Neethaney En Ponvasantham Music Review

By
Rajasekar S

Before Reviewing this album, I must say one thing, Illayaraja just  getting older by age. But his music is still sweet sixteen, The maestro just sculpted his master piece with this album,The album does not belongs to carnatic, western,pop,Hindustani,rock or Jazz genre . This one is pure Raja genre for sure, you can witness some thing you never heard in Indian music,let me start the review straight away...


1)Kaatrai Konjam: singers:Karthik

The song starts with Raja's typical 80's composition, slowly it just grabs our attention, the mesmerizing voice of Karthik and Na.Muthukumar's apt lyrics just blew us ,this song proves that still our ears are addicted to Raja's 80's music.

2)Pudikala mamu:Suraj Jagan,Karthik

When you are listening to this song,especially the first few minutes ,before the stylish vocals of Karthik and suraj starts,you will just ask yourself, hey am I listening to Illayaraja or some western album?, one must say pure western music, Na.Muthukumar's lyric aptly depicts the Engineering college life,The beats and electrical guitar just makes us to feel the tempo & surely this song is going to be an anthem for college goers.

(Thumbs up)

3)Ennodu Va Va: Singers:Karthik

This song is already popular with the audience, thanks to the the forty second teaser, again Karthik just proved that he is such a versatile singer,This one may appeal to be a 80's music at start, but slowly Raja's music takes us somewhere, with his orchestration, especially the violin pieces  just mesmerized us,Again Na.Muthukumar lyrics are glued with Maestro's music, a best example is Kathaluku ilakanamey-thannal varum chinna chinna thalaikanamey,Kathal athey porukanumey ilaienil kati vaithu uthaikanumey!

(Thumps up)

4)Saayndhu Saayndhu: Singers Yuvan Shankar Raja and Ramya NSK

The song starts with yuvan's trendy voice which just hooked us straight away ,The song have two dimension the first half is filled with electrical guitar's beat, the second half just joined with Raja's special symphony touch and a soulful Ramya Nsk's voice, again Na.Muthukumar  did a stunning work with his lyrics.

(Thumps up)

5)Vaanam mela: Singers: Illayaraja,Bela Shende

The one and only song sung by the maestro in the album, again Raja's brilliance over composing a romantic melody is proved with the opening music itself, Bela shende's voice equally attracts us,there are so many high pitch moment in the song both Raja & Bela schende sung it with an  ease,Master piece all the way in the lines of Thendral vanthu Theendum pothu.

(Thumps up)

6)Satru Munbu:Singers:Ramya Nsk

The song depicts the agony and pain of a girl's failure in love, Na.Muthukumar's lyrics and Illayaraja's powerful orchestration is just brilliant.

7)Mudhal Murai: singers:Sunidhi Chauhan
This song is also similar to the previous one only in the situation of depicting the love failure of a girl, Sunidhi Chauhan will go places after this song because its a rare opportunity for a female singer to get a such a high pitch song, the Neethaney en pon vasantham chorus shows us that this one must be a situation song and needless to say Raja's music depicted the agony successfully.

(Thumps up)

8)Pengal Yendral:Yuvan Shankar Raja

This song is quite contradictory  to the previous one,it depicts the boy's disappointment over a girl's love,This song has more power than the previous one  because of Yuvan's pathos voice, Illayaraja used fast paced Electrical guitars & drums to depict the mood and it just paved way for another master piece.

(Thumps up)

Okay is there someone who says Raja's music is outdated ,oh yea this is Raja's reply for you, and to all the Music lovers keep the Audio CD safely, because even after a decade you will listen this one, pure master piece, Hats off to Raja sir ,Na Muthukumar and special thanks to Goutham menon for his collaboration with the maestro.

Rating:4/5-Raja all the way

Illayaraja - A Inspiring Phenomenon

By

Rajasekar S

Illayaraja a well known music composer almost one entire generation (80's) are still praising his music, still many FM stations are alive because of this genius, and especially during night slot it is very difficult for them to air any other songs other than Raja's music. Recently many young film makers revealed that they came to film industry because Illayaraja's music inspired them. A music composer may get inspired from another composer, but a film maker inspired from a music composer, Bizarre isn't it? 

Myskin,Goutham Menon,Prakashraj & many such Film makers of this generation are going gaga about their experience of working with the maestro, so what’s special about Raja's music?  Illayaraja differs from any other musician, his contribution is not limited with just composing songs, his music gives life to so many films, especially his divine background score conveys the thought of a film maker efficiently than a lengthy dialogue, he knows where to maintain silence in the film and where to include the background score

There are so many movies which just ran because of this genius' music, especially his Background score for directors like Mahendran,Maniratnam,Balumahendra were top notch.Recently Mahendran said " My film is nothing without Raja's Music", this may appeal to be a exaggerated statement, but it has a underlying truth. Mahendran used Raja's music as a essential ingredient in his style of film making, so he felt like that.

