முத்தைத் தருபத்தித் திருநகை

I was invited to this beautiful Golu this year hosted by someone who I deeply respect and admire. Loved the entire Golu display and loved one of the bommais , in particular.

The Golu Bommai narrates the story of Saint-Poet Arunagirinathar who decides to end his life jumping from the Temple tower. Lord Murugan comes to his rescue, preventing him from taking his own life. He blesses Arunagirinathar who goes on to compose Tamizh religious songs called Thiruppugazh. Take a look at this beautiful bommai featuring Arunagirinathar and Lord Murugan. 

Had written about the Iconic Thiruppugazh, 'Mutthai Tharupathi ' earlier in Kollywood Kisnan.

There has been a lot of discussion this year, on how Navarathri Golu is strictly for married ladies, women with kids. And that there is no place for those who are divorced or have lost their husbands. I believe Navarathri Golu is a festival to invite people across gender, marital status, class, creed , home and have a good time. It's unfortunate that people are being excluded from a celebration like this.

 I am specifically talking about this in this post because the host of this Golu featuring the Arunagirinathar bommai mentioned she doesn't live with her husband any more. She added that the house they lived in had become toxic and it exuded negative vibes. The pandemic and the lockdown made it worse for her. Thankfully she is out of it now, hosted Golu , invited everyone and was busy attending other Golus. I was quite happy hearing that there are still people in the world who do not care about being பழுத்த சுமங்கலி, பழுக்காத சுமங்கலி and all that. People like you and I reading this, who genuinely want to make it all inclusive, thankfully still exist.

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Please read my earlier posts on Golu

Kuratthi Magan

தந்தனத்தோம் என்று சொல்லியே

The Vyjayanthimala Pose

Idhu Muthuraman Ya

Bored Man 

The Saree Influenza

Raga Sisters 

Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

Dasavatharam

Chittie

Golu 2012

Bead Work

Golu 2008

Golu

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Viju

If you are here for the first time, please read this post.

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Down the memory lane

A.R. Rahman’s music, being very special to me, plays a very important role in my long distance runs. A lot of these long distance runs are run by me solo and it gets very lonely. There are moments when you feel like giving up and/or hit the wall. To ensure I have some company during the run I always listen to music (naysayers please excuse!) and this has definitely played an important role in my evolution as a long distance runner.

I list below five songs that have pushed me during my runs in the past few years and they will always have a special place in my long run and also on my iPhone (previously iPod shuffle).

Ladio from I: What a powerhouse of energy this song is! There was a time I would listen to all the songs from ‘I’ exclusively during my run and time a 7k to that. Ladio is one of those tracks that just changes its form every minute in the song and that refreshes me quite a bit on my run. A target for me is to run a full marathon with 4:41 as my pace per kilometer. May I will put this song on a loop 42.2 times!

Oru Nanban Irundhaal from Enakku 20 Unakku 18: The song has a constant tempo from start to finish and Chinmayi’s vocals alongside the chorus is something that keeps one going nonstop. Also the lyrics of this song about friendship also are something I liken to my relationship with my run. Particularly - Ada vaazhkkai padhai maralaam natpudhaan maaruma (our life’s path can can but will friendship change?)

Kadhal Vettukili from Parasuram: This brilliant yet lesser known duet from an immensely forgettable movie is another song that has an energetic set of beats and an amazing interlude between the first and second charanams. This always has a place on my running playlist and gives me that high every time I hear the first few seconds of the song!

Tanha Tanha from Rangeela: As a 90s kid, all I remember from watching this song in the 90s initially was Urmila running on the beach and then an ‘ugly’ Jackie Shroff creepily dancing with her. Well, with all those memories put aside, I revisited this song a few years ago and the orchestration in this - the flute, the violins, Sujatha and Srinivas’ alaaps before the first charanam make it such a grand song. And ensuring I maintain my strides fine with the beats in the song, especially when I am doing intervals, is a blissful experience.

