I get tremendous inspiration from the early Tamil film music, the period prior to the 1960s. Both my Grandmother and my uncle were big fans of M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. Hence his songs, along with P.U. Chinnappa and S.G.Kittappa used to play all the time at home. Later with my violin tution, my master introduced me to CR Subburaman and G.Ramanathans music. Music of that era is steeped in classicism but condensed within a 3 or 4 minute song. If you wanted a quick and easy foundation of raagas, those were the songs to turn to. Especially the solos of great TM Soundararajan are the right mix of art and entertainment. I have this long time wish to reproduce each of those classics and I already took my first step with the Thiruppugazh when the legend passed away. Now in the new year I wanted to put my plan to action and see where I get... Todays song has iconized the raaga Charukesi in Tamil folklore that when you mention the raagas name, the very first film song named by anyone is this song. Likewise G.Ramanathan has produced many iconic raaga based songs and should surely be credited for taking the classic music to the masses in a big way. In this performance, I arranged it with the primary chords of Charukesi - D, Gm, C and D7th. When the melody went up I arranged a descending progression and vice versa. And the brihas of the interlude were a good practice for some crisp finger movements. The fact that I am attending such songs in itself is a great satisfying feeling. And if that helps me go further in the journey while you are also able to enjoy iy, thats a double bonanza. Coming to the song, besides Iyer (as G Ramanathan is fondly called in Tirunelveli area) the song has all the other perfect ingredients to make it an all time classic. The pitch in which TMS has effortlessly sung, beautiful lyrics of Maruthakasi and of course non-chalant acting by Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan - all have their part in immortalizing it. My mother was an year old, when this song was made. And I am inspired to play this after all these years... What better definition from personal experience can you possibly give for timeless music..!!? A prosperous 2015 and of course a happy weekend too ! https://youtube/watch?v=yeaxKuGNtuo
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 19:04:43 +0000
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