Ilaiyaraaja gets "Best Music Director" India-Today

[vssathish]

Hi

Raaja has been awarded the best music director of Tamil cinema by India Today yesterday at Taj. Raaja personally came to the function and recd. the award from india today editor. It was Top 15 personalities award. Among the other winners was Manirathnam (direction), kamal (actor), vairamuthu, thottatharani, pcsriram etc.

Source : Today's Indian express (Jan 31, 2005)

[Cinefan]

Can you plz give a link or more details like what were the awards about etc?

[Sanjeevi]

Previous issue of India today praises YSR as a young talent.
Current issue of India today praises IR as a legend.

But the only 'varutham' is IR is not placed in front page. But YSR was in front page on previous issue.

Thanks for India-Today.

[MrJudge]

In the last week edition, they had mentioned that 15 people would be selected from the tamil cine field for their powelful contributions. "cinemavin sigaram, tamil cinemavin sakthi paiththa 15 per".

They gave two awards for actor/ actress and one for all other categories. Who is the other actor got the award?

cinefan:

Part of the function will be aired on Raj TV on coming Saturday (Feb 5th) at 9 pm.

[vssathish]

Mr Judge

It was Vikram who got the other award

[MrJudge]

vssathish:

thanks for the info

[ravi_33]

Was the article in the Tamil edition of India today? Or was it in the english version? Can anybody post a link to both YSR's and IR's articles.

[rajasaranam]

ravi_33

there is no link online

BTW The current tamil edition of 'India Today' magazine on completion of its fifteen years have come up with series of articles and titbits relating to the happenings of the last fifteen years in Tamizh cinema.....

they are also giving awards to 15 personalities for their contribution to cinema.

Under the article titled 'Cinemavin Sigarangal'

the translation goes like this " India today celebrates the completion of its 15 years. To commemmorate this, it awards and felicitates 15 people related to cinema field. This is a imprint about the people selected for and the people who won the award. We think the people who ornament [Alangarippavargal as in magazine] these pages are who gave form and their invaluable contribution to the cinema industry."

the pages then comes up with a image of the personality, a caption and a gist about them. the people awarded are [ the order as they appear in the magazine ]

Kamalhassan - Dhruva natchathiram
Meena - jolikkum natchathiram
Simran - super starinee
Vikram - Vetri samy
Manirathnam - nayagar
Vairamuthu - kavidhai muthu
Ilayaraja - thamizhagathu Raja :-)
Manorama - cinemavil aatchi
Raju sundaram - Aadal arasan
Thottaa tharani - Aranga nayagar
A.M.Rathnam - Thunichalkaarar
P.C.Sriram - Oliyin Kaadhalar
Lenin - Vettum virudhum
Chithra - chinna kuyil
S.P.Balasubramaniyam - Isai mandhiravaadhi

the gist about Ilayaraja Reads thus....

The people related to cine field pronounces, Even Ilayaraja's name with modesty [bhavyam as in magazine]. His music transcends and holds steady across time. the timeless tunes of his are played and travels around in the cars of computer Era.

also the article extends into a topic titled 'Matra sigarangal' and awards some more influential people. They are Rajni kanth, Vijay, Vijaykanth, Surya, sneha, jothika,kushboo, gauthami, AVM Saravanan, Vadivelu, vidya sagar, Sujatha[singer], Goundamani-senthil duo, AR Rahman, Shankar, Rathnavelu[cinematographer], Prabhakar [Art director], Na.Muthukumar, Rajeevan[Art director] KS Ravikumar, Kala [choreographer], anuradha sriram, RB Choudary, Vaali, Harish Raghavendra, Antony [Editor], KV Anand [cinematographer], Unni Krishnan, Suresh Ars, Brundha [Choreographer]

The Article ends with a Special award to Actress Revathy.

to continue.....

[rajasaranam]

Another Article Titled 'Symphony mudhal Rajini Varai' 1989 -2004

Reads thus...

Fifteen years is a very lony time period in a Individual mans life. But when it comes to cinema it is nothing. There had been some promising Directors. there are 20 odd films released which are worth mentioning. Some people have got National Awards. Some people who were expected to shine well have vanished away. But the incidents mentioned here were hot topics when they happened. There may not be a continual effect for these, but they were important then. A small Flashback...

The article then explores into time lines 1993, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2004

[ Our Interest lies in the year 1993 :-) ]

1993

When Ilayaraja got introduced in Annakili and encaptured Tamizh cinema, People thought about him as just a good film music composer with a rural background. But he had interest and talent in WCM. As a peak of this he composed a symphony. In 1993 The RPHO played it under the conductor John Scott. The whole syphony was recorded in just a Months time. Scott who listened to the symphony said ' Unlike contemporary WCM Ilayaraja's Music has the essence of reaching us easily '. But Tamizhians were unfortunate not to have it for listening. It never got released here :-(

The other incidents the Article speaks about are

1997-The launch of marudhanayagam, the completion of Fifty years of AVM Studios, the Chevalier award to Sivaji ganeshan,
1998 - The making of the movie jeans
2002- the closing down of Tharamani film city,
2004 - Rajinikanth as a tabloid hero

[rajasaranam]

Another Article Titled 'Kollywoodin vetrigaramaana 15 varudangal' has a subtitle Subtitle 'Isai- Inba naatham'

