Song of the day - Yaava shilpi

As it was pouring outside in Bangalore, was in two minds if I have make coffee for myself. For some reason the song yaava shilpi from the Kannada movie Januma janumadha anubandha caught my attention. It had been close to a year since I had last heard this song. 

Gaana link to the song. 

The YouTube version is passable

YouTube link

This lyrics of this song were composed by Chi. Udayashankar and the music was set by Maestro Illayaraja. The movie was released in 1980. It is 40 years old now. But this song is so fresh in its tune. It kind of electrifies your listening experience. For classical lovers it is set in the raga Gambhira Nattai which always has a grand opening. The liberal use of African folk, guitar, trumpet, flute and drums make it a perfect orchestra. Also the synchronization of the tune when SP Balasubramanyam recites Intha andhavanu and S Janaki follows up with hey hey hey is sheer brilliance. Similar sequences appear multiple times in the song like Nanagagi banthu thavare hennagi. As usual SPB & Janaki do a terrific job. The highlight of the song is between 1:10 and 1:48 for its orchestration way ahead of it's time for a 1980 song

Lastly have to mention Shankar Nag's association as a director and writer of this movie and how he shared a great working relationship with Illayaraja

Enjoy the song of the day!

Song of the day - Pichai pathiram

My thoughts wandered about the song Pitchai pathiram from the movie Naan Kadavul. The movie is synonymous with the iconic song Om Shivoham (Om Shivoham was being played in Kashi temple of Varanasi for 3 years). 

But this song keeps a special position for itself by way of it's lyrics. Maestro Illayaraja is the music composer of this movie has also penned the lyrics. I consider him as one of the finest composers in India and even in the world. Here is at writing too.

Pichai pathiram (meaning begging bowl) is a song that can take you on a spiritual journey. It can even bring down few tears. For those who haven't seen the movie, it is a zist of everyday life of  beggars. 

Madhu Balakrishnan has sung this song to perfection.

This is the link for the song in the movie

Some of the visuals can be disturbing

This is the link for the same sonng with visual explanations

This song was originally composed for one of Illayaraja's devotional albums - Rajavin Ramanamalai

Link to the song from the album

The director of the movie Bala requested Raja to include this song in the movie.

Musically it is a simple and pleasing composition (set to the raga Mayamalava gowla). The lyrics is what that drives this song . 

Though there are multiple sites offering the lyrical meaning, found these two as the best

Lyrical delights link

Second link

The lyrics of the song reminds so much of the Kannada song - Manava moole mamsadha thadike from the movie Bhakta Kumbara.

Bhakta Kumbara song link

A fine composition from GK Venkatesh under whom Illayaraja worked as an assistant for long.