Kaattumalli, The Best - Viduthalai Part 1

Raja has once again proved that he is the raja (king) of music.

After a long wait, Ilaiyaraaja has composed a song at his best for the Tamil film Viduthalai (liberation) called Kaattumalli. It's not that he hasn't recorded songs in a long time, but those weren't relieving up to this point. My first listen made me fall in love with this composition, and I feel nostalgic about it, and the visuals match the track tracing through the forest.  

The song, along with the lyrics, in visual form on YouTube, makes it simple to understand and perceive. Not to mention, the song was written by Ilaiyaraja, and he has also sung the song along with Ananya Bhat. 

From the trailer, I think Viduthalai to be a different movie and sure to make an impact since it comes from  Vetrimaaran, a director for transformation. The film will give a break to Soori, who has only done comedy scenes so far, and he looks perfect for a police jeep driver-turned-constable. However, the song is the most enjoyable to listen to! 

RGB Monday

Colorful Xylophone 

I bought this on amazon to seek my little nephew's attention by making different sounds by hitting the bars on the wooden xylophone, but to my surprise, I started enjoying the instrument. The kid doesn't show interest or attention to the sound or the colors of the bars. Perhaps, he needs to grow more to snatch it from me, and until then, I can enjoy myself. 

I have started to practice playing songs in it by taking notes from the internet, and perhaps I could record a tune to play here sometime later. I'm now practicing rhymes and simple Tamil songs, and it really excites me when I get the real sound of the verses.

Legend SPB

The unchanged voice went silent 
a singer of most sang numbers
– in the world of music
aired forever, to blend with our breath
until we hold up to our last breathe. 

The singing moon may disappear
but the nights that everlasting
continue to lullaby in his voice
as sweet syrup for many to sleep
and console hearts that feel solo.  

A legend in the coat of humble being
what the humankind would reciprocate
if I could simply describe in a word few.
I may not be aware of him fully
but he tops my list of songs on any device. 

His inspiration and passion for singing
can't spare anyone aspire to sing 
though he’s a singer for common man
there’s no one better than him
to sing without breathing.

His epoch in the world of music
is invincible by any one generation,
and in the competitive world
one can’t imagine his achievement
and the attitude of down to earth. 

P.S. Long live SPB through his consoling and soothing voices and songs to touch many generations to come and he will always be remembered, apart from being the king of melody, his humanity and humbleness will retain in our hearts. Rest in peace S.P.Balasubrahmanyam (another victim of Covid 19), the legendary singer of India who gave voice to about 40,000 songs in multiple languages - and the only singer in the world to sing number of tracks in cinema to enter the Guinness book of world records.  

Mehandi Circus

I watched this beautiful Tamil film last week, in Netflix, and I quite liked the movie.  Taking love in hand, Mehandi Circus did a soothing performance overall, caring us back to the melodious era of 70s and 80s, when the filmdom was under Ilayaraja’s regime; composer Sean Roldan using the maestro’s finest tunes recreated magic in the background along with his own beautiful composition of songs. The director (newcomer Saravanan Rajendran) has set up the tent/plot at a picturesque location that parallelly protect the pretty love story what move us like a cool mountain breeze along Ilayaraja’s rhyme notes.

Did I sound more musical and of course it was and the hero of the film has a music store and he falls in love with a girl from a circus troupe that visits his village. And what could we expect him to do to convey his love other than playing melodious songs to please the woman and what could do it at best other than Ilayaraja’s heartening songs? Set in time of early 90s, the story travels back (to that period) in the colourful memories of the hero (Jeeva) when he goes to meet his love (Mehandi), after many years of part as the caste and other kind of challenges interfered their cute love and break paths apart.

The debutants to Tamil, Madhampatty Rangaraj and Shweta Tripathi carried their lead rolls very decently and as Mehandi, Shweta Tripathi exhibits charming acting what anyone would like watching. And the location of the shoot is dramatically colourful and charming at its own, as it shot in one of my favourite places on earth – Kodaikanal, aka Princess of Hills, was captured in an ever so beautiful and colourful angles and views to feel close to heart. Thanks to the cinematography, by Selvakumar SK, for capturing all the wonderful moments of the film. Though the circus related scene were very less, the impalement arts comes as a real challenge to the hero to get hold the heroin, who lives with his love at heart despite married to someone forcefully, creates a silent revolution at the end!

