The Magic of Ilaiyaraaja’s Music
I was born in the mid-80s and honestly did not enjoy Ilaiyaraaja’s music as a kid. To me, music meant Rahman’s music. I enjoyed this music intensely. I used to sing these songs so loudly that I am reasonably confident that I irritated and aggravated the neighbours from when I was a 10-year-old. Thank God my neighbours have not vocalised the irritation to my face (yet).
Imagine a kid blaring “Dil Se Re” and “Chaiyya Chaiyya” on TV and singing at the top of one’s lungs. I never got enough of these songs. Though I listened all the time to these on TV whenever they telecasted them, I loved listening to these on the walkman (the iPod of those days) and simultaneously sang them out loud, much to the chagrin of my grandmother, who was actually a good singer. Good ole teen years.
Listening to Ilaiyaraaja’s songs made me feel uncomfortable. Somehow they used to make me feel sad and depressed in my younger days. I am unable to pinpoint why but I see one has to be somewhat mature to enjoy such songs that can draw designs on one’s emotional maps.
Back when I was in the U.S. craving all things Indian, I started listening to the old songs of Ilaiyaraaja from the 70s and 80s.
Today I would like to talk about my love affair with the music of Ilaiyaraaja. It is almost filmy. It was a slow love affair, the kind when you glance at each other once in a while and then grow into this burning passion of not having enough of each other. These intricate designs on the inner maps of one’s beings that can bring love, romance, bliss and sometimes sadness acutely define Ilaiyaraaja’s music.
His music is not for superficial beings who are listening to only enjoy the moment. It is like the most aromatic slow-cooked food when your soul takes a gentle whiff of the delicacy of his music, going deeper and deeper, bringing forth waves of joy and bliss.
It is music only when it touches the soul and remains etched into one’s mind for a long time. The emotional intensity and feeling it unleashes bring forth a thunderous rain of joy.
As you can see, I am passionate about the music that I listen to and constantly act as if I am the most knowledgeable in this regard. Though it is quite the contrary, the experience of enjoying and understanding music soulfully is natural to me, much like it is for you too.
Today, we will discuss the song “Senthazham Poovil Vandhadum Thendral” from the movie “Mullum Malarum.”
This song is the result of the work by legends of each field who skilfully produced this masterpiece. Ilaiyaraaja, K.J. Yesudas and Kavignar Kannadasan combine to give you the effect of taking you on this journey to a wonderful destination as you hop onto the jeep of the handsome Sarath Babu.
Kannadasan beautifully describes the gorgeous women of those days and their wavy hair. He conveys it with a passion that only a poet can express, admiring these attractive women and comparing them with mountains, valleys and rivers. “Kamban” is also invoked by Kannadasan, giving it a great, poetic touch.
Yesudas’ singing of “Ammamma… Aanandam…” will generate an Aanandam or deep bliss in our hearts. The interlude just romances you in the meantime, taking you to the song’s climax. Alas, you can’t get enough of his music. So, you listen to the song on repeat mode to build the anticipation, the joy and waves of happiness.
I took it to the next level by trying to play this song on Saraswati Veena for my own joy. I feel such great pleasure when I play this song that I cannot accurately describe it.
Great music makes you forget yourself and immerse into an alternative reality where your soul takes flight.
Music, and only music has the power to caress and create great movement and stillness, sometimes simultaneously.
My Veena rendition of Senthazham Poovil from Mullum Malarum
The Original Song for your joy:
