(Above)Raaja in his heyday,at home,with his son Karthik and daughter Bavadarini .
‘Isaigyani’ Ilayaraaja’s Tiruvasagam in symphonic oratorio is a musical feast. It is the 1st oratorio by an Indian. Raaja has worked on the hymns of a 12th Century Tamil mystic, originally set in orthodox chanting style meter. He has composed and orchestrated it to be performed by a western classical orchestra and yet retained the inherent Indian ness of the hymns. What emerges is an absolute breakthrough album. Not just in terms of Indian music. But music itself.
The album’s top song, is an approximately twenty minute long piece,Pollaa Vinayen. There are so many tune variations, shifts in melody and orchestral nuances in this piece. The blending of the English verses written by Steven Schwartz with the Tamil verses is so natural that two styles of music seem united. The choir and the chorus add to the serene feel of this song. Poovaar Senni Mannan ,which is the first song of the album is regal and warlike. The sound makes me imagine Tamil warriors of ancient days praying before embarking to vanquish the enemy. This song brings out Raaja’s musical grandeur at its grandest.
Muthu Natramam has a less sober feel to it. Sung by Unnikrishnan ,Vijay Jesudas and others it sounds like simple peasant folk singing during a harvest. The instrumentation gives a slight fast pace to this song. Pooerukonum sung by Raaja along with his daughter is sweet. Bavadarini’s happy maiden like voice and Raaja’s more sober one act as perfect foil for one another. Umbakarasaey sounds melancholic and reminds one of a person’s search for something or someone. Or at least that is what I gather from my peripheral understanding of ‘ Ilakiya Tamil’ (literary Tamil) and the mood Raaja creates in this song haunts.
My personal favorite in this album is the piece Puttril Vazh Aravum Anjen.Raaja begins this piece offering us a glimpse of his contemplations as he undertakes the daunting task of setting and composing ancient hymns in sync with a symphony orchestra. Like a little child he is excited at the prospect. I just love this song and that is about how well I can describe it!
This is not a review. Because I don’t see myself in anyway being qualified to judge a work of this class. Raaja’s rendition of Tiruvasagam belongs to world music, by one of its masters. It is breathtaking and in my opinion one of the all time best albums by an Indian. In a recent event organized by Raaja for fellow Indian musicians, A.R.Rehman called him a Pokisham(an invaluable jewel).What more can I say about this King of Song or his work?
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
A Breakthrough
(Above)Raaja in his heyday,at home,with his son Karthik and daughter Bavadarini .
‘Isaigyani’ Ilayaraaja’s Tiruvasagam in symphonic oratorio is a musical feast. It is the 1st oratorio by an Indian. Raaja has worked on the hymns of a 12th Century Tamil mystic, originally set in orthodox chanting style meter. He has composed and orchestrated it to be performed by a western classical orchestra and yet retained the inherent Indian ness of the hymns. What emerges is an absolute breakthrough album. Not just in terms of Indian music. But music itself.
The album’s top song, is an approximately twenty minute long piece,Pollaa Vinayen. There are so many tune variations, shifts in melody and orchestral nuances in this piece. The blending of the English verses written by Steven Schwartz with the Tamil verses is so natural that two styles of music seem united. The choir and the chorus add to the serene feel of this song. Poovaar Senni Mannan ,which is the first song of the album is regal and warlike. The sound makes me imagine Tamil warriors of ancient days praying before embarking to vanquish the enemy. This song brings out Raaja’s musical grandeur at its grandest.
Muthu Natramam has a less sober feel to it. Sung by Unnikrishnan ,Vijay Jesudas and others it sounds like simple peasant folk singing during a harvest. The instrumentation gives a slight fast pace to this song. Pooerukonum sung by Raaja along with his daughter is sweet. Bavadarini’s happy maiden like voice and Raaja’s more sober one act as perfect foil for one another. Umbakarasaey sounds melancholic and reminds one of a person’s search for something or someone. Or at least that is what I gather from my peripheral understanding of ‘ Ilakiya Tamil’ (literary Tamil) and the mood Raaja creates in this song haunts.
My personal favorite in this album is the piece Puttril Vazh Aravum Anjen.Raaja begins this piece offering us a glimpse of his contemplations as he undertakes the daunting task of setting and composing ancient hymns in sync with a symphony orchestra. Like a little child he is excited at the prospect. I just love this song and that is about how well I can describe it!
This is not a review. Because I don’t see myself in anyway being qualified to judge a work of this class. Raaja’s rendition of Tiruvasagam belongs to world music, by one of its masters. It is breathtaking and in my opinion one of the all time best albums by an Indian. In a recent event organized by Raaja for fellow Indian musicians, A.R.Rehman called him a Pokisham(an invaluable jewel).What more can I say about this King of Song or his work?
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6 comments:
Pollaa vinayen is my favourite.
And btw, the one on the left in the photo is that Yuvan or his daughter?
I have ordered for the CD. Its exciting.. this buildup!
that was a nice picture....
Music soothes the soul !
Raaja is a Pokkisham.
But one thing I noticed..noone dares to criticize this project..! Why not.! Its also music.! Music from albums are reviewed and accepted by all.!
So what if it is different.! So what if it is Manikka Vachagar, so what if it is Symphony or some Hybrid. I am sure there is someone out there who doesn't like it..or feels that it could have been done in a different way. I am waiting for one.! It is always good to see different views...!
Sorry folks that's MHO.
On a personal note, I like the album..and the last song especially.!
The photo is superb. Umm..no wonder the kids are shinining like stars these days.!!
I simply do not understand the idea behind Narayan Venkittu 'waiting' for someone to thrash this album. You can't enfore love and you can't enfore hatred either. People are praising Thiruvsagam because it's classic.
Show me someone who doesn't like Bad, 'Hotel California', 'Winds of Change' or 'Mukkala Mukabala'. Venkittu, please understand that there are certain things that are so great and universal it's hard for anybody to criticise. Thiruvasagam is one such thing. It's a great experimental piece by one of the greatest composers in the world.
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