P.s. It’s been long time or more than a year I wrote a review on movies and mostly I write review on films I watch in theatre but I haven’t went to the theatre in last 1 ½ year. But I like writing reviews on movies that moves me, just like Mehandi Circus, and I feel many good films goes out of sight as soon its release because having no star cast or big budget, I think of writing at least to show my circle there's a film like this.  Right now I’m content with the OTT or used to it but still watching movies in theatre is an experience that not our home theatres produce. The HD contents on online streamings are far better these days and some are available in 4k as well and along with a good sound system you can experience the best. 

New LG Nano cell LED TV, completes my home theatre dream

The year began for me with a real brand new thing; I expected to buy in last few years or at least from the time of purchase of my AV receiver, an initial step in building my home theatre. After a lot research, comparison and reading on various aspects I come down to choose the television that content my hunger for some quality. I was certain I want a direct backlight LED TV, just like my previous 26” Samsung TV, bought in 2010, and I have seen the differences in clarity the led TVs that produced later couldn’t live up to it and many who watched our TV had praise on its sharpness what their own led TVs couldn’t produce. I don’t want to go more on its detail. I know there’re greater TVs in market where finance decides the content and from my budget I looked for the best and I find the year end to be right moment for discounts and the television came in fair tag price of ₹ 57,000 at 35% discount in Paytm Mall online shopping.

We bought a 49” LG Nano cell Led TV and the LG promoted the TV as most advanced Led TV and a step down to OLED TV. Somewhere I read Nano cell Led TV is called poor man’s OLED! Ha ha. The TV has IPS flat screen and Ultra HD resolution with 4K Active HDR and 4K upscaler and wide viewing angle and many more visual enhancers to make watching pleasure. While choosing the TV I was much concern about the visual/image features because I already have the best sound resource in Sony AV Receiver to expand audio up to 7.2 channels, so the TV audio would be seldom used   but still the TV has good sound quality with DTS Virtual surround. Nowadays I watch movies mostly in Prime video (and yet to join Netflix) with almost contents available in HD and 5.1Ch audio, there are some 4K videos too that I am supposed to experience sometime.

I’m someone always lookout for tiny details or observe little things, so the detail was something strongly built within me couldn’t avoid this TV that has Nano cell particle to refine dull colors to accurate colors. The HD movies/videos are a pleasure to watch in this TV than the relayed satellite channels, that are mostly in SD content and it strains the vision with irregular to bright in colors and disband pixels. The best thing about this TV was its magic motion remote. The cursor at the shake of remote is easy to browse the television, access apps and above all it has voice recognition with both built-in Google Assistant and Alexa. The apple airplay and homekit is seems to help connect smart appliances but right away this will only useful to connect mobiles since they are the smart appliance we hold.

I was working on quite a home theatre setting from the wake up of 2018, when I purchased an advanced budget 4K AV receiver at half the price of its original rate through an Amazon offer and discount.  It was a dream comes true for me to buy a proper home theatre system than the regular surround sound existed through the satellite speakers system in market. Following the receiver I waited patiently and particular about the speakers’ purchase that should nowhere loses the signal and compatible with the receiver but the budget was something restricted me to progress step after the other. First I bought two powerful bookshelf speakers from Boston Acoustics for the front right and left, and last year I purchased the centre and surround left/right speakers from Yamaha to get a 5.1 Ch sound and for the sub-woofer I hold back from the previous system. Now with the big Led TV that was installed on the New Year itself my dream of a home theatre had come true really. I’m grateful for my parents to support and understand my need for building a home theatre, although they aren’t much interested they spent quite only because I desired for.  Thank you

Melody of Birds

A  raw image, captured at Kodaikanal

Nature sings a song
taking notes from birds
and squirrels chirping on trees
plays a melody, through
the silent afternoon
when less others volumes.

The motion of palms
made pleasant moves
to the melody of birds in air
as they fly over, tweets
some sweet notes
to compose into a song.

