ARR's Slide

Could this be the possible slide down for AR Rahman in Kollywood?

I have a strong feeling it probably is the start of the slide down.  This is after listening to his latest two albums,  'Raavanan' and 'Endhiran'. Both of them are big..big ...letdowns !

One thing is to introduce a different 'Genre' of music but the main thing IMHO would be to stick to a few melodies in every album.

In fact ARR was very good at this until recent times but the Hindi Movie 'BLUE'  started a new trend.

Is it the impact of the Grammy/Oscars?  Is it the brain drain?   I don't know,  but I am sure Kollywood is already missing Rahman's melodies.

I hope ARR listens.  I hope his close ones put this in his brain.

'MELODY still rules'. 

Are you listening MR.Rahman?

Raavan - ARR's biggest Flop

Courtesy: WWW

Something doesn't look right here.

A 'Manirathnam' movie, fully loaded with stars, loaded with a lot of hype ...has the music out...which sucks big time !

Am I the only one ...come on Mr.Rahman what happened here.  

I've been listening to the songs of  'Raavan' the last few days.  Not sure how to rate the songs.  I would say  it's below 'Mediocre'..and I think even that is too much.


How did  Mr. Manirathnam approve these songs?  I thought he had a great taste for music.  All his movies so far have had  wonderful songs.


Let me stop here...and finish by saying this :  RAAVAN songs suck big time.  In my opinion, this is the worst album of ARR so far in his career.

A request for AR Rahman

Though I am not a big fan of AR Rahman, I like his music. Always liked his music right from 'Roja' days.

I was one of the several thousands who watched 'Roja' the first day it was released. It was an Independence day, of a forgotten year at 'Udhayam Theater' in now Chennai, then Madras.

Oh boy..did everyone scream for all the songs, especially for 'Chinna Chinna Asai'. What a simple sweet melody.

Fast forward...... several years...to 2010. Where is AR Rahman today?

Oscar winner, Grammy winner, most admired Music Director in India, Most wanted Music Director.etc..etc. ......But...................

Somewhere down the line, ARR began to complicate his music, in the name of technology, digital sound !

When was the last time we heard a simple melody from ARR, by simple I mean a song like 'Chinna Chinna Asai'.

These days, ARR is into multiple tracks, all kinds of sound bytes ( nice to hear though). Every song is too complicated. Melody lost in the bargain ?

PS - The Title song of VTV is a decent one, but its not a great melody IMHO.

Aaromale - Song of the Year

I have a strong feeling that the song 'Aaromale' from the movie 'Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya' (VTV) is going to win a few awards this year.

Every time I listen to this song, I get goosebumps. Alphonse's rendition, his emotions and the wonderful BGM by Rahman makes this song a classic.

This is the first song of Alphonse that I am listening to. He is a great talent. I read that he has done a few films in Malayalam. I am not sure though if he has sung in Malayalam or any other language.

Here are the award possibilities:

1) National Award

• National Award - Song of the year
• National Award - Best Singer
• National Award - Best Music Director

2) Tamil Nadu State award

• Best Song
• Best Music Director
• Best Singer

3) Kerala State award ( This is funny )

• Best Malayalam song - From a Tamil movie?
• Best Singer
• Best Music Director - Tamil movie but...a Malayalam song !

I have a feeling that option-3 is most likely. Why?

• AR. Rahman was born in Kerala but he doesn't do music for Malayalam films. It will be a pride to honor the Oscar and Grammy winner.

Option-2 is unlikely - Why?

• Sheer Tamil pride. How can an award be given to a Malayalam song ...though it is from a Tamil movie.

VTV - Thamarai not very impressive !

Pic courtesy: The Hindu

After listening to the songs of 'Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaya' aka VTV for the last few weeks I am compelled to say that lyricist THAMARAI is not very impressive with her lines.

In my opinion, none of the songs has standout lyrics. Even minus the music, I didn't see a 'Nenjukkul Peidhidum' or an 'Anjalai' kind of song in VTV !

Not sure why.

I was watching a discussion in Jaya TV a few weeks back. Thamarai, Muthukumar and Harris Jayaraj were discussing songs. Thamarai mentioned that Harris always makes sure that the words standout in his songs. Looking back, I think it's very true.

Take both 'Nenjukkul Peidhidum' and 'Anjalai' in Vaaranam Ayiram. Amazing lines..very well brought out by Harris.

