Concerts of Raaja

SPB would have definitely added to the quality of the show.  However, I thought Karthik and Mano did a good enough job atleast in NJ.  I was scared to hear Mano singing Sundari Kannal Oru Sethi - but I was pleasantly surprised with how well Mano sounded in the song - not saying he was SPB level but was a pleasure to listen to.

The other aspect where SPB would have helped, which I saw in the NJ last year, was to help IR relax.  He represented someone of similar stature to IR and the teasing and the friendship between was so heartwarming to see.

ank wrote:SPB would have definitely added to the quality of the show.

The other aspect where SPB would have helped, which I saw in the NJ last year, was to help IR relax.  He represented someone of similar stature to IR and the teasing and the friendship between was so heartwarming to see.

- Thanks ank. Completely agree with you on this. SpB , who is of similar stature and era as IR would have set IR at ease . The kind of bonhomie they share is very heart warming to see on the stage. I am relieved that atleast Mano was not a spoilsport this time.

The concerts of Raja concentrated on the 80s and early 90s songs mostly since their connect with the audience is immediate. I thought why not make an alternate list of 'jazzy' numbers of Raja, mainly from 2000s, and make a playlist. Here is the playlist: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSv5Q60S5dwS9TT8JIL5IhNPJJoTisM2g

Assume this playlist is published in advance, would you attend such a concert? 

Went to both versions of the concert(s) in San Jose but missed the Dallas concert..

Goosebumps no doubt!

The percussion and strings sections were resounding and much better than the original in some songs - 'madai thirandhu', ninnukkori, poomaalaiyey thol seravaa, yedho mogam were such examples -  while the sounds from many instruments had problems coming together harmoniously - probably due to poor acoustics in a hall primarily meant for basketball games! even the seating arrangements reflected the same, with many in the back side rows having to turn their heads at an awkward 45 deg angle to view the stage!

Mano I thought kinda sodhappified a few songs, KSC was impeccable as was Sadhana ('anandha ragam' being the pick - the prelude strings were several notches better than in the recorded version!) and the other female singers - Karthik displayed his showman charismatic skills..

Greedy fans (like me) will never get satisfied and forever would want more!

But the sheer thrill and joy of watching an IR concert live is matched only by watching a Sachin Tendulkar beat the crap out of McGrath and co live in a stadium!

 கிட்டத்தட்ட எதிர்க்கட்சி, என்ன தான் சொல்றார்னு பாப்போம்

உள்ளே நுழைந்த போது மேடை முழுதும் இந்தியாவிலிருந்து வந்திருந்த சுமார் 50 இசைக்கலைஞர்கள் தங்கள் கருவிகளை ஆயத்தம் செய்து கொண்டு இருந்தனர். முக்கிய பாடகர்களாக, மனோ, சித்ரா, கார்த்திக், சாதனா சர்க்கம், ஆகியோரும் கோரஸ் பாடுவதற்காக சுறுமுகி, அனிதா, NSK ரம்யா, பிரியா ஹிமேஷ், வாசு, செந்தில், ஷ்யாம், ஹரிஷ்  போன்ற தேர்ந்த பாடகர்களும் வந்திருந்தனர். இதுதவிர சர்ப்ரைஸ் கூடுதலாக யுவன் சங்கர் ராஜாவும் வந்திருந்தார்.

பேஸ் கிடார், ரிதம் கிட்டார், லீட் கிட்டார், ஷெனாய், சாக்சபோன், டிராம்ஸ் 3, கீபோர்டு -3, தபேலா 3, காங்கோ, தவில், செல்லோ 3, எஃபக்ட்ஸ், ரிதம் பேட்ஸ், வயலின் 20, புல்லாங்குழல், வீணை-3, ஆகியவை இருந்தன. லீட் கிடாரில் சுதர்சனம் மாஸ்டர் மகன் சதா, சாக்சபோன் MSV  ராஜா, காங்கோ தவிலில் மதுரைக்கார நண்பர் சுந்தர், செல்லோவில் குன்னக்குடி வைத்தியநாதனின் பையன், தபேலாவில் பிரசாத், பேஸ் கிட்டாரில் சசி, கீபோர்டு பரணிதரன், புல்லாங்குழலில் நெப்போலியன் என்ற அருண்மொழி இவர் சிறந்த பாடகரும் கூட, சாக்சபோன் மேக்ஸ் ஆகியோர் குறிப்பிடக் கூடிய கலைஞர்கள். இதுதவிர இளையராஜாவிடம் வெகுகாலமாக இருக்கும் கண்டக்டர் பிரபாகர். எல்லோரையும் ஒரே மேடையில் பார்ப்பது மிகவும் ஆனந்தமாக இருந்தது. ஒவ்வொருவரும் அற்புதக்கலைஞர்கள்.