Piles of dry leaves
invited birds to ground
to forage; via tiny crush of leaves
comes out string tones
to fine tune the song
birds sing from bare trees.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

An Upgrade to Real Home Theater System

I already have a DVD home theater system bought in 2011 and it’s still continue to sound good and I watch movies connected to surround sound but lately I feel it wasn’t effective or I was in need of more effect and moreover the system isn’t reading the latest video formats and I need to convert the files or play through the television port to bring the digital out and then convert it into analog and play the sound though the home theatre. I always like listening to quality content and used to buy original audio cassettes and CDs when the albums of my favourite artist release and it continued till 2010 – Enthiran was my last purchase from the shop. I slowly converted to download songs from internet and later movies, but I still maintain my policy of not downloading or watching new movies rather than in theatre and watch movies at least 100 days after the release.

I was looking for a better opportunity to upgrade my listening and lately started to dream of buying an advanced music and home theatre system and while I was into research the Amazon.in came up with offers and 10% discount encouraged me to go ahead. I really don’t want another home theatre with a playable disk which has any other option of connecting. Technology keeps advancing and I can’t keep changing the home theatres accordingly and keeping it in mind I convince myself for an AV receiver with multiple inputs and UHD out though single HDMI. AV receivers are priced high even without speakers, and the basic system is not less than Rs.25,000 and I opted for Okayo or Sony as I got good reviews about them.

 I was in idea of using the old home theatre speakers with the AV receiver, although I was in doubt I went for a powerful system with more than 100 watts per channel, keeping in mind the future setting of big screen home theatre. After a lot of conflicts within, I was in conclude of not missing the advantages of Sony which is bit better than Okayo. Though both uses the Bluetooth technology to fully operate from smartphone, the NFC and few more technology, want me to go for Sony receiver which specifically is made for iPhone and iPods connectivity. I was really amazed at how it operates through iPhone and I could listen to any song from live stream or internet. As I planned I cannot connect the satellite speakers of old home theatre and was forced to buy new speakers.

The Sony STR-DH770 is a 7.2 channel receiver and I have connected just 2 channel bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer from previous home theatre, simply rocks.  I can’t describe the feel it produces even from just 2 Ch. Speakers; I can’t image how it would sound from 5.1 Ch., the basic setting of home theatre. The receiver has given me an opportunity to relive and enjoy listening to my favourite music/songs again through this enhanced AV receiver and I love the details it reproduces via Boston speakers, which cost me Rs.10,000 a pair and I’m in need of 3 more speakers. I really loved listening to old songs than the new ones and I can’t say how amazing it feels and each song sounds alike listening for first time.

Perhaps it’s the reason for my slow blogging as I can’t stop listening or watching movie from the time connected, I trying listening to many songs and genre. The actual price of the STR-DH770 including import fee and delivery charges is Rs.41,000 but amazon offered me at Rs.27,000  along with 10% discount. This receiver is not sold in India and amazon imports it from USA and it can’t be directly plugged into the Indian socket but need a 220 to 110 volt step-down converter to give power to the receiver which is at 120 volt. I also found the receiver to be damaged at a corner for which they refunded Rs.6, 660 after I sent mail to amazon with pictures of damaged part. And in this way we save the amount and I’m quite content with the outcome which I’m expecting to improve as I use it fully.

Fan of Visiri

The release of Visiri, a single video song from Tamil film Enai Noki Paayum Thota, has quite mesmerised me and to say I was addicted to this song or fell in love from the first time listening, it keeps going still. Already two songs from the film were released at various dates last year, but Visiri was simply breezy and has beautiful lyrics to be murmured. The music director of the film was kept secret until the Visiri released. Darbuka Siva has been a new comer composed these awesome songs. Moreover one of my favourite singers Shashaa has lent her voice to top notch…

Though GauthamMenon decided to give chance to a new comer rather following his usual Harish and ARR formula, the songs carries a similar scent or accent (which seems to ever wither) bearing the stamp of formers. More than watching the video I love listening from home theatre. 

Maruvaarthai is another beautiful, excellent foot tapping song and gives a feel of classic touched by stylish rhythm. Megha Akash, paired with Dhanush, is very pretty and admirable to watch ;) 

Songs that stole my heart

It’s been sometime I felt awesome listening to a song, but this time I got to experience two at a time although both has similar tones, its pleasure to listen either the  Telugu or Tamil versions of Prema Parichayame, which in Tamil as Naan Un Azhaginile from the upcoming Tamil movie 24. A.R. Rahman has composed the songs and Chinmayi’s sweet rendering in Tamil and Telugu was immersing along with Hriday Gattani (Telugu) and Arijit Singh (Tamil) lending their male voices cause a soothing effect in Madan Karky’s heartfelt lyrics.

Though listening the songs back to back, I was impressed more by the feel caused by Prema Parichayame than the Tamil lyric based song Naan Un. Beyond the language and understanding, the music and rendering touched me deep to mummer the song without my knowledge. Apart the above two, Punnagaye, another melody from the album is also commendable and so beautiful. The song has couple of my favorite singers - Haricharan and Shashaa Tirupati, who has been around sometime and whose songs are almost my favourite. 

Punnagaye....

A beautiful song

Adiyea Azhagae is a just released single track from an upcoming Tamil movie Oru Naal Koothu. Like they say love at first sight... I fell in love at first time listening to this song, which gives a sense of soothing although it sounds familiar here and there. For the simple and realistic lyrics, Justin Prabhakaran has done beautiful justice/composition and in voice of Sean Roldan and Padmalatha it was nice listening. The move was led by Attakathi Dinesh, Mia George and Nivetha Pethuraj – a Miss India UAE, who also has a facial resemblance that reminds Trisha.

அடியே அழகே... மிக அழகு

Kayal and Anegan (Music Feel)

For last few days I have been listening to the songs of an upcoming Tamil film, Kayal.  The successful combination of Prabhu Solaman and D Imman, who stroked the hearts with the reverberating Mynaa and Kumki, has once again come together for Kayal, to continue their passion for melody. But I couldn’t avoid the feel that few songs in the album resemble their early compositions. For example Paravayaa Parakkurom exist the feel of listening to Neeyum Naanum from Mynaa! Initially I don’t like this song as it begins with grief but listening two more times in energetic voice of Haricharan holds grip.

Yenga Pulla Irukka is another song that comes close with my favourite from Kumki, Onnum Puriyala. But I don’t complain as I enjoy it on the line of melody and shades of Onnum Puriyala, I only find the loud instruments as little noisy. Unna Ippo Pakkanum is beautiful melody rendered by Haricharan and Vandana Srinivas, and Yengirindu Vandhaayo is a solo solely attribute to Shreya Ghoshal. Apart, Deeyaalo Deeyaalo, which is a thoughful folk and one of the best in the album according to me personally, Yen Aala Paakkaporaen (listen it below) is my most favorite song and feels so evergreen.

Begins with charming strings, followed by chimes chanting the motto of the song soon captures the attention in the sweetest voice of Shreya, singing in fluent. The song travels on a melodic folk track tuned in the traditional clay instrument, Ghatam, was later joined by K.G.Ranjith, taking the song to another step on the soothing front and both emphasis the lyrics into a very beautiful song.  Surprisingly all the songs were written by Yugabharathi!

Along with Kayal, I was also listening to songs of Anegan, a newly realised audio album of Tamil film Anegan. This is also a successful combo following Ayan, Ko and Mattran, Harish Jayaraj and KV.Anand goes hand-in-hand for this already chartbuster on FM radios.  Though I liked the songs of entire album, Aathadi Aathadi (listen below) fascinated me lot! I simply love the melody sung by Bhavatharani, Abhay Jodhpurkar and Dhanush. Among the instruments played, just like Yen Aala... from Kayal, Ghatam has embraced a lot along the gently flow of the song, which also has a bit of Chinese interruption.  

Few other songs that I enjoyed in the Anegan: Roja Kadale is an energetic and stylish song I would go with following Aathadi. Thodu Vaanam is quite melody and does feel usual Harish music. But what surprises me in the album was his attempt on very local song or gana (Danga Maari) that he wasn’t familiar with. No matter what (though it make little embarrassing) the song was enjoyable at the moment of listening and a good change from being totally melody.  

Madras is Beautiful – A short video

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is once again cherished though a slow motion video, that make feel one nostalgic about the city before it become modernized. An old gramophone spins merrily, pursued by fishermen carrying baskets of fresh catch… the camera moves then capturing the frothy waves crashing on the majestic rocks of Kovalam beach are the opening scenes of Madras is beautiful – a video by Madras Photo Factor.

The excellent in quality video is an absolute treat to not only Chennaities, but anyone who had come across Madras. Shot by Balaji Maheshwar, a 28-year-old documentary photographer, the video encompasses everything that is this city.  A beautiful tribute to the elegant beauty of Madras! The two and a half minute video was shot at the century-old dhobikhana, Marina Beach, Balaji Saravana Theatre, Kapaleeswarar Temple and Parry’s Corner.

The video also features filter coffee, an old Fiat car trundling by, boys playing beach cricket, a yellow cycle rickshaw and cultural elements like Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. Through the background music sounds Bengali, it sooths despite unmatched to Madras essence. The video was shot in a month’s time and it was launched on Youtube on July 25 and at current ratio it marks 82,826 viewed and 991 likes. I loved the video :)

P.S. The team also reveal another video on the request of viewers, Madras is Calling, is a 4.33 minute-long footage shows more than enough in brief to make realize the love for city. It also has a Tamil background score which got it from A.R.Rahman’s composition for Swades.

Aanazhagu (song on man's beauty)

For a change I decide to share the one of my favorite song from the latest Tamil film, Thenaliraman, featured by popular comedy artist Vadivelu.  This is a beautiful song I love listening and also watching it for the lovely gestures of Meenashi Dixit (a popular ad film model) and what make quite allure rather being composed by D.Imamn, producing a feel of pleasure and enhance  touch by classic in the tune was Shreya Ghoshal’s vocal.  The song describes the beauty of man and his entice in Viveka’s lyrics, has Shreya’s hiccup at every stanza sounds unique and intoxicating! 

My attachment to old

I believe in old is gold! There are certain things that we can’t stop appreciating, however old or ruin they are and unused for ages, remain nostalgic whenever thinking about. I have a mind that does not give away certain things easily esp. used for long term or still feel content with quality and usage rather being old.  During my childhood or young days, one could see me roaming on the streets with friends and go rounds often in our area… and while this course we used to find many interesting little things on road and my favorite place of picking things  was Kailankadai (old iron shop). I had my own table drawer then where I used save things I brought from the shop and streets. My mother used to scold me for bringing those useless things to home and often engaged in war with brother for stealing one or two things.

My tape-recorder when in use

I never listened to her and kept saving those things and since my uncle had workshop adjacent to our house, I used to pick things from there as well. I had a collection of small iron balls in various shapes exists from the bearings until my brother swallowed one of it accidently. I think I had few of them even after shifted house for first time and I am interested even now if I get chanced to pick things at Kailankadai.  I know there is no future for broken arrows but we can do many things using those pieces. What is useless to someone could be utilized to other. Let me come to the matter of old things, which I still hold without use. I know tape-recorders and cassettes has no more futures and almost settled as sediments underwater leaving way to light and transparent technologies let move into air. The CDs and players has also become old stock with blue-rays and “I” series looking out for more light waves to wash away.   My passion for old and useless things comes out objecting the idea of mom’s proposes to dispose our old tape-recorder and a box full of cassettes.

I don’t know why and I am not going to listen to them anyway, but there’s something rolls me with the reels here. Until I bought my first CD player in year 2002, the tape-recorder was my only source of music and it was a foreign set bought to me by my late uncle, replacing the Philips tape-recorder with single speaker. I want to hold it back not because it was bought by my favorite uncle and it remain as a remembrance of him but apart being so, there was something that wants to keep it around. This tape-recorder enhanced my way of listening music with enough bass and treble effect unlike plain mono-stereo. Even until I bought my home-theater, I was connected my CD and MP3 players to this tape-recorder speakers using AUX wire. I ever had trouble like using this set, which often get struck with reel and have to bear to electronic shop, where the electrician used to take more than a week and above to mend it after number of walks to his shop, just two houses away from us!

Music always been my source of inspiration and uplifts my spirit when I feel down and there is nothing excitement like listening to new song or tune for first time that too from our favorite directors or actors. Until few years back I used to buy original CDs and cassettes from the music store, because for me quality is much important when it comes to music and movies… I can’t withstand the noise and sound disturbance. I know the tape is taking place enclose, but I have no mind to give away and not only the player there are few more things I kept safe in bureau. 

