For a month now, I have been almost crippled with strange back pain that inhibits my ability to sit down for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. Hence the gap. Fortunately not too much has happened in the music scene. I thought I’d start where I left off. What better way than to write about Ilayaraja’s music.
Note the following facts about the current Sachin Tendulkar.
Has the weight of a glorious past behind him.
Has been the pillar of the hope of millions of Indians.
He is still performing admirably after decades.
He is not the unique trend setter that he was in his earlier days but still does things consistently well .
Though his recent performances have not been bad at all, people still expect the person he was a decade ago and say he performs poorly.
People almost always expect his superlative performance and are very critical of his good performances rebutting it as nonsense.
Now all the things about Sachin are true with Ilayaraja too. Ilayaraja bashing seems to be the trend in today’s world. I agree that the musical arena has changed and that IR has a huge weight of performance behind him but even when he does come up with some soul stirring tunes, his works are met with criticism and ridicule. I read an article where there was a comparison between Iman’s score for ABCD and IR’s score for adhu oru kana kaalam, tipping Iman as a good follower in IR’s footsteps. Yes I do agree that Iman has done a fairly decent job but com’on give me a break, will ya?
But speaking in a neutral tone, IR has not been able to often establish uniqueness as he did in the late 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. The reason may be the huge influx of new good music directors. But time and again IR has bounced back with unbelievable music like he did for Pithamagan.
But the sad thing about IR is that some of his better musicals never had a recent run in the theaters and hence were virtually unnoticed. ’paatu paadava’, ’poonthottam’ etc are standing examples of good works going down the drain.
Music of Oru naal oru kanavu
The film seems to revolve on a musical subject. Hence the songs are more melodious than foot tapping.
What IR has done in this album is that he has given classical ragas in their pure flavor. For giving the ragas their due, he has used singers who are known for their good classical background. Sonu Nigam, who was not used properly in Mumbai Express, gets a free go from the master.
Songs
Songs are listed from the good to the best.
Song : Ponnikitae Mappillae
Singers : Tippu, Manjsri
Comments : Though it cannot be called worst, this song is still mediocre by IR standards. Sounding more like a rehash of ’Ellorum maavaata kathikidanum’’ from Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, this song is more of a filler than anything else.
Song : Elamaikku
Singers : Sonu Nigam
Comments : A brisk pace and melodious number. Sonu Nigam has put good efforts in pronouncing Tamil well and hats off to the MD and him for the effort. Some interludes are refreshingly good with a lot of IR’s usual strings and synthesizers. The chord change at the end of the Charan is so typical of IR, yet so pleasing.
Song : Enna Paatu Vendum
Singers : Sonu Nigam
Comments : This hamsadwani number has all ingredients to quote as an example of the raga. Again Sonu Nigam performs admirably. The violins in the charan that follow the song are very pleasing to hear. Though the swaras in the 2nd charan are good, care could have been taken in the sound-editing department, as it seems to be very abrupt for the song to start immediately after the swaras.
Song : Kaatril Varum Geetham
Singers : Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Bhavatharini, Ilayaraja, Sadhana Sargam
Comments : Ilayaraja and raga Kalyani have a long and illustrious association. His kalyanis have been pure, authentic yet every time refreshing. ’’Janani Janani’’, ’’Vellai pura ondru’’, ’’Naan enbadhu ni allava’’, ’’Amma endrazhaikaadha’’, the list goes on. Every song has been unique despite Kalyani being one of the most easily recognizable raag. This song is no exception. The song is pleasing to the core, classical and yet has a beautiful morning dew feel to it. And when you have singers like Hariharan, Shreya Goshal singing parts of it, the beauty is all the more enhanced. Surprising is Bhavadhaarini’s voice. Sounds very nice without the usual high-pitched squeak.
Song : Konjam Thira
Singers : Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghosal
Comments : I had a big tussle in my mind deciding if this was the best song or the next one. But had to finally settle for the next. A close call. The specialty about this song is its simplicity. A tune so soothing that it instantly sets you in a spa with aroma filled mood. The flute (or synthesized version) that follows every line is simply brilliant. But in places it reminds you of Kathal Vaanilae from Raasaiyah in arrangement. But that said, this song is an absolutely relaxing musical therapy.
Song : Khajiraho
Singers : Hariharan, Shreya Ghosal
Comments : Few songs have the ability to make you jump that this song is wonderful. If it is a melody song, it is all the more difficult. This song certainly does it. Set in raag keeravani, this wonderfully pleasant number has been given the soul by hariharan and some genius instrumentation and brisk pace. To write about the song that takes your sense by hold upon the first hearing, would be to spoil its beauty. I will leave it at that.
In all, this is by no means one of IR’s best work but certainly one that will not disappoint you.