Maestro ilaiyaraaja news & titbits

[Gregorysab]

V_S,

As for ponmani Theril - I dont know which film would that song fit into. But i just felt that this song deserved much better film. and if no film can really fit that song, then it would have made an excellent instrumental track, if he really thought about it. It fits into World Music. So why not a World Music album. I mean, if one really thinks... there are endless possibilities... and that too for a composer like him. If there are 2 choices - one where a cylinder-drum-lady is dancing to this song in an obscure film and other where such a composition is from a World Music album by a genius composer, I will pick the latter. and I believe the latter can be marketed much better than the former.

I completely agree with you that the people are now tough beasts to tame. Even one year old song is actually old for them, while a song in 2000 is pretty recent for us (raaja fans). And yes, the meaning of hit is now different. Hit in music is now associated with hit movie only. I am not expecting Raaja to forecast Hits and then allot songs. All i want, for his own image, is to not associate with films such as Kadhal Kathai.

And just one director Maniratnam is not the point of contention here, especially when he makes a film once in 2-3 years (although the exposure raaja gets if he agrees to a Mani's film is more and totally different - which is a different topic). Generally speaking, I'd like a composer of his calibre to not associate himself with tier-2 films. Not completely atleast. I am fine if Nandalaala is a tier-2 film (with no stars and offbeat director). But offlate raaja's films have been completely tier-2 kind. I have written about this earlier - that there is a risk of he being slotted into "Village/town based films" OR "devotional albums" perception, when people start looking at his recent output. Thats why I get excited when he signs up a Paa with Balki or Rama Rajyam with Bapu or this film with NEPV. Ultimately, it is good to have a right mix, in the repertoire.

He has bundles of knowledge. tomorrow, if no good director comes to him (god forbid), it does not mean he should take whichever filmmaker(who makes films like Kadhal Kathai) approaching him. He can instead take a break and channelize all his good compositions to albums like HTNI, NBW.

Vamsee is still making films. No idea why he doesn't take IR. I have heard about few telugu directors (in last 12 years) for whom, Raaja was a choice; but raaja declined. But yes, I get the point what you are saying. There have been more cases of people not approaching him rather than the no. of cases where he declined them. Thats bad luck!!!

again, before people pounce on me with accusation that I am arrogant enough to tell raaja what he should do and what he shouldnt - This is purely the wishful thinking of the fan inside me, who wants Raaja to be selective in signing films so that his image doesn't erode due to his association with some films. Sign films that show some promise (or with promising film-makers or established film-makers who can justify his scores). for everything else, consider instrumental/private albums. I dont want him to retire from films. No. But i am fine even if he does 1 film per year. One remarkable film (or film-maker), which can assure the same respect and market-visibility. I believe he is doing this in Malayalam (in films with Sathyan anikkad).