51% Indian

I was listening to A.R.Rahman's Vanthe Mataram after quite a long time. The main essence of the song is the patriotism that it inspires in the heart of every listener, and I was no exception. it is believed that Rahman invited Mr.Vairamuthu to his house to pen down for this song. The Hindi version had already been completely by then, and was played to Variamuthu. Thereupon, he started writing the lyrics for the Tamil version in Rahman's studio. After a while, when Rahman heard these verses of the lyrics, he started to literally jump in joy, like a kid informed on a rainy Monday morning that the school was closed for the day.

Vanthu mannil piranthathum malargalai koduththai
Antha pakkam intha pakkam kadalgalai koduthai
Nandavanam nattuvaikka nathi koduthai
Undhan maarbodu anaithaai, ennai aalaaki valarthai
Suga vaazhvondru koduthai
Pachchai vayalgalai nee parisaliththai
Pongum inbam engum thanthaai
Kangalum nandriyaal ponguthae

Vairamuthu's thought process seems to work on a technique of drawing an analogy of whats to be conveyed and to what is well known. In this track, he draws the analogy of love towards a mother, and the love towards the motherland.


Thayae un peyar sollum pothae ithayathhil min alai paayumae
Inivarum kaalam ilaignanin kaalam un kadal mellisai paadumae
Thai aval pol oru jeevanillai, aval kaaladi por sorgam veru illai
Thai mannai pol oru bhoomi illai, bhaaratham engalin swaasamae

Thai Mannae Vanakkam

Vande Mataram

Every time I listen to this song, the chunk of the Indian in me grows. exponentially. Thanks Vairamuthu and ARR for giving me what I consider as the national anthem.
Posted by Lr

Vellai Pura

'Vellai Pura ondru' is one of the most underrated songs in the Tamil industry. One of the many gems of the Vairamuthu-Ilayaraja combo. When there are two versions of a track (sad and happy), I've always like the sad one better. My liking for sad melancholic songs have had many reasons. I feel, the pathos that a quality composition can bring out in a person is beyond comparison to any other aura, that a song of any other genre can bring. This song comes in a situation where the guy sings for his lost love. When you go in for a sad melancholy, only a few people can bring the mournful feel better than K.J.Yesudas does. The hum in the beginning of the song transfused with the flute prelude showcases the brilliance of Raja sir. Vairamuthu's genius is evident in the each of the verses of the stanzas, and especially in the last verse.

Thalaividhi ennum vaarthai ondru,
Kavalaiku marundhu aanathey

Bedhangale vaazhum varai
Sogangale kaadhal kathai

Kaarkaala malargalum ennodu thalladum

Muthal ezhuthu thaai mozhiyil
Thalai ezhuthu yaar mozhiyil

Thuduppu izhandhathum kaadhal odam
Thisai maranthadhu paingkili

Pogum vazhi noor aanathey
Kaneerinaal saer aanathey

Illaatha uravukku naan seiyyum abhishekham
Posted by Lr

Evano Oruvan

Yet another ARR song. Yet another Vairamuthu Lyrics. Yet another instance where I stand in awe, short of words to praise this work. But still, I give it a shot. This is one song which has remained my favorite right from the start of the millennium. Don't count this as blasphemy, but I feel, somehow the best of ARR comes out when it involves Maniratnam. This is another such instance. This song more than depicts the sadness, agony and woe of the girl who waits for her love. With Vairamuthu penning the lyrics, I need not tell you that its beyond awesomeness. I would put my money on this and dare to call this as Late Swarnalatha's best ever. It is believed that A.R.Rahman, after exploring and examining umpteen number of voices, zeroed in on her. And boy, has she not done justice to the number! The analogy between the girl's feelings and that of a flute is creativity at its best. The way the lyrics literally settle into the tune, like that of a nail hammered into a wooden plank, makes the song all the more laudable. The more you listen to the song, the more you discover the genius of A.R.Rahman which is exhibited in each of the multiple layers that have been put into the song. Right from the start of the song with the sound of gusty winds, and then the slow fashion in which the beats take off, to the manner in which the tone of the flute changes right at the climax of the song, its all pure bliss. The interludes in the song clearly carry the stamp of the maestro. Even if I had never listened to the song, I would have guessed that its an ARR composition. Such is the touch of the maestro felt in the track. The thoughtfulness of Rahman to include a small flute bit after the lyrics 'Pullaanguzhale poonguzhale neeyum naanum oru jaathi' should not be missed. The unexpected moments of silence at different portions of the song add more wow to it. Maniratnam's picturization has never been questionable over his career, and this is no exception. So, as a pessimist, if you wanna try finding fault with any tiny aspect of this work, good luck! Meanwhile, sitting back with your ears plugged in with this track and enjoying the lyrics is recommended.

