Maestro Isaignani Ilayaraja's background scores/ReRecordings

AlaigaL Oyvadhillai

2009-12-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

Almost all the film directors are enamoured of Love..But some are obsessed with love. So obsessed that a majority of their works revolves around this. One such Director is Bharati Raja.

His strength lies in showing Love aesthetically beautiful. This aspect makes his movies worth watching despite the many flaws in the storyline and contrived situations in the screenplay.

But we also know as to what makes his earlier movies stand out. No prizes for guessing this..

Yes…It is that ‘M’ factor.
Songs..and the BGM!

BGM (or Re-recording as it is popularly known) was not paid much attention either by the Music Directors or by the audience until the entry of the Emperor of Film Music.

He redefined, restructured and refurbished this neglected aspect of Film Music.

It is a known fact that his BGM has always been special for Bharati Raja's movies. People even used to say that the Director would leave a lot of silent shots without dialogues for the Music Raja to fill up!

Though one can cite many movies, the one name which comes to my mind as soon as I think of BGM is ‘AlaigaL Oyvadhillai’.

‘AlaigaL Oyvadhillai’ is a story about Teenage Love-A Brahmin boy and a Christian girl. Surprisingly enough, the story did not stir up any controversy. Incidentally, this was also ‘Paavalar Brothers’ first production.

Let us look at the BGM bits:

1.Sarigama-The Heroine -who lands in the village for her vacation- is constantly taunted by the Hero and his friends for her lack of Musicality. She decides to learn Music and practices(in Carnatic music parlance we call it as ‘asura saadhakam’).

We see the Buds, Flowers, Drizzle, Rain, Flowers, More Rain, More Flowers...
These are just visuals.

But what do we hear?

Mayamalavagowla- the Raga that is first taught to all aspiring Carnatic music students.

We see the buds, flowers, drizzle, rain…musically

Voices are superimposed and two different combinations of notes are heard simultaneously.

Counterpoints in Carnatic Raga but absolutely no jarring sound!

We see the buds, flowers, drizzle, rain…musically.

That is the power of Raaja Isai!

2.NisanisaniSasa-The Heroine goes around happily after her Music Teacher appreciates her music.. Swaras of Latangi –a ragam very close to Kalyani-are sung in the background.

Musical Creeper!

3.Sagamagasasa-The Hero realizes the ‘musicality’ in the Heroine and falls in love.He wants to express himself , follows her wherever she goes and tries to give her a Love-letter.The entire sequence is shown with Hindolam being rendered in Swaras.Just towards the end when his letter is rejected, an alien note is sung in Hindustani style by the male voice to depict the dejection.

Masterstroke!

4.Kannamoochi-This is the sequence where the Heroine with her friends plays the ‘Hide and Seek ‘game. The Hero guides(misguides?) her with his footprints and leads her to a small tunnel. A very intelligent use of Guitar followed by the Flute in folk style..

Hidden Music seeking us..

5.Piano Theme-The Heroine listens to the voice of the Hero and enjoys it. She actually discovers her love for him in the scene. Piano keys symbolize her thoughts.

Piano in Love!

6.Heroine accepts Love -This is one of the best I have ever heard in Indian Cinema.

The Heroine decides to accept that she is in love with him after some contemplation(!) and she writes his name on the tree.. Bells, Flute and Bass Guitar..The Hero sees her and then sees the ‘writing on the tree’.Mesmerising Piano bits.. Their eyes meet and both of them start moving towards each other.Chiming of the Bells.. While other Music Directors would have played a heavy orchestra, all Raja does is to use a single Violin (with the subtle bass guitar in the background) in pure Mohanam.

Mohanam cajoles..pleads.. gently strokes, caresses, fondles..

Modern instrument takes over in Tisram beats..Western modulation.
The end of the piece sees the beginning of the ‘Aayiram thaamarai MottukkaLe’ song.

Can Love and Romance be shown in a better way?

7.Meeting At Night-This is a clandestine meeting between the Hero and the Heroine in her house.He uses the same music here but with a difference. Starts with the Ghatam.It is then a dialogue between the Violin, and the Bass Guitar(symbolizing the Heroine and the Hero respectively) are played with short notes.A kind of eerie sound with the piano. Then the magic happens again.

The same Violin piece (in Mohanam) is repeated but this time with a difference. It first plays to a count of four-ta ka dhi mi.What is so great about that? Many things indeed!
First of all, the ghatam plays only the first syllable-ta- and remains silent for the next three beats.

Next, after the violin piece in four beats, there is a pause with the ghatam alone sounding the ‘ta’ without the violin.

This happens four times.After this, the violin plays the 4 beat cycle twice followed by the pauses(again with the ghatam sounding the first syllable!).

The four beat cycle is then played thrice followed of course by the pause.

If one puts all the pieces together continuously, it is the same piece that appears in the first sequence. But here is where Laya Raja takes over and he splits the piece so beautifully and embellishing it with silence.

Clandestine Music stealing our hearts!

8. Romance with Music-The Heroine waits for the Hero by the seaside. The violins follow a sinuous pattern.They undulate, sway and dance. A wonderful Western Classical piece.

Is it not a fact that music romances with him?

The Film 'AlaigalL Oyvadhillai' means different things to different people.

Many people say it is a movie that portrays Teenage Love.

Some people say it conjures up images of young Radha and Karthik.

Some others say it is a movie with good directorial touches.

But to me, it always means Music, with the unforgettable Mohanam on top!!

Yes..there is no end to his Musical waves…

URUVAM - DRAWN BY THE DEVIL

2009-11-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

URUVAM - BLOOD ON THE WALL

2009-11-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

URUVAM - TITLE TRACK

2009-11-25T08:48:00.000-08:00