I am not going to blame AR.Rahman for this. I think it's probably a combination of Gautham, ARR and Thamarai.

Am I the only one, I am not sure !! Let's see

Celebrity status vs. Waistlines

Pic courtesy: WWW

Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, AR.Rahman,Benny Dayal

What to these men have in common.

1) Wonderful musicians
2) Waistlines that grew as their status grew

I was looking at some pictures of AR Rahman this morning and I had to write this. He is beginning to look like Adnan Sami (who is now losing weight .which is nice to read)

Rahman has consistently added weight all around him..slowly over the last few years.

Rahman has to take care of his weight and waistline. No matter what one is, it's important that they take care of their waistlines. India and the world needs a healthy AR Rahman another 100 years for his music.

Hariharan is another similar ( sad ) story. I was in YouTube watching Colonial Cousins..and was comparing a Hari in the late 90's and now. Oh boy, he has added a lot of fat.

Shankar Mahadevan - A great musician...again the same problem. As he grew in the music world..so did his waistline. I did watch in him Kairali TV a few months back where he mentioned he is working on losing weight !

Benny Dayal - His weight gain is dramatic. From a young kid out of college just a few years back, this young man has become so obese if you look at his latest pictures in the net.

Dear ARR, Hari, Shankar, Benny - Let 2010 be the year you all start reducing your waistlines. I am sure the fat melt would only help you and we'll have the pleasure of having you all healthy so that we'll get to listen to some wonderful music for years !

Dear Adnan - I love your music. I am happy that you are taking care of your health. Very motivating indeed.

Obesity, especially the fat around the waistline is the leading cause of Cardiac problems among men. This is well documented and ask any cardiologist and he'll warn you about this.

VTV - Rahman delivers

It must have been in his mind..while he was composing songs for VTV. A big burden.

Harris Jayaraj had set a trend. 'Hit songs' always for Gautham. AR.Rahman inherited the burden thanks to the breakup of Harris and Gautham.

After listening to 'VTV' songs, I have to say that AR Rahman has delivered.

The album has peppy numbers, almost all of them are bound to be hits.

I am not very impressed with the Naresh Iyer song, the song by Karthik and also the duet by Shreya Ghosal and AR Rahman. Maybe it's just me. Let's see.

My favorite is 'Aaromale', which I feel is Rahman's answer to southern fans who wanted a 'Rehna Tu'. Very daring attempt to have a full length Malayalam song in a Tamil movie.

Next comes the Benny Dayal song closely followed by 'Hosana' and then the song by Devan/Chinmayi.

For now, it's 'Aaromale'..beautifully sung by Alphonse, which is haunting me.

I will write again about 'Aaromale' !

Maestro's latest

Pazhassi Raja, that's his latest, Wonderful song !



Here is Raja's own..just like his latest...This came in the 80's.

Dream Girl Bhanupriya.



Here is one great song - possibly same raaga - from the Oscar Winner

Finally, here is the classic in Aberi !

Happy Deepavali !

Give me the headset and play Ilayaraja songs and I'll go to heaven listening to them !

Very true...but.....

Every now and then a song comes out of AR Rahman, that mesmerizes me. The last few days, I've been listening to one of ARR's best songs.

Song is 'Udhaya Udhaya' from the movie Udhaya. Sung by Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam.

Thanks to my Zune and a great noise cancelling Sony headset I could enjoy the instruments that ARR has used in this song. It's out of this world I have to say. I don't have words to express the joy. ARR is just amazing with his BGM.

Of course, my praise won't be complete without a 'Hats off' to Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam..wonderful soulful singing !!

If you get a chance, listen to it in private, with no distractions using your headset, and you'll know what I am talking about.

Happy Deepavali !

The language barrier

There is a debate in the 'Mallu' music world about the latest super hit song 'Picha Vecha Naal'.

It revolves around 'Shankar Mahadeven' the versatile singer, who has sung this Malayalam song from the movie 'Puthiya Mugam'.

Many feel that the pronunciation is bad !! The consensus is that Shankar has done a great job with the 'Feel' ...but missed out in pronunciation.

That's makes me wonder. Why didn't Deepak Dev ask a Mallu singer to sing this song...why Shankar?

Honestly, I don't know why.

