Friday, September 4, 2009

Raaja's Chennai Concert in Netflix

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Illayaraja_Win_Isaithalu/70111713?trkid=226871

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Azhagaay Pookkuthey

My latest crush:

Fell for it from the first hearing. Though the pallavi reminds me of a Raaja's song, overall the song is well composed and a wonderful melody! Can someone guess, which song I am referring to?

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Long Pallavis

Some songs that I recollect with long pallavi...

Gundumalli Gundumalli (Solla Marantha Kathai)
Kanmaniye Kaadhal Enbadhu (6 to 60 varai)
Oru Raagam Paadalodu (Aanandha Raagam)
ABC Nee Vaasi So Easy Un Raasi Vaa Rosi (Oru Kaithiyin Dairy)
Poovil Vandu Koodum Kangal .. (Kaadhal Oviyam)


The coincidence in all of the songs is that they are all set in Mohanam raagam.

Can you think of other ones?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Math and Music - Part IV

"Axis of Symmetry" is a line that divides the figure into two halves, with either side is a mirror image of the other. In the world of music, with all the figures formed with 7 Swaras, Shadjamam and Panchamam have a special significance. If the frequency associated with Shadjamam is X decibels Hz, and the Shadjamam at the next octave is 2X decibels Hz, then, the Panchamam stands in the middle of it as an axis of symmetry - at 1.5X decibels Hz.

In short, Shadjamam and Panchamam notes are special because they act as epicenters, around which other swaras dwell. In this post, I would like to bring some interesting aspect, what I call "Sa Pa Symmetry". Play a sequence/pattern of notes with your Sa as the home key and try to play the same sequence/pattern of notes with lower/upper Panchamam as the home key. There you go!

Keeravani and Mayamalavagowli raaga offered this symmetry naturally. Raaja has used this pattern in many many songs. To highlight with a classic example, "Poovama Oorvolam" song from Chinna Thambi. Listen to the verses -
"Aranmana Annakili Tharayile Nadapadhu Nadakkuma Adukkuma
Paniyilum Vetta Veli Veyilum Ulla Sogam Aranmana Kudukkuma"

If the first line of the above stanza is centered around upper Shadjamam, the second one follows with lower Panchamam. Another example in "Poova Eduthu Oru Maala" from "Amman Kovil Kizhakkale". Listen to the verses -
"Kannadi Vala
Munnadi Vizha"

Other evident usages that comes to my mind immediately are - "Om Namaha" from Idhayathai Thirudadhe; "Poo Poo Poo Pootha Solai" and many more..

This might be one of the reason why Keeravani and Mayamalavagowli are very popular in light music and especially Raaja has used to its full potential in film songs.