Better still, invite him to join this group and have him post regularly :)
Warm Regards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vinayak
On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 8:52 PM, Prabhu Rajagopal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:
> who is this person! such a fascinating read! even though i don't know
> anything about raagas..
> hope you can provide us with his next article he is talking about..
>
> 2008/10/28 Vithur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>> Classical Extemporization 4m Roja 2 Yuvvraj's ARR *October 26,
>> 2008….12:17 P.M.*, at this point of time, if you ask any person well
>> versed in various forms of Indian Classical Music (probably a guru or a
>> maestro) that is the same pattern which was actually contrived by Muthuswami
>> Dikshitar and Thyagaraja still being taught to this generation, the answer
>> would be a clear NO…because there has been a sea change in the time
>> frames and generations and thereby, a few changes were evolved in teaching
>> the music so as to vibe well with the tastes of the generations. Ofcourse,
>> there was no change done to the root part, the swaras and the raagas being
>> the same!
>>
>> It was in 1992 when the music wizard *A.R.Rahman* composed the tunes for
>> his first filmy album Roja...He was 26 then. Now at 42, he composed the
>> tunes for his latest offing, Yuvvraaj. So taking a cue from the above
>> stance, one can wonder the amount of change that had been evolved in his
>> composing styles in this time-gap of 16 years!
>>
>> Now its 2008…Down the lane after 16 years, I feel that I have harnessed a
>> commendable knowledge in analyzing the songs of Rahman. So, please take your
>> valuable time out to go through this piece! There are many styles of music
>> in which Rahman had forayed into but I would like to throw light only on his
>> classical compositions
>> The first song of Rahman to which I listened was "Nila Kaigirathu" from
>> Indira ('coz that was the first ever film I watched)…At that point of
>> time, I don't know who Rahman was but that song did haunt me like a diva in
>> my sporadic dreams!
>>
>>
>> The first raaga I learnt was *Mayamalava gowla* and that was followed by
>> a chain of raagas after which I took a break to analyse the songs based on
>> the learnt raagas…Indeed, the first song I analysed was "Nila Kaigirathu" .
>> It is strongly based on *Hamir Kalyani*.
>>
>>
>> Pudhu Vellai Mazhai from Roja was a master-piece based on *Kapi*. The
>> moment I heard Mannmohini Morey, I thought it was a rendition on *Kapi*.
>> But after a few times of hearing made me confirm that it was the alaap of
>> *Aabheri (Ni Sa Ga Ma Pa)*! Rahman composed only one song, Kannodu
>> Kanbathellam from Jeans based on *Aabheri*. It requires quite a high
>> pitch. Nithyashree Mahadevan was absolutely great in that song as is Vijay
>> Prakash in this song. When I compared the composing styles of Rahman in both
>> these songs, I felt that he mixed that song with *Sudha Dhanyasi* and
>> made it a raagamalika while he made a fusion of Aabheri in western in
>> Mannmohini! What a transition!! I rate it as the best number of the album.
>>
>> The moment I heard Tu Muskura…It made me remind of the Sonnalum
>> Ketpadhillai from Kadhal Virus which was based on *Nalinakanthi*. The
>> interludes embedded in the song are purely western yet the base of the song
>> is in *Hamsadhwani*. I was flabbergasted at the way Rahman mixed this
>> song on such low notes with western loops. Then I realized that only a
>> Rahman can do this sort of song! Alka Yagnik sounded better even on such low
>> note and Javed Ali is apt for his Hindustani alaap. The song is best suited
>> to have a perfect evening!
>>
>>
>>
>> *Melody-Rhythm-Lyrical Beauty*…these are the 3 pillars on which Carnatic
>> Music is based on…and that is exactly what I have witnessed in
>> Zindagi….Gulzar
>> explaining the various modes of life and Srinivas taking you through the
>> modes while Rahman is providing the fuel to the song. The song is etched on
>> the raaga *Saranga*….It made me reminiscent of Azhage Sugama (based on *
>> Dhwijavathi* and *Sahana*) from Paarthale Paravasam. The varied styles in
>> the pace of the song make it a celestial number! Here one can witness the
>> contemporary style of Rahman, composing a melody!!
>>
>> An euphonious song is what I can say about Tu Hi Meri Dost Hain…It is
>> probably the best example of western symphony Rahman is talking about these
>> days and I guess this is the theme which he is trying to infuse in KMMC.
>> This song can be simply listened for its lyrics…
>>
>> *Kabhi dil ka hai saahil, Jahan shaam utarti hai
>>
>> Kehte hain samundar se, Ek pari guzarti hai
>>
>> Wo raat ki raani hai, Sargam par chalti hai *
>>
>>
>> Gulzar Saab can be credited with his impeccable work. Without his lyrics,
>> this song wouldn't have been rooted in the ears of listeners. A hundred time
>> listener… I might be sounding vague coz its more than a hundred time
>> listener! Wish that Rahman will come up with some more songs of this
>> genre in his forthcoming albums.
>>
>>
>> How can I forget the resplendent works of A.R.Rahman in Kandukondain
>> Kandukondain? Kannamochi (based on *Nattakuranji*) and Thongi Choose(based on
>> *Kathanukathagulam*) deeply evoke my feelings till date…The same Rahman I
>> get to hear listening to these master-piece songs from Yuvvraaj although
>> in a different way! The way Rahman is blending his music with different
>> genres since Roja is simply breathtaking and quite amazing. That indeed
>> makes a striking difference between him and other composers who are into
>> producing some strident sounds
>>
>> So as the notion says, *the change is only about moving forward*…one has
>> to move forward adapting to the styles of the current time-frame one is
>> living in without being able to forget one's moolah! It applies
>> universally, be it an A.R.Rahman, be it a Raghav or anyone else.
>>
>> Rahman has instigated various styles of music in him according to the
>> changes and he is making his music move forward with them and along with it,
>> he is transcending places. One has to cogitate before flinging frivolous
>> comments on his music.
>>
>>
>> With that, I take a leave to meet you with my next article…thanks for
>> going through this!!
>>
>>
>>
>> (*This article is dedicated to the community on request of some of my
>> dear friends!*)
>>
>>
>> Courtesy :- RAGHAV in orkut
>> --
>> regards,
>> Vithur
>>
>> ARR in my Heart;
>> His Music in my Blood;
>>
>
>
>
