I saw the Sonu Nigam’s breathtaking concert ‘An Evening in London – Rafi Resurrected’ on Sony TV. Mohammed Rafi’s classics were performed with the backing of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. More about the concert later but while watching it, I thought how it would be if Raaja’s songs were performed with the backing of such a symphony orchestra. For Sonu Nigam’s concert they had to arrange the songs differently for the orchestra but for Raaja’s song, one need not add or remove anything from the song, it is enough it they just play the song in the way Raaja has arranged it. I believe there must be many songs eligible for such a concert and everybody would have their own list of songs but here is the list of songs that came to my mind immediately (not considering ‘Music Messiah’, ‘How to Name it’, ‘Nothing but Wind’ and ‘Thirvasakam’ here)
1. Sundari Kannal (Thalapathi)
2. Adi Rakkamma (Thalapathi)
3. Maalayil yaaro (Chathriyan)
4. Thendral Vandhu (Avathaaram)
5. Oru Naal Antha Oru Naal (Devadai)
6. Sangeetha Megam (Udhaya Geetham)
7. Ram Hey ram (Hey Ram)
8. Sempoovae Poovae (Sirai Chaalai)
9. Poonkathave thaal thiravai (Nizhalgal)
10. Captain Prabhakaran Title Score (we need a separate concert for his background scores)
The exhilaration I had when I was sitting in the middle of 10000+ crowd clapping after the orchestra finished playing the second interlude of the ‘Sundari’ song from Thalapthi in Illayaraja’s ‘Andrum Indrum Endrum’ concert is one of those unforgettable moments of my life. Be blessed by watching this video if you are cursed of not being one among those 10000+.
10.04.2008
Illayaraja with CBSO
Posted by P.S. Suresh Kumar at 11:46 AM
Labels: Andrum Indrum Endrum, CBSO, Illayaraja, Rafi Resurrected, Sonu Nigam
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14 comments:
Thanks for posting the video of sundari from the live show. I was there among the audience and it was truly a great experience. The orchestration of this song was mind-blowing. It was much better live in the hall, than seeing this video recording.
Regarding your list of songs, add the following:
1. Suttum sudarvizhi (Sirai Chalai)
Preludes and interludes are pure western classical. It is amazing how he seamlessly changes to tabla based indian tune after the western classical interludes.
2. Chandiranam Suriyanum (Avatharam)
Full western classical orchestration throughout the song.
SUresh ,
Sorry for teh digression.
How do yu upload audios in hipcast ? Is it a paid service?
To add, I would go with 'Yedho Mogam' from 'Kozhi koovudhu'.
Ramesh - The vibration was better while watching live. Yes, 'Suttum Sudar Vizhi' has absoultely stunning interludes... and I have heard 'Chandiranum' from avathaaram too... yes they would be very apt for a symphony orchestra.... Somehow these songs didn't come to my mind immediately...
Ramki - Yes, it is a paid service.
Muthuvel - Yes, that too is an apt song... which also involves a lot of chorus...
ennulle from valli also has some great western classical orchestration in the interludes.
Ramesh - Yes. 'Enulle' is another perfect choice.. Just heard the song once after reading your comments... absolute bliss...
And how did I forget the classic 'Oh Butterfly' from Meera?
Suresh,
3 songs from Guru (Malayalam) fall in this category. I dont know if you have heard this album. One of the most intense WCM stuff from Raja. Actually recorded with Hungarian orchestra only.
www.maestromagic.blogspot.com
Haven't heard them. I have been trying to get Guru (Malayalam) soundtrack for years...but all my efforts have gone in vain. But I have heard the background score of Guru as it was reorchestrated in the more recent 'Music Messiah' album....Now will try to get the songs.. and thanks for reminding me of your blog... which I remember visiting earlier but somehow lost touch...
Also add 'Vanthal Vanthal Rajakumari' song from the movie Ooru Orula Oru Rajakumari to that list ...
Sandeep - Thats a good one. the harmony of voices is great in this song....
Suresh,
The prelude of "Poonkathave" from 'Nizhalgal' is something I can keep on listening to throughout. I guess that was among the earliest when we in TamilNadu (even probably the average Indian who is not exposed to WCM specifics) got to hear a glimpse of a Symphonic style of orchestration. Absolute masterpiece - something I keep on telling people whenever I get a chance to speak about Raaja.
How about adding the Spanish bull-fight style song "Aadi Varattum Mayilak Kaalai" from 'Raajakumaran' to your list ? Though not the best of Raaja's numbers, it will suit well in the instrumental pattern and will add some variety also ?
Another favourite of mine is "Kalyaana Maalai" from 'Puthu Puthu Arthangal' - if not the full song, at least the opening prelude, esp. the violins !!
And one more (my greed is too large when it comes to Raaja's music !!) - the conflict theme music of 'Dalapathi' - the heavy orchestra playing with trumpets when riots break out after Mammootty's arrest.
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