BOOKS, ARTICLES & BLOGPOSTS On/By ISAIGNANI ILAIYARAAJA

[rajasaranam]

There are several composers in western countries on whom many books/Articles have been written and published. Few composers have written their own biographies or books on musical theories.
In Indian context I can find only one composer worthy of any books to be written on him and also the one who has written many books on his life, experiences and spirituality, and that is Ilaiyaraaja. Sadly there is yet to be a book written by him on 'Music' and its theories. Most of the books written by him are on 'Spirituality' and we can see the spark of his Genius in handling the language 'Tamizh' as deftly as he handles 'Music'.


Raaja is the only composer from India highly discussed in Art, Literary & Political Circles. Iam starting this thread in an attempt to introduce books and articles hitherto unknown to fans. I would also like to know any other books & Aticles that I've missed out :)

Here is a listing of
Books written on him:

Ilaiyaraaja: Isaiyin Thaththuvamum Azhagiyalum (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/ilaiayraajaisaiyin-thathuvamum-azhagiyalum.jpg) - PremRamesh
Isaimozhiyum Ilaiyaraajavum (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/isaimozhiyum-ilaiyaraajavum.jpg) - KAGunasekaran
Ilaiyaraaja 100 IsaiThuligal (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/ilaiyaraaja-100-isai-thuligal.jpg) - Sabitha Joseph

These were few articles that came in Magazines & Books

Ilaiyaraaja: Musical Mission (http://www.4shared.com/file/47077667/f353183f/Ilayaraja-Frontline_1987.html) - AS Paneerselvam (Frontline 1987)
Ilaiyaraajavin Isai Payanam - Agilan (Puthiya Paarvai July2005)
Philharmonicil irunthu Pannaipuram varai - Maruthuvan (Puthiya Kalaachaaram October 1993)
Irupathaam Nootrandin Isai Nandhan Rasaiyyavukku (http://pamaran.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/%e0%ae%87%e0%ae%b0%e0%af%81%e0%ae%aa%e0%ae%a4%e0%a e%be%e0%ae%ae%e0%af%8d-%e0%ae%a8%e0%af%82%e0%ae%b1%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%b1%e0%a e%be%e0%ae%a3%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%9f%e0%ae%bf%e0%ae%a9% e0%af%8d-%e0%ae%87/) - Pamaran (Kumudam - May 1997)

There was a book written by Prof.E.Muthaiah Titled 'Isaiyin Athigaara Mugangal' (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/isaiyin-athigaara-mugangal.jpg) Discussing about the socio political aspects of Music in Tamilnadu right from Sangam period till date, in this book, Ilaiyaraaja Appears in Page 95 (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/iam.jpg) of this book.

Blog/Web Artciles on Raaja

Anil Sumantha Karkkal (http://complicateur.blogspot.com/search/label/Ilaiyaraja) - Complicateur

Books Written by Raaja:

Naatha Veliyilniley (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/naatha-veliyiniley.jpg) comprises of 5 books written earlier
- Sangeetha Kanavugal
- Vetta Velithanil Kotti kidakuthu
- Vazhithunai
- Thulikadal
Yaathoomaagi Nindraai (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/yaathumaagi-nindraai.jpg)
Athi Sankararin Vivega Soodamani (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/vivega-soodamani.jpg)
Unmaikku Thirai Yethu (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/unmaikku-thirai-yethu.jpg)
Yaarukku Yaar Ezhuthuvathu
En Narambu Veenai
Paal Nila Paathai (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/paal-nila-paadhai.jpg)
Gnana Ganga (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/gnana-ganga.jpg)
Venba Nanmaalai (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/venba-nanmaalai.jpg)
Palli Ezhuchi Paavai Paadalgal (http://pulikesi.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/palli-ezhuchi-paavai-paadalgal.jpg)

Will try to give a brief intro or scan the books and add them here later.

