Starting with a Q :can you say the film that featured this song ?
பூவிழி வாசலில் யாரடி வந்தது ! கிளியே கிளியே ! இளங்கிளியே கிளியே
Anbukku Naan Adimai; Ellam Un Kairasi; Gramathu Athiyayam; Guru; Ilamai Kolam; Johnny; Kaali; Kallukkul Eeram; Moodu Pani; Murattu Kaalai; Nenjathai Killathe; Nizhalgal; Rishi Moolam; Soolam; Ullasa Paravaigal~ what brackets these together … .. besides the fact that these all were released in 1980s – there is another – one important at that .. the music of Maestro hearing which our generation grew ! .. ..
Isaignani Illayaraja – is a genius, a master at work – far different and far ahead of his era, the composer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, orchestrator, conductor-arranger and lyricist made the whole World look up to Tamil cinema music. Have heard with awe, the way he would work with music notations and sharing them with his group for composing music for songs and .. .. and background scores too. Those days, if 60 movies were to be released in a year, 40 of them would have Illayaraja whose music alone would ensure victory of some movies.
The great news of the day is that Govt has today nominated celebrated athlete P T Usha, iconic composer Ilaiyaraaja, philanthropist Veerendra Heggade and screenwriter-director V Vijayendra Prasad to the Rajya Sabha. Notably, all four personalities are from the southern states.
Ans to the Q at the start : the song ‘Poovizhi vasalil’ featured in Sivaji starrer Dheepam, released in 1977 sung by Jesudas and S Janaki, written by PUlamai Pithan to the music of maestro Illayaraja.
Illayaraja is a genius, stands very tall, way bigger and ahead than most others – his melodies are the best companion when one wants to relax sitting alone, or anyone on a long drive. A real boon to the music lovers are his songs .. afer Padma Vibushan, this honor as Rajya Sabha MP is befitting.
~ and perhaps he would be conferred Bharatha Ratna too sooner !!
A happy Raja fan !!
6th July 2022.
Pic credit : Joseph Raja
