see if he mentions anything about his unrelease soundtracks ..
I am no businessman but dont see the reason why we cannot get the songs when we know for sure that these movies are not gonna see the light of the day.

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Originally Posted by skr

I have given a question to Ramki and will try asking to relese all his unreleased stuff such as Padithurai (esp) , Happi , Soundarya Lahiri , SRK , Whos afraid of Virginia Wolf and many more ..Lets see if he mentions anything about his unrelease soundtracks ..
I am no businessman but dont see the reason why we cannot get the songs when we know for sure that these movies are not gonna see the light of the day.

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Any information on new films being signed? I could not see any upcoming films and the pipe is empty after NEPV! Again there seems to be a lull after that 2009 overflow!

Melharmony ,
He has a Marathi film and a Punjabi one (remake of Mouna Ragam) , apart from that are the telugu ones Gundello Godari and the biopic on Sathya Saibaba , Malayalam releases of Sathyan's next and also Emsum Penkuttiyum ..He is also doing Project Gem Prashanth Raos next movie and also Veluprabhakarans next Kadhal Kanavu Kolai ..He is also recording for another Ramana album..

Our new hubber VG (Venkateswaran Ganeshan) has written a nice post of raagas and Raja. Here he talks about a couple of songs in the raga Kalyani and his association with those songs. Do read: http://thedrunkenmonk.wordpress.com/...gressing-rant/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skr

Melharmony ,
He has a Marathi film and a Punjabi one (remake of Mouna Ragam) , apart from that are the telugu ones Gundello Godari and the biopic on Sathya Saibaba , Malayalam releases of Sathyan's next and also Emsum Penkuttiyum ..He is also doing Project Gem Prashanth Raos next movie and also Veluprabhakarans next Kadhal Kanavu Kolai ..He is also recording for another Ramana album..

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+ i saw a recording of a tamil movie called mega starring Ashwin ( mangathaa fame ) and another Hindi film which KR was mentioning . Hands full !

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Originally Posted by MumbaiRamki

+ i saw a recording of a tamil movie called mega starring Ashwin ( mangathaa fame ) and another Hindi film which KR was mentioning . Hands full !

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thanks for the update!
Truly handsfull for this year!

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Originally Posted by MelHarmony

thanks for the update!
Truly handsfull for this year!

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Did anybody attend the IR Yahoo fans club meet today in Kilpauk?

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Originally Posted by MelHarmony

Did anybody attend the IR Yahoo fans club meet today in Kilpauk?

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:lol: Sorry for this but Kilpauk had me laughing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MelHarmony

Did anybody attend the IR Yahoo fans club meet today in Kilpauk?

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Hands full hmm.at the speed he woks which we know,he cld have finished them already!!.only wish that all these albums get released in proper format.not like what we got for mudhalvar mahatma !and definitely not like Hello jaihind!rgds

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sureshs65

:lol: Sorry for this but Kilpauk had me laughing.

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:lol: adhE!

[QUOTE=Sureshs65;934122]:lol: Sorry for this but Kilpauk had me laughing.[/


Insanely IR fanatic!

Tweets from https://twitter.com/IlaiyaraajaFans live from the Be With Me Event


I used to practice my guitar for 6 - 8 hours a day. These days dont spend much time with guitar - Maestro

ILayaraaja with guitar on the stage....blissssss @Raaga_Suresh @nchokkan @rexarul

Wow - Actor Parthiban asking Maestro to play Guitar. Raja sir says "Parthiban this is a real challenge".

Raja sir sharing the story behing "sangathil paadatha kavithai" song. Thanks to actor vivek who made him spk abt this.

Bee with me will happen in all places

Wow.. We just had a sample of what Marudhanayagam could have been. #ilaiyaraaja #awesomeness #bewithme

Ilaya Nila tune was the original tune for En Inyia ponn nilave as told by Raaja.

I composed "Ilayanila"song first & Balumahendra sir did not select it & hence i composed "En iniya pon nilave" - Ilayaraja

We are blessed to hear 3rd song from NEPV from Master's voice. Gautam Menon singing it wowwwwww.@Raaga_Suresh @nchokkan

RT Subramanian A @subramanianaras Another song from #NEP . Kaatrai Konjam Nirka Sonnen. Just a few lines sung now by Maestro.

Drums guy missing a note & maestro taking class on stage.

Song from Marudhanaygam being played, absolute bliss, in master's voice.

A riot of emotions with Illayaraja sir at 'Be with me' maestro concert! A long time wish comes true!

Gautham Menon, Na.Muthukumar & Maestro composing a new song LIVE On-stage. Just Wow !!

Valayosai song was composed in flute for "Nothing but Wind" album. Kamal liked the tune so much & so it was recorded for Sathya .

