82. India 24 Hours

Enjoy the videos. Happy New Year to all!!

India 24 Hours on Youtube (12 videos)

81. Punnagai Mannan

BGM 1: Betrothel

Short and sweet piece. I don't know if it has any Sri Lankan type music as required by the story.



BGM 2: Following Kamal

Nice BGM befitting the scenes with the sculptures VGP.



BGM 3: Expressing love

Nice piano version of the Love theme. It sets the mood for the piece which follows within the next few minutes in the movie.



BGM 4: Escape from hospital

I remember the glorious piece written by Vicky on this piece. Would like to revisit the same and know more from him.

80. Vishwa Thulasi

This movie, produced by an NRI, Sumathy, has music by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja & Mellisai Mannar MSV. BGM is by Maestro and songs are done by both for individual tracks. The movie is a love story and a full length musical, i.e. each and every frame is beautified by the BGM and songs. I have posted some mixed clippings here.

79. Rettai Vaal Kuruvi

Rettai Vaal Kuruvi, directed by Balu Mahendra, is the tale of a man with two wive, told in a humorous way. Mohan, happily married with Archana, falls in love with Radhika and both of them get conceived at the same time and go to delivery bed on the same day. The climax is rib-tickling comedy with good support from Balu's friend Raja in the music dept.

Clip 1: Archana working woman in another city, suddenly visits her husband. Mohan is so sure he's exposed of his affair with Radhika.




Clip 2: Both wives at the same clinic for consultation. Some funny moments.



Clip 3: Both the wives deliver babies on the same day. Radhika's father, a heavy weight wrestler is the villain.

78. Katrukkenna Veli

This movie centered on some wounded LTTE militants coming to Tamil Nadu for treatment. The doctor who attended to them meets with police harrassment and the movie is about the happenings in the hospital. After prolonged fight with censors and courts, the movie was finally released with some cuts.

The songs I posted today are from this movie. There is a small episode of friendship between heroine Suji (who later becomes a militant) and Kushbu (who is killed by Sri Lankan army). Except Sri Gana Natha, all other songs are by Mahakavi Bharathiyar.

77. Adhu Oru Kanakkalam

Adhu Oru Kanakkalam is one of the latest movies to have full length BGM score by Raja. He is the real backbone of the film, which is directed by Balu Mahendra. These are some of the wonderful BGM tracks.

1. Koondukkulle:

Dhanush, an innocent teenager, kills somebody by circumstances and sentenced for life. This track sung by Raja is the melody of Kattu Vazhi song, as Dhanush is brought into the jail.



2. Jail intro:

Dhanush is shown to his cell. This theme reflects on the pitiable state of Dhanush and repeated during the jail scenes.



3. Priyamani’s visit:

His lover visits him in the jail. A good WCM score followed by their love theme.


4. Beaten up:

Dhanush takes revenge on a cop, who misbehaves with Priyamani. He is then badly punished by the jail warden. A disturbing sequence, but Maestro’s stunning use of silence and brilliant score elevates it to a different level.



5. Climax:

Shanmugaraj, the sub inspector, takes pity on Dhanush and releases him. A beautiful finale piece for the climax – full usage of keyboard sounds.

76. Yajaman

Today's selection is from Yajaman. The first piece, the introduction theme for Meena, is repeated again in the next scene when she brings snacks. This piece is a good example for usage of tremolo strings.



The next one is for a comic cum sentiment scene. As is customary, Rajini wants to get a gift for Meena, as she is pregnant. But Meena asks for a trivial thing like butterfly. The music is very lively for the mood.



Oru naalum unai maravadha - this is a bit song by Maestro, when Meena dies. It unintrusively takes the story to the next level.

75. Music for Malayalam

Raja is a minimalist when it comes to BGM for Malayalam movies. Except for movies like Kalapani, Guru which warrants grand score, he underplays on the BGM area. Presented here is a the climax music from the movie Vinodayatra. This is the instrumental version of Kaiyetha dhoorathu.

74. Panneer Pushpangal

I was watching Gautam Menon's tribute to Ilaiyaraaja in Vaaranam Aayiram, where Surya plays the song Kodai Kaala kaatre on guitar. It also struck me that Raja has already used some guitar instrumentals of the song in the movie, while the college goes on a tour (near a bonfire).

