Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja visit to Karur & Music composing for Film Rajaraja Cholanin Porvaal

I am posting the photos and videos, which i have already posted through twitter id @agb_karthik, in the correct order so that one can view them easily.

Ilaiyaraaja sir entering Karur Temple

Ilaiyaraaja sir coming out after worshipping Karuvoor chittar

Through corridors of Karur temple

Ilaiyaraaja sir at Ambal sannithi

Rajaraja Cholanin Porvaal live music composing  videos

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

Video 6

Video 7

Video 8

Video of crowd outside Karur temple

Hope now everyone get a clear picture of the function.

Pure aim of me posting these videos is to make every Ilaiyaraaja sir fan to enjoy his music. Sorry for shaking videos as it was recorded through my mobile phone.

Ilaiyaraja Varalatru Suvadugal - Chapter 5 Dt. 27-04-2007

Chapter - 5  Namboothiripad praised Ilayaraja’s Brother Pavalar Varadharajan

         “This victory is the victory of Pavalar Varadharajan”

Ilayaraja’s brother Pavalar Varadharajan campaigned for Communist party by singing in the Kerala state elections. Communist party won the election and EMS Namboothiripad became the Chief minister. He praised that “This victory is the victory of Pavalar Varadharajan”.

Ilayaraja narrates his experience at the time of the campaign with his brother. In the words of Ilayaraja.

    We were travelling by the side of a tea estate where some men and women labours were plucking the tea leaves. My brother asked to stop the jeep at a elevated place where it is visible to everyone. He started to sing the campaign song.

    When the song of Pavalar started to echo around the tea estate, the workers left their bag which they were carrying in the back and rushed to place were the jeep stood and surrounded it. One can hear claps and happy noises in between. They became fan for my brother and started asking for more and more songs.

    Pavalar realized the time and said he has to go to other places and asked the jeep driver to leave.  At that time somebody shouted Pavalar please wait and run up to a furlong distant and came back with hot cup of tea. Their love touched our heart.

    As expected the Communist party won the election in that constituency and under the head of Namboothiripad, the Communist party formed the ministry.

   The victory celebration held at the Munnar race course ground and lakhs of people attended the function. While speaking Namboothiripad enquired in Malayalam “who is Pavalar Varadharajan here?”(evide Pavalar Varadharajan aaraanu?) . People made Pavalar to stood up who was sitting in the front row. Seeing him, Namboothiripad  said “my comrade, come here”(ente sagaave, ivied varu). My brother went to the dias. Applauds increased.  At that time Namboothiripad said happily“This victory is fully the victory of Pavalar Varadharajan”(Ee vetri muzhuvan Pavalar Varadharajan vetriyaanu).

   Hearing this, the crowd became excited. The clap sound reached the sky. Only after this incident,  Pavalar was introduced to Tamilnadu Communist party.

    After the victory celebration at Kerala, Ilayaraja joined ninth standard at Devaram by paying the fees. In the words of Ilayaraja.

   “The day I joined the school, there was no limit for my happiness. I bought new books and notes. The smell of them were so nice. I slept keeping the new books near my pillow. Next day I went to the school. My friend Jeyakaran, who got failed last year in 9^th standard,  joined me in the 9^th standard. I consoled myself seeing him that I wasted a year of education without attending the school whereas he wasted even attending it.

   After joining the school, I thought of seeing the astrologers who predicted that “I cannot study 9^th std”. I went to them and said, “even though I am not Ilangovadigal, I made your predictions go wrong”.  They looked at me and said “just wait for three months. When this planet moves to the next, you will not be able to study”. I just replied “we will see” and continued my studies. I made a point to myself What may happen I should not leave my studies and the school.

    At that time, no body will consider me as a person. When I was interacting with 4 or 5 persons, even though I spoke about some important matter no body heard me. The morning prayer was sung by Gurusamy, who was my cousin. Else Ramanathan from Devaram will sing the prayer. Both were studying SSLC at that time.

    On that day, Gurusamy brother fell ill and could not able to sing the prayer song.  They asked me to sing the prayer song. The ground was full of students. I went to the dais with hesitancy,  and stood at the place where the prayer song will be sung. I started singing the song “Aathiyantham illa arutjyothiye” . The place became silent and silence can be felt till I finished singing the song.  Everybody started looking at me with a surprise. My classmates took special care of me.