Irritated at the repeated comments about IR asking for whistles etc. during the 2012 tour.  His perspective was the orchestra and the singers had practiced and are performing - so listen to their performance and let others listen to those performances and do not interrupt during the performances.  He was even narrating that when people go to opera, that they wait until the performance is over to applaud.  Not understanding the respect he has for music, calling him arrogant is so irritating.

Also, this time the prudential center was about 3/4ths full - not empty as described in the blog.

ank wrote:Not understanding the respect he has for music, calling him arrogant is so irritating.

When someone puts a disclaimer "அவருடைய இசைக்கு மட்டும் ரசிகன்" I can't help but laugh at it

What else do we need to look for in IR? His profession (rather life) is music!

இப்படி இளையராஜாவின் தனி ஆளுமை குறித்து வாய்க்கு வந்தபடி எழுதுவோர் தங்களைத்தாங்களே கேட்டுக்கொள்ள வேண்டிய சில கேள்விகள் :

- நான் அவரை நேரடியாக சந்தித்து உரையாடி இருக்கிறேனா?

- இளையராஜாவோடு எனக்கு ஏதாவது குடும்பத்தொடர்பு அல்லது உறவுமுறை உள்ளதா? 

- தொழிலில் அவரோடு எப்போதாவது ஏதாவது தொடர்பு இருந்திருக்கிறதா?

- என்னிடம் அவர் ஏதாவது ஒப்பந்தம் இட்டு மீறினாரா? (வேலை / தொழில் / கொடுக்கல் வாங்கல்)

- எனக்கும் (அல்லது என்னைப்போன்ற லட்சக்கணக்கான தமிழர்களுக்கும்) அவருக்கும் இசை அல்லாமல் வேறு என்ன தனிப்பட்ட தொடர்பு?

மேற்சொன்ன எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் "இல்லை" என்று விடை சொல்லுவோர், 

"இனிமேலும் அவரை செருக்குப் பிடித்தவர், இசை தவிர மற்றபடி விரும்பத்தகாதவர் என்றெல்லாம் வாய்க்கு வந்தபடி  திட்ட எனக்கு என்ன அடிப்படை இருக்கிறது" 

என்று நெஞ்சைத்தொட்டுக் கேள்வி கேட்டுக்கொள்ளலாம்.

BTW, the above questions are NOT APPLICABLE to those who don't like IR's music

While such people too don't have any license to comment on his personality, they don't matter in the grand scheme of things. 
(Who cares about opinions of such fellows).

OTOH, people who claim they are fans of his music but are trying to be such "holier than thou" need some serious introspection. 
(Like the blogger above, who claims to have had a seminary education and allegedly involved in religious work)

irir123 wrote:Went to both versions of the concert(s) in San Jose but missed the Dallas concert..

I attended the San Jose concert too.. missed you !!

While IR doing a concert after Thiruvaasagam release(and following up with some other concerts) was a bit novel and welcome, I feel in recent times it has become a bit repetetive. why repeatedly US locations and why such serial concerts within a short time? This was the same IR who once said "in the space of doing one live concert I would rather do 10 original soundtracks". I want a little of that IR back, call me greedy. (I am not even talking about the stress this puts on his health and other logistical issues).
Live concert pannradhellam maththa chotta pasanga MDyoda irukkatum. Adhu thavira,a lot of the great singers who made those songs memorable have also retired or are well beyond their prime. Karthik cannot do justice to these songs no matter how much showmanship he tries to bring. And the less said about Mano the better.

counterpoint wrote:This was the same IR who once said "in the space of doing one live concert I would rather do 10 original soundtracks". I want a little of that IR back, call me greedy. 

I guess these are necessary, for the benefit of his long-term team members. 
(Maintaining such a big orchestra with only the low-budget projects that IR typically gets nowadays is perhaps not viable; so such events could help them financially).

app_engine wrote:BTW, the above questions are NOT APPLICABLE to those who don't like IR's music

While such people too don't have any license to comment on his personality, they don't matter in the grand scheme of things. 
(Who cares about opinions of such fellows).

OTOH, people who claim they are fans of his music but are trying to be such "holier than thou" need some serious introspection. 
(Like the blogger above, who claims to have had a seminary education and allegedly involved in religious work)

100% in agreement.  Thats the way I look at things.

app_engine wrote:

counterpoint wrote:This was the same IR who once said "in the space of doing one live concert I would rather do 10 original soundtracks". I want a little of that IR back, call me greedy. 

