Sunday, July 29, 2012

Re-discovered gems!

Thanks to my newly acquired interest/need for morning walks, I am once again, after a long, long time, getting to listen to songs that I choose - not the random stuff dished out by the FM channels. And I'm loving every bit of it.

While downloading songs on to my MP3 player (which again has been given a new life), my list of must-haves included Rehna Tu and Dil Gira Kahin (both from Delhi-6, of course on A R Rahman's music). Yes, agreed both of these are not 'work-out'music but they take me to another world altogether. I'm so glad I re-discovered these gems now!!

Rehna Tu: Like someone mentioned somewhere, you listen to the song and you feel Rahman just hummed the song when he was given the lyrics and it was recorded. Such is the casual tone of the song. I'm always in a fix when I listen to this song. Do I listen to the words, Rahman's magical, yet friendly voice or the lovely musical arrangement?
And such charming lyrics sung sweetly 'Haath thaam chalna ho, to dono ke haath daayen kaise? Ek daaya hoga, ek bayaa hoga. Thaamley haath, chalna hai sang, thaamley.'
While I'm enjoying the song, I'm almost waiting for it to end, so that I get treated to this extremely unusual and exotic sounding tailpiece. Yes, it does take you  bit into the line, 'kangalai konduthan rusiyarium' in the song Kaadhal Anukkal (Enthiran), and maybe even the good old Vaishnava Janato for some reason. Don't know what raagam it is, but it's just so beautiful. And the instrument used, I think is called a Continuum Fingerboard. Check it out on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuum_(instrument)
All I have to say is Rahman, Rehna tu hai jaise tu, don't ever change!! Coming to think of it, the lyrics of the song actually applies to him and his music!

Dil Gira Kahin - A beautiful collage!
Wow! What an opening to a grand song!
I cannot fit this song into any particular style - its just a beautiful amalgamation of creative lyrics, enchanting vocals and interesting bits of instrumentation. There are Celtic sounds, Chinese sounds and Indian sounds woven so seamlessly, like a lovingly made patchwork quilt. And then, there is Chinmayee's voice teasing you with a game of peek-a-boo. Rahman is at it again - the art of using backing vocals sometimes like a musical instrument and sometimes to add surprising twist to a song.
The best part of the song is perhaps the lyrics by Prasoon Joshi, with some very fresh ideas.
Jane Magar Yeh Naiyan, 
Teri Kahmosh Zulfon Ki Gehraiyaan
Hai Jahan Dil Meraa Uljha  Hua Hai.


Naiyan - haven't heard this beautiful word in a Hindi song in a long time (haven't paid attention to the lyrics in Hindi songs in a long time - didn't find anything worth the effort!)
Khamosh Zulfon Ki Gehraiyaan - what a lovely expression it is. Who can think of this?

There are also lines like these that make you feel that person who has written the song, is just not a film-song lyricist but a real poet.
Sipiyon Ki Hoonth Se Moti Chalak Rahein Hai and
Samundar Lehron Ki Lehron Ki Chadar Odh Ke So Raha Hai
Per Mein Jagu Ek Khumari Ek Nasha Sa Ek Nasha Sa Horaha Hai.

If you happen to listen to this song, pay attention to the way the singer (Ash King) says "Khumari"- I love it.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Harris Jayaraj


When I read http://soundcloud.com/parodesynoise/harris-jayaraj-for-dummies and laughed my gut out, I remembered a joke my DH and I used to share.

You can actually compose a Harris Jayaraj song if you are a sincere Church-goer!! Let me explain.

Take for instance the song, "Paartha Mudhal Naaley" (Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu")
and sing "Yesu pirnadhaarey, indru Yesu pirandhaarey". Doesn't it fit? Sing it in a nice baritone voice - it'll sound even better!

Or take the song, "Ennai Pandhaada Piranthavaley" (Ullam Ketkumey)
and sing something like Nammai rakshikka piranthavarey...Works?

Disclaimer: I mean absolutely no offence to any religion or its music. No offense meant to Harris Jayaraj himself, many of whose songs I really love (esp. the romantic ones) and I have his full collection on MP3. (I particularly love listening to this CD because its like listening to a nice song that  goes on for one and a half hours!! :P)

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Unsolicited advice

Courtesy: wikipedia.org

I normally don’t believe in unsolicited advice.
Last evening I did something that I don’t think I would ever have done. I still can’t believe it myself.


I was on my way back home from work. A lady on a Scooty zipped past me. She had a little girl with her, standing in front. When I caught up, I noticed that they had stopped at an ATM a few buildings away. The little girl was standing alone on the bike and the lady (perhaps her mother) had gone into the ATM. I almost went past the ATM but I just couldn’t get myself to ignore this little girl, all of 5-6 years standing alone on the road. I looked for the ATM watchman – couldn’t find him.


So, I took the decision. I went back to the ATM. Stood there – not too close to the girl – I didn’t want to scare her (she as such looked uncomfortable with me hovering around). I just kept standing there till the mother came out. Now, this was difficult. As soon as she came out, I asked her in English, “Can I please talk to you for a minute.” Wrong move. She mistook me for a salesperson and hurried away muttering that she is in a hurry. I then switched over to Tamil and said, “I’m sorry I’m not a salesperson. I’m a mother of a small baby girl too. I was passing by and saw your baby standing alone on the road and decided to keep a watch on her. I could have ignored and passed by but I was too scared for her. Anything can happen in 5 minutes.  I just request you to please never, ever leave your baby like that on the road alone. Sorry again and thanks.”


Looks like the lady was too shocked and totally unprepared for this kind of unsolicited advice but lady, I did what my heart told me to! They say times have gone bad. Fine, agreed but at least, we should take our precautions for the safety of our children. Every day we hear horror stories of kidnapping and what not. What’s the point in blaming the degrading values of our society if we are not careful ourselves?


I then started walking back home, mulling over what I did. Another lady was talking to a patrol policeman at the corner of my street. This is what I could make out from their conversation. “Yes Sir, they snatched her chain and ran away...there near the temple... the poor lady is still there…” I then heard the lady giving the policeman the location and he was getting ready to go there on his bike. 

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