A TIME FOR MUSIC

I've never been able to understand how someone can listen to music and do something else at the same time. Like household chores, for example. Or even worse, studying. Music demands every ounce of my attention. Doing anything else simultaneously feels like an injustice to the music. I've tried to adapt very hard to multitasking with music involved, but miserably failed. During my commute to work would have been an option, if not for the unhealthy increase in volume required to listen to the music over surrounding noises.

As a result of this, in my current set of priorities, I've completely stopped listening to music. Books met that fate years ago, after which I've struggled really hard to make exclusive reading time and finish several books.

I make time every night to read my son a book. Someday soon, I need to make time to listen to some music.

FAVOURITE SONGS OF 2011

Was surprised that I liked more Hindi and Malayalam songs than Tamil songs in 2011. My favourite overall album of the year was 'Rockstar'.

TAMIL
01. Ayyayyo (Aadukalam)
02. Yaathe Yaathe (Aadukalam)
03. Ennamo Edho (Ko)
04. Nee Korinaal (Nootrenbadhu)
05. Imai Thoodhane (Ilaignan)
06. Mazhayil Kulitha (Ilaignan)
07. Narmada (Kandaen)
08. Maasamaa (Engeyum Eppodhum)
09. Naa Sonnadhum Mazhavandhucha (Mayakkam Enna)
10. Porkalam (Aadukalam)

HINDI
01. Jadugari (Dil To Bachha Hai Ji)
02. Phir Mohabbat (Murder 2)
03. Isq Risk (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan)
04. Tum Ko & Tum Ho (Rockstar)
05. Tere Bin (Dil To Bachha Hai Ji)
06. Sheher Mein (Rockstar)
07. Jiyein Kyun (Dum Maro Dum)
08. Choomantar (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan)
09. Rangrez (Tanu Weds Manu)
10. Der Lagi Lekin (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
11. Haal e Dil (Murder 2)
12. Hey Na Na Na Shabana (Hum Tum Shabana)
13. Chammak Challo (Ra One)
14. Aa Zara (Murder 2)
15. Khaabon Ke Parinde (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)

MALAYALAM
01. Kaanaamullal (Salt n Pepper)
02. Ithile Varoo (The Train)
03. Arike Ninnaalum (China Town)
04. Chirakengu (The Train)
05. Madhumaasa Mounaraagam (Rathinirvedam)
06. Chembarathi (Manikyakallu)
07. Kannoram Chingaaram (Rathinirvedam)
08. Chengadhir Kayyum Veeshi (Snehaveedu)
09. Chimmi Chimmi (Urumi)
10. Ninnodenikkulla Pranayam (Doctor Love)

FAVOURITE SONGS OF 2010

Though I don't listen to as much music as I used to before, I try and keep up with the latest Tamil and Hindi film music. To remember the songs that brought me much delight in 2010, I put together a list of my favourite songs in 2010. Have always wanted to make year-end lists, so maybe this will be the beginning.

TAMIL
01. KadhaigaLai paesum vizhi aruge (Angaadi Theru)
02. Mannippaaya (ViNNaithaaNdi Varuvaayaa)
03. Maegam vandhu pogum (Mandhira Punnagai)
04. Thooral ninraalum (Chikku Bukku)
05. PookkaL pookkum tharuNam (Madharaasappattinam)
06. Enna kurayo (Mandhira Punnagai)
07. Neela vaanam (Manmadhan Ambu)
08. Un paerai sollum bodhe (Angaadi Theru)
09. Naan pogiren maele maele (NaaNayam)
10. Adada mazhada (Payyaa)
11. Usure pogudhe (RaavaNan)
12. Hosanna (ViNNaithaandi Varuvaayaa)
13. Idhuvarai illaadha uNarvidhu (Goa)
14. Kayya pudi (Mynaa)
15. Who's the hero (Manmadhan Ambu)

HINDI
01. Dil to bachha hai ji (Ishqiya)
02. Nana chi tang (Khatta Meetha)
03. Baarhaan dil mein - male and female versions(Mr Singh Mrs Mehta)
04. Dil kyun ye mera (Kites)
05. Zindagi do pal ki (Kites)
06. Ajnabi aankhein (Mr Singh Mrs Mehta)
07. Tere mast mast do nain (Dabangg)
08. Ab mujhe koi (Ishqiya)
09. Ae khuda tu kuchh to bata (Mr Singh Mrs Mehta)
10. Pee loon (Once Upon A Time In Mumbai)

THE HEALING VOICE

Ten years ago, I went through a phase in my life when I could relate to no one. Anyone who cared for me (including myself) seemed powerless to help me. Loud nights of silent crying and silent nights of loud crying were all that I could drown my sorrows in.

Then I began to listen to Jagjit Singh's ghazals. He changed the way I felt about my situation in life. Many a night, his voice soothed my frayed nerves, kissed my senses, and comforted me like a mother - when my own mother cried herself to sleep, unable to help my condition.

