May 07, 2005 04:47 AM
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(Updated May 07, 2005 04:53 AM)
Listener's choice
As the name of the album indicates this album contains very famous songs sung by Bombay Jayshree. This album was released quite sometime back. I know what u r asking...Why the hell r u writing the revu now? Well it is very simple. Since nobody has written any revu about this album, let me do some justice to her work. Ok lets check it out.
Altogether there are 11 songs in this album. I wont say this album offers textbook form of carnatic music but an improvised version. Initially I hate to listen to these kind of albums because somehow these albums fails to give pure carnatic music and the one thing that hits your mind is, these has some kind of filmy touch to it. But gradually this album grew on me for its sheer selection of songs.
Lets move on to the songs.
1. Sri Ganesha Charanam - Starts with a prelude in ???? instrument...this song is sung in Tilang raaga. Though it is difficult to identify a particular instrument in the prelude, its worth listening the song. A beautiful song to start this album. But somehow I personally dont like the interludes with a lot of instruments distracting the beauty of the song and the raaga. Tilang is a beautiful raaga and just listen to the last note to hear a glimpse of its beauty.
2. Kanden Kanden - One of the best song sung by Jayshree in the raaga 'Baageshri'. This song explains a particular instance in Ramayana, Lord Anjaneya explaining to Lord Rama that he saw Sita Devi in Lanka. Beautifully sung by Jayshree this song is another trend setter for her. The preludes are really very
pleasing and creates an awesome mood to listen this song. Baageshri is not a very popular raaga before this song and definitely not going to be a hidden raaga anymore. Bombay Jayshree deserves full appreciation for rendering subtle emotions to feel this song even more pleasing. The second interludes promptly reveal the mood of the song and fits properly. In the last two lines of charanam, listen to the words 'aagathe' and 'raama raama raama endrenthir pesi'. Jayshree deserves a pat for just this.
3. Poojyaya Raagavendraya - Starts with a Raagavendra sloka in Yaman Kalyani raaga, proceeds with the song Tunga Teera Virajam on Lord Raagavendra.
Once again needless to say, Jayshree has done a wonderful job in this song. This song gives a refreshing feel and breaks all your thoughts, paving way to listen to the song. Jayshree explains the beauty of this raaga in the sloka itself but she feels thats not enough, so gives a detailed explanation all over the song. Both the interludes go well with the song. In the first line of charanam, listen to the word 'karathruda danda' and a simple note by Jayshree. WOW!!! Listen to all lines in the charanam carefully, because each line has been sung uniquely so as to depict the intricacies of this raaga.
4. Koovi Azhaikka Koodatha -Set in Sindhu Bhairavi raaga, this one is a memorable piece in this album. Everything is just perfect in this song. The veena prelude is so beautifully arranged as to set the mood of the song. Sindhu Bhairavi is a very famous song and no one can forget 'Venkatachala Nilayam' and 'Karunai Dheivame Karpagame'. Listen to this song. All the interludes perfectly fits the song so as to give the listener the feeling of one to one with God. Bombay Jayshree gives a fabulous rendering all over the song. There is one saying in tamil - 'Karaippaar karaithal kallum karaiyum', which conveys the essence 'A heart of love can gloss even spikes of steel' This song reveals the true meaning of the saying. Just listen to the way she sings the word 'koodathaa', every time I felt like something is happening inside me. And I think this is the biggest success of Jayshree. I will give you one more example to taste the beauty of this raaga - I couldnot quote a single line because all the lines in charanam deserves what I said earlier.
5. Nanda Nandana - A very famous raaga (atleast for those who read my first article)'Desh', starts with a note by Jayshree. The interludes are worth mentioning and is well suited for this song rather than any other song. Relatively a fast piece, Jayshree and all others have performed great in this song. In the charanam, listen to the words 'mrudhu haasa nindhita' and also the last note for 'Nanda Nandana', just see the variations she has shown to give a whole new experience in this raaga. Simply Superb!!! Lemme say one thing about this song - Exceptional performance by all of them.
6. Muralidara Gopala - A very famous piece of yesteryear idol, Mrs. M.L. Vasanthakumari (popularly known as M.L.V.), famed for her unique rendition.
This song is the identifier for the raaga 'Maandu', which became very popular after the film song 'Oru Naal podhuma' sung by Dr.M. Balamuralikrishna. Jayshree offers a perfect rendition avoiding the usual usage of brihaas and sangathis. To cite an example, listen to the word 'Vanna vaa' in anupallavi, simply awesome. But Jayshree could have given more 'Maandu' in this song.
7. Enna solli azhaithal - A song set in a very famous raaga 'Kaanada', starts with a veena prelude showing a glimpse of this raaga. Good start. Jayshree takes over to give a complete version of this raaga. On hearing Kaanada, our mind instantly pops up 'Alai paayuthe', which is familiar even in the rural areas (thanks to A.R. Rahman), this song is also an added attraction for Kaanada lovers.
8. Koovi Azhaithal -This song is set in 'Valaji' raaga. A very famous song in this raaga for music lovers. Bombay Jayshree's rendition is as usual flawless. Another famous song in this raaga is 'Padame Thunai Paramashiva'. A beautiful raaga, which resembles 'Malayamarutham' because of the same melakartha. The melakartha raaga for both these raaga is 'Chakravaagam'. Bombay Jayshree renders wonderfully with perfect tempo and bhava. The interludes are worth listening in this song. Wonderful job.
9. Janaki Ramana -Set in 'Kaapi' raaga, this song is a masterpiece in this album. As far as this raaga is concerned there are many songs which comes into your mind at once, but this one song has certain unique prayogas giving more flavour to this raaga. And Bombay Jayshree, Oh God, I am tired of praising her versatility, excels in this one too.
10. Shrinivasa Thiru -A mesmerising raaga 'Hamsaanandhi' and a hynoticising song, what a combination!!! Even more, Jayshree sings it. I dont have any words to explain this song. Just close your eyes, and enjoy a free travel all-over-the world. This raaga has always been my favourite and will also be yours after listening this song. The one and only carnatic song (in film song you have 'Raathiriyil Poothirukkum' - pure Hamsaanandhi) to pop your mind in this raaga is this song and it reaches great heights beyond one's imagination. Just listen to the word 'Jagannathaa' in the third line of the charanam and enjoy the immense feeling and the potential this raaga has.
11. Kaliyuga Varadhan - Starts with a violin prelude, this song is sung in 'Brindavana Saranga'. Another ecstatic raaga, which is popularly identified by the song 'Sri Rangapura Vihara' these days, will gain more popularity after this song. Excellent vocal by Jayshree, her vocal chords are very clear in this song that it needs mentioning. After hearing SriRanga Pura Vihara and this song, probably everyone will have their masters in Brindavana Saranga.
On the whole, the album requires much attention although it has certain intriguing questions.