Urakkam illa munniravil en
Ul manadhil oru marudhala
Irakkam illa iravugalil idhu
Evano anuppum arudhala

Endhan sogam theervadharku
Idhu pol marundhu pirivillaye
Andha kuzhalai pol azuvadharku
Athanai kangal enakillaye.
Posted by Lr

Indira - Peace, Love and Hope.

Sometimes, when you're down and dont have enough inspiration for energy, music with lyrics like these could really do the job for you. I was randomly listening to my playlist, when this particular track struck me.

Achcham achcham illai.
Ini anbu engal ellai.
Ada ellam nanmai aagi pochu,
Inbam kollai kollaye.

But wait. It doesn't end right there. The major gulp of the tonic is what follows these verses. Everytime I listen to Vairamuthu's lyrics, I am dumbstruck by the simple unsophisticated and uncomplicated manner in which he brings out the feel of the words. When the A.R.Rahman of 1990s gives life to these verses, it serves as an elixir to an already timeless piece of poetry.

Pookal nammakaga.
Bhoomi nammakaaga.
Bhaaram illai, Bedham illai,
Vaazhkai undu vaazha.

I remember Vellai Pookal, where Vairamuthu says "Engu manidha inam, poar oindhu saaindhidumo, Angu koovayo, vellai kuyile". Honestly, when we have lyrics like these which inspire peace out of violence, I don't think we would need the dove of peace . Why hate when love is an option.

Neram koodipochu,
Nesam engal moochu,
Naalai nalla naale
Endra nambikai undaachu


PS: If you liked this, you might like this.
Posted by Lr

Shreya Ghoshal's Aaromalae

VTV - Listen @ rahmanism.com by vtv@rahmanism.com

Can't kindle your emotions more


Posted by Lr

ArRahman, this is not quite what we want.

Seriously. Many of your classy tracks and compositions go unnoticed. You dont compose music for Rahmaniacs like me. You compose for the whole world. Honestly I feel, the reach is quite not there. People aren't fortunate enough to listen to a few tracks of yours, which, I feel, are better than what people think are your best. Conservative fans may say, these compositions are exclusive only to a few privileged souls. But strongly, on a broader point of view, that shouldn't be how it is. When Michael Jackson composed, the whole world listened to it. Or at least, America listened to it. When you compose 6 tracks, the whole nation listens to 2 tracks. But those aren't actually the blessed tracks. The blessed tracks are hidden among the other 4. Which only guys like me listen.

This is just a plain and a no-fancy note of frustration, from a die-hard fan's point of view. Also, I hope it serves as an eye-opener, or rather considering the context, an 'ear-opener' to people who come across this post, to lend ears to tracks which they feel aren't up to the mark. Cos, those are the tracks that are meant to be evergreen.

If I havent convinced you yet, you could listen to this.


Posted by Lr

Everything is fair with ARR

Talk about reusing and recycling. Sounds good?, not so much when it comes to Music. U might call it repetition. U might even call it plagiarism. But, it all depends on who reuses/recycles/repeats it! When it is the Boss himself, everything is fair! He s got that Midas touch, which makes even the repetition sound so beautiful and leaves me awestruck! The other day, I was watching this movie Roja. I was watching it for the 3rd time I guess, but this time i noticed something new and exciting. There was this scene where the Heroine's sister is betrothed to the Hero. And there goes a mild and melodious BGM. The tune seemed so familiar to me, but I could not recognize it distinctly. On repetitive hearing, I discovered that it was the very tune that has been on repeat mode in my playlist for quite so many days. 'Telephone Manipol'/'Telephone Dhun Mein Hasne Wali' from the movie 'Indian'/'Hindustani', it was! Had it been any other Music director, I would have damned it as plagiarism or shortage of ideas and tunes! This time, though, I applaud it as 'Work of a Genius'!