[complicateur]

அணில் சுமந்த கற்கள் (http://complicateur.blogspot.com/search/label/Ilaiyaraja). கற்களின் அணிவகுப்பு தொடரும்.

[rajasaranam]

compli,

Thanks for giving your blog link :)

[complicateur]

RS: Welcome, though I don't think my blog deserves to be up there in the first post.
I was not sure where to post this, but in the comments section of this post (http://octaves.blogspot.com/2008/01/isaiyil-thodangudhamma.html) there are some tidbits on the recording of Isaiyil thodanguthamma from Hey Raam by a commenter named Murali. He admits that the 'truthiness' (courtesy Colbert) of the incident needs to be verified, but it is interesting nonetheless.

[crajkumar_be]

Compli,
Thanks for posting the link :thumbsup:

[Plum]

Compli, thanks for posting that link for more reasons than the article itself. That Murali is none other than ex-tfmpage resident Murali Venkatraman @Veliayathavan.

[irir123]

[tscii:43641765f0]PAY DIRT!! renowned Los Angeles based journal FILM SCORE MONTHLY reviews and profiles Maestro.Ilaiyaraaja's music!!!

http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/daily/article.cfm/articleID/6175/An-"Unknown"-Indian-Film-Music-master/

Highlight: "It is quite clear that Ilaiyaraaja’s respect is well-warranted. His music is immediately engaging, with a popular sensibility that gives way to detailed construction upon further exploration. Working with a variety of synthetic production, live orchestra, and fabulous singers and Indian music instrumentalists lends the music a unique quality that one discovers is part of the style of this composer. Here is someone who has discovered a way to fuse musics from multiple periods both East and West to create a sound that serves each subsequent film. There is much of the composer’s music to be explored and even with the language barrier that ultimately exists, the music is immediately communicative and often entrancing."

Hip Hip Hurray![/tscii:43641765f0]

[jaiganes]

Congrats IRIR123 !!

[irir123]

"THE WORLD OF MUSIC" journal reviews Ilaiyaraaja's "THIRUVASAGAM - A CLASSICAL CROSSOVER"

http://www.vwb-verlag.com/Katalog/m816.html

Reviewed by Hollie Longman

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=cdc459d6fda6123e67cd7f7bd65f7eefe04e75f6 e8ebb871
article can be downloaded from there - it looks like an elite journal read by ethnomusicologists and scholars!

[jaiganes]

http://passionforcinema.com/namma-ooru-transporter/

one more bit by me ... :-)

[Sureshs65]

Nice article Jai.

[Sureshs65]

My article on how 80s was the decade of instrumentalists both in carnatic music and in Tamil film music and how Illayaraja was responsible for it in film music at http://sureshs65music.blogspot.com

[Plum]

Suresh-gaaru, chala baga raa(y)sarandi. Mee chinnathanam kalla mundhu vochi poyindhi. Raja gurinchi ilaanti maatalu vintunte, adhe oka sukam annamata. dhanyavaadhalu!

[Sureshs65]

Plum,

Thanks for the response. Meeru bahu basha virpannule :) Let me resort to English before others beat us up :)

[jaiganes]

http://sramakrishnan.com/nenaivil_esai.asp

nice writeup on ennio and a concluding remark on Raaja

[kiru]

http://sramakrishnan.com/nenaivil_esai.asp

nice writeup on ennio and a concluding remark on Raaja

My first cowboy movie was "Mackenna's Gold" in my early teens in the early 80s. I watched it at a well-off friends place with a VCR and "colour tv" - (we did not have these fun things during our childhood). Those were the days people had antenna and only alternative to "doordarshan" was a blotchy "roopavahini" reception.
BTW, to me Ennion Morricone is synonymous with western and the music really conjures up the images of the Wild West very graphically in your mind (after watching just a few movies).

