Many many years ago when I first heard the song Kannan oru kaikuzhandhai from Bhadrakali, I just lost myself in the sweetness of melody and rich and innovative orchestration of this talented new composer, Ilaiyaraaja…. My whole family became fans – especially my father who marveled at the tremendously talented way in which he employed ragas in his songs, our favourite being thendral vandhu in raga Hamsanadham… the magic continued with idhu oru pon malai and ilaya nila and uchi vagundheduthu and I can go on and on…. mellifluous melody, score and the vocal prowess of the singers vying for honours in each composition.  During this time, Ilaiyaraaja also became extremely popular for his unique and outstanding Background music scores for his films – Mouna ragam, Johnny, Nayagan to name a few.

Our readers need no elaborate introduction to Ilaiyaraaja and his genius – there are so many websites and articles that will do this – but in a nutshell for those who might want to know:  (thank you, Wikipedia…!)

Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, instrumentalist, conductor, singer and songwriter par-excellence, is regarded as one of India’s finest music composers. He has composed over 4500 songs and the background score for over 950 Indian films, mainly in Tamil but also in different Indian languages.  He has integrated folk music and also introduced Western classical music concepts in his compositions.

A gold medalist in classical guitar from Trinity College of Music, London, he has also composed a variety of non-film music, an oratorio and world music.  He is referred to as Isaignani (Musical Genius) or The Maestro.  He has won Indian National Film awards and also the Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards. In a poll conducted by CNN-IBN celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema in 2013, the Maestro was voted the greatest music composer of India with a maximum of 49%

So when I had the opportunity to be part of an Ilaiyaraaja songs based concert in the Greater Boston area, it was perfect timing for another Blast from the Past episode to pay my respects to the voice of the Maestro himself – songs he breathed life into with his earthy raw yet rich vocals - blending folk, modern, classical and semi-classical styles. Raghu Saranathan, co-singer and dear friend, gave me valuable inputs as we reminisced, and helped me put together a list of some wonderful songs in the Maestro’s voice…Enjoy….

Aarum idhu aazham illai – from Mudhal vasantham – a beautiful and gentle thathuva paadal (philosophical song) that is emotive and laden with meaning and angst…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oEyzJmlE9k

Janani Janani from Thai Moogambikai – undoubtedly one of the best devotional songs that have been composed in Tamil Film music…. set to raga Kalyani with Ilaiyaraaja breathing utterly pure bhakti into this beautiful song in praise of Moogambikai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFPX9OgqEG4

Thendral vandhu theendum pothu – (Avataram) – the opening humming and harmonies set the mood for this incredible melody sung by Ilaiyaraaja and S.Janaki – magnificent orchestral and chorus interludes with strong bass accompaniment – unadulterated delight for listeners….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3s0mDjVy54

Sorgame endraalum from Oora vittu ooru vandhu is set to raag Hamasanadham – the leading actors sing about how sterile and boringly clean the country they are visiting is –the line ending thuppa oru vazhi illaye is a tongue in cheek dig at the paan chewing and spitting habit in India.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OjzTxntdxk

Naan thedum sevvanthi – picturised on the Maestro himself singing at a concert from the film Dharmapathini…S.Janaki joins in as it transitions into a dream sequence with Karthik and Jeevita….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtoCbEvGIME

April Mayile pasumaye illai – (Idhayam) - Raaja with able male back up support and in this very likable and popular and perky number
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZwRNKNk8TI

Kuyil paatu – En raasavin manasule –is filled with sorrow and anguish and is a very moving and emotional rendition by Raaja. There is a Swarnalatha version as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2UfsQmQEVU

Mettioli – this beautifully haunting song from Metti has been a favourite of many a listener for many years now…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1gC6zS_ajA

Kadhal oviyam – This list be complete without this fantastic sensual and seductive number from Bharathiraja’s Alaigal Oyvathillai, marking the debut of Radha and Karthik – songs from which continue to wow audiences even today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXjqb_WvaWo    

Mugilo megamo – from Megha is slated for release soon – yet the music is vintage Ilaiyaraaja with rich violins and guitar at play most exquisitely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS6V3yyKN3s

Poo maalaye from Pagal Nilavu.  The song’s orchestration and score is sheer genius and Janaki and Raaja weave magic creating a captivating and delightfully harmonious song - sweeping the listeners away then and even today…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEsT0vIfHvI

Ninnai saran adainthen – from the film Bharathi based on the legendary freedom fighter poet Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar. Bharathiyar’s beautiful verse is rendered with soul and depth and is absolutely stirring and moving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jxdt2xCSjo

Nila adhu vaanathu – Nayakan was Ilaiyaraaja’s 400^th film - super duper hit musically and otherwise. This song was picturised on high seas as Janakaraj sings and gyrates with a very sexy Kuyili while Kamal looks on bored and amused…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldPFymzsVd8

Samakozhi koovuthamma –earthy and sensuous number from Ponnu Oorukku puthusu sung by S.P.Shailaja and Raaja
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7h6g6Q8Xcg

Yaarathu – beautiful and melancholic number from Pitha Magan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_pShLWdUgk

Indha maan – Karagaatakaaran –(with Chitra) –gentle waltz bringing to mind melodies of S.D.Burman of whom the Maestro was a huge fan…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftMTddIirBs

Raja rajathi – super duper hit and very upbeat song from Agni Nakshatram, starring Karthik, Prabhu, Amla and Nirosha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_xdgOou47Y

Some sparkling numbers with rural flavour – lively and appealing too….

Kadhai Kelu – opening credits of Michael Madana Kamarajan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXm89-A_Qo

Kannu pada poguthayya – forming the intro in Chinna Gownder - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yomEMexWJ0c

Solam vethakaiyile –16 vayathinile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9LuHXaUN4

Thennamarathula thendraladikkuthu (with P.Susheela)–  from Lakshmi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCL4jGJwsHc

Signing off with one of his best…the thaalaatu or lori from Nayakan immortalized by the voices of the Isaignani and Kamalhasan and even today indelibly embedded in our hearts and souls as a masterpiece of a lullaby for all times….then paandi cheemayile, ther odum veedhiyile, maan pola vandhavane, yaar adhichaaro yaar adichaaro….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6myyhuk82Wo

Sudha and Raghu, (vocalists with saptaswar) are proud to be singing with some of New England’s very talented singers and instrumentalists, performing Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja’s hit songs for the Greater Boston audiences in aid of Isha Vidhya, on October 19^th 2013 at Keefe Tech auditorium at 5.30 pm.  For more details: http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/cal.php?stage=1&event_id=9939.

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