Nov 07, 2003 01:01 PM
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(Updated Nov 08, 2003 08:21 PM)
To introduce Illayaraja, he can be termed as the King of Tamil Cinema Music. As a master musician, Illayaraja dominated the tamil Cinema Industry from the middle 1970s with his trendsetting music till Rehmania creeped up in the middle1990s. Illayaraja started his career in a period when lyrics was predominant in Tamil songs, and by the time he was in forefront he made the people concerned to equally wieigh music and https://lyrics. Illayaraja didnt have the best of technoloy and the best of challenging situations, yet he had made an unerasable mark for his magnificient music. Illayaraja is still undisputed in the area of BGMs and Re-Recording, and continues to set standards in that art.
, * Any Tamil Cinema fan should have been fed on a lot of Illayaraja in his diet, and I am no exception. I have heard a lot of Illayaraja and present my Top 10 Songs after several considerations.
10. Illangaatu Veeusthey - PITHAMAGAN
Illayaraja is always noted for his marvellous melodies that had high lyrical values, which were a craze in the late 80s and early 90s. He easily recreates his magic in this era with this pleasing number. It also marked a virtous venture by the King of the Music after nearly two years. The lyrics of this song are powerful and Raja pleasantly plays the part of second fiddle to perfection by using soothing music to suit the mood. A typical Illayaraja number that can strike a great accord with your hearts in any period.
09. Chinna Thayaval - THALAPATHI
A soliloquy of the highest order, this song rendered by the nightingale of south S.Janaki is a lovely vocal piece. Illayaraja creates a highly tragic mood from the start to the finish of the song with simple instruments. The powerful lyrics of Vairamuthu complement the song to a T.
08.Kanne Kalaimane - MOONDRAM PIRAI
This song served as a lovely lullaby for the whole of TamilNadu for the past 15 years, and will definetely continue to do so for the next 15 years. This song is of great academic interest, being the last song penned by Kavignar Kannadasan, one of India's greatest lyricists and the pedigree of Kollywood lyricists. It is my personal view that Illayaraja enjoyed the driver's seat in this particular song as the sheer quality of his music outweighs the lyrical excellence of Kannadasan. Another veteran K.J. Yesudas enhances the quality of this song by his royal rendering.
07. Valayosai - SATHYA
Illayaraja has authored a lot of sensational duets, and at the very top of those songs would be this mercurial musicpiece. Yours truly has always been an opressor of love. But if at all I run into my person(pray I dont!), this would be the duet I would resort to. A easily catchy tune that has a lot of lovely mood variations was masterfully conceived and composed by the evergreen king. The lyrics of Vaali and the magical voices of S.P.Balasubramaniam and Asha Bhonsle could not have been more binding and appealing.
06. Raja Rajathi - AGNI NATCHATIRAM
It was a song with which Illayaraja proved a point or two to his critics, and he would remember this song for it's victory. At that instant of time, the Tamil Audience were becoming increasingly affected by Bollywood culture and the Fourth Estate very timingly mocked upon the inability of people like Illayaraja to retain the audience of Tamil Cinema. This resulted in this film, where Maniratnam, P.C.Sriram and Illayaraja proved to one and all that we were as capable as any one in producing Westernised Cinema. This particular song was recieved with his awe for its unmatchable Westernisation, and Illayaraja won a lot of appreciations for his high quality of percussion throughout the song. The lyrics of this song is a letter to his fans that they need not think about another resort, and to leave no stone unturned, he had rendered the song himelf.
05. Ragupathi Raghava - HEY RAM
The silent mantra of Gandhiji'Ragupathi Raghava Rajaram' was rendered in one of the most intense manners. The song that used up a great choir, great variety of instruments, foreign audio recording is a classic example of trend setting music. From the fiery start supported by heavy percussion to the stop with chants'Ram Ram', the song has impeccable intensity written all over it. The music, in par with international standards was indeed as unique as it was intense. Trust Kamal Hassan and Vasundra Das to chip in with their voices in a vociferous manner
04. Vegam Vegam - ANJALI
One of my hot childhood favourites, 'Vegam Vegam' can be termed as a highly peppy song. The song starts with a peculiar tone and slowly rises to an enthusiastic mood with slight underplays at intervals. The song was superbly sung by Usha Uthup, and she was well supported by the children choir. Initially, I was rubbed in by thepicturisation of the song, and as time progressed the audible delight raced out the visual ones. Yet another masterpiece from the master.
03. Aasai Nooru Vagai - ADUTHA VARISU
This song released some two decades before is still an integral part of all DJs in Tamil Nadu.It is the Koi Kahe of Kollywood. You cannot believe that such a throroughly Western pop style song could be composed in 1985. The evergreen composer uses a lovely assortment of Western instruments to effectively deliver such a rolicking foot tapper. Malaysia Vasudevan modulates his voice beautifully to suit the mood of the song. Lyricist Vaali adds substance to the song with his lyrics that represent a man's version of complete celebration and the role of alcohol and alluring women in it. A song for collaring celebration.
02. Inji Iduppazhagi - Thevar Magan
This is a very unique song from the master musician. I never interpret this song as a duet, as others may term it . To me, it is as an unbeatable melody derived from folk. The soft and subdued music with vocal and sting instuments complement the melodious raaga wonderfully. Kamalahassan and S.Janaki are highly apt voices and the lyrics of Vairamuthu ensure that the enjoyment and quality are present in all levels. A treat for your ears.
01. Mandram Vantha - Mouna Ragam
This songremains the favourite song of many people from this region, and hardly any one can prevent him/herself from humming ths song after hearing it. It was 8.00 PM yesterday and there were about 100 tired people in my bus returning home after the day. No sooner the FM played it on, there was tapping from all ends. The song has very less scope of instrumentation but rides in the pure brilliance of SPBs voice Vairamuthu's masterly lyrics and the captivating cohesion of these both with the situation by the legendary musician. The song starts with a applausive hum by SPB which would wonderfully reflect the pain endured by the character and he would go on filing his justifications in a confident manner, with SPB and Vairamuthu taking centre stage. The brain behind the show Illayaraja fills in the gaps by using just two instruments to carry through the song, a light percussion in the background and instrumental note between the stanzas. It can be termed as a song of his era.
Thats my own list of Raja's ravishing ragas. And reliving these memories is an audible delight in itself.Indeed A Memory Down the Magical Music Lane
