Raaja sir Vs MJ

Someone at orkut wanted to compare the song MJ's The way u make me feel with Raaja sir's Aasai Athigam - Marupadiyum.

The way u make me feel:-

Its my VERY favorite song in MJ's composition {its his own composition, infact}.
It has well structured poly-rhythm. It has rhythm programming, Synthesizers, Synclavier {which is a sampler and has pre-recorded rhythms and sounds} and trumpet. It is a typical electro-pop. It also has vocal harmony and vocal counterpoint/contrapuntal.

BTW, have you ever heard de song - Vennila ennodu vanthu aadava from Nyaya tharasu, Charlie would dance for it? It has ditto same Rhthym programming/loop of "The way u make me feel".

Aasai Athigam:

Prelude & pallavi have 4 different rhythms, one is finger snap, which should have been made through drum machine or synthesizer, 2 different rhythm pattern play same melody/tune, however, wid different range. One mabbie produced by Rhthym programming and other by pad or drum machine. 4th rhythm is through live percussion {bass drum}. Highlight of de song is usage of Bassoon {eh?} at de 1st interlude. Interludes have cute banjo as well.

1st interlude and charanam have live percussion {kinda bangos} wid bass drum. 2nd interlude has bass guitar and banjo make harmonic structure. Does Janaki hum de improvised melody of banjo at 2nd interlude? It is a folk song makes tribal ambience through tune and orchestra. This mabbie, hi-profile tribal song {smile}.

always

~~Raaja rules!

Oru Kaithiyin Dairy - Ithu Rosa Poovu

~~It is a funk song wid un-usual earthy southindian instrument like orummi melam and noteworthy brass in de interludes. Ambiguity lyrics {perverted :O thoughts}. So, not for kuttie pasanga like me (under 18). {smile}

Amazing interludes...

Stunning bass guitar wid peppy alto sax initiates de song. Is it distortion guitar or synth in bassline? Trombone keeps de full stop for it. 1st two lines of pallavi originate wid open chord played on guitar. Afro-rhythm for pallavi and snares in de charanams have miami pattern rhythm nunaces.

Alto sax was replaced with soprano for calls and was responded by bass guitar. Trombone and soprano plays melody wid different timing follows stretto rule. 1:27 - 01:36, yet again unconventional factor...orummi, baton {drum}, bass guitar, synth...ennapa ithu combination?

It has laugh-burster vocal candenza, however, wid 2 or more voices...who is tat broncobuster? {Jus kiddin...}

always
~~Raaja rules!

Genres in Raaja sir's composition

This is still under construction {wink}:

New jack swing:

Videya Videya kavithai solli from Sethu,
Motta maadi from Anjali,

Pop-ballad genre:

Antha Naal Nyaabagam" from Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam

Hip-hop:
Teen agela from Devan.
Vikram Vikram from Vikram.

Disco:

Solla Solla Enna Perumai from Ellam Inba Mayam
"Ilamai Itho" from Sakalakalavallavan,
Ennadi meenaatchi - Ilamai oonjalaadukirathu.

Rock and Roll

Pattellam super hit than from Rasaiyya,
Poovillaadidum katril - Nadigan,
Rum bam from Micheal madana kamarajan.

Acoustic guitar-propelled Western folk:

Etho mogam etho from Kozhi koovuthu,

Thulli ezhunthathu pattu - Geethanjali

Funk:
Senyorita I love you - Johnny,
Enna Venum - Uyarntha ullam,
Vazha vakkaikum - Apoorva sagotharargal

Jazz-funk:
Maharajanodu from Sathi leelavathy
Meetatha oru veenai - Poonthotham

Jazz:
Niram pirithu - Time,
Chinna vennila from Kadhal rojave,
Mumbai Xpress - Kurangu kaiyil poomala,

Jazz piano:
Nee partha from Hey raam.

Doo-wop:
Puthu cheri from Singaravelan, Vaanam Enna from Vetri vizha.

March:
Suttum Sudarvizhi from Siraichaalai,
Sundari Kannal from Thalapathy,
Ulagame from Ivann,
Oh intha ezhai geetham - Devan,
Manitha Manitha from Kan sevanthal man sevakkum.

Flamenco,
Dingu dongurappo - Valli (technique of golpe is played on guitar) ,
Rakkamma kaiya from Thalapathy,
Uttaalakadi - My Dear Maarththaandan,
Nee Kodutha from Maveeran

Afro-tribal
Malai Aruvi - Annai Oru Aalayam,
Thottam konda raasaave from Pagalili oru iravu,
Tholin mele baaram ille from Ninaivellaam nithya,
Maruthani from Raaja kaiya vacha,
Aadi aadi varum from I love india.