Posted by Lr

Smoothness of the Storm

The Piano is one instrument where the room for error is absolutely ZERO. It requires guts to perform a piano recital in front of a huge learned audience, and a few other million ppl following you from all around the globe. And an unplugged version with the Piano requires more than just guts. If at all there is some1 who could do it with such perfection, it would be none other than the maestro himself! He, yet again, proves himself with his soulful music, divine chords and a flawless performance. I doubt whether i will get to listen to a better unplugged medley than this. When you close your eyes and listen to this, the feel is even more heavenly. 4 highly talented singers: SPB-do i need to say even a word about him?; Hariharan- with all his improvisations; Sujatha- with her gifted expertise and a pitch-perfect singing; Kavita Krishnamoorthy- with her voice of an angel , you literally get drenched in Music. n music lovers who dont get to listen to this, you would have missed something very SPECIAL!

Posted by Lr

Simple. Yet Powerful. Yet Beautiful.

"Kaana thaane Kangal, Kanneer sintha illai
Vaazha thaane Vaazhkai, Veezhvatharku illai
Paada thaane Nenjam, Mounam enna enna
Vella thaane veeram, Kolvatharku illai"


Vairamuthu is nothing short of a poetic genius. And to pen down lyrics like these which live beyond decades, you got to be that. And you just cant ask more out of A.R.Rahman's soulful tune and the inspirational feel that he has given to these lines. All that is there to say is, gifted are these lines, to be given birth by Vairamuthu and to be immortalized by the maestro.

PS: I am not translating these lines cos, no way will i be able to bring out the actual feel of the lyric. And i dont wanna create a impression that the quality of these lines is average, cos its just not it So, Tams enjoy. Non-Tams, pray for another Vairamuthu to pen down in your language.
Posted by Lr

god and envy

God listened to How to Name It.
And he felt, God should be god. And ilayaraja should be Ilayaraja.
cos god said, "I wanna be Ilayaraja"
Posted by Lr

And we had a talk

Me: "Wait for a while. ARR's music will sink in slowly."
He: "But i've never had to wait for Raja sir's music to sink in."
Me: "Uh. True."
Posted by Lr

Dualism - My philosophy of music

Distinct, Unique, Independent. Yet Unseparable

When there is a battle or comparison between a prodigy and a skillful old-pro wizard, the battle is the winner and comparison- the loser. By no means is this article a comparison. It is again just a note of awe, devotion, reverence, respect, praise and love that I hold for these maestros. Also this is just my opinion, and it might not and more likely, will not comply with yours. When I listen to ARR, I feel he s the God. When I switch to Raja sir, I get the feel that he s the greatest. But the success of both these composers, I feel, lie in winning the hearts of listeners almost instantly, and convincing people that they are the best in business. Indian music is fortunate enough to have got Ilayaraja for the time he ruled. It was equally fortunate to get ARR at a time when Ilayaraja was leaving the stage. But on the whole, what they have given us, is a deep ocean to explore. And for us to explore, enjoy and admire every bit of it, I am afraid a lifetime may not be enough. What that has also done to people like me is, it has brought in a feel of contentment that this is all music is about, and a sense of belief that no music can be better or superior to the standards set by these two, thus making us lose out on other good music, if any. People live till their works and fans live. This makes these two legends immortal. However, if at all one wanted an empirical comparison between them, with some difficulty, thought and observation, I would confess Ilayaraja would get a few more points than Rahman. But, being a music lover that I am and a fanatic of Rahman and Raja sir, I shall be a Rahmaniac always devoted to Raja sir!
Posted by Lr

**Disclaimer

I am not a musician. I don't know anything about music. I only know to listen to it, feel it, imbibe it and travel with it to a whole new ethereal world. Well if thats everything, then that's that. To quote A.R.Rahman, "If music wakes you up, makes you think, heals you, the music is working". I like music that works.
Posted by Lr
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