Gnana thangame!

We have been imagining all these days how Raja would compose and record a song and what would be the sort of interactions going between him and his team of players. CS Ramasami who had attended many of his recordings those days had managed to record the proceedings way back in 1984/85.
He has hosted the clippings here : http://isai-alias-raja.blogspot.com/
Song name: Gnana thangame
Film name: Raaja Gopuram
I wish to thank him for this invaluable treasure.

21. Some rare melodies

Here are some rare melodies from various languages.

1. Akashadinda jaari (Janma Janmadha Anubandha, 1980)

Beautiful song, beautiful chorus and beautiful instrumentation. The movie story was later adopted in Tamil for Enakkul Oruvan. One of Maestro’s evergreen score for Kannada films (all melodies). I liked the chorus at the end of the song.

http://www.filefactory.com/?ae6135


2. Kalyan Raman (Karayellam Shenbagappoo, 1981)

This movie was based on Sujatha’s novel of the same name. It has superb songs like Eriyile elandhamaram, Kadellam pichipoovu, etc. This song probably is sung on heroine’s request, who returns from abroad. It’s a perfect marriage between Folk and Western. Guitar in the song is a treat to hear.

http://www.filefactory.com/?725c7a


3. Mallale podagana (Sri Kanakamahalakshmi Dance Troupe, 1988)

A superhit from Vamsi-IR team, a melody with Folk and Carnatic elements. The trademark IR orchestration with strings/flute/tabla/keyboard. Unfortunately, this was not used in Tamil.

http://www.filefactory.com/?2d49d8


4. Nisha manohari (Pinnilavu, 1983)

A different melody from the Maestro, in Malayalam. I think it’s for a night club scene, but it’s melodious and somewhat Carnatic at the same time. KJY sings it with ease.

http://www.filefactory.com/?00514f


5. Thendrale nee pesu (Kadavul Amaitha Medai, 1979)

This is supposedly the only song sung by PB Srinivas, under Maestro. PBS has written couple of Hindi songs for IR. This song moves at a Ghazalish pace and style.

http://www.filefactory.com/?e0b790


6. Gnana thangame (Raaja Gopuram, 1985)

A great song, scored for a non-descript, flop movie. I think Pandian was the hero of the movie. The lyrics are philosophical. Raja’s singing gives the song its life. The modulation he has done for an old man’s voice is notable. There is a surprise awaiting the readers about this song, which I will write later.

http://www.filefactory.com/?3fd5de

20. Melodies

Melody is Raja’s forte. Hear to some of his melodies which captivated me too.

1. Kurinji malaril (Azhage unnai aradhikkiren)

What a beautiful melody for this Sridhar’s movie! It blasts out with a Mozartian start with some 70s keyboard sounds and flowing violin interludes. The pallavi emulates the violin melody. Vani Jayaram and SPB capture the mood beautifully and perfectly.

http://www.filefactory.com/?358b7c


2. Uravugal thodargadhai (Aval appadithan)

Another great, but a different melody sung by KJY. The interludes are slightly longer. Starting guitar sounds like Devan thiruchabai song.

http://www.filefactory.com/?1eb3ff


3. Kadhal oviyam kanden (Kavikkuyil)

One of the early Carnatic-WCM fusions of Maestro. This is based on Khamas ragam (in parts). The other song Chinna kannan from this movie stole the attention. As was customary those days, this song has three paragraphs. Its sung by Sujatha (probably 14 year old at that time).

http://www.filefactory.com/?9600ec


4. Ponnil vaanam (Villupattukkaran)

This is another song set to Khamas ragam. It praises about nature. The orchestration is as usual great with violins, keyboard and a nice touch is given by morsing for the pallavi.

http://www.filefactory.com/?67284c


5. Ketkavillaya (Madhu) - Instrumental

This latest song again proves why Maestro is incomparable in melody. This instrumental version is used for the title score of the movie. As you might have guessed, the song is played during the crucial moment of the movie and repeated in the BGM many times. This version is scored to a full-scale western classical setting.

http://www.filefactory.com/?87e264

19. Rhythms & Melodies

1. Dasarathanin:

Film name: Devi Sridevi

Maestro takes us through various styles of music. The journey starts as a Carnatic melody, typical Raja melody and goes pop, disco, then with African sounds and ends with funny drama type music of olden days (last portion sung by Gangai Amaran). Amazingly, he has woven everything into a single song. Maybe one of his longest songs.