We can attribute the film music field for the most happening and new leaps taken in the past 15 years. It was the time when Ilayaraja's era was reigning supreme and new technology was slowly creeping in. Understanding this AR Rahman entered the film music scene through 'Roja' as the sole representative of modern technology. He was noticed for the national award he got in his first film itself. There was a compelling demand from AR Rahman to feed the musical needs of MTV youth’s as wel as to compose music for the audience of Ilayaraja era. To satisfy both sectors there was a demand from all MD's to cater different kinds of music [melody, dance etc.,] in a single film.
There were intermediary MD’s like Deva, Vidyasagar who excelled in their own individual style amidst Ilayaraja and AR Rahman who got commissioned to movies continuously. Deva Popularized 'Gaana songs' in Tamizh. Vidyasagar uses more of folk instruments. He is known for soft melodies in the first round and popular dance songs in second round.
Bharthwaj got popular thro his melodious compositions. But his composition 'o Podu' from gemini was a big hit. Demanding songs like ' o podu' by Producers and Directors also happened.
AR Rahman used new singers. Tamizh songs-which were known for their beutiful Tamizh gor deterirated in this period. There were allegations that songs are bound with people like Adnan Saami and Udit narayan who doesnt know tamizh. Surpassing such allegations the songs sung by them were received well by the youths.
An important happening fo this era is the adavncement of new lyricists. There came many as a change from Vairamuthu and vaali. A brand new group comprising people like Pazhani barathy, Na.Muthukumar, Pa. Vijay, Kabilan got into the competition of lyric writing. The trend that a single lyricist writes all the songs of a movie was broken. The MD's used different lyricists according to their needs. Variety of Forms and uvamai[ english word for this help...] got into the film songs.
As a next generation of Ilayaraja, AR Rahman, Deva and Vidyasagar, a new group came into the scene comprising YSR, KR, and HJ. This generation perfectly understood that its only the age group from 18 to 25 come to cinema halls. When it became known that the youth’s motivation [tharaga mandhiram] is music, these MD's had to work hard to satisfy their taste. Having come to understand that whom doesnt cater or know the youths pulse will be thrown out without hesitation, they try hard to satisfy them. IT was afraid that the arrival of Private Radio FM channels would affect the sales of cassettes and CD's. In fact Radio FM's help in popularizing the MD's, Lyricists and singers and also help in increasing cassette and Cd sales.

[rajasaranam]

Now for the WAR :-)

The constant claim of ARR fans that IR is nothing for the past 12 years is not known to 'India Today' probably. The fact that IR is well included in the past 15 years and being awarded [ARR not awarded among the top 15 personalities] for his valuable contribution indicates that he is here to rule for years to come. Maybe his Dictatorial Era would've ended but his music has no end.

[Sanjeevi]

The current issue of India Today says

PothuvagaLakkalil Kalanthukolvathai vaLakkamaga Thavirkkum Isaiamaippalar Ilaiyaraja India Today-in Viruthai Thanae Neril Vanthirunthathu India Today-vukku Kidaitha Kowravam.

Thanks India Today

[alias]

This is total rubbish if India today has done. either this is selected by the guy who woke up after 15 years or India today found the selection which was done before 15 years back and decide to publish this year. What a joke? IR is not in the screen anymore.

[app_engine]

alias, azhagi was the biggest hit of 2002...Please visit the RAJANNA RAJA DHAN thread by Manisekaran to gain some information...

[multinamatheyan]

Alias,

Did you used to frequent Thamil Thirai Valai a while back?

[alias]

Yes Multi, Do I know you? I am that same alias. Are u writing in different name?

[aruvi]

He deserves it. Raja has got fantastic recognition within TN but I think that his musical genius has never gotten out. I am sure he is capable of greater things, but his exposure is limited. Given an inspiring project, he may outdo his previous sensations. To me, it seems that he needs a great team to inspire him for his best.

[rajasaranam]

alias,

chinnathambi
chinna kounder
apoorva sagodharargal
dalapathi
guna
eeramana rojavae
pudhu pudhu arthangal
ejamaan
en rasavin manasilae
kargattakran
enna petha rasa
namma ooru nalla orru
shenbagamae shenbagamae
ooru vittu ooru ooru vanthu
captain prabhakaran
singaravelan
devar magan
anjali
veera
marupadiyum
avatharam
devathai
walter vetrivel
nattupura paatu
ponnumani
kizhakku vasal
paandithurai
veetla visheshanga
oru oorula oru rajakumari
rajakumaran
brahmma
chatriyan
bharathan
paatu paada vaa
sethupathi IPS
uzhaipali
mannan
pandian
mahanathi
nadigan
amaithipadai
vanna vanna pookal
nadodi thendral
pudhu nellu pudhu naathu
varusham 16
chembaruthi
sirai chaalai
azhagi
kaasi
sethu
solla marantha kadhai
friends
kathlukku mariyathai
raman abdulla
kannukkul nilavu
time
pithamagan
virumaandi
rasaiah
sathi leelavathi
..... and many many more super duper hit albums were released in the past fifteen years. the total no. of successful albums by IR out numbers any other MD's total no. of albums in the past fifteen years... and why not 'India Today' award IR for his valuable contribution? who else is commendable in your opinion?

[multinamatheyan]

alias,

I used to be Kooththan:-)

Good to meet you again.

[alias]

Wow Koothan.. I remember you. You are a big IR fan back then.. are u still the same :-) good to see you man. Do you keep in touch with others.. lighter, visu etc.

[multinamatheyan]

Yes I am still loyal to IR, and you're still loyal to ARR I see:-)

No I lost touch with the whole gang. How about you?

[alias]

I use to have touch with one person.. i cannot remember his punnai name now but i lost that touch too before a year back... guess everythign has changed in tamil thirai and i dont see any good post nor any old ppl. any more. So how is life koothan?

[genesis]

India Today (Tamil) is one of the junk magazine. I do not have even little bit of respect for that magazine and its publishers.

[app_engine]

genesis, you don't have to hit India Today simply because it chose IR...anyday, India Today is much better than other magazines (not only its original English edition, even its Tamil version is way above kumudam / vikatan etc.)