I always believed that the "music has no language" concept works only to a certain extent (to enjoy, appreciate, and shake an occasional leg maybe) but doesn't touch the soul. I barely understood the Hindi/Urdu lyrics in the ghazals, but the music and the voice - how were they able to reach in to touch my carefully hidden fears and alleviate them? It was a miracle when I desperately needed one.

I came to know much later that this man whose voice carried me through innumerable weary days was struck by personal tragedy a few years ago - the loss of his 21-year-old son in a car accident. His singer-wife Chitra, who performed with Jagjitji in his concerts, stopped singing after that shock.

Last night, Jagjit Singh performed at Palace Grounds, Bangalore (pic below). Amongst the thousand voices singing Main Nashe Mein Hoon along with him in exhilaration, mine was humbly one! For many years, Jagjitji has ended many a painful night in peace for me. Last night was a night I begged he would never end.



I am overjoyed that I watched Jagjit Singh live in concert - a lifetime wish fulfilled! What can my tears of gratitude ever give him in return for what he has given me?

NIGHTINGALE IN THE WINGS

It has been a very long time since I played a new thamizh film song in an endless Winamp loop. What a brilliant composition! And what a melodious voice!

The song is "ManjaL Mugamey" from the film ABCD.The first time I heard this song, the voice sounded so strangely familiar! When I looked on the cassette cover, I was overjoyed to see the name Saindhavi. I had the pleasure of knowing this chirpy little girl during my days as a chorus singer. She and I had been part of a chorus group for a bhajan album two years ago.

Her talent has radiated on several shows like Ragamalika (Jaya TV), and Are you Ready (Star Vijay). Also found out that she has sung "Randakka Randakka" from Anniyan along with Shreya Ghoshal (but I could not spot her voice from that song). This little girl is still in school!

I really wish that she makes it BIG as a singer. A newcomer with perfect thamizh diction is a boon to thamizh music! I hope she (and a music fan like me) is blessed with more wonderful compositions.

Listen to her voice in:
ManjaL Mugamey (Film: ABCD)
Poomaalayo PonvaeLayo (Film: UnarchigaL)
(Her voice sounds best only on a good quality CD recording of these songs, not the low bitrate links above)

NAGUMOMU GANALENI

My favourite carnatic krithi is "Nagumomu Ganaleni" (Ragam: Abheri) composed by Saint Thyagaraja.

When I like a song, I try and listen to as many different people singing it as possible. Every singer has their own style, and I thoroughly enjoy individual interpretations of the same song. In carnatic music, it is more common for different singers to sing the same song, than in film music.

I have listened to the Nagumomus of Musiri Subramaniam Iyer, Balamuralikrishna, Maharajapuram Santhanam, Bombay Sisters, Priya Sisters, Unnikrishnan, and Yesudas, besides others.

Today, I discovered this version by Susheela Raman, and am totally besotted with the way she has interpreted Nagumomu in Jazz! The lyrics may have been ripped apart, but the melancholy feel of the song has been retained. If I had understood classical Telugu very well, I might have felt bad (like I do when Udit Narayan sings in Thamizh).

But more than her vocals, it is the mindblowing orchestration (lovvvve the soft strumming guitar intro, complemented by the caressing tabla) that has me playing this song in a Winamp loop for the past 3 hours!!!

LISTEN TO:   Traditional versions   |   Susheela Raman's version

POETIC INCENSE

I have always been bothered by the song "Ovvoru pookkalume solgiradhe... vaazhvenraal poraadum porkalame" from the movie Autograph. Why are "pookkal" ("flowers") talking about life and battlefield? And grammatically, shouldn't it be "Ovvoru Poovum"? Pookkal is plural, and the correct translation of the incorrect line would be "Each flowers is saying.." Compromise on lyrics to fit the tune. Someone correct me if I'm the one who's got my Thamizh grammar wrong.

A similar mistake happened in the song "Ale Ale" (Boys). The line goes "Ovvoru parkalilum sirithaen". It should be "Ovvoru pallilum sirithaen".

The classic one, of course, is "Mugilinangal alaigiradhe mugavarigal tholaindhanavo" from the song "Ilaya nila pozhigiradhe" (Payanangal Mudivadhillai). This is akin to writing, "Clouds roams".

If you question this, the answer will be, "Poetic licence". What a joke!

Why am I ranting about all this now? Well, Pa. Vijay has been selected as the Best Lyricist 2004 (National Award) for the song "Ovvoru Pookkalume" (which had also recently been included as part of the syllabus in Madurai Kamaraj University. )

The winning song is no doubt a touching melody, has great vocals, yummy-looking Sneha in the visuals, and with good lyrics inspiring the spirit of human effort. But that's all the lyrics are - GOOD. Far from exemplary.