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Chords & Notes
Musical Trinity
SaReGaMa, Rs.218.00
Vayalar Rama Varma and G. Devarajan got together for the first time in the film `Chathurangam' (1959). This was the beginning of a new, meaningful relationship, one that went on to create some of the best film songs in Malayalam. It was a golden phase during which songs were elevated to the level of poems and the music was refreshingly modern, rich. And in 1962, when the velvety voice of K. J. Jesudas was used by this duo for the first time songs in the language were never the same again. This Musical Trinity went on to dominate Malayalam film music for more than a decade. This double CD album is a virtual treasure trove of haunting melodies of this Trinity.
Most of the 47 songs in this collection are those evergreen, popular ones. There are the all-time favourites like `Kannuneer muthumay... ' (Nithiya Kanyaka), `Karthupenne... (Amma), `Sankupushpam... ' (Shakuntala), `Ambal poove... ' (Kaavalam Chundan), `Chakravarthini... ' (Chemparathi), `Indra valari... ' (Gandharvakshetram). But what makes this collection invaluable are some of the many other lovely melodies that have somehow heard quire rarely. Included are classics like `Agathaneelimayil... ' (Kaathirunna Nikah), `Prema sarvaswame... ' (Swampnabhoomi), `Neelakadambin... ' (Ningalenne Communistaki), `Jamanthi pookal... ' (Omana), `Vellikudakeezhe... '(Aval Alpam Vaikippoyi), `Erunooru pornami... ' (Makane Ninakku Vendi) and some more of this quality.
A valuable add to your collection. Grab it.
Monsoon Anuraga
Manorama Music,
Rs. 125.00
Sophisticated expression of the moods of the monsoon in Indian classical music has evolved from the unrefined expression of the monsoon that exists in the folk traditions. From the arrival of the first showers announced by the cry of the peacock, the smell of the damp soil, the earth turning into bright green, the trees full, heavy with fruit and flowers, all washed clean and bright. The distant silence before the thunderstorm gives a feel of excitement, immeasurable peace. Art and literature has glorified and sung about the monsoon and its varied moods.
In this album noted Carnatic vocalist Sreevalsan J. Menon has selected four compositions from classical Indian literature and two contemporary poems to convey the soothing, romantic and violent moods of the monsoon. The album opens with an excerpt from Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon's poem `Varshagamam.' The use of the santoor and sitar in the background score set to raga Megh, does help to create the mood of the gentle first showers but the rendition leaves a lot to be desired. Included are the Muthuswamy Dikshitar composition `Anandamritakarshini... ' in Amrtiavarshini raga, couplets by Kalidasa and Mirabhai coupled in raga Mian ki Malhar, excerpts from Kattakkayathil Cherian Mappila's magnum opus `Nohayude Pettakam,' set in raga Saveri, an instrumental piece in Megharenjini and Hamsadwani that pictures the constant interplay of rain and sunshine. The album concludes with a selection from the Tamil anthology Kurundokai which is composed here in Kamboji raga.
The judicious and aesthetic blend of western arrangements with the Indian musical instruments and a firm classical raga base is what makes this album special. Jackson Arooja and Ajithkumar have provided the creative support with their mastery over the keyboard and violin respectively. However, some of the musical interludes bring back memories of Sreevalsan's earlier compositions, especially `Vanaprastham.'
Nostalgia:
M.S. Viswanathan
HMV, Rs. 42.00
MSV, the prolific music composer who dominated Tamil film music for over two decades has left an indelible stamp in Malayalam too. Sixteen of his amazing tunes, that still remain fresh as ever, have been collected in this Nostalgia series.
`Thiruvabharanam... ' (Lanka Dahanam), `Suprabatham... ' `Kanuneer thulliye... .' (Panitheeratha Veedu), `Rajiva nayane... ' (Chandrakantham), `Ambala vilakukkal... ' (Divya Darshanam) and some of this other super-duper hits from the films `Lanka Dahanam,' `Panitheeratha Veedu' and `Chandrakantham' find place in this collection. Another fine addition from the Nostalgia series.
K. P.
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