RaajaRaaga

Cozy zone!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 08:13:00 +0000

The punch of reality after incessant running in a dream gives colossal comfort to the spirit. Becoming awfully active with inescapable everyday chores and getting disconnected with inseparable eternal accord is like experiencing heavy dreams over and over. When the hangover of abstinence becomes too much to deal with, the mind grabs its cozy zone to perk up life.

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:21:00 +0000

Pallavi always opens the door to many surprises in His songs. It’s like walking through a palace fully loaded with luxuries. With ears wide open we move around and around. Sometimes the surprise lies at ‘anupallavi’, and some times at ‘Charanams’, but, rest assured, there is always a surprise. What more is needed to become musically evolved!

Classical tour Part-2

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:57:00 +0000

It was when my people sensed a sense of responsibility in me after a certain period of time, I was re-inducted into the school of carnatic music and my second music teacher was smart enough to start my first class at her school in an instant way by singing the sarali-swaras and asking me to repeat after her, for fear, that I would bring out my music. The classes turned out to be extensively impassive and I made it sure to hold her lessons at her place only, so that I need not practice at home instinctively. My answer to her first question at the beginning of each class would always be yes even when I knew that she had the right answer to her question.

Some time after a few months, before she prepared herself to lead me into ‘Gitam’, she gave a brief lecture on ‘False voice’ which was a new musical term for me. Within no time my mind understood that it was a presage given to draw me away from my music. Now she made me repeat the first ‘maya malavagowla’ after her, in her usual icy style. Back home I tried to explore melody in her song and advantageously convinced my people to leave me with my songs. Four more years passed in merriment and I developed a very close bond with my music. Relatives who showed apparent responsibility were bent upon making my people to realize their actual responsibilities and work towards re-attaching me to classical music. Even though they received sweet gifts now and then from me that made them forget their world for a while, there was always some hidden fear that kept them detached to my music.

Soon my third teacher, who was an elderly lady, with a really nice understanding, entered into my world of music. I must say she was the only teacher who could make her classes incredible for me. For she agreed to my request of taking a long stride from ‘Gitam’ to ‘Varnam’ by making only a brief halt at ‘Swarajathi’. . ‘Ninnu koree’ was the reason for my eagerness to learn varnam in mohanam. There after, her eagerness to know my music increased and her repeated requests to ‘Amrutha varshini’ as she would call ( ‘Kurisenu virijallule’(toongadha vilzhighal’)) brought me nearer to her. Every day before and after the class there were questions from her about my songs and in no time, with increased interest she started singing with me , my songs.

Evermore ready to listen...

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:49:00 +0000

Ears that opened to the sounds of nature
sensed pleasantness, in voice of melody,
All the time they felt, extremely happy ,
Even without knowing, the meaning of euphony.
And at the age that was still dainty,
my mind got opened to a fresh novelty,
it followed the Creator with amplified curiosity,
before long,He became an effectual Educator,
Who,through His music, has set humanity as my best feature.

Mind twisters!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:32:00 +0000

Songs written to reach the mass audience are always inharmonious; this was my opinion before listening to the songs from 'Raktabhisekham'. Raaja’s ability to amazingly decorate mass lyrics with His novel tunes and masterly orchestration, created interest in the songs which are usually avoided by class audience who think that these songs are not for them. Bringing richness to the songs meant for mass audience and elevating their standard of listening, is possible by one and only Raaja. Instruments become central and lyrics become trivial for me in these songs. Voice too, becomes an instrument and the feats of these instruments are heavenly. These are the must listen songs for all fans of Raaja, who explore His music.
Listen to this melody from Ashwamedham and enjoy the ride.

Trodden track to happiness

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:41:00 +0000

Feeling deprived of happiness sometimes in life, is quiet a difficult phase.But the thought of a very well trodden track, taken to grasp it firmly, gives much comfort. There could be a time when the mind wishes to maintain status quo in emptiness and It can even say no to the fully known track . During such a time, it’s awfully important to realize that being on the track is the only choice that could be taken to keep on. And when this becomes certain, the contentment brought about is strong enough to be energetic once again.

