IR New Albums - Old responses (5 Aug 2006)

[Nitya]

While I believe that "Rasathanthiram" passes muster, the songs "Pachakuthira" are quite frankly too drab for my liking. In "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," I only like the title song, and to an extent, "Engengo Pokkindra" (Ethetho Janmathil in Mallu).


Regards,
Nitya

[Hulkster]

Nitya...it clearly shows on IR that he has decided in focusing on the BGM of films instead of songs...he has already achieved in every department and style of makings songs from the 80s and to now....it is clearly seen he is more towards symphony and works like that.

Maybe if the script is a totally new concept like mayakanaadi or if it is a kamal film IR will once again create some extraordinary songs....until then im afraid it is primary focus on BGM.

[aruvi]

IR is great in BGM, but what truly matters is the songs. If he doesn't live upto expectations on that, then what is the point of focusing on BGM? First challenge is always the songs. I have heard of films running for songs, but never heard of films running for BGM

[njv]

IR is great in BGM, but what truly matters is the songs. If he doesn't live upto expectations on that, then what is the point of focusing on BGM? First challenge is always the songs. I have heard of films running for songs, but never heard of films running for BGM

not really. I know many films didnt do well or did average instead of big hit due to avg or poor bgm. Sarkar in Hindi is an example where the BGM was completely screwed up.

Infact in the current market no MD is doing anything great. YSR is doing something to attract ung minds and thats it. Rest of the MD musics are neighter good (including IR) nor liked by other than the fan base. You have one or two surprizes here and there (e.g. Dishyum)

[Nitya]

IR is great in BGM, but what truly matters is the songs. If he doesn't live upto expectations on that, then what is the point of focusing on BGM? First challenge is always the songs. I have heard of films running for songs, but never heard of films running for BGM

Exactly! The soundtracks feature songs, not background music. Plus, I know that Raja is plenty capable of writing extraordinary songs.

[RR]

Recd via email

I came across your exchange of views on our great Ilaiyaraja. I am a die hard fan of him and used to be in constant contact with him 25 years back. Those days ALL India Radio and Doordarshan were usin song censorships and many of his classical songs were not broadcast/telecast due to this policy. e.g Sorgam Madhuvile, Oram Po, Vaadi En Kappakilange, Nettu Rathri Yamm etc were never broadcast in AIR those days. We had to tune into Radio Ceylon to get these songs.

Similarly, I find that even prior to Ponnuku Thanga manasau, in the film Sabatham by GK Venkatesh, a beatiful melody was sung by SPB - Thoduvathenna Thendralo Malargalo which had many intricate touches of Ilaiyaraja style. I was fascinated by this song even then when I was bearly 12 years old. Then in Yaarukum Vetkamillai also the song Melum Keezhum Kodugal Podu had touches of our great genius. Even though GKV was the MD in all the films referred above, I feel that he might have allowed IR some freedom in these songs. Any interesting views on this?

In Uravadum Nenjam, the same song Oru Naal Unnodu Oru Naal was used in 2 different situations. Usually there would be 2 versions. In Kaatrinile varum geetham, the title song had 2 versions with different BGMs for the same tune. I have also heard another version of the song Devan Thiruchabai Malargale sung by Yesudas in Vividh Bharati's Then Kinnam when the program was presented by IR himself. I have also heard IR sing this song on stage with aplomb even though it was sung by 2 female singers. I also remember having seen the Yesudas version on Oliyum Oliyum only once. Some how the second version never became popular.

He has scored outstanding music for the song Putham Pudu Kalai in Alaigal Oyvathillai; Rasave Unnai Nambi in Muthal Mariyadai; Nadiyil Aadum Poovanam in Kathal Oviyam and none of these songs appeared in full in all these films. He made SPB sing like Vennira Aadai Murthi in the song Engengum Kandenamma in Ullasa Paravaigal which was mercilessly blocked by both AIR and DD those days. The other male singer Malaysia Vasu sang like Surulirajan in this song.

I also have 2 rare songs Rasikane En Arugil Va and Aananda Then Katru (chidambaram Jayaraman style) in cassette for the never released film Manipur Mamiyar. Another song Samaiyal Paadame from the same film was reused in the film Unnal Mudiyum Thambi by KB with slight variations.

IR had another feather in his cap when he made Kamalhasan sing for Mohan in a film. I don't remember the name.