Another thing that impressed many film makers is that his orchestration technique,Maniratnam's words may convey this very well, this is how Maniratnam illustrate about Illayaraja's stlye of composition "Ilayaraja would look at the scene once, and immediately start giving notes to his assistants, as a bunch of musicians, hovering around him, would collect the notes for their instrument and go to their places. When the orchestra played out the notes, they would be perfect, not just in harmony but also in timing ,the background score would commence exactly where it should and end at the exact place required. Ilayaraja is a genius, who could compose music with just one look at the scene".

Even Thiagarajan Kumararaja, the young and dynamic film maker who made a stunning debut with the highly critically acclaimed Aaranya kandam says " If I have to name someone who is responsible for me coming to films, it is Ilayaraja's music. From a young age, I've been a huge fan of his music. Because of that, I studied Visual Communication. I like films and I have been watching films from a young age. So, making films happened to be a natural progression."

So Illayaraja cannot be briefed just as a musician, this man is a living inspiration for many composers and many film makers and still inspiring many ,a true genius.

Breaking Point

By

Rajasekar S

In K-Town everybody familiar with the word "Chemistry",People often talk about the chemistry between the onscreen leads,but then there are some off screen pairs exists which made a strong impact in the mind of a common film goer. one such bond that is very much essential for a film is the bond between the Director and music director,in fact the songs in the film gives the first impression & always there is a saying called first impression is the best. There are many such Music Director & director combination which gave some evergreen songs but they parted away due to some issues.

Among all these combination one cannot forget the Raja sir & Mani sir combination. Right from Pallavi Anupallavi(1983-Mani sir's first film which had a popular love music which is used by Vishnuvardhan in Sarvam)to Thalapathy(1991) the combination shook the entire South Indian Industry. But as Kamal says "every man has a breaking point" this combination too parted away at a point of time not because of any bitter issue but Mani sir found a musician who has a strong potential as good as Raja sir thy name is AR Rahman ,though people enjoys AR Rahman & Mani sir combination one cannot forget those evergreen songs delivered by the Raja sir and Mani sir.

Similarly among the current generation ,Yuvan shankar Raja & Selvaraghavan made a great impact and produced one of the best album of our times,their combination started with Thulluvatho Illamai(2001) to Aadavari matalaku ardhalu verule(2007-Telugu version directed of Yaradi Nee Mogini),especially the theme music in Pudhupettai,7g Rainbow colony is one of the best in the industry that is ever made.

Goutham menon, one of the few directors who gives so much importance to the songs & his combination with  Harris Jeyaraj delivered one of best romantic albums from Minnale(2000) to Varanam Ayiram (2008)and even in the recent Maatran Audio launch KV Anand literally made a request to Goutham Menon & Harris Jeyaraj to work together.

It doesn't means that without these combination their film's failed to deliver a good album, you may have lot of friends in your life but one cannot forget the days you spent with your old school friend.

Kollywood-The cinematographer's Fort

Nirav shah with CS Amudhan

By

Rajasekar S

Cinematographers are the one who gives life to Director's vision,In India undoubtedly Bollywood films are having excellent visuals than any other industry,but what is more Bizarre is that most of the top cinematographers in Bollywood are from Kollywood .Many of them cranking their camera only in Bollywood, and only few cinematographers doing Tamil  films,so what is the reason?

Natraj the man who is the cinematographer for three Anurag Kashyap projects & has a great reputation in Bollywood did only one Tamil Film (Youth),remember he acted in Tamil films like Naalai,Milaga etc., and    V Manikandan who did Tamil films during his early days slowly settled in Bollywood ,Remember even Maniratnam said he is one of the best cinematographers in India.

But the acclaimed cinematographer Nirav Shah's journey is quite different, He started his carrier in Bollywood & with Dhoom2 he grabbed the attention of many. But his passion towards Tamil films made him to work in Tamil & today he is one of the leading cinematographers in the country.


In a recent interview,the Interviewer asked Ravivarman (Barfi,Vetaiyadu vilayadu,Dasavatharam),will you do Tamil film in future,Ravivarman replied I want to travel in flight ,why you want me to have a train Journey. The reply may kindle anger among many,but the reality is Bollywood gives more exposure,more income to these cinematographers than Tamil.


So Is it a high time  for our producers to offer the exposure & income to these excellent cinematographers like Bollywood,so that at least we can make sure that the cinematographers who are at present in our industry stays here forever.

Thaandavam Music Review

By

Rajasekar S

1)Will you be there- A Typical western melody,with a electronic guitar sounds too romantic, definitely with Nirav Shah's cinematography this one is gonna rock for sure.
(Tamilcenamfb Pick)

2)Adhigalai Pookal: A small melody sung by Gv Praksh Kumar,while you are soaking in his voice,the song will be finished,must be a situation song

3)Yarradi nee mogini-Sung by Rahul Nambiar & Megha will be a definite hit with the urban ears,due to the rock theme & western style vocals.