Like this writer, I was also very thrilled, but older tamil films had already introduced the cowboy concept - not just MGR/Asokan etc but also Rajini, I think (when did annai or alayam come out ?).
Surprisingly, my dad whom I do not remember going to any movies surprised me saying that he had watched "Mackenna's Gold" much earlier. Apparently, he belonged to the "pleated pants, tucked-shirt, tie wearing, english speaking (partly :-)) " generation much before I saw him in veshtis and staid pants/shirts.
Thanks for the nostalgic trip of writeup.

[rajaalltheway]

[tscii:98b0683acc]The malayalam weekly "Bhasha Poshini" published this beautiful write up by Ayya himself.I have tried my level best to translate it with my limited vocabulary and literary skills.
“EPPADI PAADINAAN”
ILAIYARAJA

“There is no need to wander and find music; music will come to those who possess it.
Does anyone go in search of the wind; it wafts over us instead without asking… “

Some of you may know a little about me, about who Iam.Then you might ask whyiam repeating the whole story. This is out of some very friendly and loving compulsion.
I never felt like talking or writing about myself if the above said hadn’t happened.During my early days in the industry I might have dreamt of seeing my name printed
in news papers but soon I realized that such an aim was ridiculous and its my work that was going to fetch me greatness if any and not pictures and write ups in press. I thinkIam the only one in Chennai film world who doesn’t have a P.R.O appointed who would update my career for the pres so that I stay in news. This can be called wisdom acquired from my experiences and I pray to you not to count this as arrogance.

The scribes always ask me why Iam so silent. My life is music. Nothing else gives me joy. Whats‘ the point spending time on anything else? The mission handed over to me by God is music.

As a child I grew up in Pannaipuram village near Kambam,Theni.Like any other local youngster my days were spent playing and loafing in the streets of my village.
I used to sing even then.i sang when I wandered aimless. I sang at home, in the fields, when we traveled…God knows what…

My brother Varadarajan used to run a drama troupe. He was an accomplished singer too.When the drama troupe went bust he started singing revolutionary songs on stage
for the Communists. He was a hardcore comrade. I sang with him on many stages and many took me for a communist too. I can never forget the day my brother asked me to
play the harmonium for the first time on stage, one of the most beautiful moments in my musical life. I believe it was that instance which gave me the courage to think that
I may become something in music.

Touching my brother’s harmonium rewarded me with admonitions. I learnt playing it when my brother was absent without any teacher or guide. My mother came to know
about this. My brother thought I may break his prized possession, but I was yearning for
music in it.

My first stage performance was a gift from my brother. No matter how talented you are getting a chance to perform is of prime importance. That stage was the first door
opened for me in my musical journey. One day my mother found my brother in despair since the man who was supposed to play the harmonium had failed to turn up. She recommended me as the substitute. My brother looked at me,a little kid, bewildered.At my mothers insistence he took me with him in the end.

It was my mother who wanted my brother to try me as I said earlier. Whenever I remember my first stage appearance she comes to my mind..and the river Cauvery too
because it was in Trichy I sang for the first time. I took a dip in Cauvery that day. I returned home with Cauvery in my heart and soul. I still have the chill with me.

The press always wants to know who made me a musician. I believe that no one can create a musician or composer out of another human being. It comes from inside. It
cannot be planted or taught .I have heard many saying that they were wandering in search of music. There is no need to wander to find music, music will come to those who posses it. Does anyone go in search of the wind; it wafts over us instead without asking. Music is just like wind. It will to those who need it. One has to prepare his mind
to accept it. I can vouch this with my life’s experiences.

I never had a Guru to learn music. Many showed me the path, opened it for me. I got chance to learn even when I had no money to pay. I learned from people who talked to me even though I was nothing. All this happened just because music came looking for me.Art is born not from the head but from the heart.

