Musical Magic of Maestro Isaignani Illayaraja. Review on Ten Best Songs of Illayaraja

I thank the fans who have started this review, but am surprised there were so few reviews on Ilayaraja’s top ten he is worthy of 1000 reviews from the readers who have read this column.

I would like to go back 2 decades on my review because that was Illayaraja’s golden era when there was no Cable TV but FM is surely bringing back those melodies for audience.

The most enchanting songs of llayaraja in films are

1. Katril enthan geetham-Jhonny sung by S Janaki-This is an out of the world song, beautifully etched by Sridevi on screen.This is a song which was most sought after in various singing competitions those days to get the prize, though it is priceless rendition.This is my all time favourite. Also good song En Vaanile in the same movie.

   
   




2. Illaya Nila pozhigirathu–Payanangal Mudivathule-SPB-The guitar and SPB’s singing takes you to the highest level of listening pleasure. The guitar is fantastic. This song was instrumental in making Mohan an instant singing actor type Hero for another decade to follow.

   
   




3. Ithu oru Ponmalai pozhuthu-Nizhalgal-SPB- One who loves music will also love nature.This is an amalgamation of nature and music echoed in such simple yet beautiful song, kudos to Vairamuthu who has transformed into a finest lyricist in tamil cinema from this small beginning.

   
   




4. Senthurapoove-16 vayathinile-S Janaki-This song has given us the Nightingale of south. Illayaraja and S Janaki got instant fame and recognition after this movie in the very first year after Anna kili(1976-77). No doubt Great Music Directors put their stamp very early on class and go on to become legends like Rehman did in Roja

   
   




5. Kootathile kovil pura-Idhayakovil-SPB- This song establishes SPB as a versatile singer this is one of the most difficult songs to compose and sing. Idhaya Kovil stands out as one of the best albums of Illayaraja

   
   




6. Agaya Gangai-Darmayutham-S Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan-This Song keeps taking you higher and higher to the celestial level, a remarkable song unnoticed-Rajnikanth is very lucky to get such fantastic music in his movies.

   
   




7. En iniya pon nilave-Mudupani-K.J.Yesudas-`You cannot imagine Yesudas singing in such good western beat. This song was generations ahead at that time.

   
   




8. Thalatuthe Vaanam-Kadal Meengal-S Janaki-S Jayachandran-You will float on the waters with Kamal with such beautiful melody. Jayachandran became one of my favourite singers after this song and Vaidehi kathirinthal. For new listeners, he is the same singer who sang in Kannathil muthamital.But for K.J.Yesudas. Jayachandran would have become most popular after SPB.

   
   




9. Illamayenum poongatre-Pagal Oru Iravu-SPB-It is ore sugam through out-full of youth and freshness-Young SPB at his best-one of my all time favourites.

   
   




10. Andhi Mazhai Pozhigiradhu-Raja Parvai-SPB, TVG, S Janaki-This song once again was so refreashing and it had a similar impact on us like Roja when we watched this, simply the Song, Setting and Kamal’s performance was one generation ahead and breathtaking for the audience.

    
    

The modern songs which are classy are

Nee Partha Paarvai(Hey Ram-out of the world, beautiful piano-soothing music)

Ilan katru veesuthe(Pithamagan)

Inju iduppazhagiygi(Devar Magan)

Enai Thalata Varuvaya(Kadaluku Mariyathai)

Poove sempoove(Siraichalai)

Fifteen best albums of Illayaraja(movies with many beautiful songs)

1. Punagai Mannan

   
   




2. Idhaya Kovil

   
   




3. Sinthu Bairavi

   
   




4. Saagara Sangamam(Salangai Oli)

   
   




5. Mudhal Mariyathai

   
   




6. Vaidegi Kathirunthal

   
   




7. Udaya Geetham

   
   




8. Kaadal Oviyam

   
   




9. Agni Natchatram

   
   




10. Niyalgal

    
    




11. Thenrale enai thodu

    
    




12. Munram Pirai

    
    




13. Eeramana Rojave

    
    




14. Aboorva Sagotharargal

    
    




15. Kadaluku Mariyathai

    
    

Three outstanding albums(Non Movie)

1. How to name it

   
   




2. Nothing but wind

   
   




3. Thiruvasagam(Brave effort-devotional in symphony)

   
   

The last album makes him truly global musician beyond language, nativity, culture etc-Hats off.

