Maestro ilaiyaraaja news & titbits

[KV]

On music and lane discipline - Article in The Hindu today on the Babu school of rhythms event last weekend.

Every instrument has its own place in an orchestra arrangement, just as every vehicle has its place on the road. All is smooth and harmonious as long as each player in the scene knows and keeps his lane. Attempts to break the lane and elbow the other out can be disastrous — in a musical composition just as on the road.
That is how R. Purushothaman, renowned drummer who has played for the great composer Ilayaraja's recordings for over three decades, explained the role of accompanying instrumentalists in a musical piece.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the annual day celebrations of Babu School of Rhythms last weekend in Bangalore.
He said that there was always a “three lane system” in a recording with the song, lyrics and other instruments occupying the first two lanes. “The rhythm section is in the third lane. The challenge is to show your skill while not breaking into the other lanes and creating accidents!” said Mr. Purushothaman, who happens to be the son of yesteryear film composer R. Sudarsanam.
Mr. Purushothaman argued that he and two others who were on stage with him at the event in Gayan Samaj — guitarist S. Sadanandam and bass guitarist M. Saseetharan — were lucky because their “timing was right”. There may have been countless talented drummers and musicians, but those who played for Ilayaraja were “blessed” because he composed music that allowed them to showcase their talent. “That is sheer luck,” he said.
Well-known percussionist Bali analysed in detail how Mr. Purushothaman's drumming style, while being never intrusive, always had a distinct place in the musical arrangement. He urged the drummer to give more live performances rather than stay confined to studios.
Mr. Sadanandam and Mr. Saseetharan did not speak much about their association with Ilayaraja, but chose instead to go on stage and strum along as singers of Bangalore sang his famous “En iniya pon nilave” from the film Moodupani .
M.D. Pallavi, Mangala Ravi, Rajesh Krishnan, Narayan, Mohan Ankola and others sang the popular film songs composed by Ilayaraja, accompanied by Shabbir Ahmed, Caleb Alexander, Arun Kumar, Srinivas Achar and Bhutto, among others.


Anybody here who happened to attend this event? Any video links?