Recent Pop
Engengo pokindra or Doorana vinipinche - Twinkle twinkle little star,
Raam Raam from Heyram,
Kaathal meethu oru kaathal from Kaathal kavithai,
Sollum varai kaathal - Kangalum kavi paaduthe (Spanish pop...eh?)

Electro pop:
One two three four - Punnagai Mannan

Waltz:
Poottukkal pottaalum from Chathriyan,
Thannannam thaanannam - Yaathraa

Reggae:
Chinna manikaga from Senthuram {Traditional Reggae},
Alli sundra valli - Kankalin vaarthaigal,
Elavaner kala - Manam virumputha unnai,
Vanakuyile kuyil from Priyanka - Afro Reggae/tribal, Manasa thota kadhal - Kathal kavithai, Muthu nilave - Time {Shabba Ranks reggae pattern},
Anne Anne sippai from Kozhi kovuthu (???) I've not listened to dis song for many years and so, I am doubtin'...

Polka:
Keladi en paavaiyea from Gopura vasaliye

Techno Pop:
Vaanam perusu thaan from Friends,
Paappa roopa from Poonjolai

Gospel:
Intha Ulagil - Madhu {Smooth Jazz}
Dhevanin kovil moodiya neram - Aruvadai naal
Devan thiruch chabai - Avar enakke sontham {Country}

New-age music:
Uravugal thodarkadhai - Aval appadi thaan

Pop-ballad:
Dianaa dianaa - Kaathal kavithai

Country music:
Pazhaya sogangal from Era vizhi kaviyangal,
Kathal ennum kovil from Kazhugu,
Ilaya nila from Payanangal mudivathillai,
Kaattu vazhi kaal from Athu oru kana kaalam.

Beat:
Kodai kaala kaatre from Panneer pushpangal,
Iniya pon nilave from Moodupani

Alternative rock:
Oh baby from Kadhalukku mariyathai

Alternative rock with power ballad:
Paattellaam from Sooriyan,
Oru murai from Inimay Naangathan,
Oru naal antha oru naal from Devathai (eh...?).

Blues:
Unnai kel from Inimay Naangathan,
Mandrum vantha - mounaraagam.

Bepop:
Raamaraanaalaum from Hey raam has strong influence of Bepop genre of music.

R&B
Ananiththu vidungal - Chithambaraththil oru appaasaami,
Mere zindagi - Aur ek prem kahani...et al
Jaane dho - Cheeni kum

Fusion is also an international genre of music.

Baroque with indian classical - I Met Bach in My House,
Mad Mod Mood Fugue from How to name it.
Kathal oviyum kandein - Gayathri

Concerto:
Mini Violin concerto in Raja paarvai,
Mini Piano concerto from Cheeni kum.

A cappella:
Naan puranthu From Maayabazar 1995
Last part of Polla vinayein from Thiruvasagam.
Thenpandi cheymayile - Nayagan

Oratorio:
Thiruvasagam!

It would go on and on...because

always

~~Raaja rules

Annakili was released on 14th May 1976 {smile}

~~Exactly, de same date before 32 years, de movie - Annakili was released {14th May 1976}. Through which our Raaja sir was incarnated as an individual composer. Raaja sir not only got his metier by this movie, however, He has dedicated Himself & His life for music and became God for poor music lovers like me :-)

This movie has six songs as below:

1. Adi raakaayi mookkaayi - Suththa chamba pachcha nellu - S.Janaki & Chorus
2. Annakkili unnai theduthe - S.Janaki
3. Annakkili unnai theduthu - T.M.Soundararajan
4. Machchanap paaththeengalaa - S.Janaki
5. Sonthamillai panthamillai - P.Susheela
6. Machchanap paaththeengalaa - Pathos

And coincidences,

1) His first Oratoria {Thiruvasagam} also has 6 songs.

2) 14 - 05 - 1976. 1+4 = 5, 05, 1+9+7+6 = 5. And His first symphony has 5 movements. He has invented de ragam 'Pancha'mukhi. His 500th movie was 'Anja'li...lol

3) His first cine song - Annakili Unna Theduthe and first song in Oratoria - Poovar Senni Mannan are based on de ragam - Sindhu Bhairavi, don't they?

Unconventional factors:

~~And talking about its compositions, there is always a talk tat Raaja sir is de first composer who has introduced folk music in tamil cine music. Of course, not...However, He did consolidate folk tunes with carnatic and western idioms, which is an innovate factor, like usage of harmony {western idiom} in Machchanap paaththeengalaa. Usage of Moog synthesizer/synthesizer in Adi raakaayi mookkaayi - suththa chamba pachcha nellu and many to be pointed out.

Annakkili unnai theduthe is herione introduction song, which is supposed to be a peppy song, however, this song has strong melancholic feel in de undercurrent. It gives blue/gloomy feel for sure and not only because of de lines: Kanavodu silanal nanavodu silanal uravillai pirivillai thanimai palanal, but also wid de orchestra arrangement :-)

Normally, when a main character dies in a movie {especially those period}, a shehnai will be played as re-recording to give more gloomy ambience, however, in dis movie, when Annam dies, a percussion beat would come and a couple of lines from Annakkili unnai theduthe, I think string orchestra would come. Tat's it.

