I am trying to unearth Illayaraja's gems. My quest (through many forums and blogs) led me to his soundtrack for Thendrale ennai thodu.
I have no recollection of watching the movie. Per music india online, this movie was released in 1985, staring "Mike" (as in microphone) Mohan and Jayshree. Mohan is one of the classic examples of how a good jaadhagam (or God knows what) can propel a person right to the top. He was a mediocre actor. Somehow, he managed to act in some really good movies (Mouna Raagam being the most memorable) and many of his movies ended up having superhit songs (such as Payanangal mudivadhillai, mella thirandhadhu kadhavu etc). Jayshree was one of the "homely" actresses at that time. She was very pretty, Sadha reminds me a lot of her.
Of all the Ilayaraja albums that I know of, this is easily one of the most innovative. The composition of tunes, the orchestra, the raagams that he has used...his brilliance cannot be described in words. Here are my favorite songs -
Kavidhai paadu kuyile - I've always adored SPB and I fell in love with him all over again after listening to this song. The raagam is similar to needhane yendhan pon vasantham from ninaivellam nitya. The tune is racy and flamboyant
Pudhiya poovidhu - Shades of Sudhdha Dhanyasi again. The tabla type beats in the background make all the difference. SPB rocks as always, and Janaki keeps up with Ilayaraja's super difficult (but super melodious tunes)
Kanmani Nee Vara - This is the best in the album. Malayamaarutham is one of my favorite raagams (manasayatulo by Thyagaraja is a divinely beautiful composition in this raagam). Ilayaraja effortlessly uses this raagam and weaves wonderful romantic tunes. Jesudas is surprisingly disappointing in this song - he doesnt quite hit all the right notes. But Uma Ramanan more than makes up for his shortcomings. She was one singer who never quite made it, but that gives me a topic for another blog post.
Here is the link for this movie in music india online. Do not miss this album!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
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6 comments:
Thendral vandhu ennai thodu has a lot of Hamsanadam touches.
Thats right, it never occurred to me. Check this link out - theres more info http://www.lolluexpress.com/ilaya6.htm
im afraid for the ppl of india when i hear these songs! what ever happened to original soundtracks and meaningful lyrics? oh, and half decent dance moves? why, mtv doesnt approve?
You are way off target. The best song is easily "thendral vandu ennai thodum" sung supebly by jesudass.
Thenral vandu ennai thodu is based on Saranga thrangini whiwh is similat o hamsanadam.note are
S R2 M2 P D2 N3 S | S N3 D2 P M2 R2 S
hamsanadam does not have D2 in it.Karthik
This along with Udhayageetham, Kumkumachimizh, Vaitheihi Kathirunthal, Mouna Raagam etc are some of my favorite Tamil movie songs ever. For years I've been looking for high quality copies on CD or 320kbps MP3s at least but zilch.. Naya! Wonderful songs... Coming at a time when hindi movie songs were at their nadir, I have wonderful memories of playing these songs late at night on my Walkman. Sigh!
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