Illayaraja about Kannadasan

Any amount of appreciation would be less for the brilliance of Kannadasan's instinct when it comes to lyrics and his philosophy.

Though Kannadasan and Illayaraja worked for a brief period, here is what Raaja has to say about Kannadasan and his experience with Kavignar:

I apologize about the quality of the clip.

Immortal

I was listening to one of the evergreen song written by Kavignar Kannadasan today (Song - Unnai Kaanadha Kannum):

Engu Nee Oru Paadhi Naanoru Paadhi

Many poets have attempted this "nee paadhi naan paadhi" theory to portray the intimacy between two souls. But, Kannadasan is always different. Look at the next line:

Edhil Yaar Pirindhaalum Vedhanai Paadhi

Wondering what is so special about it?

It is quite common to write about the helplessness of the living soul. But here, Kavignar says that even the soul that passed away from this world would share the pain with the living soul. Isn't this the immortal love?

Can anyone explain better than this about the essence of immortal love? Do we have any parallel to this genius when it comes to philosophical lyrics?

Ilamai Enum Poongaatru

If you had ever watched this song (Illamai Enum Poongaatru) for just the visuals, you missed a great deal! Kannadasan's lyrics and Illayaraja's music were no-less sexier than Sridevi and that poor hero grazing over her.

I haven't watched the movie, but, having watched so many of our movies, I can take a rough cut at it. The car that Sridevi must have been driving would have broke down in midst of a scary forest and predictably, hero rescues her from an animal or rowdies...and the hero gets hurt in that process. She tears her skirt and helps the hero back... Now, we have got two young souls in a forest, none of them knew each other. The environment acting a catalyst, the flow goes on.

I don't want to be hypocritic to dismiss the song and its lyrics. Lets face it. Its practical. Instead of describing heroine as Manga, Thenga etc. , look at how our Kavignar describes.

Angam Muzhudhum Pongum Illamai
Edham Padhamai Thondra

Sridevi couldn't resist and falls for the hero, even though they don't know each other much. Can anyone write a better lyrics than this?

Ketka Ninaithaal Marandhaal
Kelvi Ezhum Munn Vizhundhaal

Kavignar describes the power of sexual urge against all the caste, Khan Dhaan etc.

Mannan Enamum Mangai Enamum
Kulam Gunamum Enna?
Dhegam Thudithaal Kann Edhu?

I bet, no-one else can bring the substance any better than this. Anyways, coming to 7 swara...

This song is special because this has 3 charnams against the usual norm of 2 and further all the 3 charanams have the same tune against the norm of Illayaraja to chose a different tune for either the 2nd or 3rd charanam. The guitar usage in the interludes is simply stunning.

Was Kavignar's lyrics so mesmerising that Raaja kept on repeating the charanam after charanam without a break or was it that Kavignar kept writing charanams for a out-of-world tune of Raaja's. Whatever be, we got a wonderful song as the byproduct.

Click here to listen

Kannadasan

With gas price shooting to $4 per gallon, driving from Michigan to Niagara Falls, NY through 3 states doesn't sound like a good plan. But, I didn't have an idea of this souring gas price, in first place. Anyways, heading to Niagara this long weekend and would seldom have time in another 3 days. So, thought of sharing something for my readers to chew and digest till I come back:

A forum where a gentleman has given us so many moments of Kannadasan to us and presented the story behind many songs the great legend has penned.

http://www.tfmpage.com/my/lyricist/kannadasan_raj.html

Thanks to Mahendra Raj for giving us so much information and I am sure you all would enjoy reading this.

Very few people have the courage and will to confess their other side and Kannadasan is next to Gandhi, IMHO.