Thursday, June 18, 2009

Giri Pradakshina/Valam - Counter thought

I have experienced a new throbbing phase with this celestial album in the last 12 days. Ain’t saying this because I am a fan of Raaja sir, however, certainty, this album is so powerful tool to reach god and new spiritual arena. It has been alike a confession for me. I have learnt so many new factors in the last 12 days. I was more alike in betwixt deep sea and devil. I mean to say Materialistic life or Spiritual life. It has been a pilgrimage for me more like Girivalam. I have been listening to these compositions mostly while travel. So, the ambience and the mood created by these compositions were made me to feel I am losing myself from this acquisitive world.

I discovered that attaining spiritual grade is not an ease chore when I wanted to make it out truly and deeply!

P.S: Need to travel 17 Kms of Giri Pradakshina/Valam.

always

~~Raaja rules!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Giri Pradakshina/Valam - 1st Kilometer



Being emotionally inclined to Raaja sir’s compositions, I intentionally did not make it out my presence onto Thiruvasagam in Oratorio audio release function {Jul 01, 2005}, however, during its function, all my thoughts were about it, I was in office, though.

On the same day, I left the office by very late evening and found a crowd near a TV showroom. OMG, I reckon, in KTV, Thiruvasagam in Oratorio audio release function was shown. I was not able to hear the speech; however, I could see Raaja sir in the frame. So, I was very glad and felt it like I got His dharsan.

When I came to know that this Album is available in Market, I went to Landmark - Spencer. As soon as, I entered the Hall, to my surprise, everywhere Raaja sir's poster {promo pixels of this album} were taped, my heart skipped beating. {When I was small, I used to see Raaja sir's posters onto walls, front mirror of autorickshaw, every casette shops, painting shops, friday newpapers...et al., - Nostalgic thought}. Some english song was played at that hall. I went near a rack, which is full of this divine album. Then, without any reluctant I took an album with my malicious and grimed hands, which has 6 holy compositions. My eyes were already filled with ceremonially impure moisture, which were trying to come across the lower eye-lids. I was not able to read the track names as my vision was blurred/hazy with smudge tears. It was more like Confession for me.

All of a sudden, when I heard a counter voice {intermingled with rustic, religiousness and holiness} of Raaja sir over the tenor voice of Ray Harcourt for the composition - Polla vinayen, I was not by myself. I was feeling celestial breeze let into my ears without my consent and started provoking the hidden spiritual cells. Goosebumps! When I checked my pocket I was having Rs.75 only. As I was in urge to know about this album, I did not take enough money with me. I believe my friend Sudharshan was with me and said he could offer the money to buy this CD. I was with my typical vanity and said “No, I suppose to buy this album with my own money”. {Is there anything called own money?} {Now, often I am buying this cd and offering it to others. Even, yesterday also I bought a cd for some anonymous person at my dad’s office}.

On that day, I just turned back to my end with some sort of satisfaction in my life. To my surprise, I found the Thiruvasagam Cd at my flat, which was bought by my Anna. He said "I know Kamal you would be longing to get this CD". At that very moment, I felt alike I am a blessed child onto this earth. Another coincidence, again Polla vinaiyein was played at my flat as
well when I reached there. Anna was pulling my legs said songs are so lengthy and et al., I did not mind anything and started playing the cd from the first song – Poovar senni mannar {A marching genre song}, march towards your target. As I’ve already heard the 1st verse of this song sung by Raaja sir at press meet. I have a clue how it sounds. Overwhelming! Polla vinaiyein, we were simply moved by the orchestra, exactly at 14th minute and 37th second. This composition is nothing but just a confession and at 17:53, it was alike renaissance. Pooverukonum Purantharanum sounded alike a devotional ballad with a pleasing vocal harmony at the last part. Umbarkatkarasaey has such a melancholic feel. Muthu Natramam made me to perplexed, how could these words fit into such a melody. Puttril vazh Aravum is such an inspirational song {Raaja sir's dialect and Alap, its melody would be imitiated by grand western string orchestra}, which I personally allied to Raaja sir’s typical gesture who does not frighten for any terrifying act.

