Ahh....Breathing Space, Courtesy Madhu B & Ilayaraaja

I was (and am) feeling terrible and suffocated. In the last few months, there have been just a handful of songs that touched my soul, or worse, just made sense musically. In all fairness, most of those songs are far from being bad: They are just mediocre. That's not a crime, actually. I only had negative thoughts about music, and hence I decided to not write anything.

Now, I just happened to hear a beautiful song, and that's what this post is all about. It is from a new flick called "Sooriyan". Music composed by the living legend Ilayaraaja. ONE song, grabbed me from the start: Vasantha Nilaaven, sung majestically by Madhu Balakrishnan, one of my favorite singers. In the new era where you have to be something more than a good singer to be noticed, Madhu stands as the throwback singer. A classy guy, who can sing most of the tough sangathis handed out by Ilayaraaja with so much ease, Madhu, shows us why composers like M. Jayachandran considers him one of the best. It's so refreshing to hear someone who can SING and not do the "performing"-thing.

Lisen to the smooth rendering of the raaga after the words "ezhuthiri vilakkin..." (Charanam 1). The key word is "smooth". Also, listen how he hits each of the notes with such accuracy, still maintaining the overall emotion in the song (e.g. Kodi chaarthi nilppoo, amma, kodi janmamaayi & Kunju pookkale, thozhuthunaroo). Oh wait, one can (has to) do that? How about shake your hips and dance? No? Attitude? No? Then are you a singer?

Kireedom 2007 Soundtrack: What's Missing?

Well, I wasn't planning to write anything. In fact, this was the last thing I want to do at this point in time. However, I could'nt just resist. I was hearing the song "Kanneer Thuliye" sung by Vijay Yesudas from the "new" Kireedom album (Tamil remake of the 1989 Malayalam classic). While hearing to this particular song, my mind wandered into several important questions that I believe are very important "reminders" to us all music lovers. The first question: Are composers with musical passion losing to composers with technical passion? Why did that question come up? I will tell you why: Listen to the old 1989 version of the song here. No, I am not talking about how the music is different, or how the malayalam-style (in general) is different from Tamil. It's a deeper concept. The old song was composed by one of the least talked about geniuses of malayalam film music: Johnson. A person who can just use some cymbals or no percussion or orchestra at all, but with just one or two instruments evoke heavy emotion in listeners. That's the simple genius of the vocal part of the song. When MG Sreekumar sings the vocals, you don't hear many instruments, except the bass, two mild folk percussion sounds and the occasional harp. But, don't think that Johnson cannot evoke the dramatic scenes pictured in the visuals of the song. Johnson uses a santoor ostinato (rhythm with a melodic instrument), heavy western percussion and heavy strings when he needs it. Instinctively, he stays away from using such heavy orchestra or sounds when the vocals are present. This is called "instinct" or "intuition". The present song "Kanneer Thuliye" is a soft melody, but a lot more rhythm based. It is just the opposite of the old version: technically its aeons ahead, but music-wise aeons behind. Again, remember that "music" is not the same as "high-quality sounds". Of course, a composer can use "high-quality sounds" to embellish good music (ARR; E.g. Thoda Thoda). It's tough to write this about a young up and coming composer, but I am just writing my opinion. Another question: Where is the variety? Does that term even exist? How many composers we know of today (in tamil probably exceptions are Vidyasagar and ARR) can compose a wide variety of songs? How many of them can compose a classical song, a comedy song, a lullaby well? The term is called "versatility". It is non-existent, barring a few potential talents here and there. Again, I am not counting ARR and Vidyasagar, perhaps the only two guys who can compose slow melodies (e.g. Kaatrin Mozhi & Uyirum Neeyae), foot-tapping songs (e.g. Athiradee & Othiri Othiri), comedy songs (e.g. confusion theerkaname & padakaali) etc. with equal ease. Perhaps, its a gloomy moment for music. Not for individual songs per se, but for the industry in general. Maybe we just don't realize it as a collective community...or maybe it's just frustration-laden 20 minutes for a rambler. I personally hope it's the third possibility!