The Celtic Raaja (King)

[Sunil_M88]

I’m kind of at the stage where “Vaanam Mella” has taken over my life... lol ...I’ve been eating, drinking and sleeping this song!

I hinted it would be great if The Maestro released an all out Celtic album. (But I don’t mind an odd shade(s) of the Indian influence.)

I'm going to start compiling a list of Celtic sounding numbers by Raaja Saab, please contribute?!

Drum roll... Introducing, Celtic-gnani, Mother Nature’s favourite child!

With its foundations in folk music, Celtic music just like Jazz has this beauty whereby it doesn’t possess a pattern or rigid formula and is all about unpredictability. This quality makes this musical genre highly unique and appealing. This music genre never ceases to transport me and other listeners to the mountains, woods and lakes but Raaja Saab does not have to compose a Celtic sounding piece in order to do this. Many of his compositions, regardless of genre will transport us to the places above anyway.
Musical notation is associated with people who are trained in and can read and write music and folk doesn't require this as it is all about playing and singing from the heart and delivering the message directly to the listeners heart. Raaja Saab, who comes from a rural background understands the pulse of every people in every region, their culture, their emotions, their way of life and IMO he is the only Indian artist that displays many qualities possessed by Celtic songs. He does more than transporting the listener to Mother Nature. The subtle sounds and the importance given to instruments and writing a single note really do induce a haunting sound that continues to linger even after a song has finished.

With this thread, we shall truly venture into the mysterious caves where Raaja Saab conjures up such emotional enthralling pieces.

Happy listening and nandri, vanakkam!

[V_S]

Very nice thread Sunil. :thumbsup: Should be very interesting. As per my understanding let me start with Kaattu Vazhi Thunbam illai from Thandavakone and Aavani Thumbi from Snehaveedu. Not sure if it will fit here though.

[V_S]

If we go three decades back when Raja was in initial phase, I could think of Senthaazham poovil from MuLLum Malarum. A very breezy song which brings beautiful landscapes in front of us. I think it is mix of western folk and TN folk brilliantly blended.

[baroque]

Sunil,

Are you saying the bgm is CELTIC MUSIC GENRE (Irish, Scottish origin) & try to collect this genre of music by Ilayaraja? - Raja's bgm in some songs have few different genres

or

trying to collect 'compositions of with bgm evoke nature imagery!'

some random example both IR & Non-IR for HILL-SIDE imagery..

1. prelude of manchu kurise..... evokes mystical hill side flute.
2. prelude flute of malargalil aadum...ilayaraja for hill-side imagery
3. prelude folk flute of koo koo endru kuyil again reflects hill-side surroundings! enture composition's flute bgm is superb.
NON-IR examples..
4. nature mood, calls in bgm -
hill-side imagery kuchch dil ne kaha...Hemant Kumar's flute prelude with Asha's humming!
5. ethereal lilting bgm of yeh dil aur unki....

There are few compositions reflect river, boat-ride imagery etc..

For COOL WEATHER, MIST IMAGERY ETC.. Check early Ilayaraja's albums like Aradhanai, Enakkaga kathiru etc.. they will have compositions of your interest!

In this particular composition, in charanams female vocalist sounds shrill in higher octaves! spoils the sugam/aesthetic.

I yet to get physical CD!

[Sunil_M88]

Thank you for your contributions! :D

V_S sir, if you feel it will fit here, then it will fit here...

I probably sounded naive when I expressed, "he is the only Indian artist that displays many qualities possessed by Celtic songs." Why am I struggling to compile a list then, when I should already know songs which contain these qualities... :banghead:

Some claim that different Celtic music has much in common and some don't. We are here to discuss the latter, so there is definitely no obligation here.

Vinatha mam,

BGM of a song doesn't necessarily have to be full on WCM/Celtic, there are many numbers by The Maestro where there's hardly any WCM BGM but the melody has a complete Western Classical feel.