Mariyan - The Immortal

As usual the expectation leads to deceive, but not quite because I anticipated nothing much despite hype created by AR Rahman music. Mariyan is absolutely wonderful movie however it lacks energy or feel boredom, the essence of love uplift the story as deep as ocean and vast dry landscape of Africa produce an embrace of romance and adventure. The film opens to cheerful Sonapareeya (song), sails on the overseas of love, romance and struggle to reunion parted by a strange ordeal in Africa.

The film is based on a real-life incident of three immigrant oil workers from India being kidnapped in Sudan and how they managed to escape from being hostages. Dhanush played the lead character called Mariyan - which means ‘a man who never dies’; hails from a fishing village in  the southern tip of India goes to Sudan on contract basis to work in a construction site, to provide financial support to his ladylove. On his successful tenure and backpack to home, he is caught by the Sudanese terrorist, along with two of his co-worker were dragged through unknown terrain demanding money for their freedom.

Apart his great venture across terrible landscape of Africa and chased by merciless terrorist following brutal attacks… the film deals with caressing love and romance at initial half. Parvathi is paired with Danush; pursue him with love affair until he reveals back his hidden love, take us on a beautiful voyage of elegant love and natural expressions of Parvathi.  Dhanush has undergone a great ordeal from bottom of sea to drought prevailing desert or landscape of Africa, delivered a performance of absolutely tamed fishermen and strong ability beholding lean body.  

The film also has a scene of fishermen’s body washed ashore expose to Sri Lankan firing. Dialing a phone to his ladylove, from the custody of terrorist instead calling his company for their release is something showcased the depth of love but not so interesting! AR Rahman’s music has assist advancing the feature, which has been one of the prime aspect make watching pleasure… Neetru Aval is a beautiful song fascinated with love, but I disappointed with Kadal Raasa Naan… for which I expected it to be more savor and cheerful, but it fall into sorrow.

The film directed by Bharat Bala - who produced the acclaimed Vanda Matram video composed by AR Rahman - could have make it more interesting and serious the second half rather leaving it obvious to guess. Cinematography was handled by Marc Koninckx; captured the emotions more graceful and amazing underwater scenes.  Mariyan somehow lacks entertainment but good watching for the performance of Dhanush and elegant love scene. 

Music on Maryan

Music is my favorite thing always, just like nature and I hate music in the presence of nature singing. It is always joy listening to music or a soothing song causing great relief in the presence of anything stress. The expectations used to be high when first time listening to a song or an anticipated album is released. But once bought a music album (always film songs) I can’t wait anymore or do anything until listening to it quite. From the day bought tape recorder, then, I used to buy audio cassettes (which transferred into CDs once they are introduced) occasionally on specific actors or music directors. I followed this practice until two years back and now all songs are only downloaded from internet but the curious of listening for first time doesn’t hide and it only enhances if the music was composed by A.R. Rahman.

I have found rejoice listening to his latest release Mariyaan (an upcoming Tamil film) and enormously touched by the melting tunes. With simple words, AR has quite engrossed with his sophisticated wisdom in music and recreated a sound of sea (Kadal). I would consider Mariyaan equal to Kadal - which I think one of AR’s best composition ever and my personal favorite on his top chart. ‘Innum Konjam’ is a wonderful song, quite fascinating and soothing the heart. Tabla has played a main stream or resource of this song rhyme by singer Vijay Prakash paired with Swetha Mohan.

‘Nenjae Ezhu’ has sung by AR himself, writing the lyrics along with Kutti Revathi expressed the depth of eternal love. The song sounds similar to AR’s One Love (a single commemorate the beauty of Taj Mahal) is an inspirational one enhanced in AR’s emphasis voice. ‘Naetru Aval’ is so caressing and embracing song in Chinmayees humming vocal and along with Vijay Prakash provoke a sense unexplainable! The mild instruments play a silent music supporting the longing mindset. ‘Enga Pona Raasaa’ is a solo song supporting the same longing mindset in mild music, but in Shakthisrees embraces voice.