    I became popular from that day. Those who doesn’t cared me till that day, came to me for some chat.  I wanted to win my battle over the astrologers and studied well. I got good marks in the quarterly examinations”.

Next Chapter – Ilayaraja sang in female voice.

Ilaiyaraja Varalatru Suvadugal - Chapter 4 Dt. 26-04-2007

Chapter 4 : Ilayaraja's song while working impressed the officer. 

                                 

   One day the chief engineer heard the song sung by Ilayaraja while watering the plants.

Explained in the words of Ilayaraja.
     Area where I worked usually tend to be busy. On that when I was singing while watering, there was no sound and the place was silent. I thought that by hearing my song everybody become silent and started to increase my voice. At that time, the chief engineer had come for a spot visit heard my song. 
     
   I kept on singing. He came close to me and called “Hey, come here man”. I dropped the hose pipe and went near him. He asked me “who are you & what is your name”. I immediately replied “Raajaiya”. He was surprised at my reply and asked “have you studied”?. I replied “yes sir. 8^th standard”. He looked at me with surprise and said “meet me at the office”.


    I went to the office and met him. He said “you don’t need to water the plant. Come to the office from tomorrow”. I returned happily. His assistant told me that I was appointed as the office boy.

    Next day, I went to the office. Only four or five persons were working in the office as Secretary, Clerk, Ledger keeper & Accountant. The office was a single building with 2 partitions and had four tables. My work was to carry files from table to table to get the signature of the person. It was a boring job as I could not able to sing and enjoy.

     And I was asked to carry food for engineer Muralidharan at officer campus. I have to walk 1 mile to the place and serve the food for him. Some day, I would reach early and wait for him and other day the opposite. The engineer was not impressed with my service and demoted me as waterman and sent me to dam area.     

   

    The construction work of Vaigai dam were coming to the finishing stage. There was an announcement from the Government to the people of 11 villages including Kamakkapatti asking them to leave their place to other place with a deadline date, as waters of the dam would fill their villages. 

     

    While watering the plants at the top of dam, I used to see people leaving their villages in groups. As the deadline date nears, more people leave their respective place. I could not bear at the sight of people leaving their villages. Government can give them new land to live but cannot compensate their relationship with their land.

    

      I worked at the Vaigai dam for one year and earned some money. I decided to join the school at Davaram and make the words of astrologers go wrong. But I could not able to join the school as I went to Kerala with my brother Pavalar Varadharajan. It was election time in Kerala and my brother Pavalar campaigned for the Communist party. In 1957 general election, Congress party won all over India except Kerala where Communist party won the election. Congress party couldnot bear their only defeat in Kerala. It was announced that the election held at Devikulam & Beermedu were disqualified and re-election to be held. 

   The party who win this re-election would form the government in Kerala. It was a do or die battle for both the parties, as all the leaders of the parties were campaigning at the place.

    My brother Pavalar was campaigning for Communist Party. Myself and My brother Baskar went to Munnar to meet Pavalar. There was huge rush in the office and the campaign in-charge told the estate leaders and workers that Communist Leaders like Jeevanantham, P.Ramamoorthi, P.D.Ranadive, S.A.Tange, A.K.Gopalan, Jothibasu, Rajeswara Rao would come here and campaign. Hearing at this, estate workers said “Comrade, we don’t want the leaders. Just send Pavalar with a mike and we will win this election”.

  

   This happened in front of my eyes.  The secretary replied to workers that Pavalar would come and sing first, then the campaign starts with the leaders. Pavalar Varadharajan would sing with a mike in the hand at every estate in the area. The sight was blessing for me and Baskar.

Next chapter – Namboothiripad appreciation.   

 

Ilaiyaraja Varalatru Suvadugal - Chapter - 3 Dt. 25-04-2007

Chapter 3 : Ilayaraja started working to continue studies. 

                                  Salary one rupee per day. 

