The Raaja of Erotica

[Bala (Karthik)]

Let's indulge in the pleasure of merely talking about and exchanging views on a category that Raaja owns - Erotica. Of course, this is an umbrella thread for discussing the sub-themes : Kuthu/Item/TASMAC/Stoner genres

1. Let me start with an unlikely place to find an item song: Sri Raghavendra - "Unakkum Enakkum"

Black Eyed Peas didn't let the original down with their remix but of course, the original is magic with just tabla for percussion (superb rhythm). What a mean bass line right throughout the song.
One differentiator in Raaja's item songs is the fidelity and melody of the tune - the briga in "Killi paarthaal" and "aao aao" (aavo aavo ) at the start of the charanams is a wonderful case in point.
Another Raaja trademark in the song is how SJ and MV fill the first line of the pallavi with "Unakkum Enakkum Anandham-dham vidiya vidiya sondham". Its as though they can't resist humming the bass line as they song along

2. "Nethu Raathiri" - Sakalakalaa Vallavan
How does this man conceive this?! A naughty raunchy number in Vakulabharanam, with the works.
The violin bit in the prelude is just a perfect symbolism of his audacity and mark of irreverence and genius. (He will continue this spirit with Shanmugapriya later and how)
And as one will see as a pattern in Raaja's songs in this category, he just lets the bass lines loose.
[To my paamara ears, Vakulabharanam sounds similar to Subha Pantuvarali. Are they similar in terms of swara sequence?]

3. "Ponmeni" - Moondram Pirai
SJ amma cements her place as the queen of erotica in TFM
Here, as in many other Raaja songs, the bass doesn't merely support the tune/song/rhythm, it leads along with SJ, right from the very first note. And what a rousing rhythm throughout the song....
The unflinching focus on the strength of the melody (simple as it may be in cases like these), is highlighted in the charanams.
Though the flute carries both the interludes beautifully, the second interlude is a treat dished out by the interplay of the flute, bass/acoustic guitars, not to mention the flanger effects

4. "Kaadhal Kasakkudhayya" - Aan Paavam
This is an absolute classic. Talk about subversion, irreverence, genius - this song has it all (Junior attempted something in that darrty-even-by-this-thread's-standards "Naatu sarakku nachunnu dhaan irukku from Thulluvadho Ilamai). And anyone with reservations about Raaja's singing should definitely listen to this number.
"Indha kaala ilaignar seyyum kaadhalukku, Ilaiyaraaja endhan paattirukku"
I'd recently posted a video of Anna University students performing a medley of this song and "Maraindhirundhe paaarkum marumam enna". The fun they have while performing this is infectious

5. "Adiye Manam" - Neengal Kettavai
Everything. The quintessential bible, geethai, quran of kuthu
...

Looking forward to your karuthu....