THE FIRST SONG I HEARD

That song is still there in my mind. When D.K.Pattammaals ‘eppadi paadi naan” came out of my villages only gramophone I was in a daze. Our villages’ first disc spinner belonged to the rich landlord. Every evening by six’o clock a large crowd would assemble in the landlord’s courtyard. The landlord in all pomp and splendor would order “start music”.
When the song came out for the first time many were curious about the identity of the singer. They started a ruckus asking for the women to come out from hiding whose voice they were hearing. They couldn’t believe there was no one inside the house singing. I can never for D.K.Pattammals voice.

A similar device also paved way for a turning point in my life. Going to madras always remained a dream due to lack of money. One day my mother gave me some rupees, she had sold her beloved radio. Looking back, I can feel the pain she felt when she parted with it. I reached Madras in 1968.I boarded the train just for cinema and nothing else. I had heard there was no direct entry in to the world of movies. I joined a ballet troupe in Madurai first, only after a stint with them I reached Madras.

DAYS WITH BHARATHI RAJA
(to be continued)

[/tscii:98b0683acc]

[jaiganes]

Awesome!!
The Gramaphone incident is so funny.
Raja has everything in it for him to be a good story teller!! and his story is something I want to hear all day.

[sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar]

http://geniusraja.blogspot.com

Excellent Site! One superb post from that -
http://geniusraja.blogspot.com/2008/08/why-is-he-musical-genius.html

counterpoint, fugue, polyphony nnu pottu kalakkuraapla! good analysis :)

[sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar]

Dont know where to post it, also dunno if already posted

http://tinyurl.com/yg497j5 ( 'How to name it' - இருபதாண்டுகளாகத் தொடரும் மெளனப்புரட்சி - http://solvanam.com/?p=5150 )

&
இளையராஜாவின் இசைக்குழப்பங்கள்
http://meetchi.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/975/

[crvenky]

A nice website:
http://ragadhevan.blogspot.com/

[vel]

இளையராஜாவின் இசைக்குழப்பங்கள்
http://meetchi.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/975/

yedho oru kaalathula (1988) indha raajalakshmi paati yedho theriyaama ezhudhittaanga...vidunga...ippo avanavan blog open panni sagattu menikki ezhudhi thallaraanunga ...(like that cheru sorry charu). Kalaivaaniyae song pathi raajalakshmi paati'oda comment semma comedy...that alone shows what a half baked vengaayam she is (or was !)

[skr]

There was a nice write up of Guitar Prasanna picking his favourite Ilaiyaraja Songs.That article i think appeared on Raaja.com but its now not to be seen anywhere on the net.Can someone please give the link of that article ??

[raagas]

An Old friend of film maker Ram Gopal Varma wrote a letter to him, which RGV has published on his blog: http://rgvzoomin.com/wrong-go-pal-war-ma/

The letter was just reminiscences of that friend about RGV, when they were students in engg college.It is written in telugu. I'd like to translate(roughly) that:

"we used to be mad/crazy about Ilaiyaraaja's music. Apart from telugu, you got hold of a tamil cassette once, "Ilaiyaraaja Hits in Tamil". It was a festival of sorts for us.We used sit on the terrace of Civil Block building and listen to those songs in walkman, taking turns.I still have that old CONEY cassette".

I wonder how it must have felt for RGV, to be a fan of IR as a mere student and then having IR himself as the music director for his debut film. RGV once said that he felt he was successful for the first time ever, when he saw his name along with Ilaiyaraaja's name on the poster of Shiva.

RGV might not be working with IR today, but he does have good respect for him i guess. And yes, my guess is that, that CONEY cassette might have had "Aananda Raagam" and RGV might have wanted it in Hindi as "Saara Yeh Aalam". Outstanding composition

[jaiganes]

An Old friend of film maker Ram Gopal Varma wrote a letter to him, which RGV has published on his blog: http://rgvzoomin.com/wrong-go-pal-war-ma/

The letter was just reminiscences of that friend about RGV, when they were students in engg college.It is written in telugu. I'd like to translate(roughly) that:

"we used to be mad/crazy about Ilaiyaraaja's music. Apart from telugu, you got hold of a tamil cassette once, "Ilaiyaraaja Hits in Tamil". It was a festival of sorts for us.We used sit on the terrace of Civil Block building and listen to those songs in walkman, taking turns.I still have that old CONEY cassette".