You know wut?

As per Raaja sir at Varalatru suvadugal, it was released on 14th May, however, I got its VCD and censor certificate says 12th May :-/ {omg}.

~~Trivia:-
When Shrikanth speaks with Annam, in de background a rustic voice would come, which is mah God's voice :-)

Days and time are running so fast, however, its songs are always stand beyond their time. Mah Music God had given me a teensy-weensy knowledge to discover de un-noticed factors in His compositions, which reveal alot. I do not know how to express in words and my experiences with HIS music is more like a solo violin, which comes during the vocal part of Kanne kalaimane {Vaarthaikku varatha sogaththai vasikkum}.

Bhantham raaga bhantham
unthan santham thantha sontham
oolaiyil veranna sethi
ISAI thevane naanunthan paathi :-)

always

~~Raaja rules!

1st time Baroque music and Indian classical...eh?

~~Kaadhal Oviyam kandein - Kavikuyil :-)

It should be for de 1st time in indian music history, Raaja sir has attempted to fuse two different era/region's music in this song. In de interludes, baroque period music has been played as bassline and veena + classical violin were played on top of it. It is also Singer Sujatha's first time song. However, it is not filmed.

Especially, @ 01:01 - 01:05, a classical violin plays de melody wid western string orchestra accompainment + mirudangam for rhythm. Also, @ 01:57 - 02:08, western choir on top of it Veena had been played with mirudangam for rhythm and guest appearance of santoor {smile}. And my VERY favorite seconds are 02:50 - 3:00...Oh jesus!!! A classical violin wid amazing baroque pattern string orchestra accompainment has been used and ALSO, drums played wid brush and mirudangam interlaced to create poly-rhythm structure. Just for a couple of seconds, string orchestra's call was responded by Choir. Coda of guitar to break up its magic and gives lead for different melodic zone. Now, harmonic progression @03:00, choir wid guitar combination for 4 seconds and again veena has been played wid {03:05 till 03:11} choir accompainment, coda of string orchestra to re-route de song to vocal part for last charanam. To my surprise, this song does not have prelude, just a lead for pallavi through a humming.

One doubt? @ 01:40 - 01:43...she sings as "Poonthrendral thamazha-inthu vara"...I think it should be "Poonthrendral thavazha-inthu vara"???...Anyways, Poonthrendral (dis song) thavazha-inthu vara, naan ennai marainthein ;-)

always

~~Raaja rules!

Ethilum Ingu from Bharathi

It is such a haunting SEMI-classical melody wid noteworthy Gamakam/quaver (ain't talkin about 1/8 count) or vocal improvisation. It has an exceptional poly-rhythm pattern throughout de song, which I have never heard in any other song...eh? Pallavi has Ganjeera and congos or its sound produced through synth? De same rhythm pattern continued at 1st interlude as well, which changes for 1st charanam and Ganjeera plays vital role there. In de 2nd interlude, tabla tarang takes de credit for rhythm. Now mirudhangham, tabla tarang and cymbol (uncommon combination) would play phenomenal role in de 2nd charanam.

Dis kinda 2 different rhythms for 1st and 2nd charanam in any other semi-classical song? Yup, it is for Kottathilye kovil pura from Idhya kovil :-) 1st charanam has Tamte/Tammatai/buffalo drum/Duff for rhythm,however, 2nd charanam has mirudangam (for me sometimes it sounds like Tabla :-/ ). At the same time, I feel only the percussion differs and not main rhythm sounding...whimsical :-/

Okay, bout 2nd interlude...@ 02:48 - 03:02, there is a solo violin and flute were played Simultaneously, de same melody. Violin stops at 03:00 itself and flute continues for an extra 2 seconds to break de abrupt ending of its role.

Tune is too beautiful and gorgeous wid more reality. Singer Madhu's voice is adding ice to de cake. Raaja sir's strategic orchestra arrangement neva induced de color of contemporary songs, I mean its a period movie and happens by mid of last century. Still it has its own aroma and freshness. You bet!

BTW, lyrics by Pulavar Pulamaipithan.

Paavana guru by Lalitha dasa: This song was used by MSV and Raaja sir in Mella thirunthathu kathavu and in Music journey - Live in Italy by Raaja sir with western music elements. Whenever, I listen to Ethilum iruppaan song, Paavana guru (Italy concert version) comes in my mind for sure. Both are based on different raagas, though.

always

~~Raaja rules

Aasai raja aareero from Moodupani

I should say it is a simple, short (1:03 minutes) high-profile melancholic lullaby by Raaja sir.