73. Sri Raghavendrar

My favourite movie of Rajini, as I am also a devotee of Sri Raghavendrar. On Rajni's birthday, I want to wish him by posting a clipping from the movie. Ofcourse, one of the masterpieces from Raja for this movie.

72. Atharvam

Atharvam, directed by Dennis Joseph, stars Mammootty, Charuhaassan, Thilakan, etc. Its a story of fight between the evil forces and the divine grace. The first piece here is the love theme for Mammootty and his lover. Its scored for different versions Indian & Western classical.



The next piece is for a situation where Mamootty performs some tantric pooja. The mysticism of the situation is well brought out in the score.

71. Aanpaavam

I have received many requests for this BGM. This movie is one of my early favourites, for, each scene is a pleasure to watch along with the BGM. The 'girl seeing' episode is one of the lengthiest BGM piece and set to Madhyamavathi. This BGM has been ringing in my ears for many years since I saw the movie. Its instantly catchy and cannot be forgotten even after you come out of the movie hall. Actually, this BGM occupies the first half of the movie, like a hero. The director has done a nice job of editing the various scenes into one immensely enjoyable episode. The dialogues and the supporting actors are all brilliantly done.



This scene is similar to the piece from Mannvasanai where the heroine is impatient to wait for the next day, to meet her darling hero. It actually takes us through the character's mind.

70. Mudhal Vasantham

Mudhal Vasantham was a super hit movie with Sathyaraj’s Kongu Tamizh and good songs. ‘Aarum adhu azhamille’ was heard everywhere. I think its written by Kuruvikarambai Shanmugam.

I remember this movie fondly - as my father and I waited outside the theatre for the previous show to get over, we heard this climax piece and immediately attracted to it. Kalki magazine also had made a special mention of this BGM piece in their movie review and said that none other than Raja can score such a piece.

Here is a song which comes in the titles. I don’t think it was included in the audio cassettes.

69. Mannvasanai

Mannvasanai has beautiful theme pieces which I thought of sharing with you today. Bharathiraja’s picturization nicely complements the music in every scene, which makes the movie a pleasure to watch. Silence is also masterfully used in many places for BGM. As usual, the theme is heard with many variations in the scenes here.

The director has shown his skills in imaginatively picturising the shots with beautiful visuals like regular exchange of letters, letters flying out of the pot, Pandian entering back the house in Revathi's imagination, etc. Revathi has shown wonderful expressions when she learns that Pandian is alive and he is visiting the village again. Kanthimathi has given her life time performance in this movie.

Scene 1:

This is where Pandian attends the function to celebrate Revathi, when she attends the age. The village sentiments are nicely brought out. Pandian looks Revathi in a new light and starts loving her more. The theme music is introduced from here onwards. He loses his sleep in the nights.



Scene 2:

Revathi asks Pandian what he will do if doesnt get her hand. She keeps the grama devadhai as a witness and asks God to unite them.



Scene 3:

Pandian elopes the village after the villagers fight over an issue of marrying Revathi. They all think that Pandian had died in the fight. But the teacher Nizhalgal Ravi creates fictitious letters as if written by Pandian, to keep Revathi in good cheers. The village girl's innocence is beautifully shown here.



Scene 4:

One day Revathi received a letter really written by Pandian, saying that he is returning to the village. Her joy knows no bounds. She shares it with her mother and Kanthimathi also.



Scene 5:

Most beautiful scene of them all. Revathi is not able to contain herself the previous night, when Pandian is supposed to land in the morning. She is impatient and not able to sleep. Very interesting visuals and the dialogue is very natural.



Scene 6:

Theme music is played as a happy version in the climax, when the lovers unite once again, after some mishappenings.

68. Lyrics with Music

It’s my long time wish to hear Vairamuthu’s poems with Maestro’s music. If they ever join again, it would be our fortune if somebody brings out a collection of his poems read out by Vairamuthu himself with Raja’s music in the background. Till then, we have to be content with these BGMs from Mannvasanai. There are some short poems recited by Bharathiraja. Its pure bliss to hear these along with the beautiful picturization by Bharathi Raja.

Nizhalgal Ravi is the new teacher in the village, who enjoys Revathi’s beauty and writes lyrics in praise of her. The situation is beautifully and decently picturzed.

Non Tamil fans: I am sorry for not translating these as the translation won’t do any justice to these lines.

