36. Raga of the Month: MMG-4

The next instalment of Mayamalava Gowlai songs for this week:

1. Fun times – Film name: Kanna Unai Thedugiren:

Somebody mocking the girl who is going to get married soon. The song starts with some folk type instrument and chorus. The rhythm and bassline is very interesting and catchy as also the refrain ‘taku mukku tiku thalam’. First interlude has a brief march-like rhythm, maybe specific to the story. The flute in the second interlude is reminiscent of a flute piece in Bach composition.

http://rapidshare.de/files/34484936/Rasathi_rasathi.wma.html


2. An orchestral delight – Film name: Mudhal Iravu:

One more blinder of a song from vintage Ilaiyaraaja. Starts energetically with a train journey to be joined by later by hero-heroine in some garden for further dance sequence. The composition is again very Bach like in the first interlude (strings) which suddenly changes to accordion-like instrument. The charanams have good dulcimer tone. Second interlude is again a Bach style flute (like the first song above) and strings. Again the interlude deviates and joins back effortlessly to 2nd charanam. All through this, the train rhythm is maintained seamlessly.

http://rapidshare.de/files/34484934/Manjal_nilavukku.wma.html


3. Mysteriously sad – Film name: Kakkai Chiraginile:

Maestro weaves his magic with some mysterious rhythm and a repeating theme in mandolin like instrument. Its sung by a nomadic girl. The lyrics are reflective of the uncertain life. She is looking for somebody to lead her. Can you hear her soul? The voice adds to the beauty.

http://rapidshare.de/files/34484935/Oor_oora_pogum.wma.html


4. A Flute/Tabla duet – Film name: Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen:

Somewhat similar to Madurai marikkozhundu vaasam (another MMG). There is a beautiful support by flutes all through. Tabla rhythm in the charanams are joyously jumping with lead. 2nd interlude is characterized by temple bells, chorus voices and strings moving through effortlessly. The voices (SPB & SJ) are a treat to hear.

http://rapidshare.de/files/34484933/Maanam_idi_idikka.wma.html


5. Light hearted– Film name: Kili Pechu Ketkavaa:

A nice, funny song dappanguthu beats. Its amazing to note the mix of a hardcore carnatic raga and dance beats. Mammuty has given some funny steps. The chranams have intermittent, clap-like rhythm. Bass guitar brings out the raga nuances every now and then. Janaki’s singing is the best, as usual.

http://rapidshare.de/files/34484937/Sivagami_nenappinile.wma.html

We will be concluding this MMG series with the coming week.

35. Raga of the Month: MMG-3

Shall we enjoy some more Mayamalava Gowlai songs for this week?

1. Authentic folk – Film name: Chinna Durai:

This reminds of the song Kottayai vittu from Chinna Thaayi. A situational (maybe for climax) song happening around the temple. Mostly folk instruments like urumi, thappattai, etc are used.

http://rapidshare.de/files/33648932/Neeye_gadhiyamma.wma.html


2. Folk fusion – Film name: Chinna Jameen:

Karthik who is an innocent villager is made fun of by his friends and the heroine Suganya. Nice rhythm support and the raga is more evident here. Charanams run on his usual tabla support. End of charanams are sung by Karthik himself. Interludes are great (Madurai marikkozhundu vasam flavour is there).

http://rapidshare.de/files/33648933/Onappu_thattu.wma.html


3. Another sad song – Film name: En Purushanthan Enakku Mattumthan:

This is a pathos song with some dappanguthu rhythms. Veenai bit in the 2nd interlude is surprising. The feel again reminds us of Kuyila pudichu song (another MMG number). SPB’s singing very good, especially towards the end.

http://rapidshare.de/files/33648934/Saamigale.wma.html


4. Vairagyam – Film name: Kovil Kaalai:

This orphan who is dedicated to the village temple is harassed by the unexpected turn of events. He sings about his background and the past. The thappattai rhythm carries the song throughout. Some ‘chik chik’ sound is also used continuously. This may be another song where the rarely used instrument morsing is used. Who else but Raja is emotionally suitable to such songs? The lyrics are equally profound (is it by Raja himself?).

http://rapidshare.de/files/33648935/Thaai_undu.wma.html


5. Fun & frolic – Film name: En Mana Vaanil:

Please get us married soon – so say the youngsters. The song starts with nice chorus and infectious karagam beats and we get hooked to the bass line straight away. The words ‘dandakku dandan’ ‘hey hoi’ escalates the mirth. The intermittent rhythm punches in the saranam makes us tap our feet. The flute gives great support. Chorus has played a large role in the song. Overall, a rocking song.

http://rapidshare.de/files/33648936/Vayasu_vandha.wma.html

34. Raga of the Month: MMG-2

Next batch of Mayamalava Gowlai songs for this week:

1. Romance of the Legends:

This is one of the very few songs of TMS giving voice to Sivaji. Film name – Deepam released in 1977 (7th or 8th movie of Raja. Could it be his earliest song set to MMG? The orchestration is classical. The TMS – Raja – Sivaji combination is awesome.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32811790/Anthappurathil_oru_maharaani.wma.html


2. Is this Musical Breeze?:

No use of unwanted beats here as the hero sings. Just a bass guitar, flute, tabla and some keyboard strokes. That’s enough for him to cast a spell on us. A lesson to learn for other music directors. From: Manasellam (2003).

http://rapidshare.de/files/32811791/Chinna_kuyile.wma.html


3. A hard hitting sad song:

This is song is so moving - who else but Raja can bring out such intense emotions? I was lucky to watch Maestro singing this song in the One Man Show, this April. Each one of us have to ask ourselves if we are giving due importance to our mother. I do so. Shenai in the 2nd interlude gives so much of pathos. Film name: Aranmanai Kili (1993).

http://rapidshare.de/files/32811792/En_thayenum_kovilai.wma.html


4. What to sing:

The folksy song sung by an innocent bullock cart driver while on his journey. It gives a different colour to the raga. Ilaiyaraaja voice is so young and energetic. The rhythm and flow are just perfect for the song (including the noises made by bull’s bells). Nice harmonium chords in the 1st interlude.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32811793/Enna_paattu_paada.wma.html



5. Celebrating friendship:

Two girls sing about their friendship and wish to stay together all their life. But the events take a different turn in their life later. Maybe the hidden message is already embedded in this song, due to the raga selection. This is also a career-early song for him (from Vattathukkul Sadhuram), that came out in 1978. Though more of folk, the orchestration is sophisticated than the 1st song we saw earlier.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32811794/Idho_idho_en_nenjile.wma.html


6. Naughty duet:

The violin and other strings start their racing from the very beginning of the catchy prelude. The rhythm is unique again. Smooth strings form the major part of the song. Director Priyadarshan almost matched with his imaginative picturization of this unique 2nd interlude. The singing of SPB and Chitra is designed to be interactive (check the ending of the song).

http://rapidshare.de/files/32811795/Kadhal_kavithaigal.wma.html

See you next week, until then – enjoy the MMG-IR combination!

33. Raga of the Month - Mayamalava Gowlai - 1

This September, you can hear only songs set to Mayamalava Gowlai, which seems to be Maestro’s one of favourite ragas. He has used it for almost all emotions – romance, happy, sad, fun, devotional – you name it, he has done everything.

The history of Carnatic music says that the system of Mayamalava Gowlai was introduced by the blessed musician, Purandaradasar. This raga has the potency to neutralise the toxins in our body. Practising this raga in the early hours of the morning, in the midst of nature, will enhance the strength of the vocal chords.

This is said to be the mother of all ragas, because the music students are initiated with this raga only, to the basics of Carnatic music. I understand that this raga is simple to learn for beginners. This raga also has some affinity to Arabic music and resembles the Mosque calls. Even Maestro has used this effect in couple of his songs.

OK, lets get into the songs.

1. Inter religious Romance:

This song Allah un aanaipadi is from Chandralekha. Raja has incorporated the Islamic music in this song, to show that the hero & heroine belong to different religions. The charanams call for higher voice range and has been sung effectively by Unnikrishnan and the female lead.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011760/Allah_un_anaipadi.wma.html


2. A historic duet:

Enge naan kanben is from Sadhanai. This is again blend of Mughal and Indian music as this is supposed to be a duet between Saleem and Anarkali. One can also remember the old gem Kallellam manikka kallaguma from this tune.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011762/Enge_naan.wma.html


3. A Telugu duet:

I don’t know the situation for this song from Aalapana – I feel it like a dream love song but with a sad touch.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011763/Kalise_prathi_sandhyalo.wma.html


4. ‘Oru shokkana’ song from Chennai:

How would a typical rickshaw-puller in Chennai sing a duet with his wife? Maestro demonstrates here with his impeccable Chennai lingo. Listen to Machi mannaru from En uyir thozhan with a smile on your face.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011764/Machi_mannaru.wma.html


5. A sad song (his final moments):

Uyire uyire urugadhe is from Oruvar vazhum alayam. Sivakumar (a classical singer) is televised for singing this song. He gets some kind of heart attack and is joined by his daughter for second charanam. But, he dies at the end leaving the song incomplete. Jesudas has expressed the emotions very beautifully.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011765/Uyire_uyire_urugadhe.wma.html


Relish the top notch orchestration in the songs. We will see some more MMG songs next week.