Here's an example. Mannil Intha Kadhal on Violin by Sarvanan Vijayakumar. I don't know if it's how he's playing the violin but subtract the BGM and concentrate on the sole melody. I don't find anything Indian about the melody.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KrR3CR7_mU

:thumbsup: for Aradhanai, I just heard "Ilampani thuli vizum neram" and this proves that you have exactly figured out the type of music I'm looking for in our list.

[Sunil_M88]

Melleyonnu from Malayalam movie, Manassinakkare (2003)

K. J. Yesudas and Jyotsana behind the mic.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fRajX5GhDwM

:musicsmile:

[Sunil_M88]

Pandathe Nattinpuram from Malaylam movie, Ponmudipuzhayorathu (2005)

Ilaiyaraaja

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Suo_MQQ06ac

[baroque]

yeah... pandathey's prelude flute is celtic!

kadhal thiruda....PIC POCKET... has celtic bgm

http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer.asp?sngs=%27SNGIRR2714%27&lang=en

poova kelu....azhagar samiyin.... celtic bgm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_IG4m5TDzY

Raja rehashed his telgu tune in a hindi movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLcIcc6d6U8

kaise kahe....


oru naal oru kanavu......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jURe7fdlA5k&feature=player_embedded

CHECK THE ALBUM PAGAL NILAVU!
RAJA HIMSELF HAS SONG MAINA MAINA MAAMAN..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5W57w7AuJU

[baroque]

SECOND CATEGORY OF YOUR SEARCH...'MOOD INVOKING...'

MYSTICAL MOOD COMPOSITIONS!

உறவெனும் புதிய வானில் பறந்ததே இதய மோகம்......

Bass கிடார் marvel with பியானோ, flute , ஜில்லென்ற ஜானு's humming, caressing பாலா ...

scinthillating prelude & interludes ..

beautiful second interlude with singular violin, piano strokes, Ganges of strings join with guitar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR6rYqonbpw&feature=player_embedded

*************************************

there is another album, ilayaraja fans dig is
MEENDUM ORU KADHAL KADHAI!

ATHIKALAI NERAME......MAGICAL BGM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIDgilMtoJg



ENAKKAGA KATHIRU is a must listen to all music lovers!http://www.mayyam.com/talk/images/smilies/musicsmile.gif

[Sunil_M88]

Thanks mam, you’re doing a solid job, please continue!

The following are from 1985 onwards containing WCM/Celtic shades:

Prelude of Mandhira Punnagaiyo, Mandhira Punnagaiyo - 1986
Ennulle ennulle, Valli – 1993
Prelude of Anba Thayai, Mahanadhi – 1994
Thendral Vanthu Theendum, Avathaaram - 1995
Siraichaalai - 1995
Thathi Thathi, Thalaimurai - 1998
Alapirandha Maharasa, Veera Thaalatu - 1998
Malai En Vedhanai, Sethu - 1999
Ram Ram, Hey Ram – 2000
Lajja Title Credits – 2001
Appadi Paarkethanna (Melody), Ivan – 2002
Second interlude of Onnavida Indha Ulagathilae, Virumandi - 2004
Interludes of Kaattu Vazhi, Adhu Oru Kanaa Kaalam – 2005
Flute prelude of EnguPiranthathu, Vishwa Thulasi - 2005
Thoorigai Indri BGM, Ajantha – 2007
Karuga Mani, Azhagar Malai - 2009
Kai Veesi, Nandalala - 2009
Rangu Rangu, Prem Kahani (Kannada) – 2009

We shall start to crack on with discussions once there are a sufficient number of songs!

[baroque]

Nice songs from you sunil!

THOORIGAI ....AJANTA goes to 'nature evoking' list with snow-flakes showering - thoovudhal!

You have mentioned 1985 onwards, there are unlimited WCM works in albums like KUMGUMACHIZH, CHINNA VEEDU, ARUVADAI NAAL has vocal harmony composition, RETTAI VAAL KURUVI, SATHYA etc...