I wonder how it must have felt for RGV, to be a fan of IR as a mere student and then having IR himself as the music director for his debut film. RGV once said that he felt he was successful for the first time ever, when he saw his name along with Ilaiyaraaja's name on the poster of Shiva.

RGV might not be working with IR today, but he does have good respect for him i guess. And yes, my guess is that, that CONEY cassette might have had "Aananda Raagam" and RGV might have wanted it in Hindi as "Saara Yeh Aalam". Outstanding composition
between RGV and Raaja they can write a book explaining Ayn Rand.

[raagas]

Milliblog Karthik's interview

Q:Who are your favorite music directors and has been the most consistent? What is so different about them that makes them your favourites?
A: Ilayaraja and RD Burman are my all-time favorites.

Source: http://blog.blogadda.com/2010/08/05/karthik-s-itwofs-music-plagiarism-milliblog-interview

[app_engine]

raagas,
I'm not sure whether you already know... milliblog Karthik is one of our hubbers - posts with the id "inetk" :-)

[raagas]

oh... this is news to me! :-) didnt know that.

[J.Radhakrishnan]

Quote Originally Posted by sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar
இளையராஜாவின் இசைக்குழப்பங்கள்
http://meetchi.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/975/
yedho oru kaalathula (1988) indha raajalakshmi paati yedho theriyaama ezhudhittaanga...vidunga...ippo avanavan blog open panni sagattu menikki ezhudhi thallaraanunga ...(like that cheru sorry charu). Kalaivaaniyae song pathi raajalakshmi paati'oda comment semma comedy...that alone shows what a half baked vengaayam she is (or was !)


Mr.vel,

You are correct!

[J.Radhakrishnan]

Quote Originally Posted by sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar
இளையராஜாவின் இசைக்குழப்பங்கள்
http://meetchi.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/975/
yedho oru kaalathula (1988) indha raajalakshmi paati yedho theriyaama ezhudhittaanga...vidunga...ippo avanavan blog open panni sagattu menikki ezhudhi thallaraanunga ...(like that cheru sorry charu). Kalaivaaniyae song pathi raajalakshmi paati'oda comment semma comedy...that alone shows what a half baked vengaayam she is (or was !)


Mr.vel,

You are correct!

[vel]

Quote Originally Posted by sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar
இளையராஜாவின் இசைக்குழப்பங்கள்
http://meetchi.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/975/
yedho oru kaalathula (1988) indha raajalakshmi paati yedho theriyaama ezhudhittaanga...vidunga...ippo avanavan blog open panni sagattu menikki ezhudhi thallaraanunga ...(like that cheru sorry charu). Kalaivaaniyae song pathi raajalakshmi paati'oda comment semma comedy...that alone shows what a half baked vengaayam she is (or was !)


Mr.vel,

You are correct!

Anna, eppadi ellam data mining / knowledge mining pannirukeenga ? :)

i only vaguely remember this one......nowadays i dont spend time on people who act like they dont understand...it is not good for our health !

[sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar]

I feel we should post analytic articles only here, not in in news & tidbits thread

இளையராஜாவின் ஜாஸ் வால்ட்ஸ்(Jazz/ Waltz) - Violin Vicky (http://solvanam.com/?p=19324)

A Section...


