-
Suresh65, I agree...the rhythms are pretty complex in this soundtrack. That is what struck me first because I had a hard time keeping track (both Chitra's and Hariharan's songs). Overall, I think you need time to digest this album because there is so much to it that it might not be evident in the first few listens.
I also see Plum's point about the ludes being functional compared to the past where the ludes were what I looked forward to, knowing that there will be magic. In the past, there has been a number of times when I have skipped the song after the second lude. :-) Of course, even now, there are cases where that magic still exists (Pazhassi Raja song...Odathanil, second interlude)
Again, Raja's style has changed...but there is a lot to enjoy and relish in this too.
-
Lovely album... this..
@ V_S regarding aavani thumbi - it reminds me of that awesome song in konji pesalam
http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer...720%27&lang=en
Same Raagam perhaps. Another song i am reminded is the one from illam
Nandhavanam poothirukkudhu (chandrasekhar clowning around Amala - beat that..)
http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer...078%27&lang=en
Awesome use of the same raaga to create so many different shades.. pure genius..
-
Shank,
After seeing you post I am happy :) I mean, if a guy like you, who can compose songs, has tough time keeping track of what's happening rhythmically, mere mortals like me need not be ashamed that we couldn't decipher it :D Anyway to me it looked like a 7 beat (technically Mishra Chapu) with the lines starting at various places after the samam in the charanam.
In terms of interludes, there is huge complexity but not the obviously complexity of his earlier works, where instruments come in and disappear fast. That has given way to a subdued complexity where you don't even feel it is complex. Just listen to the way the violins come in during the first interlude of the Shreya song. Or the claps along with the rhythm in the second interlude of the Chitra song. These are works of a genius. Someone who is hell bent on hiding these from you. Listening non stop to this album now.
-
Yes, Jai, I could sense the resemblance with nandavanam poothirukkuthu and Ezhuvannam konda songs too. Thanks for sharing. :smile:
Suresh ji,
Same pinch on Chengathir Kaayum. I was also having difficulty in tracking the complex rhythm pattern (time signature), but my piano teacher helped me confirm the 7/8 time signature. She was thoroughly amazed by this composition and its melody and appreciated that this song is very complex to understand. I felt so proud and so added 'Amruthamayi', she had no answer for its beauty. She was thoroughly impressed. :D
Such a heavenly feast!
-
Suresh65, you don't have to be so modest! :-) You have a deep understanding of music and really in-depth observations. It shows your passion and interest in understanding music and a genuine appreciation for the art. I have always read your writings with great interest and completely respect your views. And ultimately, we all bond together as fans of good music...right?
-
Shank,
Thanks for the kind words. As you rightly said, we are all bonded together by music. And since you are composer yourself (along with Srikanth) I am sure you would have observed how casually Raja breaks the song flow in the charanam of 'Amrithamaayi'. The first two lines sail along smoothly and then he suddenly makes the tune choppy, with the stress syllables falling on the beat. And after two lines like that he is back to the smooth way. Almost like a smooth flowing river encountering a few rocks on the way. And just like the joy we feel when the water skips over those rocks, the way the tune changes is a joy to behold. As usual Raja does this so imperceptibly that people will take this to be a standard Raja melody !!! That has been his aesthetics and in these time when people love everything being shown explicitly, it is a bane for his popularity as well !!
V_S,
Thanks for confirming the 7/8 signature. A couple of days back I started my evening walk with the stated purpose of hearing all the songs of 'Snehaveedu' twice over. Once I arrived at 'Chengkathir' I accidentally started keeping the beat. Which is invariably 4x4. With a jerk I realized that it was completely wrong and for the next half hour I kept playing the song trying to find the logic of the best. I got that it was 7/8 but Chitra keeps starting away from the beat so many times that I was completely confused. Nice to see your teacher confirming this suspicion. And also nice to know you are learning piano. Hope you are playing some Raja songs on the piano :)
-
Sureshji,
Thanks. :smile: Maestro tempted me to learn piano. Another main reason I have to attribute is to Violin Vicky and his treasure blogs. Through his analysis, I learned a lot. My sincere thanks to him. He was also generous to share some of Raja's score sheets. After couple of years on piano, I started with Vicky's 'Enna Satham intha neram' and 'Nenjathai KiLLaathe' title score sheets. I have to tell you that when I showed the score sheet of Enna Satham' to my piano teacher, she was surprised by its unconventional bass tracks (arpeggios) and it took a whole three months for me to atleast complete the song (still working on the actual tempo, it's too fast you know for me :wink:). Kudos to Vicky :notworthy: I am still a beginner in all music sense.
-
Have been listening to Sriramarajyam a lot recently and now Sneha Veedu. Beautiful albums both, thoroughly relishing them. In addition, enjoying all the detailed reviews, analysis and discussions on the new albums by the hubbers. Have to catch up a lot as I have been away from the hub for a while.
-
V_S Nice to know about your piano experience ..
Its good to know that your Piano teacher heard the tracks and was surprised ..Generally i find some teachers refusing to go beyond their area ..
Also its good to know Non Indians (im assuming your teacher is a Westener) appreciating Maestro's music ..
Interesting to know about the 7/8 time signature , rhythm is one area i would really wanna have a grip on ..
Try starting a thread soon discussing Maestro's complex time signatures ..
-
skr,
Thanks. She is an American. Yes she is very much interested in hearing to Maestro's compositions. She is so fascinated about the second interlude of 'enna sattham' song and NK title score and got so much interested to teach me other Maestro songs. She always asks me to come with his next song score. I have given her some Maestro's songs played on piano (youtube links) so that we can work out the score. It's a wonderful experience to play Maestro compositions especially with the guidance of a Guru, and I could not believe I am playing his notes (atleast trying to) and I never thought I could do this.