4)Nee Enpathey:Sung by Haricharana& Vandhana Srinivasan with beautiful lyrics of Na.Muthukumar this song will last in our hearts just like "Pookal pookum tharunam" from Madarasipatnam
(Tamilcinemafb pick)

5)SivaThaandavam:Sung by SPB,this song is already popular with the trailer and needless to say that the legend SPB still giving tough competition to youngster

6)Uyirin Uyire: Sung by Saindhavi,Sathya Prakash,GV this one is another heart chanting melody,with saindhavi's voice trip us to the memory lane of Vizhigalil oru Vaanavil from Deivathirumagal
(TamilCinemafb pick)

-Rating 3/5

Verdict:Very good album by GV ,once again his combination with Director Vijay is a sure shot hit.

Raise & Fall of Ajith in 20 years - A Recap

By
Rajasekar S

"Ajith" -A man who came to the cinema industry without any background. But with his self confidence ,today he is having one of the largest fan following in K-Town & Producers are waiting for his call sheet.All these things doesn't happened in a single day.Ajith touched both the extremes. In his twenty years of cinema , he achieved tremendous success when he was an upcoming actor & attain painful failures when he is at the peak of stardom.I just want to discuss his "Roller coaster journey of his 20 years with numerous ups & downs".

"Amaravathi"-the first Tamil Film for Ajith, the film is not a great success but for a newcomer one must say it is quite a good start & His acting was appreciated and brought lot of offers but there is a word called "Fate" which came into his life through a accident and made him to be in bed for one and half years.Truly one must that is a great blow for an upcoming actor,though he acted as a hero in first film due to the void generated by the one and half year accident he have to act in small roles in "Pavithra","Pasamalargal(with Aravind swamy)","Rajavin parvailey(with his friend & competitor Vijay).

Chocolate boy Image:

Even in "Aasai" I won't say his role is prominent because the entire story revolves around Subalakshmi & prakashraj but his acting is well praised by the media and needles to say his Female fan following increased because of his smart look in Aasai & even now "Aasai nayagan Ajith" tag line is very much popular .

But one must say the turning point in his carrier happened in the name of "Kadhal Kottai" and with a such a heart touching love story and  charming look his female fan following doubled.Kadhal Kottai is a commercial success and even it attained cult status when the film bagged a National award for the director "Agathiyan".

From then on there is no set back for Ajith of course there are some average grossers & flops like Ullasam,Thodrum but he got lot of offers and delivered Hit films like "Kadhal Mannan","Aval Varuvala","Unnai thedi". The film which took Ajith to the next level is Vaali,the film proved that Ajith can act in any kind of role.

Mass Hero:

Dheena is the film which gave a big boost to his stardom,The "Thala" title is just started with this film. Needless to say the film is one of the biggest blockbuster in his carrier, then came "Citizen" ,the film is not a great success but critics praised Ajith as a actor who can pull any kind of role with an ease & I still remember one of the critic wrote "After Kamalhassan Ajith's  face suit for any kind of Make-up,Even Poovellam un vasam was a moderate success.

But the failure came through "Red" & "Raja" and he immediately made a comeback through "Villain" directed By KS Ravikumar,But Ajith failed to keep the success rate & some of his interview like "I'm the Number 1" earned him bad name in Industry.

Painful Period:

The string of failure started with "Ennai Thallata varuvala" ,"Ajaneya",Jana","Ji" ,"Thirupathi". Attagasam & Paramasivam are some of the  average grosser for Ajith at that time.one must say these failures made him more matured and a humble human being that he is now.

He again made a tremendous comeback through KS Ravikumar's Varlaru & again there is a huge appreciation for the variation he showed  in the 3 roles, Particularly in the "Feminine"character even the so called Ajith haters liked his role.But Aalwar repeats the failure history again & Kireedam was a average grosser.

Billa:

Billa is really a  dream comeback for Ajith,there are many question raised like "How Ajith can reprise the role of  Rajinikanth but Ajith played the role in his own style and the film is one of the biggest blockbuster for Ajith.Then came "Aegan" - a average grosser but Asal is a failure.

I must say that "Mankatha" is the film that redefined Ajith's Image.He did a role which cannot be performed by an actor who is having a great stardom,But Billa2 doesn't generated any buzz except a great opening.

My expectation:

Everyone Knows that Ajith is a good actor but why Success is not travelling continuously with him? saran said in an  recent interview (Suhasini's Autograph)When Ajith accept "Kadhal mannan" he didn't heard the story,he believed saran because he is from KB sir & since it is his first film , Ajith thought that Saran will do his best.I too accept that his ideology worked well  in "Dheena" and "Vaali" in which AR Murugadoss & SJ Suryah are newcomers, but one should not forget Red,Anjaneya,Jana,Azhwar,Ennai Thalata Varuvala which almost ruined his carrier. 

As a film lover I just noticed Ajith has less number of Family Audience but this could be changed if he work with director like shankar,KV Anand,Goutham menon ,AR Murugadoss  and of course he can give chance to the directors who are coming up with a good script & not to the new directors who are trying to taste success with his stardom.

Ajith says "A good film doesn't need Advertisement",I agree with his view but today his film budget is not within 20 crores and his salary is nearing 20 crores,If he team up with good director surely the budget will be more than 60 crore and without a strong promotion one cannot make more money in reality,Ajith please do change your ideology even Rajinkanth gave an interview and participated in the Promotion of "Endhiran".

-A normal Film lover