Arziyan from Delhi 6: This song is always going to be ‘That One Song’ for me and I end up trying to ensure my races or significant long runs start or end with this song! The divinity in Kailash Kher and Javed Ali’s vocals and the positivity in this song takes me to an entirely different zone (both during my run and otherwise).

There are more ARR songs on my running playlist and probably I will write about more of those soon! Thank you Blogeswari for this opportunity and thank you ARR for all the music!
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About Viju

Zu (An)na, sometimes called Dr.Viju works with the Universities in India on understanding how computational tools are used in the curriculum and research to help accelerate the engineering and science learning process.

I'll give you a moment and more to process the above. Yeah, that's our Zu 'na. His CV will need a doctorate for you and I to decipher, dissect and digest.

A reluctant book worm, A Marathoner and a Padicha Pulla - Zu 'na has been spending this lockdown period reading, running (adhe!) on roads and running a poll on Twitter with the hashtag #FavARRite on ARR's songs and albums. Viju blogs here, here and here . 

Say Hi to Viju here and here.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Hari

If you're here for the first time, please read this post
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March 2015. The job season was at its peak, with multiple interviews lined up. ARR, too, reached his peak with the release of his OK Kanmani album. Three songs from the film played on my phone, and, eventually, in my mind, during my job search phase. 

 

The addictive Mental Manadhil, with all its buoyancy, was one of the more accessible A R Rahman songs on the first hearing. Director Mani Ratnam enhanced the song with visuals of Dulquer and Nithya biking through Mumbai's busy streets with unbridled energy. I wondered if I should approach my job phase tension-free. I wasn't too sure. 

 

The structure of Parandhu Sella Va is an analogy to that of the film itself. What starts as a light and fun track turns into something incredibly romantic after the halfway mark. Each time I played the song, I eagerly anticipated the portion where singer Karthik, a Me Too accused, begins Nanaindhu Kollava Mazhai Illamale to go into a romantic high. The chills, unmonitored eyelid closure all enhanced the dream-like state I was finding myself in when listening from the halfway mark. I thought, sometimes, being in a dream-like state was an excellent way to forget being worried about my impending final round interview for which I had to travel from one city to another. I thought I aced my job interview. 

 

Aye Sinamika made me long for a crush that did not exist. The song also felt like life: meandering but containing the highs that felt pleasant and the lows that made one yearn for such peaks. Unfortunately (and lucky for the one who got the job), I failed to land the job. But, the crests and troughs are what make life beautiful. We should try finding beauty in small things instead of complaining about things we may not have control over. 

 

I finally did find a job four months after the release of Mental Manadhil, and a month after the unsuccessful interview I mentioned earlier. It happened after over 200 listens of the songs from the film from a playlist that contained only OK Kanmani's songs. Maybe A R Rahman was telling me all along, “It's all going to be OKK in the end.”

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About Hari:

 

Hari is an engineer by day and cinephile by night. He has almost ended his love affair with cricket by sticking to just the IPL. He writes film-related articles whenever he gets a worthy topic to write about.

During the lockdown, he dabbled in song edits and realized he has taste.

 

Taste isn't an issue when it comes to his cooking because he's a great chef. He loves going on long drives provided he has company. Otherwise, he wastes his time on Twitter.

Say hi to Hari here.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by A M Aravind

If you're here for the first time, please read this post
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The first time I heard this song was when my neighbour used to play it, and  it reached us in a muffled tone - because of the distance and the concrete walls interrupting the sound waves. I was intrigued. The neighbour played it again. And, again. And again. Several times that day. And for the rest of the week. But, I was not able to make out the lyrics or even the language, and I couldn't figure out what song it was. The introvert that I was, I never got around to asking him what it was.

 

What kept me hooked was these lines "Jao humko to Aati Sharm hai, Teri Aisi Adaa Pe to Fida hum hain". I found the way these lines were sung to be so fresh. And addictive. And, the tune, so unique!

 

Later that week, at school, some of my friends were to dance at our culturals, and were rehearsing, with an instrumental track. During a break, they played another song from the same film. And, guess what? It was my "mystery song". I finally asked what song it was. I got the reply, "Don't you know? This is A R Rahman's first Hindi film. And the song is called Hai Rama."

