Brilliantly put Gayathri ..its so true ...the fact that ARR never ceases to surprise us ...makes us happy ...and the fact that so many of us ...we grew up with them. At every juncture in our life, there is some ARR tune that we can relate to ...remember those days with that movie song that came out at that time. I think thats what makes ARR so special ..he has given so many of us those moments ..those special moments that makes our life tick ...
-A On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 7:54 PM, Gayathri Chandrakasan < [email protected]> wrote: > > > Dinesh, I understand your point as I too grew up listening to ARR's songs > all my life. Without meaning to sound disrespectful to MDs like Ilayaraja, > Jatin-Lalit and others, I wish to state that I never had much interest in > Indian music before Roja. I found that most of the tunes to be repetitive, > predictable and at most times distasteful (at least to me). And the only > time I actually listen to these songs was when they are played in the movie. > So much so, that the thought of purchasing the audio cassette never occured > in my mind. > > And then, Roja came. It swept me like a fresh breath of air. The blissful > Chinna Chinna Aasai still gives me goosebumps today! Movies like Gentleman, > Puthiya Mukham, Thiruda Thiruda, Duet followed suit and by then, I was > hooked to ARR's music. The first cassette that I bought in my life was ARR's > Gentleman. (I actually saved my allowance money for months to purchase the > cassette). The first cd that I bought was ARR's Minsara Kanavu. In short, > it's safe to say that my life revolved around ARR's music. I grew up with > them...I grew up in them. > > Therefore, it came as no surprise to me that he went on to make major > changes to his music. Why should I? The revolution he made was the sole > reason that generated me to listen to Tamil music in the first place. Thus, > I'm proud to say that I love Guru, Rang De Basanthi, and Blue as much as I > love Roja, Gentleman and Puthiya Mukham. I would go on to say that the new > genre he creates, the new tunes he invents is as priceless as any of his > previous compositions. > > And that is the reason why I beg to differ with Sriram's and your opinion. > When you say (and I quote) "And i too truly believe the lack usage of > carnatic raagam is the sole fact of his lack of soulfulness albums > nowadays", naturally, it would irk some members' feelings. You have rights > to your own opinion of course, nevertheless, stating your opinion as a fact > is totally uncalled-for. > > I agree when some say ARR has reduced the usage of carnatic music in his > recent songs. But to quote that as the reason for the lack of soulfulness in > his recent albums is definitely debatable. To begin with, carnatic music is > not the only genre in Indian music. History states that carnatic is the > sub-genre of Indian classical music. The other being Hindustani music, which > have also played a major role in all indian music (and I truly believe that > Tamil films are no exception to them either). Therefore the limitation of a > particular genre of music will definitely not be a reason for lack of any > soulfulness in any music, let alone ARR's. > > In your previous mail, you mentioned about a gentleman who is well versed > in carnatic music. Your mail suggested that you agree with his view that the > lack of carnatic music is the reason why many feel that ARR has lost his > touch, and that's the sole fact. > > Allow me to pose a question. Do you know what raga was used to compose En > Veetu Thothatil from Gentleman, or Ennavale from Kadhalan? > > Truthfully, I didn't know that pure carnatic music were used to compose > these masterpieces. To me, they were film songs and more accurately, ARR's > songs. I never bothered to analyse the genre of the songs...not back then > and not even now. And I believe many don't analyse them either. They simply > enjoy the songs for the way it has been created. > > The same goes for Rehnuma in Blue. I love this song...I've been hearing > them for the umpteenth time now. What genre of music does this song generate > from? Again, I have no clue. I just love it for the way it has been > presented. > > And to think about it, does Rehnuma which seemingly a western song lack the > soul of Ennavale, a classical based song? In my opinion, they don't. If > Ennavale was composed today, using western music and western instruments, I > believe it would still be soulful. Because soul doesn't lie in a particular > system of music...it lies in the way the song is presented. > > People who are inclined towards carnatic music might find songs like > Fiqrana and Rehnuma as "soul-less". Likewise, those who love western music > might find songs like Sowkiyama from Sangamam a-little-too-hard-to-digest. > But ARR's music was never catered to fulfil a certain section's need. The > beauty of his music is that he never left any stones untouched. There's > always something for everyone. That is why he, a Tamilian, could create a > storm in the Bollywood, a territory where many south musicians wanted to > venture but failed. And that is again why he managed to storm into Hollywood > and succeed there as well. > > I don't want to tell your good gentleman friend to listen to Rehnuma before > deciding on the "lack of soul" topic. In all probabilites, his love for > ARR's carnatic touch is what preventing him from finding other genres as > soul-less. But growing up with ARR's music, my only wish is that ARR > doesn't limit himself to a particular system of music. I don't ever want to > state that I love ARR's music because he brings out the carnatic touch so > beautifully, or that his western music is to die-for! > > I love ARR's music because they never cease to surprise me...because they > never fail to bring a happiness to me...and because they complete me! > > --- On *Sun, 10/11/09, Din, D, Nesh <[email protected]>* wrote: > > > From: Din, D, Nesh <[email protected]> > Subject: [arr] Re: Right to opinion - do you think these songs lack soul? > To: [email protected] > Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009, 1:58 AM > > > > > Dear Chord, its very difficult to explain from my point of view. You see, i > have been an ARR fan ever since 4 y/o (the time Roja released) - apparently > which ever song i enjoyed back then, had music by ARR only, be it Duet, > Pudhiya Mugam, Thiruda Thiruda, Love Birds, Kadhalan, May Madham, etc etc. > :), i grw up listening to ARR's Tamil songs only. > > But became a true maniac from Kadhalar Dhinam. So this only means his > carnatic pattern is inside my blood. Though i enjoy allot the songs u > mentioned below, its been quite sometime i re-visited them (thanks for > reminding me though). My hands never fail to click on his Duet, Thiruda > Thiruda, Kadhalan, Iruvar, Indian, May Madham, Alaipayuthey etc etc folders > or Cds, but the list of songs u mentioned does slip off my mind nowadays. > Not saying its lacking soul, but just using that line as 1 of our member > mentioned it and in a way, it does apply to my kind of expectations from > boss. The current songs are extremely good, new in every aspects, which is > why many r appreciating ARR more, because of the innovative songs he > provides. His current songs have more complicated twist and what not. That i > agree. :) > > But this does not mean i expect a Roja, Thiruda Thiruda album from him > anymore. Im quite contented with what he has done in 1990s. I can go on > listening it for the rest of my life, still studying those songs. :) > > But its a hard fact that the lack of usage of carnatic these days in his > songs is why many fans r complaining the 'missing touch'. That is why i > posted it here, just to let some people know, and not a request for ARR to > compose songs the same style again. Please note that. > > The day i found it out, asked that gentleman who is well versed in carnatic > music and referred back to my frens, and its a bullseye! Thats the sole > fact. Thats why i was actually expecting a more detailed information from > Swaps, who is a master of music here. But he must be busy. > > ps : ill tell u a few songs that will make the whole list u gave collapse > for me :). > > Anjali Anjali - Duet > Pennala Pennala - Uzhavan > Ennavale - Kadhalan > > :) Subham. :) > > --- In arrahmanfans@ yahoogroups. > com<http://mc/compose?to=arrahmanfans%40yahoogroups.com>, > "ichord" <purev...@.. .> wrote: > > > > Hey Din, > > > > You said, "the lack usage of carnatic raagam is the sole fact of his lack > of soulfulness albums nowadays". Now I will interpret that as you thinking > that nothing that ARR has created recently has soul, am I correct? If you > miss Carnatic raagas, that I can understand, but please do check out the > flute continuum raaga ending of Rehna Tu from D6 when you can. > > > > I'm just curious here, but do you feel the following recent songs by ARR > lack soul? > > > > Starting from Guru: > > Tere Bina > > Aye Hairathe Aashiqui > > Jaage Hain > > Jashne Bahaar > > Khwaja Mere Khwaja > > Man Mohanna > > In Lamhon Ke Daaman > > Jashne Bahaar Instrumental > > Khwaja Instrumental > > Jaane Tu Mere Kya Tha (Sukhwinder version) > > Meherbaan > > Mile Wahaan Wahaan > > Ishq Ada Hai (male and female) > > Hawa Sun Hawa > > Muskura > > Tu Meri Dost > > Zindagi > > Dil Ka Rishta > > Man Mohiney More > > Kaise Mujhe > > Kaise Mujhe Instrumental > > Dil Gira Dafatan > > Rehna Tu > > Masakli > > Marudhani > > Arziyan > > Man Chandre > > Silent Invocations > > Mosquito > > Himalaya > > Kural > > Mylapore Blues > > Dreams on Fire > > Latika's Theme > > Jason and Cynthia Suite > > Intervention > > Undress > > Sajna > > Kurukuru Kan > > Salvadore > > Waterfall > > Animal Spirits > > Jason and Cynthia Piano Theme > > Arya > > Atmosphere > > Opening > > Tango > > Waltz > > > > If you do think all of these songs lack soul, then I have very little > more to comment. Thanks. > > > > --- In arrahmanfans@ yahoogroups. > > com<http://mc/compose?to=arrahmanfans%40yahoogroups.com>, > "Din, D, Nesh" <dinesh.theboss@ > wrote: > > > > > > Greetings sriram, ur post is absolutely true. I have been a member of > this group ever since 2001 , and back in those days, members who are active > were never harsh and rude towards the members as like nowadays. Not willing > to mention the names here. I have expressed about this here few months back. > Nowadays members can post without thinking whether is it rude or not. They > just easily call people names and throw rough words on their own fellow > brothers. Sarcasm is the popular attitude among the members here nowadays. > Shame on them! > > > > > > About the criticism, yes, members nowdays r afraid to face any > negatives review towards ARR songs nowadays. If u say 1 negative word about > the songs, u will have to prepare to face all kinda 'colorful' criticism > from the people here. This behavior truly irks me. > > > > > > And i too truly believe the lack usage of carnatic raagam is the sole > fact of his lack of soulfulness albums nowadays. I do hope this will reach > A.R.Rahman. Unless A.R.Rahman is happy on how the way it is nowdays, that he > is getting the recognition with the current pattern he is using, then we can > just drop this matter. > > > > > > --- In arrahmanfans@ yahoogroups. > > > com<http://mc/compose?to=arrahmanfans%40yahoogroups.com>, > "sriramvr_in" <sriramvr_in@ > wrote: > > > > > > > > Each member has a right to his opinion. I have been silently > listening to the comments made about me reg. criticism of album Blue > "lacking soul". I Stand by the fact anytime, anyday. Unfortunately there > isn't anything which I can take as constructive from those criticisms! Wish > them luck and prosperity throughout their life. > > > > > > > > Gopal, This group used to be a great forum previously but the fact > that many new people are fearing to accept any criticism these days! ARR > fans have the right to criticise ARR. Right to constructive criticism will > be only a healthy leading indicator and which will be wholeheartedly > welcomed by the Master himself. But unfortunately there aren't too many > members who like constructive criticisms these years. > > > > > > > > Had one valid point from a member saying that probably lesser usage > of carnatic raagas might be the reason. Reasonings like those will be an > eye-opener and will help in identifying the reason. > > > > > > > > What justification to be given when it simply lacks "soul"? > > > > > > > > > > > > V R Sriram > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- -A http://viewsnmuse.blogspot.com