Director wanted KJ Jesudas to sing Janani song. But since he was not available i sang that song - Maestro

Maestro explaining how the Janani Janani song was born !! #Bliss

Bavatharini singing Janani Janani song. Not quiet matching maestro. But good

This is Mastero's New Website -> http://www.ilayathalam.com இளையதளம்.காம் Maestro's personal website. Aspiring singers can upload ur voice & maestro will select personally.

Be With Me Bangalore Edition on October 2nd. Venue to be announced soon

Just explored the website. Good initiative for sure!

But the only disappointing aspect of this - Pay 5000 and make your track directly go to round-2 where Raaja's family will assess. Pay 1500, your track goes to round#1, assessed by raaja's instrumentalists.

Though I am not undermining instrumentalists... this demarcation with Rs. 1500 and Rs.5000, that too to get a track skip a round is not a right method, in my opinion!

Excellent sharing of experience in hilarious manner about how he chooses silence. Swathi muthyam explained in telugu. Candid Raja

Balki had so much confidance in me that he had 20 min climax in PAA without any dialogues. Just my BGM - Ilayaraja

Yuvan says he has a dream to make a music album with Raja. Raja says he loves to glorify Yuvan's notes to make a symphony

Yuvan asks a valid Question. String & Brass specialists are dwindling & how to encourage future generation musicians on this?

Watched a recording session. Raja genre for sure. Yuvan to sing the song "Chella puve". Would be for bi-lingual movie gundello godhavari

@Raaga_Suresh yes still on. spoke to the organisers. Breaking news: Will have a full fledged concert in Chennai on 21Sep.

Isaignani talks about his website. Will interact with his fans, select talented singers and groom them

Just touch a key & make sound in key board.But it will take minimum 6 months to hold Violin. Next gen not learning Violin is sad-Ilayaraja
Retweeted by IlaiyaraajaFans

Ilayaraja - I was recovering from operation & hence cud not sing. So composed the song "kaathalin deepam onru" just by whistling.

Isaignani whistles "kadhalin dheepam onru" fluently. One of the program highlights. Pure #bliss

"Be with me Maestro" Chennai edition is over. Look forward to his program in your town soon.
Retweeted by IlaiyaraajaFans

>>You can either choose basic (Rs.1500) or premium (Rs.5000) option. In premium registration, either the Maestro or his family member ( Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Bhavatharini ) is sure to hear your voice & you will move to second round by default for live audition

ராஜா சாருக்கு யார் இந்த யோசனையை யார் சொல்லி இருந்தாலும் அது தவறு. அவரை வைத்து பணம் பார்க்க, யாருக்கோ இது ஒரு வழி என்று தான் தோன்றுகிறது. அவர் பணம் பார்க்கும் காலத்தை எல்லாம் தாண்டி விட்டார். ஏதாவது ஒரு சேனல் வழியாக குரல் தேர்வு செய்து இருந்தால் ஸ்பான்சர்சிப் மூலமாக நிறைய நன்மைகள் கிடைத்திருக்கலாம், மிகவும் அலட்டிக்கொள்ள தேவை இல்லை, மேலும் காசுக்காக இதை செய்கிறார்கள் என்று அடுத்தவர் சொல்ல வாய்ப்பு இருந்திருக்காது. சாரி, இது சரியாப்படலை.

வெப்சைட் தொடங்க போவது குறித்து அவருடைய பிறந்த நாளன்று குறிப்பிடும் போது, அதன் மூலமாக மியூசிக் டிஸ்கஷன் என்று சொல்லி விட்டு குரல் தேர்வு செய்யும் அறிவிப்பை வெளியிட்டது - அதுவும் basic/premium என்று சொல்வது, கொஞ்சம் கரும் புள்ளியாகவே தோன்றுகிறது. இதை இங்கு மறுபடி சொல்வதற்கு மன்னிக்கவும், அவர் தகுதிக்கு இது சரி இல்லைங்க.

புதுசு : மருதநாயகம் பிட், இளையநிலா/நீ தானே என் பொன் வசந்தம் விஷயம், வளையோசை/NBT டியூன், ஜனனி ஜனனி/யேசுதாஸ் மற்றும் அது உருவான விதம். வயலின் கற்றுகொள்ளாத அடுத்த தலைமுறையினர், கிடார் ப்ராக்டிஸ்

பழசு: பவதாரிணி குரலில் பாழாகி கேட்கும் ஜனனி பாடல், பால்கியின் நம்பிக்கை, காதலின் தீபம் ஒன்று உருவான கதை.

செப்டம்பர் 21, கச்சேரி நிச்சயம் உண்டா?