 

Though we were addicted to many of thalaivARR's Tamil songs in the 2-3 years he was in the industry, I wasn't following his work closely, and I was unaware of his Hindi debut. I quickly got hold of the cassette and it was a joy blasting all the songs from the album in our Videocon tape recorder.

 

What a magic Hai Rama turned out to be. If the "trailer" from my neighbour's house got me hooked, the full song blew me away. There was so much more in the song. Hariji and Swarnalatha in top form, accompanied by playful flute (the flute bit in the second interlude - from 4:45 - remained my ringtone for a long time), the vibrant percussion and passionate strings took me to heaven, not just then, but even now. 25 years after it was composed!

 

Thank you, Rahman sir, for blessing us with evergreen songs like this, and surprising us with extra-ordinary experiments, even after 28 years!

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About A.M.Aravind

An A.R.Rahman series without a guest post by AMA? No, Never, Nahin!

A die-hard fan of Rahman, Sachin and Federer, AMA, when not RJing on an online radio station, presenting ARR's songs, is usually in and around Pallikaranai Marshlands or Vedanthangal, marathon-ing.. ie Bird Marathoning. Don’t miss following his series on Youtube, for birders.
Also, have you listened to this song composed by Rahman for AMA? Yes, Nambungaji
Follow engaL Birdman here and here.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Vijaynarain

If you're here for the first time, please read this post. 
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The Rahman “Normal” 

Lekar Hum Deewana Dil.
The name sounds like a movie I would avoid even if someone gave me a free ticket to watch. Except, my trustworthy friends from the hardcore A.R.Rahman fans Whatsapp group ensured I was up to speed on the album release date. It must have been a month or so since I had set foot in Australia, allowing the country to slowly grow on me, in the same way many a Rahman song does. Even as I was warming up to Sydney’s delights, a sense of loneliness coupled with homesickness tended to creep in now and then, especially since those were the days of early sunsets that characterised the antipodean winter. 

Image courtesy - Wikipedia

My ringtone then, and for the next three years was Maloom’s opening guitar phrase. The ringtone was definitely not a conversation starter, you see, hardcore Rahman fans were hard to find for someone who barely had any friends in the country and the guitar lick itself wasn’t iconic in the same sense say, the bass-line of Urvasi Urvasi is. While like most other ARR albums, there were a host of new singers with amazingly fresh voices, the arrangements were surprisingly mainstream and the tunes, instantly catchy rather than woven into a byzantine web of notes and chords that reveal their intricate beauty over repeated listens. Yet, there was something about the album that made it feel like a cup of hot chocolate on a freezing Sunday evening.

I have in the past, written tedious essays about other Rahman albums that have moved me to tears (Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein), shaken the core of my being (Water!), made me sit up all night flabbergasted that it was even humanly possible to create something like what I’d just heard (so many examples, but perhaps Adiye, Noor Un Ala, Thee Thee for now). However, never did I think I’d be writing about a normal Rahman album. Then again, the Rahman “normal” is a new normal isn’t it? I know I know, if only you had a dollar for every time you heard that term in the past few months…

Apparently this “Rahman normal” feels like a warm, welcoming hug from a friend you haven’t met in ages. Or perhaps it’s just that you haven’t realised that friend has always been with you even if you’re a continent apart, ready to put an arm around your shoulder and tell you everything is going to be just fine. I suppose that also explains why I’ve been revisiting the

music of LHDD often lately. My Australian experience would be incomplete, perhaps non-existent, without this album.

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About Vijaynarain A musician, a daily wage IT consultant and a fighter for the cause of preserving structural integrity

of biscuits dunked in tea... Say hello to 'Super Singer' Vijaynarain. A familiar name in almost all of Santhosh Narayanan's recent albums, the singer Vijaynarain made his debut as Composer Vijaynarain, in Dagaalty, recently. Do check out the soundtrack. Vijaynarain's got some interesting projects coming up as a singer and as a composer and we cannot wait to listen to all of them! Thanks Vijaynarain for writing this today. Makkaley, don't miss listening to this wonderful playlist featuring all of Vijaynarain's hits.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Chennai Motorist

 If you are here for the first time, please read this post.