Where do you begin & end!


anyway... please analyze & enjoy!:-D


GOPURA VASALILE has a composition of your interest!

keladi en paavaiye....:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_KfY03JGKo

[baroque]

OK! you have gone to 2009.
2010, IR gave two albums.
Telugu work - GAAYAM 2 has a celtic bgm composition!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJPTpG65r4

YEAR - 2008
DHANAM album I listened this evening for our thread while cooking.:)

ilamai kanavugal.....is a disco composition from Ilayaraja.
other one is a poppish ilayaraja with spanish arabian flavor ulagam kidakkudhu.....
that's all!

[Sunil_M88]

Truly unlimited in every aspect and asking one self where to start is a completely engaging challenge that will give butterflies.

BTW, thanks for "Ilaimai Kanavugal" http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer.asp?sngs='SNGIRR4152'&lang=en :right up my street: :song of the week: I Will write about it in detail later!

[baroque]

Great!
Pick a composition of WCM usage by Raja that fancies you from 1978 to 2012 album by album & post your thoughts, feeling, technicalities etc...:-D , Raja will add more in his future albums to entertain us!

yeah... Ilamai kanavugal.... goes as favorite IR-Karthik partnership DISCO with peppy orchestration synthesizer,bass guitar & wonderful strings!
Sure, Write about it.:musicsmile:

[Sunil_M88]

Ilaiyaraaja = Young King

Ilaimai Kanavugal = Youthful Dreams

Need I say more?

Reeta welcomes the listener by chanting “Nana nana na..!” At this point, the question is what direction will the song take? Just like any other song by The Maestro, playing the prediction game is pointless as no one will possibly guess what will follow next. I see there are two types of music, one where the listener knows what to expect and the other type being the complete opposite. Then there is the Raaja Saab category, where one is correct in their prediction of what is coming up musically but then is teased as a listener to only realise that the “Real Deal” is yet to arrive.

The prelude displays a dreamy setting, where one feels awestruck by the aura. Raaja Saab sets the record straight without any hesitation by allowing Reeta to expand horizons so that listeners feel tiny and lost in her vast vocal magic.

The beat is dropped and is supported by a moog bass. It seems like the gloominess from the prelude has vanished and we’ve reached familiar grounds. Personally, I didn’t want a club beat to emerge as I was too in a trance to leave Reeta. From the cosmic soundscape generated by her, we end up in a confined space and though one can breathe, one probably feels more open and carefree when listening to the sole “Nana nana na..!” humming portion of the prelude.

As the beat builds up, so does the orchestration hence the soundscape builds up. Raaja Saab is one such composer, where you will hear endless influences from various musical genres. You can put the influence of other MDs in The Maestro but other MDs will only reflect the his touch in seldom purely because only he can touch his own sound and no one else. Then again he doesn’t have a trademark sound!

Is this his most electro orientated track? When I heard it, it immensely ticked all boxes in my check list. Listeners do not choose what song they like; it’s the song that chooses the listener. Again, we have a number here that was released in 2008 and I’ve never heard it before so whether a song is released today or yesterday i.e. decades ago, if I’m hearing it for the first time then I will judge it as I would any other recently released material.

Forget world music, fusion, etc. Unlike any other electro pop orientated club song, we have enigmatic chants, Celtic interludes but the pièce de résistance of this song lies in that “bloody hell” of a shift from Celtic to Oriental orchestration. What was that? :gobsmacked: Where did Raaja Saab pull that from and that too for a club banger like this. This piece is enough to leave anyone in a daze.

The only small query I have is that the bass in the “Charanams” should have been sung and vocal melody should have been played on the bass. The melody of the bass in the “Charanams” thoroughly expresses highland Celtic characteristics.

The beauty of this song lies in the fact that, even with an out and out beat orientated song, Raaja Saab still presses the right orchestral buttons which is rarely heard in songs of this genre.