I guess these are necessary, for the benefit of his long-term team members. 
(Maintaining such a big orchestra with only the low-budget projects that IR typically gets nowadays is perhaps not viable; so such events could help them financially).

I doubt his long-time team members such as Sadha, Puru, Arunmozhi, Prabhakaran and the likes are somehow still dependent on IR for survival. They are also into their sixties and maybe already well settled. They are at an age where probably their kids are settled and  making money.Plus they may play for others as well or in other avenues.
And for a lot of low-budget films IR's music doesnt seem to be using an elaborate live orchestra anyways, it is mostly synth-based.This has been the way since late 90s.


As an aside, for the next set of concerts I hope IR uses the likes of Vijay Prakash, Haricharan, Prasanna in place of Mano, Karthik. Just for variety if not for anything else. And Yuvan is there just to sell a few more tickets I guess. Otherwise he should'nt be ideally let anywhere close to a mic. Somebody like Benny Dayal can easily sing the songs he is singing, only much better.

counterpoint wrote: maybe already well settled

I would like to believe so.

Unfortunately, the reality is often otherwise. (Viji Manuel's health issue comes to mind immediately)

This is because once someone is in the field of art (especially cinema), the lifestyle has a much bigger cost than average people. No one seems to be exempt, including the top stars. (I remember reading pasu nEsan's plight after he was not hot in the market. KBR had to become theemookA pEchchALar to handle debts...there are any number of examples)

"Project" based income / expenditure demands that one continues to have "projects".
(i.e. unlike stable job people with steady income / insurance etc...even these people need to plan savings / retirement, otherwise just one major expense can throw them off; in addition, successful kalaingargaL may not want to get support from kids but to be on their own - even helping others out).

May be compared to the concerts/showbiz of Rahman , this is a small thing. I personally was happy to see the man in flesh and blood. The man is capable of and continues to provide more and more valuable art, which usually goes under-appreciated. but some people just want to indulge in nostalgia and be happy. So for them the "golden hits" of the man played live albeit at the expense of some time spent on new stuff.

Nice article :
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/trailing-the-raja/article9193382.ece

Raja has diehard fans at various venues waiting for a word, a picture or just seeing him in close proximity. There’s Qi Mi a Chinese software engineer in Seattle who’s given a chance to express his adoration for Raja on stage. The man speaks in chaste Tamil and you can find him on Youtube singing a Raja hit. Many bring stunning sketches and paintings but have to be content with hoping the organisers will pass them on. Some just want to carry his bag from the green room to his car. A lady breaks down when she sees him at close quarters. The swarthy security guy asks her what’s wrong. “He’s my God,” she says between sobs. The man shrugs. Well, what does he know? A couple have bought front row tickets for most of the shows and could be seen applauding loudly. The CEO of a company wants the privilege of serving the maestro food.

irir123 wrote:Went to both versions of the concert(s) in San Jose but missed the Dallas concert..

Goosebumps no doubt!

The percussion and strings sections were resounding and much better than the original in some songs - 'madai thirandhu', ninnukkori, poomaalaiyey thol seravaa, yedho mogam were such examples -  while the sounds from many instruments had problems coming together harmoniously - probably due to poor acoustics in a hall primarily meant for basketball games! even the seating arrangements reflected the same, with many in the back side rows having to turn their heads at an awkward 45 deg angle to view the stage!

Mano I thought kinda sodhappified a few songs, KSC was impeccable as was Sadhana ('anandha ragam' being the pick - the prelude strings were several notches better than in the recorded version!) and the other female singers - Karthik displayed his showman charismatic skills..

Greedy fans (like me) will never get satisfied and forever would want more!

But the sheer thrill and joy of watching an IR concert live is matched only by watching a Sachin Tendulkar beat the crap out of McGrath and co live in a stadium!

"The percussion and strings sections were resounding and much better than the original in some songs"
yes live watch is different experience. now some tv channels may telecast the concerts. however when they plan for tour they should also record "crystal clear" audio combined with video and release as DVD. similar to yanni live in acropolis..it has live video + clear audio recording from concert (with crowd noise taken out)..

I am wondering why they dont do that

Raaga_Suresh wrote:The concerts of Raja concentrated on the 80s and early 90s songs mostly since their connect with the audience is immediate. I thought why not make an alternate list of 'jazzy' numbers of Raja, mainly from 2000s, and make a playlist. Here is the playlist: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSv5Q60S5dwS9TT8JIL5IhNPJJoTisM2g

Assume this playlist is published in advance, would you attend such a concert? 