இந்த வீடியோக்களைப் பார்த்து, ஜாஸ் வால்ட்ஸைக் குறித்து அறிமுகம் கிடைத்தபின் இதை இந்தியப் பின்னணியில் யோசித்துப் பாருங்கள். இதை இந்தியத் திரையிசையில் எப்படி உபயோகிக்க முடியும்? மதுக்கோப்பைகளும், சிகரெட் புகையும் நிறைந்திருக்கும் ஒரு இரவு விடுதியின் பின்னணி இசையாகப் பயன்படுத்தலாம். அல்லது பர்ட் பாகரேக் பயன்படுத்தியிருப்பது போல, ஒரு நீளமான, உற்சாகமான, நகர் சார்ந்த காட்சிக்குப் பின்னணி இசையாகப் பயன்படுத்தலாம். ஆனால் சர்வ சாதாரணமாக ஒரு நாயகன் - நாயகியின் காதல் பாடலுக்கான இசையாகவோ, ஒரு அம்மா தன் குழந்தையோடு விளையாடிக் கொண்டிருக்கும் பாட்டுக்காகவோ பயன்படுத்தமுடியும் என்று யோசிக்க முடிகிறதா? சரி, அதைவிட்டுவிடுவோம். இந்த ஜாஸ் வால்ட்ஸை சாஸ்த்ரீய இந்திய இசைக்கருவியான தபேலாவில் கொண்டுவரமுடியும் என்று உங்களுக்குத் தோன்றுகிறதா? இவையெல்லாமும் கூட சாத்தியம் என நம்மவர் ஒருவருக்கு தோன்றியிருக்கிறது.

இளையராஜா பல மேற்கத்திய இசை வகைகளை இந்திய இசையில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தியிருக்கிறார் என்பது அவர் இசையைப் பின்தொடரும் பலருக்கும் தெரிந்ததொரு விஷயம். ஆனால் அந்த இசை வகையை அப்படியே பிரதியெடுத்துத் தமிழில் கொடுக்காமல், தன்னுடைய திரையிசை வடிவுக்குள் நாம் முற்றிலும் யூகிக்கமுடியாத இடத்தில், மிகவும் பொருத்தமாக உபயோகிதிருப்பார்.

இயல்பான இசை ஞானத்தோடு, எந்த வகை இசையை எங்கே பயன்படுத்தவேண்டும் என்ற அறிவும் கொண்டவராக இருக்கிறார் இளையராஜா. அதனால், அவர் ஜாஸ் வால்ட்ஸ் இசைவகையை பாடல் கட்டமைப்புக்காகவும், கேட்பவருக்கு அலுப்பேற்படுத்தாமலிருக்கும் மாற்றமாகவும், திரைக்கதையை மேம்படுத்தும் கருவியாகவும் பயன்படுத்துகிறார்.

இந்தியாவின் பல்வேறு இசையமைப்பாளர்களை நான் ஓரளவே கேட்டிருக்கிறேன். ஆனால் நான் கேட்டவரை, இந்திய இசையமைப்பாளர்களில், இப்படிப்பட்ட ஜாஸ் வால்ட்ஸ் தாள அமைப்பில் பாட்டை அமைத்தவர்கள் அரிது, அல்லது இல்லவே இல்லை என்று சொல்வேன். பெரும்பாலான தமிழர்களுக்கு ஜான் கோல்ட்ரேனைப் பற்றியோ, அவர் ஜாஸ் வால்ட்ஸை எப்படிக் கையாண்டார் என்றோ தெரியாது. அவர்களுக்கு பர்ட் பாகரேக் யாரென்று தெரியாது. Mr.Bojangles யாரோ ஒரு அந்நியர். அதிகம் அறியப்படாத Stranglers, Limp Twins பற்றியெல்லாம் சொல்லவே தேவையில்லை. ஆனால் அவர்கள் எல்லோருக்கும் பதிலாக ஒருவர் இருக்கிறார். அவர், இளையராஜா.



Must read! This article needs celebration :D

Violin Vicky :notworthy: theivame!

[sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar]

If you are impressed with the above Vicky's article, நாக்கில் எச்சில் ஊறுது, and wanted to learn Music thoery, below is a good place to

http://csr-ir-scoresheet.blogspot.in
http://csr-wcmlessons.blogspot.in
http://csr-wcmlessons-2.blogspot.in/
http://csr-wcmlessons-3.blogspot.in/

[V_S]

skv,
Thanks for the csr's music lesson links. :smile: This is a big treasure for lovers of music, not just Ilaiyaraaja.

[skr]

Great SKV that you revived this thread.

[San_K]

skv,
Thanks for the csr's music lesson links. :smile: This is a big treasure for lovers of music, not just Ilaiyaraaja.

rendum onnu thanungalE

[V_S]

Exactly well said San_K! But csr's blog deserves more music lovers as the amount of hardwork went inside is huge. Even if some don't agree what we know, atleast from a music point of view there is lot of learning from that site, just to invite them I had coined that way. :smile:

[sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar]

http://raagadevan.blogspot.in/2012/06/life.html

Life

Life can be defined biologically by those who understand its science. We call them the Doctors.

It can be (self) realized by those who walk the path. We call them the Philosophers.

But it can be expressed only as an art by those who interpret it. We call them Artists.

The movie Geetanjali is all about the concept of life and it is difficult to imagine this movie without Raaja's interpretation of Life through music.

First comes the intro song where the hero is playing life hard as if there is no tomorrow. Then comes the title sequence where that happens to be true. As the music unfolds, you realize its a different interpretation of the same melodic theme. Here is an artist of true class, expressing absolute worth of a human life in its good times and its struggle for existence.

Former, where Life is celebrated intensely with Sindhu Bhairavi
Latter, where Life is hanging on the strands of Sindhu Bhairavi..

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

With Love
Vicky

posted by Vicky @ Sunday, June 24, 2012

[Gregorysab]

And here is one more, by Violin Vicky again. This time - Johny Theme.

http://raagadevan.blogspot.in/2012/08/father-to-son.html

[Gregorysab]

Legendary singer Asha Bhonsle, in a recent interview:

"I have loved working with Ilaiyaraaja. His dedication moves me. He notates the composition through the night and by early next morning is in the studio in crisp white clothes. Good music is about discipline too."

Link: http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article3750324.ece

[Gregorysab]

I just started reading the book "Conversations with Mani Ratnam", by Baradwaj Rangan (film critic) and it has many references to Ilaiyaraaja. But the most striking one, which I think might appeal to those Ilaiyaraaja-fans who hate Mani Ratnam, more for ditching him rather than for his work:-D, is this:

I still think Raja is amazing. I think he is a genius and he will always be one. Till today, I think some of the best music that I have grown up with is Raja's and till today, there is nothing that moves me as much as his music. I have no issues on that and I've never had a problem, really speaking, with him.

Mani Ratnam however, diplomatically avoids delving into what exactly happened (because it seems to be a rift between producers & Raaja) :-).

[kr]

I just started reading the book "Conversations with Mani Ratnam", by Baradwaj Rangan (film critic) and it has many references to Ilaiyaraaja. But the most striking one, which I think might appeal to those Ilaiyaraaja-fans who hate Mani Ratnam, more for ditching him rather than for his work:-D, is this:

I still think Raja is amazing. I think he is a genius and he will always be one. Till today, I think some of the best music that I have grown up with is Raja's and till today, there is nothing that moves me as much as his music. I have no issues on that and I've never had a problem, really speaking, with him.

Mani Ratnam however, diplomatically avoids delving into what exactly happened (because it seems to be a rift between producers & Raaja) :-).

I am one of those who hates ManiRatnam after he broke up with Ilayaraaja and this comment does'nt change a bit of my opinion. To me loyalty is very important.