Isaikku Virudhu

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:08:00 +0000

Isai endra valzhkaiyilae

Isai yaaga arimughamaayi

Isaiodu engaludan thangi

Isai mel aarvam koduthu

Isai aaraaichikku kaaranam thandhu

Isai paadurathuku paadam pughatti

Isai amaipadharku udhvegamaaga irundhu

Isai ezhuduradhukku munnudharanamaha vandhu

Isaignaani yendru virudhu petru

Isaikke mariyathai seidha

Unga isiayaal, innum etthanai virudhughal upasarikka padumo endru,

Eppozudhum ungal isaimaiyakkathile vaazhthukondum

Ungal palakodi rasigargal acharyapadum samayathil,

Inda Desiyavirudhu avarghalukku samarpanam seidhirghalae

Engal pirappukku idharku melae enna artham vendum.

Enakku Tamil Mozhiyai thandhu,

indha saadharanamaana kavidhaikku

udhvegamaga irundha Ungalukku samarpanam.

In Reverence...

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:36:00 +0000

With voice smooth like a soft gel,
And words strong like a brass bell,
Sound alluring as a sea shell,
And expression deep as Honey well,
You came to this earth as an Angel
And showed that your halt in people’s heart is eternal.
As long as the day is bright
And the night is quiet,
Your tone will fill the space
And captivate the entire sphere.

Good Morning Raagas

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:59:00 +0000

The wonderful feeling of waking up with a Raaja song is not something unusual for me. The song stays with me through out the day and keeps playing at the back of my mind like a bgm. Even when I wake up with one, I meet the other charms in the latter parts of the day and they allow the bgm to remain at its place.
Often I am greeted by, ‘Idi swathi jallu ’in the morning. A song from ‘Jamadagni’...
For me listening to it is like slowly getting into a pleasant twister that sets me free only after giving extreme delight. The base guitar in the prelude... the second interlude...just feel for yourself:-) and also the rhythm.. Great,fantastic...Are these two words adequate to show our appreciation?
You decide...

Classical music teacher, my eye opener.

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:37:00 +0000

When my curiosity was noticed, it was decided to send me to an accomplished classical trainer for upgrading my ability. After formal procedures I was accepted as a learner. With great excitement my face turned bright when the question that I expected came from her. With out frittering away a single moment I took out a jewel from my collection and gifted her, being clear in my mind about the laud I would receive in return. Her stern voice ordering me to discontinue rehearsing film songs in order to continue training lessons came as a revelation. After a short and snappy oration I was introduced to the seven swaras and was told that any piece of music is made up of these swaras and was asked to run through these swaras. There was a sense of innocence in my question when I asked her if the music that I followed also contained these swaras. ‘Yes’ was her answer with an imperious smile. Homewards I couldn’t stop being appreciative of my teacher for she was the one to awaken my mind by giving two options. One was to savor the raw material and the other was to savor the creation. I chose the latter as it was unworkable for me to relinquish the creation and the creator of my music. Now I was able to define melody as something formed of swaras to treat the ears of the listener, even though I couldn’t get any answer to my question, that why I should stop practicing my music to learn her music. When the time came for the next class, it was my people’s turn to take by surprise when I stated that I do not wish to learn her music. It was my fortune that I was not at all required to do something that I did not enjoy.

Mood Progressions!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:43:00 +0000

Raaja’s arrangement of BGM for the movie ‘Sagara Sangamam’ is surely exceptional. It’s so easy to understand the feelings of the characters when His music speaks; this is what I could make out. Not one scene to mention or one movie to recall, there are n number of movies where He has worked wonders with His BG score. I feel, a life time is not sufficient for a detailed study of His music. Tears roll down automatically whenever I listen to this BGM.

These scenes cannot be imagined without His heart squeezing background score. We can feel the music letting us know the dissimilar moods of the characters at each move.
Watch at.0:00 Madhavi (name of the female character) entering with some pictures. At 0:16, the music tells Balu’s (name of the Male character) happiness. When at 0:44 it shows Balu’s gratefulness to Madhavi for the pictures, at 1:39 in a lighter mood, it proves the progress of friendship between the two characters, 3:11 is granting assurance and proceeding towards a stronger relation. 4:45 the chorus shows Madhavi in a mixed mind-set where she is in a state of uncertainity and happiness. At 6:10, it is love acceptance, and at 8:12 it is separation. OMG ! Who else other than Ilaiyaraaja could have created such heavenly music!

Great Apetizers!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:36:00 +0000

When my world was greeted with the tunes from 'Preminchi Pelladu'(Telugu), for a long time it became a practice to sit for meals only after listening to this song. Mom calling out for lunch or supper, but me totally immersed in relishing the first course, it was truly enjoyable. This mind blowing tune spreads tons of happiness in the air and drives us crazy. What a beautiful prelude and the chorus too is splendid.
Songs like this are examples of purity!

