Illayaraja Interview - Nandhalala

Seeing Illayaraja in an interview after a very long time for a Tamil channel.

Gets better every time

Vaali's 80th Birthday

No wonder, why this man is called "காலம் கடந்த கவிஞர்". The same gentleman who wrote "அத்தை மடி மெத்தை" has been able to cater this generation with "அதிரடி காரன் மச்சான்". For the past 47 years, our poet has been penning lyrics for several hundred movies.

As Illayaraja has mentioned in several interviews and shows, simplicity and the ability to connect with public with his unobfuscated lyrics has been Vaali's strength. In my mind, Vaali is like a Super Factory that will give you anything you want. If you are Pavithran, you extract "சமஞ்சது எப்படி" and if you are Kamal Hassan, you extract the National Award winning lyrics - "உன்ன நெனச்சேன் பாட்டு படிச்சேன்". As a consumer, you better know what you want and don't blame the shopkeeper for selling what you had asked!

Playlist - Divine

There isn't a one right way to do things. Call it a hangup or whatever. I prefer playlists based on a theme, genre and a common flow. For instance, it would be a bit hard for me to jump from a Track where I envision Madisaar Maamis singing a traditional song like "Maasaru Ponne Varuga" to a twister dance of "Ninnukori Varnam". Hence, I try to organize my playlists with either a common theme or genre.

After a nice warm shower in the morning and a meditative yoga session, I wouldn't prefer to jump into regular cinema-'ish soundtracks. Is that a guilt? I can't answer. I usually start with a playlist that I call "Divine" due to the nature of genre associated with the tracks. Not all of them are truly "GODly", but, I just call it so as it sets the tone for the day. The songs that feature in my "Divine" playlist goes like this:

1. Kai Veenai Yai Endhum (Veitnam Colony) - What a way to start the day off! Treasure in a garbage, that's how I would place this track for a movie like Veitnam Colony!

2. Maasaru Ponne Varuga (Devar Magan) - Sets the stage for an auspicious take off!

3. Sollayo Vaai Thiranthu (Moga Mul) - Serene and silence enters the soul!

4. Kaatril Varum Geethame (Oru Naal Oru Kanavu) - Can't ask for a better melody in the morning..

5. Amuthe Thamize (Kovil Pura) - Sweet honey..

6. Raama Naamam Oru (Sri Raghavendra) - 110 mph vocal cyclone of KJY good enough to kickstart my day ..

By this time, I am already at my work place and don't think could have a better start for a day than Raaja's Divine list. The list is very lengthy, though the distance I commute everyday lets me listen only to 4-5 songs. If I get to Track #6, I make it a point to thank I-75 traffic!