The following songs are supposed to travel on high spirits and on fast track tunes: ‘Kadal Raasa Naan’ is quite based on lyrics comprising the struggle on sea and desert sand penned by actor Dhanush - who lead the film. In Yuvan’s voice the song was sharpened more! ‘Sonapareeya’ is very catchy and tuned as fast as speed boat, bearing the lyrics of Vali apart a rap portion written by Sofia Ashraf. The song is interesting to listen but only I don’t know what Sonapareeya means? The last one among the seven was, ‘I Love my Africa’. A song based on African tribal music and quite strange lyrics except Rahman singing on English notes, Blaaze had done great job with the support of Madras Youth Choir gave voice to Africa.

Quite a pleasant album, do check and enjoy!

Out of Africa

Only few films leaves impression at heart and Out of Africa is one of the kinds. The beautiful yet romantic drama is staged through the African landscapes, works on the script loosely adopted from the autobiographical book Out of Africa written by Isak Dinesen, which published in year 1937. Meryl Steep plays the brave women of pseudonym (Karen Blixen) flawlessly expressing the love and disappointment elegantly, flapped wings like an angel throughout the film.

The story drives back in 1913 at Denmark’s cold winter hunting ground chugs into the vast wild Africa, Karen travels in plan of starting a dairy farm in British East Africa (now Kenya) with boyfriend Blixen, who she marries following a brief ceremony. But her anticipations went distressed when her money misused to purchase a coffee plantation rather a dairy farm; she lost faith with husband later learning his extramarital affairs and lead her contract with disease. She also develops a close friendship with a local big-game hunter(Robert Redford) which later turned into love affair, moved her close with him and they go for hunting and camping in forest together. But their differences on material affairs kept them away from marry and financially lose drive her back to Denmark writing her experience on Africa.

The film also touched by the concern of education and health of African tribe children and alike the prominence of words, the scenes weren’t enlightened. But the African chef and care taker of Karen’s house amazes through their English speaking and beholds the expression on eyes, rather indifferent action on face. The most impressive was the background score, whereas its romance or revealing the vast wild Africa, music plays an adjacent role upon the breathtaking scenes: the biplane ride above the African landscape and passage of steam locomotive seems uneasy to forget stunningly. Even I watched it through the home theater connected to LED TV, the impressions seem to never unchanged and I would count this film as one of the best I have watched.

Fact

The film released in 1985 (the year I was born) was directed and produced by Sydney Pollack under the Universal Pictures.  I too learned the film was one of the vastly awarded, including seven Academic Awards on main resources:  the sound and cinematography which fascinated me a lot on front.  The soundtrack by John Barry took the fifteenth place in the American Film Institute's list of top 25 American film scores.

Kadal (The Sea) View

I had a wonderful visual treat; watching the Tamil film ‘Kadal’ from my regular Drive-in Theater here late night, get me an experience of floating at a distinct yet fabulous locale. Sea, being the livelihood of fishermen had become the source of this film and characters play a powerful sail on the gently yet rough screenplay, but boarding a weak story. There are many films related to fishing folk formerly, but Kadal has been fascinating a lot among enrich showcased in location setting. I wished there was a total different story on this performance oriented on board into the sea.

There are two main characters lead the story with their impressive performance: the comeback of yesteryears handsome hero, Arvind Swamy, took crown once again representing a respectful priest and Karthik son Gautham’s debut as young hero, certainly befit to the character of young fishermen that uncertain to adapt anybody. And of course we can’t go with them alone; everybody does a natural play around the scenario and the teen heroine, Thulasi (daughter of actress Raatha), steals heart with her childish attitude and cute expressions… she has a long way to go become a mature artist.

The film almost sails on a lifeboat of characters, the sea become a backbone to this mysterious or lead to confusion subject. The Tamil slang spoken in the film was very unusual and offensive somewhere, adding chaos at understanding the phrases. The songs composed by AR. Rahman had already recognized as best, has once again confessed to stole via visuals, except Nejikkula – the one tops the album has lost track between scenes and speech – cinematography has ruled others with two excellently choreographed. The setting of the Church and fishing market and the broken ship are architecture excellence!