Thank you Suresh for that great playlist!  Loved every single one of those pieces.  If that is the list I would try and get front row seats for it!   As someone who sat through some recent concerts where there were fidgety audience members when they could not recognize a song, I doubt there would be enough takers for such a concert.  The only way to pull off such a concert would be to have a small venue and run it like a classical concert (along the lines of HTNI, NBW or the Be With Me Maestro events)

Part 2 by "kittaththatta edhirkkatchi"  

கையில் அதே ஒரிஜினல் மியூசிக் ஷீட்டை வைத்திருந்தார்.  எல்லாப் பாடல்களுக்கும் மியூசிக் நோட்ஸ் எழுத அரைமணி நேரம் அல்லது அதற்குக் குறைவாக எடுத்துக் கொண்டதாகவும், இந்தப் பாடலுக்கு மட்டும் 45 நிமிடங்கள் எடுத்துக் கொண்டதாக அவர் சொன்னது ஆச்சரியமாக இருந்தது. இவ்வளவு சிக்கலான பலவித இசைக் கருவிகள் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்ட பாடலுக்கு வெறும் 45 நிமிடங்கள் ஆனது என்பது ஒரு அசுர சாதனைதான். 

Today's Hindu edition has an exclusive coverage of SPB's Golden jubilee kick off concert at Jaffna with a massive turn out of an overwhelming number of audience and compered by none other than ye"Arumai thambee Amaran" under the tag "nanbEn da.." as a mark of their long lasting friendship. Interestingly, the show started with S.N.Surendar, Deepan Chakravarthy singing the iconic devotional opener for IR, "Janani Janani" and these 2 had sung the chorus in the original. Looks like SPB on his part opened his khazana with "nAdha vinOghangaL" , followed by "mEgam kottattum" , mandatory GA numbers like "vandhanam", "neela vAna oadai" and only one ARR song "anjali anjali" in the entire 5 hours long concert. With GA at the helm of things, I am fearing one of the 2 possibilities : 1. Intentional "iruttadippu" of IR's genius that outshines in most of the songs and as Hindu says, this Concert was predominantly 80's era , obviously so. 2. Some mischief ridden comments from big mouthed comperer on IR with a deliberate motive to tarnish his achievement/talent. I would be indeed glad if the above 2 did not happen. I only hope and pray all is well between the singing legend and the king of music.

Last part by the NewYork person

இளையராஜாவிடம் எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்தது இன்னொன்று, உச்சரிப்புச் சுத்தம். ஏ.ஆர். ரகுமானிடம் பிடிக்காத ஒன்று உச்சரிப்பு சரியில்லாததுதான். அதோடு இளையராஜா நல்ல கவிஞரும் கூட. பல சூப்பர் ஹிட் பாடல்களை அவரே எழுதியதோடு, பலவற்றிற்கு பல்லவியை அவரே எழுதியிருக்கிறார். அல்லி என்று வருவதால்தான் அடுத்த வரியில் சொல்லி என்று வருகிறது என்று சொல்லும்போது அவருடைய தமிழ் அறிவும், கவிதை உணர்வும் வெளிப்பட்டது. ஆனால் பாடலை எழுதிய வைரமுத்துவைப்பற்றி ம்ஹிம் மூசசு விடவில்லை. இளையராஜாவிடம் பிடிக்காத ஒன்றில் இது தலையாயது.

Singer Karthik, about the concert tour with IR

The year that went by
It has been wonderful for me. One beautiful thing happened was my tour with Ilayaraja sir wherein I got to sing some of the best songs ever made. Big shows, sold out concerts and people loved what I did, including Raja sir. This was the best thing to have happened to me. It was like one month of music therapy for me, being with him, being around him and playing his music. It was one of those things which I wanted to do and I think it happened in the most beautiful way; something that I will treasure for a long time.

What is this?

Does anyone know more details:

http://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=302844

இசை நிகழ்ச்சிக்காக இலங்கை செல்லும் இளையராஜா வீடு முற்றுகை

Tickets for a live concert in Hyderabad in Nov :
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/illayaraja-live-concert-on-november-5-in-hyderabad/article19631719.ece

BTW, The Hindu has such a big mistake in the article

(Replaces sAgarasangamam - 1982-83 with sangarAbharaNam of 1980! Any one who knows something about South Indian Film Music should know which one of these were by IR  )

Nice clip from the Malaysia show (which generated some interesting conversation on Twitter as well) :
https://twitter.com/venkkiram/status/919677532798160896

There are some interesting comments in the thread (please read all replies)