  Ilayaraja went to the astrologers to have a look at his horoscope again. He could not digest about what they had predicted. They looked at it and told the same thing. Ilayaraja started quarreling with them and challenged them that he would make their predictions wrong. He took the reference from the Tamil epic Silappathikaram where a astrologer's prediction of younger brother becoming king before the elder was failed, as the younger brother become a saint and the elder made the king. 

In the words of Ilayaraja

   At the time of 8th std final exam, I got into a problem. To write the exam, i have to travel to Utthamapalayam and  stay there in hostel for 3 days. I have to pay for the food & accommodation. But my mother could not collect the money for this. My sister Kamalam came to my rescue at this problematic situation, by selling her Thali/Mangalsutra without the knowledge of my brother-in-law, raised the money.

   

   I didn't even felt bad for my sister, but was in a mood to make the predictions of the astrologers go wrong. But now i realize the greatness & kindness of my sister Kamalam and also realize that studies alone will not make a person perfect. How can i repay the sacrifice of my sister? There is no words to explain the love of my sister which cannot be repayed. 

   I finished my 8th exam and went to high school at Devaram to study 9th std. But there was a special fees of 25 rupees to paid. My mother could not able collect the amount. Days and month went as the school started. At the end of 3rd month, I realized that i could not study in this school and this also remind the words of the astrologers and how to face them.

    At that time, My brother-in-law & sister were living in Vaigai dam. After coming from Military, brother-in-law worked as a driver in Vaigai dam. I decided work at Vaigai dam to earn for a year, after that continuing my studies. I went to my mother and told about my plan. She understood my plan and sent me to Vaigai dam.

    The journey to Vaigai dam was my first and was dreaming about the place. There was no great trouble in getting the job with the help of my brother-in-law. Guess what's my first job? I had to water the lawns & flowers in the park of Vaigai dam. My salary was one rupee per day. Salary was paid weekly as seven rupees.

     With half trouser, half sleeve shirt, a short black figure will water the lawns. That's me. While watering, i would sing loudly without caring for others. Myself and brother Baskar had the habit of singing loudly not caring for others.

     On Sunday at the end of first week of work, received my first salary. New seven one rupee notes which were smelling great. At that moment, i was just flying in the sky. Happiness of that moment was not brought back to me by any money till today. I thought of joining the school after earning 25 rupees, but 4 months studies already lost. So I decided to join the next year. 

        One day while working, The chief engineer of the Vaigai dam happened to hear his song.

Next Chapter : Ilayaraja impressed the officer by singing.    

       

Ilaiyaraja Varalatru Suvadugal - Chapter - 2 Dt. 24-04-2007

Chapter 2 : Ilaichi estate lost because of a Play/Drama

    At the time of Ilayaraja's father's death, He owned 25 acres of Ilaichi estate in Kerala. But soon his mother was forced to sell them. Life is a Play but a Play has made Ilayaraja's family into turmoil.

In the words of Ilaiyaraja :

   My mother had to struggle for upbringing of 6 children at the demise of my father. My father had left us a self earned asset of 25 acres of ilaichi estate and a own house and also 3 acres of land converted from a pond.

   My brother Pavalar Varadharajan was interested in Communism & Communist party. He arranged 2 plays "Iru Kolaigal"(2 murders) & "Paataliyin Kural"(Peasant's voice) by spending own money. For both the play, He wrote story,screenplay,dialogue,songs & directed them and also acted as a comedian. He arranged for few actors from Madurai & Kerala and chose few from local areas. Rehearsal for the play was done at our house and they rehearsed for a month. During the period, Food for the artists were prepared by my mother & sister Kamalam. Daily menu had mutton,chicken & fish.

 On the day of the play, a tragedy strikes. My brother's friend who took the contract for the play, escaped with the money collected from the play. The play was about to start when my brother learned all the money was lost. But he did not want to disappoint the audiences who were eagerly waiting for the play to start. As per planned the play took place. But the real problems started after. Those who have helped in advertisement, printing, posters, music troop and others were asking for money. Brother explanied the situation and convinced them to settle within a month. But he could not keep his words. Understanding the situation, my mother agreed to sell 25 acre ilaichi estate, so that he repay the debts.

   My mother sold the estate for just 10,000 rupees, which might worth crores today, just to save his son from debts. My father had named the ilaichi estate as "Ashokavanam".