V.Padmanabhan, Pondicherry

[sudhakarg]

Exactly! The soundtracks feature songs, not background music. Plus, I know that Raja is plenty capable of writing extraordinary songs.

Of late, I've been extremely fascinated with the way IRs songs have mixed with the movies. The songs / BGM seem one complete package. Fine examples are virumandi, mumbai xpress, oru naaL oru kanavu, adhu oru kanaa kaalam or even Chidambarathil oru appasamy. For all the above mentioned movies, I heard the songs before I saw the film and was hugely disappointed. But, when I saw the movie itself, the song was part of the "theme" of the movie. To me, IR seems much more "complete" these days. Yes, I agree the soundtracks are not satisfying enough, but the DVD/Movie as a package is what we may have to pursue..

[abbydoss1969]

Poo Kungamma Poo is like a tamil styled orchestration song interlaced with folk melody...yes it is quite nice made nicer by the way the singers sing it..especially Chitra.

Poo kungumma poo is sung by yesudoss , isn't it?

Actually appreciating IR's music , outside the context of the movie is bit dicey. This song (P00) is not a love song , it is bet Mohanlal and his father in the film played by Bharat Gopi.

[Hulkster]

Poo Kungamma Poo is like a tamil styled orchestration song interlaced with folk melody...yes it is quite nice made nicer by the way the singers sing it..especially Chitra.

Poo kungumma poo is sung by yesudoss , isn't it?

Actually appreciating IR's music , outside the context of the movie is bit dicey. This song (P00) is not a love song , it is bet Mohanlal and his father in the film played by Bharat Gopi.

Yesudass and Chitra also sing the song...Female version is chitra and male version yesudoss.

[rooky]

Recd via email

I came across your exchange of views on our great Ilaiyaraja. I am a die hard fan of him and used to be in constant contact with him 25 years back. Those days ALL India Radio and Doordarshan were usin song censorships and many of his classical songs were not broadcast/telecast due to this policy. e.g Sorgam Madhuvile, Oram Po, Vaadi En Kappakilange, Nettu Rathri Yamm etc were never broadcast in AIR those days. We had to tune into Radio Ceylon to get these songs.

Similarly, I find that even prior to Ponnuku Thanga manasau, in the film Sabatham by GK Venkatesh, a beatiful melody was sung by SPB - Thoduvathenna Thendralo Malargalo which had many intricate touches of Ilaiyaraja style. I was fascinated by this song even then when I was bearly 12 years old. Then in Yaarukum Vetkamillai also the song Melum Keezhum Kodugal Podu had touches of our great genius. Even though GKV was the MD in all the films referred above, I feel that he might have allowed IR some freedom in these songs. Any interesting views on this?

In Uravadum Nenjam, the same song Oru Naal Unnodu Oru Naal was used in 2 different situations. Usually there would be 2 versions. In Kaatrinile varum geetham, the title song had 2 versions with different BGMs for the same tune. I have also heard another version of the song Devan Thiruchabai Malargale sung by Yesudas in Vividh Bharati's Then Kinnam when the program was presented by IR himself. I have also heard IR sing this song on stage with aplomb even though it was sung by 2 female singers. I also remember having seen the Yesudas version on Oliyum Oliyum only once. Some how the second version never became popular.

He has scored outstanding music for the song Putham Pudu Kalai in Alaigal Oyvathillai; Rasave Unnai Nambi in Muthal Mariyadai; Nadiyil Aadum Poovanam in Kathal Oviyam and none of these songs appeared in full in all these films. He made SPB sing like Vennira Aadai Murthi in the song Engengum Kandenamma in Ullasa Paravaigal which was mercilessly blocked by both AIR and DD those days. The other male singer Malaysia Vasu sang like Surulirajan in this song.

I also have 2 rare songs Rasikane En Arugil Va and Aananda Then Katru (chidambaram Jayaraman style) in cassette for the never released film Manipur Mamiyar. Another song Samaiyal Paadame from the same film was reused in the film Unnal Mudiyum Thambi by KB with slight variations.

IR had another feather in his cap when he made Kamalhasan sing for Mohan in a film. I don't remember the name.

V.Padmanabhan, Pondicherry

Kamal singing for mohan was for the Tamil version of "julie'', the hindi movie.Mohanand urvasi acted in that tamil version.