The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Thiruvasagam is simply scintillating: rasikas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Thiruvasagam is simply scintillating: rasikas

Swahilya

The music has kindled people's interest in Tamil literature The energy rises with the drums, violins and chorus traversing from the lower to the higher octaves that has a heightened effect when listened to in the total silence of a stereo surround.

CHENNAI: Thiruvasagam oratorio by Ilayaraja with Budapest Symphony Orchestra .. the launch is over now. The storm of mind-blowing music is now sweeping the homes of Ilayaraja fans and other music lovers.

"Scintillating and soul-stirring," say fans who rave about it. "I have no words to express this full-meal presentation at its roaring best..." exclaims a fan. The music has kindled several people's interest in Tamil literature.

J. Vijay Venkatraman, founder of the Ilaiyaraaja Yahoo Groups is exalted: "Everybody is very happy and none has words to review it," he said. All the 1,478 CDs which they placed orders for have been sold out.

Ramji, another Ilayaraja fan, was unable to come out of the "mind-blowing music," even after listening to one track. "I have no words to express. Tears fill my eyes when I listen to the songs," he says, pointing out that the impact is more when listened in a good sound system.

V.N. Kumaraguru who has been listening to Ilayaraja songs since 1976 raves about the blend of classical Indian ragas with western music. " I have listened to it a 100 times enjoying it inch by inch. Each time I listen to it, it gives me a new experience. It is my wish that Ilayaraja should come up with many more productions such as this," he said.

So what are the contents that make Thiruvasagam a roaring success. The almost martial start comes with the chant of "A hu Ahu Ahu," with `Poovar chenni mannan,' set to a Vedic hymn chanting tune. Ilayaraja's contemplative thought process on the quest of life expresses itself with the words, "Yaam Aar, Yemadar, Pasam Ar?"

The energy rises with the drums, violins and chorus traversing from the lower to the higher octaves that has a heightened effect when listened to in the total silence of a stereo surround.

With `Polla Vinaiyen,' the drone of the violins breaks the silence, followed by the drums. The CD is sold along with a printed copy of the handwritten verses with the rhyming words in English, "I'm just a man Imperfect lowly! How can I reach for something holy?" marking the beginning of the oratorio.

With each song, the director unveils his mind to the listeners when he expresses his delight of singing Manikkavasagar in Symphony as he concludes with the chirpy "Puttrilvazh Aravum Anjen!"

The music ends with a benedictory note in praise of `Vadavoor Adigal'.

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