   My brother could be said as the discoverer of today's Karoake system. He used to play LP records and sing along with it with a mike by reducing the volume. He encouraged me sing along with it. This was how i got interested into music. Few old songs which i used to sing along were "Amudai pozhiyum nilave", "Ulavum thendral kaatrinile", "Thiruvizhakku veetukku alangaram".

 At the time of village festival, my brother Pavalar Varadharajan would conduct music program with Harmonium & Mridangam. A guy named Sankaradass would come from Saakrapuram to play harmonium. Reheasals would take place in our house. Myself and brother Baskar were impressed with it and became fan of Sankaradass.

   As the time passes with education & music, I moved to eighth standard. My mother called 2 astrologers Palanichamy & Santhanam to our house, whose predictions never fails,  to know about our life. 

   After going through my horoscope, both the astrolgers said that i am just like thumb finger to my family. But they also predicted that my education will stop after 8th std. I was very much disappointed. But it just happened.

Next chapter : Ilayaraja went to work to continue his studies.

Ilaiyaraja Varalatru Suvadugal - Introduction & Chapter 1 Dt. 23-04-2007

Our Friend Shibu Narayanan from Ilayaraja Yahoo Groups initiated a english translation for Varalatru Suvadugal series on Ilayaraja published in Dinathanthi newspaper. 


Chapter 1 : Ilayaraja brought turnaround to film music
                        He gave new life to village folk music
      

      Ilayaraja lives as music in Tamil film industry. Introduced through movie 'Annakili' in 1976, its Ilayaraja's 31st year(2007) in music industry. His journey started as a musical falls in the film 'Annakili' with songs like "Annakili unnai theduthe" & "Machanai paartheengala", transformed as a river,  is developing into a vast ocean now. 

      Ilayaraja born in 1943 at Pannaipuram in Madurai dist. He was born as 5th child to his parents and 6th one being Amarsingh aka Gangai Amaran.     As per Ilayaraja, His birth place Pannaipuram is now in Theni dist. Father's name is Ramasamy & mother's name is Chinnathaymmal. His father is known as "Kankaani" Ramasamy at his place. He had two wives, he being the fifth son of second wife. His eldest brother is Pavalar Varadharajan, next sisters Kamalam & Padmavathy, followed by brother Baskar. He is born on 03-07-1943, 20th day of Tamil month Vaikasi.

    In the words of Ilayaraja "My father had knowledge & belief in Astrology. After looking into my horoscope, my father predicted to mother that "he is a important person and you will die only after seeing him become popular & rich".

   He also predicted that "I will die when he is nine years old". As per his prediction, my father died at my 9th year. I was studying 4th std when he died. He put my hands & brother Baskar's hands into Brother Pavalar Varadharajan's hands and lost the life in this world. 

    My father named me as Gnanadesigan. But changed my name to Raajaiya at the time school admission. But since i lived in a village, everybody called me "Raasaiya" as it is easy to pronounce. I am not expert in studies. There was a school run by one, Perumal Vaathiyar. It had classes upto 5th std. While studying 3rd std., watched my first cinema. There was one during talkies in our village. Myself & Baskar become regular visitors there. 

   Once happened to see a film acted by Bhanumathy & Nageswara Rao named "Laila Majnu". Watched the film 3 or 4 times only for the songs. All the songs become by-heart. My brother Pavalar often sing those songs. One scene in the film just got deep into me. The scene was While Teacher teaches, Kayas would write "Laila Laila" in his slate. After seeing this, Teacher will beat Kayas black and blue. His hands get inflammated. My tutor had given us a home

work. I just wrote "Laila laila" in the slate and got more beating from my teacher than Kayas. He had fans like me to feel sorry for him but i had none. 

  This films songs got too much deep into me. The film music score was done by C.R.Subburaman who in the later become my role model or guru.

  My brother Pavalar Varadharajan had more interest for Music, Plays & Programs. He learned some music from the vidhwan of Trichy radio station, Sri Marianantha bhagavathar. Music was introduced to me by my brother Varadharajan which got my interest.  Because of him, i happened to learn about some raagas and that made to me distinguish the raagas Kalyani, Shankarabharanam, Karakarapriya  & Thodi.