Dis song had been aptly Placed in de movie or composed at re-recording :-/
It has nuance of Blue genre of music as dis song has adagio (Musical term - A tempo having slow movement)...

If ain't wrong, Organ has been used as bassline and synth/keyboard in betwixt de vocal part. Only 2 instruments??? Or both de sounds were created through synth/keyboard...?

Contralto (Musical term - Lowest female singing voice) of Uma ramanan is damn gud.

Sound of synth/keyboard is more like acceptin wutever Uma ramanan sings, I have a feel like it...

Raaja sir is one of de best Organ players in India before He has incarnated as a composer.
always

~~Raaja rules!

Vizhi oraththu - Raajapaarvai...

~~Yet another mind-blowin melancholic duet song wid Castrato of Kamalhassan and Contralto of sasirekha.

It is a typical tamil movie's situational song wid modern effect (widout declinin de beauty of blues) when nature departs protoganist from his patner...

A solo (blue) violin at initial 10 seconds gives us a warm welcome for gloomy world...
Wait!!! few seconds break for bluish feel by 01:05 - 01: 23: an awesome capriccio Retro - piece, which seduces us to lap :)

Call n response of solo violin + organ (01: 24 - 01:36) with synth (01:37 - 01:43) is damn unconventional factor. Meltin violin piece (01:44 - 01:52) adds more feel to de song...

My very favorite part of dis song: Alap/cal n response betwixt de couples at 01:53 - 02:30 is mind-blowin, which reminds me a vairamuthu's poetic line: Indru neeyum naanum santhikavittal, intha iravu oru pagalai santhikamale poividum...{smile}

Due to my untaught music knowledege, am not sure whether it is organ or synth in bassline during vocal part, which is amazin and adds more gloom to de song...

DO NOT JUST LISTEN TO DIS SONG INSTEAD FEEL DE MELODY/BLUE OF DIS SONG THROUGH YER HEART, IT HAS MORE VALUE AND WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND IT, SOMETIMES...

We misinterpret tat we should listen to sad songs when we are depressed like we go to temple :)

Infact depression/sadness gives de complete meaning/feeling of Happiness/blissfulness...

always
~~Raaja rules!

Raaja sir and Akon :-/

Akon's lonely I am so Lonely...

Yeah i woke up in the middle of the night and i notice my
Girl wasn't by my side could of sworn i was dreamin for
Real i was feanin so i had to take a little ride back tracking
On these few years try to figure out what i do to make it go bad
Cause ever since my girl left me my whole lifes been crashin and

Before tat Raaja sir has penned de lyrics for de song - kaattu vazhi kaal pora thambi - Athu oru kana kaalam:

Kanavinile oruthi anga vanthala
Nalla kanivodu oru peichi sonnala
Kaallam ellam thunai irupen endrala
Ada kanmozhicha kai vilagi ponala
Ninaiyum kanavaga engu nijama nadathiduma?
Thinamum antha ninaipil un vazhum thorthiduma
Vazhkai kanvila ninaivila unmaiyada :)

(sorry for mah pathetic tamil words in english)

Does Akon listen to Raaja sir's songs???

~~Raaja rules

राजा सर न अकों's

इट्स कुइते इन्तेरेस्तीं'

अकों'एस लोनेली इ ऍम सो लोनेली...

येः इ वोके उप इन थे मिद्दले ऑफ़ थे निघत ऎंड इ नोटिस म्य्गिर्ल वसन'टी बी माय साइड कोउल्ड ऑफ़ स्वोर्ण इ वास द्रेअमिन फोर्रेअल इ वास फेअनिं सो इ हद तो टेक अ लिटिल रीड बेक त्रच्किंगों ठेस फेव येअर्स तरी तो फिगुरे आउट वहत इ दो तो मके आईटी गो बाद कुस एवर सीन्स माय गर्ल लेफ्ट मी माय व्होले लिफेस बीन क्रेस्हीं ऎंड

बेफोरे तट राजा सिर हस पेंनेद दे ल्य्रिच्स फॉर दे सोंग - कात्तु वजही काल पोर थम्बी - अत्हू ओरु काना कालम:

कनाविनिले ओरुथी अंगा वन्थाला नाल्ला कनिवोदु ओरु पिची सोंनालाकाल्लम एल्लम ठुने इरुपें एन्द्रलादा कन्मोज्हिचा कई विलागी पोनालानिनैयुम कनावागा एन्गु निजाम नादाथिदुमा?थिनामुम अन्ता निनैपिल उन वज्हुम थोर्थिदुमावाज्ह्कई कन्विला निनैविला उन्मैयादा :)

(सॉरी फॉर माह पठेटिक तमिल वोर्ड्स इन इंग्लिश)

दोएस अकों लिस्तें तो राजा सिर'एस सोंग्स???

~~राजा रूल्स