Illaiyaraja-Inseparable From My Heart!

Separation or Viraha is a pet topic of poets.In the great work ‘Geetha Govinda’ written by Jeyadeva, the Heroine-Radha in this case- is unable to bear her separation from Krishna.The Heroine’s friend tells Krishna ‘Radha is not able to bear the pain.Even the gentle breeze feels like the bite of snakes!!’This is Viraha in poetic form!One of the masterpieces of Raja describes separation in musical form.The English Film ‘Man Woman and a Child’ inspired many film makers.It came out as ‘Masoom’ in Hindi,as ‘Olangal’ in Malayalam and ‘Oru odai Nadiyagirathu’ in Tamizh.The Tamizh film was directed by the great film maker Shridhar.The story of the film is beyond the scope of this discussion and therefore let me try and tell you the sequence.One of the heroines-Sumalatha- has a past connection with Raghuvaran , a fact both of them do not know.She develops a kind of Love towards him despite knowing that he is married.The song ‘Kanavu Ondru Thondruthey..’ appears as a dream sequence.It is based on a ragam called Revathi.Revathi is a pentatonic raga and evokes feelings of nostalgia, fear , sympathy , compassion and above all an unexplainable feeling.It is a more recent raga and the legendary Carnatic vocalist Shri.Maharajapuram Santhanam played a big role in popularizing this raga in concerts.The structure is Sa Ri Ma Pa Ni Sa—Sa Ni Pa Ma Ri Sa.Let us now turn our attention to ‘Kanavu Ondru..’The composition starts in a lower octave and the rhythmic pattern of 1 2 3 4(chatusram) is followed throughout.The gentle feathertouch piano keys kindle our emotions.The sound of the Bass and the Western flute follows.When Janaki starts ‘Kanavu Ondru Thondruthe..’the dream gets unfolded in front of us.We feel it is being narrated to us.The first interlude tells us the plight of this woman...Again the sound of the piano towards the end gets into our heart and we sit there speechless!In the charanam ‘Poomagal Melaadai..’we are stirred by the violins.When she cries ‘Kaamane Vaaradhe..’ first in the higher octave and then in the lower octave, we also cry with her.The violins in the second interlude make us see the the woman- who faces the pangs of separation- going around and around in a circle.Unable to get out of this circle, she cries out through the Flute!One could hear her say ‘To Whom should I appeal My Vibrant Mind Enraptured, Stay Not, Why This Misfortune?’The Piano tries to sooth her feelings.This composition is ‘Separation Personified’!.Meloncholic song of a Tormented Woman!!Poetry in Revathi!!!I have never seen a better Filmy composition in Revathi nor will I see ever!The Western arrangement –especially in the second interlude-in Revathi- is possible only by one person!One more song of separation based on Ravathi appears in the Film ‘Kaadhal Oviyam’.The Hero- who was once blind- looks for his Lady Love and is there a better way to express than singing in Ravathi?She is his Musical Flower who was lost.He has vision now but is unable to see!‘Sangeetha Jathi Mullai Kanavillai..’ is a wonderful composition in Revathi.He Sees, Looks, Stares, Hears, Listens, Smells, Wanders….And Behold ..There she is!Once he spots her, the raga beautifully shifts to SimhendraMadhyamam!The versatile golden voice of SPB not only sings but also directly speaks to us!In the same movie, there is an effort to set the hero to fire. The musically inclined person -who was blind then-sings again in Revathi(‘Amma Azhage Ulagin Olliye’).His music moves the Heavens ..It wakes up the breeze sleeping in the flowers .Whenever he is down, it is Music which comes to his rescue!In this composition , we can feel the heat ourselves.Literally a 'Hot' Revathi!We are engulfed by the fiery music!‘Raja Isayin Azhage Ulagin Olliye’!

Source : http://rajamanjari.blogspot.com/2008/01/illaiyaraja-inseparable-from-my-heart.html