And why is this song popular?

ok, tell me in two lines or take as many lines as you want but tell me why you like this song.

It took only 15 years

Initially thought it was released after I crossed the shore - no sir, no, it was released when I was in school. May be missed it due to Rahman mania then? It is by Rahman. It is only for cult followers, you say? It was a Mania and we were very much part of it, the neighbourhood audio cassette shop owner who called my brother on the arrival of Rahman release would vouch for it. So, I have no clue how I missed it for 15 years.

One of the benefits of following Airtel super singer is it throws up songs, the ones I have heard, our all time favorites just flushed out of the temporary buffer, then the new popular ones and rarely like this one, a song I have completely missed. 

It isnt just the song is carnatic raaga based, but initially the words are caressed just the way it happens in some carnatic ones. Initial part 2 minutes is better than latter part. Unni rocked this one.

Some people do make a difference

Ada is back in the car music system. The movie hasnt released yet. I dont know anything else about it apart from the music director. I bought the CD few months ago. It is an event, each of Rahman's release. There is Blue - do I really care about Akshay kumar and Sanjay dutt starrer? no. Yet,that was what DB, a friend who gives two hoots about Hindi movies and I spoke about last time we met.

I dont know of any other contemporary music director who can evoke something similar. SEL in Hindi, Harris in Tamil, why even Pritam who should be called a good arranger instead of music director are people I listen to. I am sure you have your share. But there is no comparison.

I wonder if there had been no Rahman or some other Genius like that would we have this sort of fervor for an audio release? Remove Rahman from the scene, what would we have?

In a way we are spoilt. We had an MSV, Illayaraja and Rahman. When journalists for the sake of an article called Harris the next Rahman, I would cringe. Listen to Annakili, you would straight way know Illayaraja arrived, Roja has Rahman written all over it. Geniuses have their stamps,. They set the trend, not merely reproduce another.

These people have brought in a heightened interest in film music. Without them, we would still listen and enjoy but not follow it with zeal we do. Now, thats what they call a true phenomena.

Judge me but these are the songs I grew up with

Just a trip down the memory lane.

I used to regularly take an oc ride in couple of friend's cars. A school friend L, first introduced me to MLTR during those rides. When I would complain I dont get the lyrics, she would make me listen closely miming along! We listened to all their songs. Just putting up two. A college friend and I wanted to go to their concert in bangalore. Even then I knew their popularity was restricted only to asia. But most of my friends and I owned a copy of their songs, mixed or otherwise.





I heard the cotton eye joe as cornado for whatever reason.


This world has lost its glory, lets make a brand new story..


Only time


Oh, there was 'I am a Barbie girl', Backstreet boys and Britney spears - but we shall not talk about them, ok? ok.

Nange Paaon Chaand Aayegaa

Pon maalai pozhuthu

"Pot adichutu padran", my brother mentioned. He could be right, I dont recall much of the movie. Vaguely remember it as story about 3 guys and a girl . No, it is not the Bhagyaraj movie that gave us famous "ek gaon mein ek kisan raguthatha".

But this song has been cheering me up from the time I was born. Starting from the initial guitar note, the camera capturing sun glistening in the background, Vairumuthu's lyrics referring to the sky as the bodhi tree, the lilt in SPB's singing, texture of his voice and more than anything, illayaraja's music just makes it divine.




Carrying in the same spirit, not in the same league ofcourse, here is another.


"Shaam Ko Khidikee Se Choree Choree Nange Paaon Chaand Aayegaa" - need I say more?
So how is your friday, folks?

A music director analyzes the music of Rahman

oh well, I have wanted to provide this link for a long time. I also wanted to write my own story along with it. Let us just say, I decided to spare you guys(4 readers now, wonderful isn't it?) provide the link. for now that is. Story would be written another day hopefully.

Here is a Marathi music director Kaushal Inamdar, writing his own experience and analysis of Rahman's music.

It is interesting on several accounts.
For one, it's a professional analyzing Rahman's work. Instead of me saying I love love Rahman, Rahman's music is special, we get to hear what makes it special.
And this music director is no ordinary one in my head. One who loves music enough to look beyond Professional Jealousy.

I do have to counter on one point though. Kaushal mentions about how Rahman repeatitive phrasing makes his music catchy. This upset me, after all, Himesh 'nasal' Reshmayya does that too. But the difference ofcourse is the melody. That distinction is the key.

Yodha - A R Rahman

Oh well, I came across this movie while browsing through you tube. what? you dont' do that? you don't spend some of your time reminiscing old songs through you tube? must just be me then.

Anyway, Yodha caught my attention because some one screamed it was the first movie Rahman composed music for. Ofcourse, I went back screaming, Roja, Roja was the first. The screaming back was only in my head though. Then, may be Yodha was the dubbed version of Roja. Nope, that isn't true either. Maybe Maniratnam signed Rahman first? I don't know.
But whatever stars aligned that day to make Maniratnam meet Rahman, I am going to thank them.
Watch/Listen at your own risk.