[irir123]

loyalty yellam cinemavula remba paakka mudiyaadhu !

thavira it takes two hands to clap - IR has also likely gotten into tiffs with producers - varra producers athhana perukkum, kalaa rasanai irukkumnu expect panradhu velaikkaavadhu

having said that, MR's works shd be looked at objectively - since IR (going by Jeyamohan's article and also based on what we know of his involvement in a film) gives a music that uplifts, adds character and flavors distinct to every new movie based on its storyline, script as well as cinematography etc, MR benefitted from all of it - but even then, MR had his limitations, with or without IR - for instance, avarukku comedy suthhamaa varavey varaadhu - in 'Geethanjali / idhayathai thirudaadhey', or, 'agni natchathiram, the irrelevant comedy tracks were soora super mokkai but IR still gave two of the most memorable themes for them!

also, MR had his own irritating cliches he found hard to come out of - interestingly, i found 'pagal nilavu' the least MR cliched movie!

[kr]

Thats why I said for me. I have followed the tamil cinema and have made my perceptions of these people - I respect and admire IR more than Maniratnam and all I was commenting was that the statement by Maniratnma in the book doesnt change my opinion of him

[geno]

Just for the record. vairamuthu's 3rd rated behaviour in recounting an insult that jeyakaanthan-the-self-anointed-genius did to Ilaiyaraja - in his Ananda vikatan pathilgal! It's here:

http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news...ie-165909.html (http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2012/12/music-director-disappoints-his-frie-165909.html)

[Chikatilomt]

Just for the record. vairamuthu's 3rd rated behaviour in recounting an insult that jeyakaanthan-the-self-anointed-genius did to Ilaiyaraja - in his Ananda vikatan pathilgal! It's here:

http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news...ie-165909.html (http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2012/12/music-director-disappoints-his-frie-165909.html)

This is being discussed in the tidbits thread. This was my comment:

Even before discussing who is right or wrong (which we can't do given the lack of full information), when somebody is asking about what he appreciates in Jayakanthan, why should he go tangentially and bring some MD and quote a personal/ controversial incident (that is assuming the incident/ version is true.). There should really be many better ways to praise Jayakanthan than this.

[njv]

http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/ஒளியைத்-தேடிய-ஒலி-isaignani-ilayarajas-experience-with-mahaperiyava

[inetk]

Incidentally, Raja's Q&A in latest Vikatan has a question about a situation where he was embarrassed (asadu vazhintheegal). He narrates an incident without names where he recommended an upcoming director to a well known producer without knowing that they are brothers. He also asked that director to go and visit the producer and the director did not tell Raja even at that time that the concerned producer was his brother. Raja has left enough clues for readers to understand that he is referring to Mani Ratnam and GV. So, even if Mani seems to be diplomatic in the book, I feel there is something deep enough between the two for Raja (of all people) to come up with this fairly obvious nudge-wink narrative n Mani.

[layman10]

http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1769

From a pretty beguiling list of records, this for me was the most unexpected. I couldn't find much information about it, and when I heard it I was really taken by surprise to discover this is actually a pop record.

It's like the most joyous music ever. I'm a huge horror collector, and while that's become a bit of a ball-and-chain for a lot of people, it's really important to respect people making joyous music. Then put that into the context of the country we're talking about, which is India.

Bollywood's from Bombay, the Lahore film industry was called Lollywood, and Kollywood is from Chennai in India. They're all poorer sisters of each other. Bollywood's huge and one of the most well-endowed film industries in the world. Lollywood is like a cheap imitation. Where all these huge orchestras used to be, they'd do it with synths and just a few different people overdubbed, and ending up being quite creative. So instead of a 60-piece choir, you'll have a five-piece band.

Now Kollywood is even more niche, where you pretty much have a one-man band—which is this guy, Ilaiyaraaja—with hundreds of weird techniques and influences. He basically de-contextualised and re-contextualised, reinvented and resampled everything. For example, if you wanted a standard choir, he would sample a choir from a '50s record and get a DX7 bassline off a Roland synth from the 80s, and put that over the top with loads of hand clapping and re-triggering, and all these weird approximations.