Scene 1: Revathi & Ravi meet each other



Scene 2: Ravi sees her with Pandian and feels happy for their love



Scene 3: Ravi pens these lines when Revathi attends age



Scene 4: Ravi is unable to bear the sadness in Revathi’s life

67. Ninaivellam Nithya

Ninaivellam Nithya, by late director Sridhar, is one of my most favourite films for its BGM. Its another lesson in how to gradually develop the theme motif throughout the movie, binding the audience to the story. Here are the eight variations of the love theme.

Scene 1:

This is the starting point of the story, where Karthik meets Jiji for the first time. The theme is just introduced with tribal music for the situation (heroine is from a tribal family).



Scene 2:

Karthik follows Jiji and gets a glimpse of her along with friends. The theme is more developed and complete.



Scene 3:

Karthik waylays her and asks her name. She is also interested in him. Love at first sight.



Scene 4:

Hero and heroine talk at the river side. Main theme is presented with another connected piece. The mood suddenly changes to imply the danger, as heroine’s relatives/friends see her with another boy. Luckily hero’s friend saves him.



Scene 5:

Both meet at the supermarket. Short but sweet piece.



Scene 6:

Jiji elopes with her lover to the city. But they don’t get any support from Karthik’s parents and struggling for a job. There is a small friction between them and they reunite again. The BGM is mainly scored for voices. Another beautiful variation in the piece with lots of counterpoints.



Scene 7:

Karthik meets with an accident. His parents blackmail her while hospitalizing him, taking a promise from Jiji that she would not meet him again in life. She sacrifices for their love. Another amazing choral piece with counterpoints.



Scene 8:

Climax scene, where the lovers are shot by heroine's brother and his gang. A sad end to the story. The score ends with haunting chorus voices.

66. Ponmudipuzhayorathu

Ponmudipuzhayorathu (2004) was one of the flop movies of Maestro in Malayalam (along with Pachakuthira & Sooryan). But it had beautiful songs and BGMs. Two of the BGMs are here. The music may sound familiar to some of you. Yes, it was used in the title score for Hrudaya Ragangalude Raja series.

Scene 1:

Sheela, a widow is heading the family with a son and daughter. She dances in temple during the mudiyattam festivals and does small jobs like treating children, etc. This is one such scenes. She advises about precautions to be taken while breast feeding a baby.


Scene 2:

This is one of the poignant scenes in the movie. Sheela runs a poor family. Adding to her woes, their only property, a small house, is in the danger of being snatched away by the municipality for the road extension work. Her son (hero of the film) goes to neighbouring town with his friends in search of a work for his livelihood. However, he learns later that they are gangmen who are hired for doing murders. By circumstances, he is forced to be a part of this and caught by police. Due to all these, Sheela gets mentally afftected and comes back home after prolonged treatment. She finds that his son lost his legs due to his wrong friendship. The director has given a nice touch here when Sheela thinks about his son as a child.

65. Bala Nagamma BGM

This is a clipping from Bala Nagamma. A perfect fusion between Baroque (western) and Carnatic. A long clip to relish.

64. Kovil Pura BGMs - Part 2

Kovil Pura has a small episode on how an artist is destroyed due to fatal attraction to fame coupled with ‘madhu and maadhu’ (wine and woman). Vinu Chakravarty who is a genuine artiste, a nagaswaram player, is lured by an unscrupulous person to Chennai who promises him concert chances with wealth and comforts. Soon Vinu falls prey to a damsel Silk Smitha and also becomes a drunkard. He loses his youth in these indulgences and left a pauper when he loses his prime. He is unceremoniously dumped and that’s when he realizes. But its too late now. He leaves back to his native along with his son. Some time later, his soon broods over the past.

A very sad, but unconnected to the main story. But see Maestro here, he enriches it with his impeccable background score – starting with solo violins, his favourite guitar notes, the beautiful ‘desh' flourishes and ofcourse, peppered with nagaswaram pieces. The whole episode has been enriched with his score. What a range of emotions he has shown - greed, lust, passion, helplessness, dejected, etc etc! A lesson to be learnt by modern MDs.





This is a light piece for a comedy scene, but Raja is Raja. He has given a trumpet version of Idhu oru ponmalai pozhudhu and Vatapi Ganapatim bhaje. Nice to hear.

63. Kovil Pura BGMs - Part 1

These are some amazing BGM from the movie Kovil Pura. The first file is the theme music which comes at many places. The same has been sung by our Maestro as a bit song in another place.

I will post more BGMs later.