Malayalam Pearls

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Since my childhood was adorned with more friends from Kerala, Malayalam was always nearer to me. Even though there was a liking for the language, I never tried to explore its beauty unless and until I was greeted with ‘Thumbi Vaa’ from the Maestro, which was my first Malayalam song. In due course, in my pursuit, I came across many Malayalam pearls of Maestro. At all times I had a doubt whether my friends from Kerala had this chance because they too were staying away from their land. I still have the curiosity, and yearn to share these pearls with them.

A pearl from the film Aa Rathri for you. I love the Bass guitar work in this song!

Nostalgic Indeed!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:09:00 +0000

You were not apparent when I was small
As I grew up you were perceptible
I appreciated you for saving scores of things for me
And presenting them when needed
Sometimes it made me proud to have you
Sometimes I preferred staying with you for hours long
Always I adored you for being helpful to me in all ways
I am with you and you are with me
I Thank you ‘My Memory’.

Timeless Song from the Genius saved in my mind's memory, Enjoy!!!

Raaja'Panchakshari'

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:55:00 +0000

People seldom try to bother about what is on the other side of the world and try to be happy in their own world thinking that’s what the whole world is. I tried to climb upon the hill to look at the world that is not seen to me from my place. Staying there I could view and appreciate both the worlds. A time came when I had to make a decision whether to stay in my present world and peep into the other world or move to the other side permanently. I preferred the latter and made my world a beautiful place to live in by filling it with His Music.

And when the door to His Tamil music world opened, it was a downpour for me. I was constantly collecting and treasuring every drop....

My first 'Raaja' movie.

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:18:00 +0000

‘Sitara’ was my first Ilaiyaraaja movie and it introduced me to the words ‘Re-Recording’ and ‘BGM’. Realizing that His BGM gives life to each and every scene in the movie, I decided to continue with matinee after the morning show and for the first time in my life had to savor the ‘time out’ given by my people to me and to my cousin who obliged to repeat watch the movie with me. Her role was great in keeping me updated with new Raaja releases. It was also the first ‘Telugu’ movie that I could understand fully. There after, I learnt to tune my ears not only to His songs but also to the BGMs. That's what makes a Composer complete, this’s what I could understand. With my little knowledge, I always tried to be a part of the musical discussions that often took place among the family members. When they were busily discussing Naushad and ‘Shankar jaikishan’, I used to poke in with utmost curiosity to introduce Ilaiyaraaja’s name to them. Success adored sometimes and happiness filled me when they appreciated the tunes that I played or hummed for them.

Only my trials to show Raaja to my friends were not as expected since their musical discussions revolved mainly around LP and RD. Even after willingly participating in their discussions, the deep urge to tell them something that they were missing was always there within me. Without leaving a single opportunity I continued my trials. A few of them were intelligent enough to grasp what I wanted to share and they were the ones who later on appreciated me for my discovery and thanked themselves for heeding to my words abating which they thought, they would have lost something in their lives.

After some years, each and every visit of mine witnessed people at my native place swinging in the cradle of Raaja’s music. Those happy faces with natural smiles always looked like good things are continuously happening to them. Now, they were requesting me to croon His numbers.

Enjoy listening to 'Sitara' Back ground score!

Shredding the barricades!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:56:00 +0000

After tasting the sweetness of my language, I sensed the sweetness of other languages too. When I understood that His music has the power to beautify the language He touched I decided to shred the barricades and savour the sweetness of ‘Tamil’ bit by bit. It took me seven long years to become somewhat skilled at understanding and conversing. Lucky am I that I am a Tamil bahu owing to which access to His Tamil music was trouble free. And when I learnt that ‘Sangam’ was the period in the History of Tamil for literature, I concluded that the period when Isaigynaani ruled this earth would be known as Sanga kalam for Music in future.

Savour this song!

Song, Tamil, Music, Isaigynaani

Raining Honey!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Fascination for the local language was so much that I hardly ever took interest in knowing the sweetness of my Mother tongue till I was greeted with this song on a Ugaadi day. Maestro taught me the significance of my mother tongue. For me, this is the best Telugu patriotic song ever composed. And for you?

