First. thanks to TIS-USA, Tamil Mayyam and all volunteers/contributors for making this happen. I got my CD on the 7th which was mailed on the second. I am too busy and only managed to listen to it twice. So far, I have been reading all the responses here and my opinions are along the same lines. If people ecstatic and launch into hyperboles, it is not at all surprising. 'polla vinaiyEn' is especially 'goosebumps' all over. Even my parents (who I wrongfully suspected may not like the WCM aspects) are very moved and want a CD. Still, the music is not totally alien to discerning IR fans. We have had an inkling of what is going to come. But the scale is so big, we are all at an awe , just like anybody else. paalavainaththil mazhai thuLigaLai paarthu viyanthavan, azhagiya kadalil neendhi thiLaikkum anubavam.
IR who presented Indian classical music in popular formats in movies, presents a classical fusion again in a very appealing format, as can be seen by the popularity/commercial success of the album. BTW, this is nothing like Handel's Messiah. It is very raaja'ish. The normal flute in IR's songs manifests in a more classical way with horns in this work. Ofcourse, the multipart string sections sound grander and mind-boggling with a bigger orchestra. The team has described it as a crossover, because of the rhythm instruments used I guess. But it is nowhere like the 'classical crossovers' being sold in the US. This is in a totally different /higher plane. The symphonic appellation is also very apt. (I think, it was Guitar Prasanna, who said IR is the one who can present high quality popular music. He was comparing him with Sting, but with this work, we need to identify somebody else, even people like John Williams may not have the reach into the masses like IR has with this work).
The work seems to be a daring attempt at fusing popular music of India (films, I mean only the essence here), Americas/West (like Broadway) and indian classical and western classical. IR fans know the imperceptible twists and turns in IR's music. In 'pollA vinaiyEn' you dont know at what pitch the music is going to be, when will the indian chorus chime, when the choir will join or when the operatic singer will join. It is all so seamless, it is mind-boggling. One needs to take a rest/sip water/catch a breath after this musical roller-coaster ride.
Overall a musico-religious experience hitherto unheard of in India or the West. I am not sure how the western classical experts in US/Europe going to take this. I am thinking their response would be like that of US awe/sometimes fear/a resigned appreciation of China's economy or for the high-technology/software prowess of India. I will be mailing a CD to KDFC a SF Bay Area , a classical music radio station. The person there will try to accomodate this in the Sunday morning religious program. If anybody is contacting Prof. George Hart in Bay Area please let me know. I will be ordering a bunch of CDs to give to send to people like this and musically inclined friends.
I dont know whether to thank or praise or be impressed with IR's musical skills. The thought that arises in my mind is - may he blessed with a longer life and do more works like this..
I also hope that this album becomes a financial success and people like Father are out of debt really soon.