I will definitely follow this up with next 10 songs, but please write more reviews on this column as the world should know more bout Illayaraja and his golden era for Centuries.

After note; please listen to Ullasa Paravaigal(Kamal's movie) and Kazhugu(Rajni's movie)-very rare to get and simply superb music from Maestro in  early 80s

PART 2-RAJAVIN THENRAL

Hai friends, Thanks for reading my review. I thought I will pick 10 from the earlier period of Illayaraja and have found that you can get at least 50 Great songs that can be listed after several levels of filtering for all periods. So I am endeavouring into the next list 11-20 probably from the same period except for Idaya Kovil which will be in both lists.

There will be lot of couplets in my lists that is two different lovely songs from the same movie with lot of variations in rendering, instruments, playback and I am sure if they had top ten songs and cable stuff at that time, inevitably you may have to pick several songs in the same movie and probably Raja would have ruled the entire list.

Coming to the songs,

1. Asaiya Katrile tuthu vitu-Jhonny-Couplet of Song 1-the song has beautiful background score so ethnic and tribal and falls between two great songs mentioned in 1.

12.Thogai illamayil adi-Payanangal Mudivathilai-Couplet of Song 2-Even the beautiful Peacock will dance to Illayaraja’s music

13.Poonkathave Thay thiravai- Nizhalgal-Couplet of Song 3-Barathiraja would never have dreamt such a dream song, as the doors open at the beginning of the song you are taken to Illayaraja’s dream world-music.

14.Netru indha Neram- Tik Tik Tik-Latha Rajnikanth-Bold effort with Rajni’s wife, a refreshing voice became an instant hit.

15.Vanuyarntha Solaiyile- Idaya Kovil-SPB-Couplet of Song 5.SPB will make you cry if you sing this song with him, simply Herculean effort from SPB, Mohan gets the accolade.

16.Pani Vizhum malar vanam- Ninaivellam Nitya-SPB, you will just end up saying wow after hearing the song, beautiful mix of instruments. The pace and build up is superlative-Inivarum munivarum thadumarum kanimaram

17.Neethaney enthan Ponvasantham- Ninaivellam Nitya-SPB, simply unbelievable, Illayaraja has given three scintillating songs in the same movie, you can call it triplet if you want to add Rojavai thalatum thenral.1982 was the best Illayaraja Year ever-you can pick 20 songs from 4 Great movie albums-Kaadal Oviyam, Payanangal Mudivathilai, Puthu Kavithai and Ninaivellam Nitya. Can you imagine somebody giving so many beautiful songs in a year, we had a feast.

18.Sangeetha jaadi Mulai- Kaadal Oviyam-SPB-You can give 10 for SPB and 9 for Raja for this song. Barathiraja I believe could not control his emotions after recording of this masterpiece of SPB.

19-Poovil Vandu Koodum-Kaadal Oviyum-SPB-Couplet of Song 18 –the pitch, tone, musical blend everything was immaculate for a Blind person in movie. This movie took Barathiraja to great heights.

20.Vellai pura onru enguthu-Puthu Kavithai- K.J.Yesudas. Melodious song from Yesudas, Rajni getting the song of his life, one more for Rajni will follow in my next list, you will end up listening to this song several times-guaranteed.

If I have missed out any songs in this period, I should say it is my mistake and Raja’s greatness, he may have scored phenomenonal song for a hopeless movie which could have vanished from our sight.

I am sure you will pickup these songs and listen before you pickup the new songs, 21-30 will follow shortly, keep listening to music and be critical. Music is great for body and soul.