Telugu, Maestro, Ugadi, patriotic

The Sun Rises Here!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:27:00 +0000

After realizing that it was impossible to reach the peak where His music stayed, they created an artificial peak and started deriving fake satisfaction by climbing it and trying to reach the heights.
There is so much creativity in His music, that nothing more could be done to bring any change except to change the meaning of fine melody, eventually deceiving themselves and also others. Many changes followed a single change. By pushing the masses into a fake world of music and keeping them away from the natural music they derive satisfaction.

Lucky am I that I was sturdy enough and could not be pushed.

Om Shanthi Striking!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:10:00 +0000

One of the many things that make me happy in my life is when the sales boy of the local music store comes to me with Raaja’s new releases, as soon as I enter the store leaving behind all other customers. The store manager updates me with Raaja’s impending projects with a lively face, and the remaining customers put across their eagerness to know more.

This time I was greeted with ‘Omshanti’. With unlimited happiness I returned home for peacefulness.

What a surprise? ‘Chinna polike ledu’ (not even a little similarity), so much versatility. His yester year’s music is so different from today’s music. Raaja once again presents His power and gifts us with tunes that exactly fill the cavities of today’s music world. Only His music helps me to change with the times because, to my mind He is the only Creator who creates tunes by taking care of the period, the situation and the character. I am not the same as I have gradually learnt to change with the times with His music and am ’flying on the moon.’ ‘Ottesi chebuta’(I promise) this is the real meaning of ‘Om Shanti’(peacefulness).

Banquet Treasured!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Those were the days when feeding myself with Hindi in the morning and Telugu in the evening was a practice. Waiting for the songs from ‘Sadma’ in radio Ceylon’s ‘aap hi ke geet’ is still cherished. There were many unfavorable mornings and evenings. But on a favorable evening in the same year, I could treasure this Eternal Gift in my little mind.
Savor the feast!

Health booster!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:12:00 +0000

His songs are instant health boosters. No matter how much tired you are, listening to one song can make you energetic. As for me he is the only classicist who composes as per the structure of a particular language. You feel so happy when the pallavi starts, the interludes and the charanams will surely surprise you. Enjoy the ride!

Blessed Ears!

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:29:00 +0000

Treating the ear drums with these drops of nectar was a practice that was followed regularly by me. Tasting His music for the first time made me feel that if the music I tasted all these years is sweet like sugar, then His music is sweeter like honey. After tasting some more, honey became nectar. Over the years I started comparing it to oasis in a desert, rain in hot summer, gold and diamond mines, Everest and Himalayas, seas and oceans, kamadhenu and kalpatharu, oxygen in air etc, until the day I realized it is beyond comparison.
After a time, ears were greeted with many flavorless flavors in the name of music which started bursting like bubbles touching the brawny barricades. I started considering my ears as supremely favored.
One more drop for you to taste...

Showers of praise

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:28:00 +0000

Our country has given birth to a number of talented music directors who make us proud. It is hard to say who is great and who is not as every one of them has equally enthralled the audience. All the music directors command equal amount of love and respect from the listeners. At one time the listeners were followers of all the composers .There was no comparison among these greats. When dipping the senses in the streams of honey became a routine, the ears naturally turned out to be fully grown with good sense of music. Who knew that some of these mellowed ears were destined to dip their senses in the ocean of nectar? What could be the level of mellowness of these ears? Definitely beyond belief, isn’t it? The senses which tasted both honey and nectar fall into one class. The era that followed, being flooded with nectar, was definitely privileged. The senses that belong to this era fall into another class. Then there was barge in of Pepsis and Colas to muddle up the senses of present era that entirely fall into a different class, for which transitory joy is adequate, feeling comfortable with Pepsi Colas and sometimes trying to taste the nectar with out having the aptitude and without knowing its worth.
Senses that got used to honey and nectar can only taste Pepsi colas, but may not relish because they very well know its worth. Honey showered praises on Nectar and Nectar paid tributes to Honey, but Pepsi Cola acquired more popularity by advertising and exhibiting self appreciation.

Here is a Drop from the Ocean of Nectar!

My Collection

noreply@blogger.com (anupamaambatipudi) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:35:00 +0000

Summer break for me was the time to hunt for the tunes that were saved in my minds memory and to make hard copies, as it was the only time when we were brought to our native land. I was going on banking the priceless charms while my mates were busy gathering pebbles. At times I used to present them one or more from my stockpile. They would merrily listen and relish while I would proudly assert the ‘Name’ of the creator ensuring it is preserved in their minds enduringly.