MUSIC by ILLAYARAJA. Review on Ten Best Songs of Illayaraja

We Keralites like Tamil somewhat in the same way as we like our mother tongue Malayalam. Since my childhood, I have been a great fan of Illayaraja. I have a good collection of his songs. Being a Keralite, I can?t understand the lyrics in Tamil well, but I can enjoy the atmosphere created by his songs.

The title above alone played a major part in the success of Tamil films during the golden era of South Indian music. Illayaraja is not just a music director making popular music but also the one who worships it. That is why even in this era of westernization his songs stay ever greenish when the?instant hits? simply died out of the listeners. His music went side by side with the lyrics, lack of which is the major deficiency of today?s songs, that makes them just instant hits.

When others of his profession(like Deva, Vidyasaagar etc) shamelessly imitated A.R. Rahman(helped Western music to overtake Indian music) he blended Western with Indian Classical and Fock music. For most of his songs, fewer instruments are used, and what more used was the tune and the singer?s voice . Somany singers like SPB, Yesudaas, Mano, Jayachandran, Janaky, Chithra etc are indebted to him for those songs in the name of which they are more remembered and respected. He has also proved to be the mastero of background score in films.

Some Tamil songs those haunt me are?.

1.Mounamana Neram(Salangai Oli)

I am more romantic when two lovers speak in mind

2.Mannil Intha kaathal(Keladi kanmani)

Sweet and meaningful, makes me sing along

3.Nalam Vaazha(Marupadiyum)

The guitar throughout the song melts me

1. Pattu Poove(Chembaruthi)

Celebration of lovebirds refreshes me

1. Poguthe(Kadalora Kavithagal)

Weep of the lover when his mate departs, makes me weep

1. Pachamalar Poovu(KizhakkuVaasal)

How sweet, let me close my eyes and listen

7.MandramVantha(Mounaragam)

The initial humming?.ohhh really haunts me

1. Maniye manikkuyile(Nadodi Thendral)

How sweet and romantic, I hear it at least once a day

1. Sandhana Maarbile(Nadodi Thendral)

Lovers achieving ecstasy that is sacred and spiritual like the song

10.Oh Butterfly(Meera)

The love song evokes soft feelings like that of a Butterfly

Some Malayalam songs blessed by Illayaraaja

1. Unarumee Ganam(Moonnam Pakkam)

   
   




2. Poonkattinodum(Poomukhappadiyil ninneyum Kaathu)

   
   




3. Vezhambal Kezhum(Oalangal)

   
   




4. Poovay Virinju(Atharvam)

   
   




5. Snehathin(Pappayude Swantham Appoose)

   
   




6. Thannannam Thanannam(Yaathra)

   
   

?.and lot more

Illayaraja is still there in the field but not so frequent as he was before, but sometimes comes out with a hit. Of course the instant and fast Western style of today?s music have added some drug in our mind, but Illayaraaja?s music is far away from the reach of those drugs.Also his songs have a healing effect on all those drug addictions.Even when people prefer fast food to make life easier, they will be always hungry for homely food, because they have its taste on their tongue. Illayaraja?s songs are like the latter, more homely.