My Tribute to the Raja of Music
A beautiful song by Padma Vibhushan recipient Shri Ilaiyaraja from a 2005 movie.
Raagam is Kalyani. The lyrics and visuals introduce a happy, musical family and a sense of absolute ananda descends on the listener...
The power of divine music, it's end goal that's the ultimate himself, harmony where each note is distinct, yet, is a part of a sweet composition, family values, all in a three minute song.
Shri Raja comes from a long line of musical stalwarts in Tamil cinema who based their compositions on the timeless classical music tradition also known as the carnatic music.
I am not qualified to discuss the technicalities of carnatic music and can only speak as an average listener with an ear for melody.
I feel Shri Raja, despite working in a time period in Tamil cinema, when social themes were gaining more popularity as against the previous bhakthi - movie era , introduced a devotional aspect to his compositions.
One can appreciate that aspect or not, but one can't help being touched by it.
His popular "masala" songs too are indeed based on carnatic raagas and have some hidden swara gems for the discerning listener.
I would also thank the stalwart singer Shri S P Balasubramaniam for opening the eyes and ears of ordinary listeners like me in his song based TV series years ago.
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My translation of the lyrics of the song
" Kaatril varum geethame " below.
"Oh,the melody that wafts in the breeze
Do you know my Kannaa (Krishna ) ?
You walk and float like a wave
as you bloom out of the flute that touches his lips...
Beautifully, as a melody that is filled with amrut...
The cow knows, the child knows
Even the enchnted snake knows...
Music is a balm to suffering souls
And the bud that opens up those who take it.
And... the end goal of music is Bhagawan himself...
The mother is the aadhara shruti (Base note )
The father is the layam that goes with it
Swaras that are based on this shruti and layam
Are the children who complete this musical family.
These open doors never close
This musical feast never diminishes
Friend, do you know of any other like this home ? "
I am not a fan of the nasal but Bhavatharini's ( Ilaiyaraja's daughter ) voice that opens the song lifts me to a different plane. The other singers who follow, see that we remain there for some time even after the song ends!
I recommend a quite listening- to of this song after you have watched it once. Head phones can help appreciate the micro swaras in the background better.
Tabla starts after a few seconds in to the song and keeps the thalam throughout gently.
Flute, from the little magic as the pallavi starts, flows throughout, only to give a bold blow to our ego at the interlude preceeding the second charanam.
If you are a music rasika but don't believe in shedding tears, that's the place your pride will fall !
In another video the music director describes the situation of this movie song. He says the "heroine " who is visiting the "hero" 's loving parents is transported to a dream world.
So, Shri Raja admits he consciously lifts the listener too to another world/plane !
Always suspected that, about your music Sir.
And many thanks for that from this faceless rasika.
These ears of mine are fortunate indeed.
What a sweet way to reach there and be there at that plane even if it's just for a few minutes!
What a way to remind that we really belong there and not here!
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