I've seen this happen in Tamil for a long long time ! Music directors would prefer a Sadhana Sargam or a Shreya Ghosal or a Sonu Nigam or a Udit Narayan to tons of local singers ! Result - songs with pathetic Tamil pronunciation.

Why ? Is it the Money? No idea !!

Look at Hindi on the other hand. It's hard for a singer like Chinmayi / Benny Dayal to get more opportunities in Hindi. I doubt if anyone would give them a chance outside AR. RAHMAN ?

However - I am surprised how Rahman manages to dominate Bollywood !

Why is the non-Hindi audience more receptive to non-native singers? Can someone help me please?

Chinmayi's love for Tamil

Chinmayi has written about a 'Frooti' commercial. Looks like Tamil words have been spelt wrong.

This is not new, I've seen several commercials, banners, hoardings like that and I don't like it either.

I wrote a comment for her post and as I expected she has ( until now ) censored it.

Here is what I commented on:

Tamil fans and music directors welcome Non Tamil speaking singers with open hands and hearts. Examples: Sadhana Sargam, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal.

( Please note that the reverse is not true especially in Bollywood ).

All of them are wonderful singers with superb voice. But...their Tamil pronunciation has several problems( For example all of them pronounce ga as ha....raa gam becomes raa ham ! )...and the music directors don't care about it.

AR Rahman, Ilayaraja, Harris Jeyaraj, Vidyasagar and the others use these singers quite often in Tamil films.

But look at this. When AR Rahman, does a Hindi film, his South Indian Singers get coached by Hindi pundits for proper pronunciation.

Isn't this hypocrisy? Shouldn't AR Rahman do this in Tamil also? ( Even to the native singers who can't pronounce Tamil words correctly !)

I understand why Chinmayi doesn't want to release my comment though she has written her heart via the FROOTI post.

I don't blame her. AR Rahman is her guru / everything.

But for me, I would like AR Rahman to do what he does in Hindi. ie.

Coach the singers to pronounce Tamil right !

Dividing lines

Even these days, it is hard to break the geographical barriers in India. Inspite of the techno boom, education etc. there is still that 'North Indian', 'South Indian' line that divides India.

Now, why am I talking about this?

I am thinking about A.R.Rahman, who managed to break these lines and become big in Bollywood which usually doesn't recognize South Indians as much as their very own. There are exceptions like Mani Rathnam, Shankar Mahadeven to name a few.

I remember a time when I was talking to someone from Bombay. Asked him why Hariharan doesn't sing enough in Bollywood and he answered 'He is a South Indian'! I was shocked.

Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Mamooty, Mohanlal, Yesudas and Vani Jayaram couldn't do well Bollywood thanks to the same issues.

That's brings me to Ilayaraja. IMHO - he was one of the best during his times if not -The Best-. Somehow he couldn't shine in Bollywood.

I would attribute that to the N/S divide that was so strong those days. Another point to note is the media, especially the unavailability of Satellite TV / Internet that sealed Ilayaraja's fate when he was doing so well in South.

Can someone else match Rahman and break the divide? I don't think so, at this point. I have slight hopes on Rahman's nephew GV.Prakash..but I doubt if others can make it. Let's see.

In the meantime, I read today that Ilayaraja is setting tunes to Gulzar's lines for SRK. They are getting together after 'Sadma', a 1983 movie that failed to impress Bollywood about Ilayaraja despite those wonderful songs!

Let's see how SRK turns out!

Congratulations AR Rahman and SDM crew

Photo courtesy : The WWW

From a young boy who carried his dad's keyboard to renters !! to the proud winner of the Golden Globe award today, Dileep Kumar alias AR. Rahman has come a long way indeed.

I couldn't control my emotions when I saw him winning the Golden Globe award for the best Soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire.

I felt very proud and happy indeed. I was able to tell my kids...that someone from India is finally knocking at the Oscars!

I am sure ARR / Slumdog Millionaire will win an Oscar this year ! GGs are usually the precursors for Oscars!

As I go to bed I ask myself, what would be the one top song I like from ARR's collection !! Very difficult I must admit.

But my vote would go to 'Thoda Thoda Malarndhadhenna' from Indra.

Congratulations to ARR and everyone who made 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

My prayers and best wishes for an Oscar.

I can't finish without thanking Manirathnam who introduced AR Rahman to the Film world