The most fascinating and stunning part of the film was the climax! The actions performed by the three (Goutham, Aravind and Arjun) on the ship on rough seas were breathtaking and represent anything unlike before a Tamil cinema has witnessed. I read from the acclaimed cinematographer (Rajiv Menon) interview that the awesome storm sequence at climax was shot alive during the Nilam Cyclone that landfall near Chennai in October. Taking the film crew into the sea when the storm was at its peak really needs guts, and not only our filmmakers but the actors too truly amaze me by taking such dare ventures and experimenting live action using the unpredictable terrible natural event.

Hats off to ace director Mani Ratnam for creating unique at Tamil cinema, taking each pace forward into his own standard with film-making;  Kadal is another film adds credit to his phenomenal except the disappointment with story but, technically and naturally content.  

Songs that I cherish

A still from Puthagam

I was listening to the songs of Tamil film 'Puthagam' (Book) and one of the compositions of songs, truly impressed me. 'Mella Pookkudhe' was simply a beautiful song enhanced by Deepa Miria and Bellie Raj in their sugary tone; mesmerize me each time listening to this romantic rendering from James Vasanth.

Those were the same couple (Deepa Miria and Bellie Raj) who sung the awesome song Kangal Irundal has once again enliven with this melodious florescent. The directorial debut of actor Vijay Adiraj’s Puthagam, seems to be a decent romantic thriller which I want to watch after its release and the stills were already fascinated me with Rakul Preet Singh charming in pretty attires. And actor Arya’s brother Sathya leading the center page.

Another song that stole my heart was, 'Moongil Thottam' from Tamil film 'Kadal' (Sea). After long time A.R. Rahman has gifted some cherishing melodies in Kadal; whereas Moongil Thootam fascinates me both lyrically and musically which is hard to describe the depiction rejuvenated at heart. My all time favorite Harni has chanted along with Abhay Jodhpurkar, totally outstanding and couldn't imagine the desire the song supposed to behold on screen when it releases.

Last year I listened to so many songs and during the year end, the above two songs beat like anything and I also couldn't stop praising 'Mazhai Mazhai' and 'Aaha Kaadhal' from 'Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal' (Three Person Three Love). Mazhai Mazhai has truly blessed with sweet lyrics being blissful and music playing pitter patter, drenching through the vocal expressions of Karthik and Shwetha.

கடல் - கவிதை விமர்சனம் / Poetic review

மீண்டும் மீண்டும் மூழ்க தூண்டும்  'கடல்' 

'நெஞ்சிக்குள்ள'  என்னமோ வசியம்  செஞ்ஜோ
'மூங்கில் தோட்டம், மூலிகை வாசம்'
மனம்மெல்லாம் வீசும்
'இதுபோதும் எனக்கு இதுபோதுமே'  

கரைதட்டிய  கப்பல், ஈர்பது போலே
இந்த 'கடல்' விரித்த வலையில்
விழுந்த 'என்ன, எங்கே கூட்டி போற'
'அடியே... அடியே…’
'என்ன எங்கே நீ கூட்டி போற'.

இந்த கடல் அரிப்பு, இதமா
புல் மிது  பணிந்த பனி போல்
பரவசமா, 'சித்திரை நிலா' நிழல்
கடலில் வந்து விழுந்தாடும்
விதம், அழகுக்கு ஓர் இலக்கணம்.

இதுபோதும் எனக்கு இதுபோதுமே
வேறென்ன வேணும் 'கடல்' போதுமே 

Inductive to sink recurrently into ‘sea’
playing something philter ‘into heart’;
‘bamboo garden, herbal fragrance’
winds allover the heart
‘it’s enough for me, and it is enough.’

Like the ship tapped aground, attracts
on the expanded sea web
trapped me, ‘where are u taking along?’
‘Hey… Sea…’
‘Where are you taking me?’

The itching of the ‘sea’ warms
or of the dew on the grasses
rapture, the ‘May moon’ shadow
fall and dance into the ocean
was, literary beautiful.

This is enough for me, and it is enough.’
What else I need more, than the ‘sea’?

Footnote:

The poem was inspired by the 'Kadal' songs: Kadal (Sea) is a Tamil film directed by ace director Mani Rathnam and music by the Oscar winner AR.Rahman.  The words I brought into the quotation marks are derived from the song lyrics, almost the first line. The songs of Kadal drive me quite merrily under pleasure and I’m listening to it every day and before heading to bed, it causes some comfort and peace to heart.