S Balaji keeps wondering on mellisai mannars orchestration - TopicsExpress

S Balaji keeps wondering on mellisai mannars orchestration https://youtube/watch?v=KiYCD6Nldqg Mellisai Mannar , whenever given the freedom , has given wonderful orchestration with many western instruments extensively applied. I would say that he was instrumental in introducing several western instruments to tamil cinema music. Some songs like Pattathu Rani parkum parvai , Partha nyabagam illayo , Kettukodi urumi melam , Kann pona pokkile , Ennai theriyumaa , Thulluvadho ilamai , Enna enna vaarthaigalo , Engeyum eppodhum sangeetham , the unmatchable Ulagam Sutrum Valiban are some classic examples of his rich knowledge on apt usage of western instruments while nicely merging with South Indian conventional instruments. Also, hearing such songs always makes me sad in a way that the opportunities were limited those years as one has to compose tunes for songs which were mostly situation oriented. A vast majority of MSV compositions were set for a given situation & consequently, the tune, the orchestration were all totally focused on how to give the optimum output for that slot wherein the song will get fitted. But , this trend was also good that we could get more meaningful songs / splendid lyrics. On many occasions, MSV has sparkled like a true champion displaying his class for some unique songs. Today , I have chosen AVALUKKENNA ….AZAGIYA MUGAM…. From the Nagesh’s evergreen movie SERVER SUNDARAM. , The leading hero Nagesh has to perform a dance cum singing with a star and this was the situation…nothing great….but Mellisai Mannar simply grabbed this mild opening to unleash his hidden strengths on western music …… Surprise of surprises, MSV himself appears in brief in a lovely blazer along with his magnificent troupe !!! As he signals to his drums man …1..2..3..4 , the drummer gives a scintillating start …..now the trumphet specialists give a brilliant support ….now finally MSV moves towards TMS and signals ….. TMS ….AVALUKENNA ….AZAGIYA MUGAM…. The song is picturised with the orchestra group , the Composer, the Singer in a recording hall and slowly moves over to the picturisation part …….. A nice imagination…… Now, lets look at the greatness of the song…. Its not an easy one to set tune… just read the pallavi : Avalukkenna…azagiyamugam….avalukenna Ilagiya manam …nilavukkenna… Iravinil varum iravukkenna Uravugal tharum uravukenna Uyiryllavarai thodarndhu varum……… The lyricist would have just coined the words without any consistent rhythm given to him…. In other words, MSV apparently would have been given the wordings to set tune…So it’s a lyrics based tune …..I presume MSV would have made some minor re-arrangements to the lyrics to align with his rhythm planned…. In few seconds, a wide range of instrumentsstarting with Drums, Bangoos, a Hawain guitar , a rhythm guitar , Accordion and a group of Trumphets , Violin, Double bass guitarist, Mouth organ man .…all being shown ……. Its really a pleasing sight to see the Master in Blazer and the entire orchestra members very well dressed up in nice attire…The entire troupe play their part very enthusiastically ..anxiously looking at Mellisai Mannar as he wades through each one in his own inimitable style…… Trumphets for the first interlude with one set doing the lead and another offering support. Here a scintillating guitar in brief ….and then TMS starts ….Hoo…..AZAGU ORU MAGIC TOUCH !... From now on , the camera veers around Nagesh dancing beautifully with another star……. And when TMS finishes with Mounam endroru moziyil sonnaal …… a mini break….and then suddenly Avalukkenna !! that’s class apart…. The second interlude is a mind blowing work ! When the trumphets take the lead, the violin section gets behind and when the latter surge forward, the piano plays a supportive role . A flute is inserted to give an artistic touch but ultimately MSV’s penchant Accordion finishes with a flourish … Double Bass is heavily applied in the background…….! All in few seconds ……Now LRE …ANBU KADHALAN VANDHAAN KAATRODU… The third interlude is equally impressive .This time, Piano plays the lead only for the flute to take over & finally…..SITRIDAI ENBADHU …..MUNAZAGUUU….. The song ends with a flourish…. Both TMS & LRE humming the pallavi and the instruments repeating it…… Another fascinating aspect is that this song has 3 charanams with 3 different tune & lude arrangement, a clear message that this man is ready to take any challenge on music . All 3 ludes and charanams , structured superbly and the whole song comes like a well made package . Minute observation will also reveal that while the singers sing, various instruments play a lovely backing ….one can hear Guitar, violin, Piano at regular intervals …..hear it in Stereo , you will feel the difference…The rhythm …beats…. For each charanam are totally different…..The notes have been set very sharply giving a robust touch .. the whole song is an epic ….. So, this song has no real situation but MSV smartly used this mini opening to present a wonderful song with a scintillating tune and wonderful orchestration…….Which makes me wonder now that we would have missed many such compositions during the halcyon days of the Master… The Creator of the concept of light music …..long before had proved his class on western compo……applying a wide range of instruments ….But we all tend to forget the history…… This song remains in my hearts as one of the evergreen and despite hearing it umpteen number of times, the passion .... the desire to listen to it only grows more !!!