வைரமுத்துவிற்கு ஒரு கடிதம்

சபயில் சந்தம் சிந்தும் கவியே
தமிழ் தாயும் சிறை படுவாள் உன்னிடமே
தமிழுக்கு ஒரு கிரீடம் உன் படைப்பு
சந்தமும் சொல் நயமும் உன் உடன் பிறப்பு
அவன் இசையும் உன் தமிழும் மீண்டும்
இசைக்காக தமிழுக்காக சேர வேண்டும்

Why Only Illayaraja?

After reading my yesterday’s post, my brother remarked “Don’t you think this is too much?” Recently, my friend said to me: “I agree you are right. But, you should embrace the new changes and move on. Why are you writing only about Illayaraja? “

I can answer to this question in 3 ways:

Technically, Illayaraja has left HUGE repository to explore and I don’t want to superficially appreciate and move on.

Emotionally, I would say: “Naan Unarndha Unarvu Nee Unara Villai”

Politically, silence is the best answer.

I would like to dwell into just one aspect of His music today:

Great geniuses spend their lifetime to have a complete understanding of just the fixed tonal system of western classical music. I am no expert in this subject. But, (with my “Dhammathoondu” knowledge) it is possible to master (though it is not easy) the fixed tonal system (scale) to a level that you can start writing the notes on a piece of paper directly without playing the scale. We have history that shows many geniuses who have done that. On the other hand, the challenge that Carnatic music throws is the very key element of it – Gamakams. Gamakams, explained simply is the beauty of shaking those fixed notes. These floating tonal systems form the backbone of the Carnatic music.

No exaggerations here. If there is any living human being who has a complete understanding of both fixed and floating tonal system with a mastery level that he can play the fusion of both in his 1.2 kg mass brain and directly write the notes onto a piece of paper, it is only Illayaraja. The notes are close to machine perfection and this music making machine has mastered the range that each instrument can play and the harmony it can generate, all in the tiny brain.

Here is a sample of the notes hand written by Raaja (without actually playing a note) for a song in “Ezhai Jaathi” in less than 45 minutes:

I retire.

A Tribute

உன்னை இசை அரசன் என்பேனா
இல்லை இசைக்கு அடிமை என்பேனா
அரசனும் நீயே
அடிமையும் நீயே

என் நரம்பில் உன் நாதம்
உன் இசைதான் என் சுவாசம்
ராகதேவன் என்பார் சிலர்
இசைஞானி என்பார் பலர்
என்னை ஆட்கொண்ட ஓம்காரம் என்பேன் நான்

Not your cup of tea

I recently read a book “Before you quit your job” and found it very interesting. I would like to share one important takeaway from that book - The attributes that an entrepreneur/his team must possess for building a successful business.

For building a successful business model, the leader/his team must possess four key attributes personified. (Even if the leader doesn’t possess, he must chose his team in such a way that he has right representation of the attributes below)

Creative Thinking

Technical Thinking

Analytical Thinking

People Thinking

To find a person who excels in all these fields is quite a challenge. A person who is more on the Creative side will break the rules and come up with innovations. A person with highly “Technical Thinking” will always like to have associations/dialogues around the subject of his/her interest. An Analytical thinker will evaluate every situation analytically. Finally, a people thinker possesses the key attribute for being a leader - Public relations.

Imagine a person with a high rating on “Creative” and “Technical” and with a poor rating on “People Thinking”. The output what you get is an “Eccentric” fellow.

I often wondered whether Illayaraja got the kind of recognition for what he has achieved. Technically, this man has left very little to venture and experiment. I hate to get into comparison. But, the bitter truth is that he still has not got the kind of recognition that some modern composers have got. What is missing in him?

I can come up with only one logical answer – He fits into the quadrant that is high in “Technical Thinking” and “Creative Thinking” with very less “People Thinking”. I can only think of other greats like “Bharathiyaar”, “Ramanujam” etc. who were genius, but eccentric. They never got the recognition for what they were when they lived.

On the other hand, I put A.R.Rahman into a quadrant rich in “Creative Thinking” and “People Thinking”.

This is evident in black and white when you look at the marketing of “Vande Maatharam” vs “Thirvaasakam in Symphony”. Compare Rahman and Bharat Bala’s effort in marketing Vande Maataram vs how Thiruvaasakam in Symphony album was launched in presence of Vaiko and Peter Alphonse!

I feel miserable to say this. Raaja is capable of wearing multiple hats – lyricist, singer, arranger, and composer – but fails miserably in public relations and managing marketing. And his team doesn’t seem to possess the trait either!