Forever young by heart and name!

http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer.asp?sngs='SNGIRR4152'&lang=en

[V_S]

Beautiful write-up Sunil on a beautiful song!. :clap: Great insight on the soundscape Raja creates. To sum it up, this for an unknown film, not known mostly outside hub. Rightly said, Yes very young all the time. :thumbsup:

[Sunil_M88]

Thank you Sir :D

After listening to this song I feel like exploring songs with oriental pre-/interludes now hehe It takes immense credibility to nail the sound of a certain culture but for The Maestro it's a lazy stroll let alone walk in the park. So many different cultural sounds intertwined yet none of them seem out of place and one sound just flows to another.

[naarayanan]

how about the prelude in karutha machaan...?

[Sunil_M88]

Raaja Saab's orchestration overlaps so many genres, that it's very difficult to pinpoint a particular musical genre! The words, "Wide spectrum" feel very congested in comparison to The Maestro's music.

The Celtic touch in karutha maachan does shine through, but so does the authentic rural folk orchestration. He must have used notes which reflect sensibilities of both genres. :difficult to tell apart:

Here is another medieval like song which relies on ethnic percussion.

Muthu Mani from Atharmam. http://thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer.asp?sngs='SNGIRR0318'&lang=en is in Sindhu Bhairavi raagam and has WCM interludes, the second interlude definitely creates dreamy scene thanks to flourishing choir which just like other songs give momentum to Isaignani's compositions.

[Gregorysab]

Ilaiyaraaja = Young King

Ilaimai Kanavugal = Youthful Dreams


The beauty of this song lies in the fact that, even with an out and out beat orientated song, Raaja Saab still presses the right orchestral buttons which is rarely heard in songs of this genre.

Forever young by heart and name!

http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer.asp?sngs='SNGIRR4152'&lang=en

I need to revisit this one again now! Interesting write-up.

[Sunil_M88]

“Seeing is believing”, well that’s what people say. Whenever we witness something extraordinary, we ask ourselves, “Did I just see what I think I saw?” So in certain circumstances, we are so awestruck by our observation that it becomes difficult to judge what’s real and what isn’t.

Is hearing believing? No, as there is a possibility that what we’re hearing is a rumour or false. But in terms of music, hearing is one hundred and ten percent believing, especially when we hear a song like this, we certainly are left with no option.

What I’m getting too is, how many of us here after hearing a specific song feel, “WOW! Is this real?” Now if we continue to express this feeling after every time we hear the same song, even after years then we must all bow down to the talent behind these creations.

The Guitar loop starts the journey of this song. For e.g. it’s like going on a school orientating trip and knowing what to find but how is the question. We have been positioned with this guitar loop that will guide us in our path but the occasional enigmatic strum brings a change in direction
.
The eccentric strings bring with them challenges for us and there’s definitely no deciding where we are heading too and what to expect on the way but our friend, the guitar loop is always behind us.

There is build up of additional instruments and percussion which eases the tension and causing the atmosphere to be relaxed. The surroundings are pleasant, we are more than enjoying what we see and hear.

There is a pause, a silence and the ever soothing voice from S. Janaki flows right into our system with the words, “Senthoora Poove”.

The uplifting spirit of this number is immortal. Raaja Saab is immortal, Janaki Maa is immortal and “Senthoora Poove” is immortal
I am just a mere mortal trying to write a eulogy and trying is all I can do and I know for some this song is actually their life. It is mine!

The lullaby like melody has this key inside it that automatically makes the listeners head go lean and sway side to side. Isaignani infuses so many flavours here that every taste bud is satisfied and this is just as the song commences.

If melody is king then in this song, orchestration is god. Those guitar riffs, those bass lines, those flute portions, those strings, etc. The saying, “Enough is enough” is completely shattered to pieces here as there is always room for more and The Maestro has taken us on a wide exploration.

It is songs like, “Senthoora Poove” which make me realise we are indebted to such talent. Many inspirational songs come and go, only some stay with us on daily basis. “Senthoora Poove” flows through by body.

The Celtic King lures us into this flower blossoming world and it would be insane to leave.

http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer.asp?sngs='SNGIRR0002'&lang=en

[Sunil_M88]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thwhMilDucQ