Next chapter gist : Ilaichi estate lost because of a Play.

Disclaimer : 

   Most of lines are from direct speech of Ilaiyaraja. I am not pro in english language. So please bear with my language.

Top Tamil Movies 2010

As we approach the end of year 2010,  I decided to pick top tamil films of the year. This year possess very few meaningfull movies. The films listed below are not rated in any order but listed as per the date of release.


1. Thamizh Padam

Directed by C.S.Amudan(Debut)
Cast - Mirchi Shiva,Disha Pandey,Paravai Muniyamma
Produced by - Y Not Studios

First spoof in Tamil Cinema. Though the second half drags, this kinda film are new and should be welcomed for this stressful world.

2.Vinnaythandi Varuvaaya

Directed by Gautam Menon
Cast - Silambarasan(Simbu),Trisha,Ganesh,Samantha
Produced by Escape Artists Motion Pictures & R. S. Infotainment


Gautam made Simbu to act and discovered new guy in him. Simbu - Trisha chemistry just rocks in the film. Music by A.R.Rahman is just a bonus.


3. Angaadi Theru

Directed by Vasanthabalan
Cast - Mahesh, Anjali
Produced by Ayngaran International


Vasanthabalan once again proves that he can make peoples watch film with no stars. Story is hard hitting. Songs add to the sucess.


4.Singam

Directed by Hari
Cast - Surya,Anushka
Produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja & BIG Pictures


Its an out and out masala entertainer as usual from Hari. One cannot avoid these kinda film as well. Surya has given a power packed performance.
Dont forget the punch dialogue - "Pasikku Pongal saapuduravana mannichudalam, anaa rusikku payasam saapuduravana mannikkavemudiyaadu". What a dialogue.


5. Kalavani

Directed by A.Sargunam(Debut)
Cast - Vimal,Oviyaa(Debut)
Produced by Nazir(Actor Madhavan's manager)


A simple small budget film. A village oriented comedy film with well etched out performance.


6.Madarasapattinam

Directed by A.L.Vijay
Cast - Arya, Amy Jackson
Produced by Kalpathi S.Agoram


Nirav Shah cinematography & Art director Selva sets is  highlight of the film. The team recreated the olden day Chennai. Arya & Amy Jackson performance is noteworthy.


7.Boss engira Bhaskaran

Directed by M.Rajesh
Cast - Arya, Santhanam, Nayanthara
Produced by K. S. Sreenivasan


Why this film? All out comedy film. Hero of the film is Santhanam and Arya should be appreciated for his support. Nanbenda has become a brand word of today's youths.

8.Enthiran

Directed by Shankar
Cast - Superstar Rajnikanth, Aishwarya Rai
Produced by Sun Pictures


A grand film from Indians. Shankar should be appreciated for his try to make impossible possible. Superstar did a subdued role in this film. It is purely an out & out Shankar film. A.R.Rahman's Music adds grand to this Grand.


9.Mynaa

Directed by Prabu Solomon
Cast - Vidharth, Amala Paul,Thambi Ramaiyah
Produced by John Max


Another film on the lines of Paruthiveeran. But the location of the film, performance of the artist especially Thambi Ramaiah, BGMs by D.Imman, M.Sukumar's Cinematography made the film something special.


10.Nandalala

Directed by Myshkin
Cast - Myshkin(Debut), Aswathram(Debut), Snigda Akolkar, Ilayaraja's music
Produced by Ayngaran International


Last film in the list but not the least one. This film might be inspired/ripped from the japanese film Kikugiro, but that's not a matter when its good. I could not resist myself from adding Ilayaraja' music as cast. Without the music, the film might not have been the same which it is now. His music carries the film. Myskin's & Aswathram's performance is good. Ilayaraja has given a great background score for the film which is of world class. The awards are no  mean to him. He himself is an award to Tamilnadu & our country. 




Paiyaa, Naan Mahaan Alla & Mandhira Punnagai came to the race but could not it to the final.
These films are rated with my taste which may differ from others.


Soon to come 


Top Tamil songs of 2010, 
Awards 2010 & 
Top songs & Film of other Languages