As soon as I finished listening to the songs, I’ve called up Dr.Vijay venkatraman through phone. He was busy with his clients. Still, he took break to give consideration for my call and feedback. What I know about music to give the feedback of this devotional album made it in grand scale? When he questioned me “what do you feel about these compositions? I was panic and wordless. With all emotions, I said this album is tantamount to 100 times of “Thendral vendu theendum pothu” song as this song was an ultimate composition for me in this world. Juvenile behavior! I shall take this opportunity to thank Dr.Vijay venkatraman for all his patience and tolerance to listen to my Juvenile narration.

Once I am done with that call, I started listening to these compositions again. It was around 11 pm. I switched off all the lights and with headphone I started eavesdropping this album again. When I was listening to the composition - Umbarkatkarasaey, I became emotional and tears were poured out, I have closed my eyes, though. So, this song became my favorite song right away.

And in the last 5 years, more or less daily we would be listening to this Thiruvasagam album. By June 6th - June 18th {2004}, Raaja sir has composed the melodies and orchestra annotations for Thiruvasagam in Oratoria. So, for a sentiment, I have been listening only to Thiruvasagam songs for all these 12 days and today June 18th is Manickavasagar day. On this day, Manickavasagar has been incorporated to Lord Shiva. Also, I have been gathering the information all about the making of this album and other its oriented stuff.

Raaja sir has suffered lot while doing this project, so much of stress and also, offened by many ppl. Infact, whenever we do research on any ancient holy projects, these are common obstacles.

I have experienced the same kind of pain, if not upto what Raaja sir has been. Yup, it was 6 painful days {first}. I was not able to recognize what is what. From the 7th day, I was somewhat relaxed and attained the normal state.

By that time, I was reminded to Swami Vivekananda's lines {from his personal letter about his trip to Europe from Madras}

"Myself, I have no peace, am burning literally day and night, but somehow or other, wherever I go hundreds and, in some [places] as in Madras, thousands would come to me day and night and would be cured of their skepticism and unbelief but I—! I am always unhappy!! Thy will be done!!!".

P.S: So far travelled Giri Pradakshina/Valam is 1 Kilometer.

To be continued shortly...!

always

~~Raaja rules!

Limca book of records

Apparently, the page - 93 of Limca book of records - 1998 has information about Raaja sir's record in Indian cinema. I happened to come across it through google search. However, there is no preview available for it. Below is synopsis of it:

Limca book of records

History - 1998

Page 93
Ilayaraaja has composed over 3500 songs for about 700 films. Society of Indian
Record Collectors The Society of Indian Record Collectors, established in ...

More details:

Limca book of records
Published by Bisleri Beverages Ltd., 1998
Original from the University of Michigan
Digitized 4 Sep 2008.

# 2: I have no clue for the subsequent two records. I reckon it could be for Raaja sir has composed the melody on seeing the already picturized songs for the movie - Hey Raam.

Limca book of records

History - 2001

The original lyrics of Sameer composed by L.Subramanyam were replaced with new tunes by Ilayaraja. This was done after the songs were picturised by the ...

More details

Limca book of records
Published by Bisleri Beverages Ltd., 2001
Original from the University of Michigan
Digitized 28 Aug 2008

#3:

Limca Books Of Records 2000

1905

Page 147

... Independence era, bagged seven of the Kerala State Film Awards, 1996, including one for lead actor Mohanlal and another for Illayaraaja for his music

More details

Limca Books Of Records 2000
Published by Limca Book of Records, 1905
Original from the University of Michigan
Digitized 29 Aug 2008
ISBN 8190114808, 9788190114806


always

~~Raaja rules!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Thiruvasagam in Oratoria - A Musical pilgrimage!