http://www.filefactory.com/?64a9a9


2. Ennanne nattukkulle:

Film name: Themmangu Pattukkaran

The name indicates that this is a Ramarajan movie. This is a Qawwali type song and Harmonium is the hero in this song. The song is about poverty and shortage of foodgrains. There is another excellent song on this theme – Oh indha ezhai geetham from Devan.

http://www.filefactory.com/?e4541e


3. Gaana kuyile:

This is from the unreleased movie Pooncholai, directed by Gangai Amaran. There is another happy version of this song, with slightly changed interludes and tempo. This song is set in Maestro’s another favourite Hamsanandhi.

http://www.filefactory.com/?37bcf4


4. Kai thaalam:

Film name: Naan Sonnadhe Sattam

This is another gem I discovered from Project GEM. Typically orchestrated in 1990s, the song should take place in villain’s den. The rhythm change taking place in the 2nd interlude and continuing through the charanam amazed and captivated me (also reminds of Rajadhi raja un from Mannan). Asha Bhosle’s pronunciation gives more catchiness to the song. All the songs in this film are sung by Asha.

http://www.filefactory.com/?f37370


5. Sevvarali thottathile:

Film name: Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate

This vintage song is a rustic duet between Raja and Susheela. Nice hummings and flowing orchestration throughout the song.

http://www.filefactory.com/?184b8d

18. Message to Fans

Let us wish Maestro Ilaiyaraaja a Happy Birthday & many more happy returns for the years to come. Let us hear some of his songs where he conveys a message to his fans.

1. Pattale buthi sonnar (Karagattakkaran - 1989)

We all know how his title songs used to prop up the movie to greater heights. Not long ago, film poojas invariably started with Raja lighting the lamp and recording the title song. Producers and director Gangai Amaran here request Raja to sing the title song and he gladly obliges. As he says in this song, what a variety of songs for various moods / situations he has produced for every film!

“I have my leaders and fans. As long as they wish, I shall provide them the (music) feast.”

http://www.filefactory.com/?506fd5


2. Ennai oruvan paada sonnan (Kumbakkarai Thangayya - 1991)

This is another title song featuring both the brothers – Raja & Amar. Journey from Pannaipuram to Chennai is a long one. This song is set in Kalyani.

“Music provides relief to all humans after hard toil, stress and worries. God made me sing, I am singing.”

http://www.filefactory.com/?194feb


3. Indha Rasavai (Pongi Varum Kaveri - 1989)

Raja has given a new lease of life to many producers and directors (though some of them ditched him later). He sings about how he struggled in life and came up. Now people throng him for support.

“Nobody who came to me has been disappointed.” He also sings a bit about the current social situation.

http://www.filefactory.com/?aeed76


4. Summa nee suthadhe (Periya Veettu Pannakkaran - 1990)

Maestro at his best with tabla rhythm, flute, keyboard and violins. The song stresses the greatness of hard work and says true labour never goes waste, with the world at your feet. Who else but Raja’s life can be the best example for this?

“Brief waving of his hand or just a glance (at musicians) can produce divine music
even a killer will surrender to your music
he (Raja) came up with his hard work
he is Tamizh’s gift to us”

http://www.filefactory.com/?123486


5. Enga ooru pattukkaran (Enga Ooru Pattukkaran - 1987)

Though it’s for Ramarajan, indirectly enga ooru pattukkaran refers to Ilaiyaraaja. “His songs will reach all the countryside. His music has reached even the remotest places, where even a bullock cart could not reach.”

http://www.filefactory.com/?d66ab4


6. Rasigane en arugil vaa (Rusi Kanda Poonai - 1980)

This is a pop song sung by a singer on stage (in film’s story) for which the song is being recorded (song ends with a ‘take ok’). This is a different song from Raja with some voice gimmicks too.

“I give whatever I know, with mix of folk tunes. Some hearts may oppose it and they may secretly enjoy too.”

http://www.filefactory.com/?7b5f5d


7. Madai thirandhu (Nizhalgal - 1980)

How can I miss out this beautiful, bubbly, energetic song? SPB has lent his voice to Raja. He sings for an aspiring composer who wants to make it big in the cine world. I have given below the video of the song to enjoy seeing a young Raja on the studio.

“I will create a separate kingdom for my fans. As I create new songs/moods, I am also like god.” – this is the character’s feeling.

http://www.filefactory.com/?04270f