Today is a special day in Raaja sir’s music career. Yes, before 5 years today {June 6th} is the day on which Raaja sir has started off composing the melodies and its oriented orchestra annotation for the album “Thiruvasagam in Oratoria”. He has chosen some selected verses from the below:

Polla vinayen from Sivapuranam {Namashivaya vazhga},
Puttril vazh Aravum Anjen from Acchap paththu,
Pooverukonum Purantharanum from Thirukoth-thumbi {Shivanodu ikkiyum - Incorporating with Lord Shiva},
Umbarkatkarasaey from Pidiththa paththu {Muththik-kalap-puraiththal},
Muthu Natramam from Acchop pathikam {Anupava-vazhi ariyaamai},
Poovaar Senni Mannan from Yaaththirai paththu {Anubhava Athiitham uraiththal}.

He has accomplished the composing work on June 18th, which is actually saint Manickavasagar day! i.e., The music composing work of this project was well thought-out in the last 12 days of Saint Manickavasagar.

Besides the original verses, Raaja sir has appended a couple of lines in the composition - Puttril vazh Aravum Anjen: Vaathanur adigal {Saint Manickavasagar} vazhga, vaazhththum avar adiyaar vazhga!

Reportedly, these compositions are considered as “Classical Cross-over” genre. Infact, this album is an Oratorio album. Oratorio is a musical composition for vocal and orchestra, which narrates a sacred story {hymn} without any dramatic performance.

Basically, Oratorio is a work type. Considering the western factors, each compositions from this album fall into different genre.

Poovaar Senni Mannan is Marching genre,
Polla vinayen is Choral music genre {verse - Aakkam alavu is alone “A cappella”},
Thiruk koththumpi could be called as Guzzanelle {in lighter vein}. Guzzanelle is very amicable to Ballad. In that manner, Thiruk koththumpi is reportedly "Ballad" or "Devotional Ballad" {I did coin this term},
Umbarkatkarasaey – Choral music genre,
Muthu Natramam – Ballet Genre {in lighter vein},
Puttril vazh Aravum Anjen – Classical genre {Initially, it has mere opera elements of dialect}.

"சொல்லிய பாட்டின் பொருள் உணர்ந்து சொல்லுவார்
செல்வர் சிவபுரத்தின் உள்ளார் சிவன் அடிக்கீழ்ப்...

"Cholliya pattin porul unar{i}ndhu cholluvar
selvar Shivaburaththin ullar Shivan adikkizhp..."

The above lines are from last verse of Shivapuram {93rd and 94th lines}.

As Rev.G.U.Pope: 'NEATH THY SACRED FEET
THEY LEARN THE MEANING OF THEIR SONG.The blessed ones
In Civan's town who dwell, - full many a one, - beneath...'

If someone understand this song {shivapuranam} and explain/narrate about this song then he/she would go to Lord shiva's place...!

Through this album Raaja sir has rewritten the norms of Oratorio. After all He is an incarnation of Music!

always

~~Raaja rules!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Rare photo



Courtesy: Mr. Jacob Jesupatham
always

~~Raaja rules!

Mystical experience

Induction:

In my mobile phone, I have the 3 notes composition {Instrumental} composed for Italy concert as ringtone. My sister has the same ring tone for her hubby's call.

Mystical and whimsical experience:

She got a call from her hubby on evening of 3rd June. Initially, I thought, it was on my mobile and later realized that it was for her. Thenceforth, I was hearing the same flute piece around me. I found that it was not on my mobile and even, did not play this composition in my PC or any other means as well. I thought it could be my pre-occupied notation. After my sister was done with the call, She informed me that my mobile was ringing with the same tone, infact I did not receive any call. My sister and I were surprised and panic as we were able to hear the 3 notes flute with Ganjra rhythm continuously without any mode {music player}. Is it "caprice" or "A capriccio", eh? {chuckle}

P.S: I used to have Putham puthu kalai as ringtone and as my Anna has it for his mobie, I changed this spick and span composition as alarm tone. I mostly go to bed at morning and awake up at evening, though {wink}

always

~~Raaja rules!