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Disclaimer 1- Long Post

Disclaimer 2-Highly Personal share

Disclaimer 3- Have so many more favourites to mention and so much more to share! For, how do you explain the magic of ARR in just one post, huh, Blogeswari?)

When I think of ARR, I think of the word ‘phenomenon’. That he has been given the titles ‘Isaippuyal’ and ‘Mozart of Madras’ is absolutely no surprise. 

But I can’t say he stormed in to my senses like the Isaippuyal that he is, because the way he came into my life was actually gentle…persistent, even. I would say that he moved in to my head and heart one bag at a time; one song at a time. Lock, stock and barrel. That is to say: Voice, Instrument and Arrangement!  And his music will always be unique, transporting me to some place I’ve never been…a place full of new possibilities I never even knew existed! Since his music transports me so, I should also return the favour, methinks and now, a playlist without his music is unthinkable. Therefore, the way I do and always will, take him along with me wherever I go, is just a given. We don’t dump the good in our lives anywhere. We hold it close and carry it wherever we can.

I thank Blogeswari for asking me to write about A R Rahman because it really made me think about and express in words who ARR is in my life, and what his music means to me.

All Images courtesy A.R.Rahman's Instagram

When A R Rahman was first introduced through the movie Roja, it was a remarkable entry indeed because the sound of his music was refreshing, the lyrics deep, new and bold, and the movie’s director was more of a brand than just a famous individual - Mani Ratnam.

But I just said ‘oh ya, nice songs, ya’ and listened, enjoyed them, and moved on with life. ‘Pudhiya Mugam’, ‘Gentleman’ albums happened as I tried to proceed with life without taking proper hold of ARR’s music. But then, ‘Thiruda Thiruda’ hit us and then, ‘Duet’. What is that talk about CALM and all when there is a storm? It’s nonsense. If you’re hit by a Storm, you can’t just sit back and do nothing. You’ve GOT to be swayed…and this storm makes you first sit up, pay attention and then do what needs to be done. And so, being the half-baked musician that I was in my teens (&continue to be), ‘Rasathi’ was duly attempted in for an event: ‘Socials’ and then unceremoniously abandoned after near-perfection because…that new Acapella Gokappella and all defeated us teenagers as a concept. We lacked the confidence to pull it off on stage without instruments to play shock-absorber on the pitchy parts and quavers, semi-quavers and demi-semi-quavers. (Proving that half-bakedness here)

Also, acapella wasn’t a well-known or relevant word then! (hehe)

Through my undergrad years, ARR’s music dominated the cultural scene at the colleges of Chennai. Every dance performer attempted to shake their limbs to ‘Chikku-bukku railu’ and as for the singing; I was slumped close to unconsciousness in frustration and extreme boredom when the umpteenth solo contestant sang ‘Netru Illadha Maatram’ for the nth time! (from Pudhiya Mugam)

I hated soppy songs then and also, hardly anyone did justice to the high notes composed by Rahman while also retaining the melody in all its glory. I imagine that if I were a rat, a big human stomping on the edge of my tail would allow me to hit the highest note in the charanam of Netru Illaadha Maatram! On the other hand, the throaty ‘July maadham vandhaal‘ from the same film was differently delightful but almost-never attempted. 

ARR was then a young music director who was present as a Judge for a Light Music contest we participated in and ‘Tamizha Tamizha’ was coincidentally a part of our college band’s (Ethiraj) repertoire. We didn’t win the first place (sniff) maybe because we had a one-handed player on the piano and a couple of Bharatanatyam dancers playing the drums together (!) or maybe, because he didn’t want to award the team who was playing HIS songs, the first spot. Anyway we received the Second place and criticized him a bit (!) for not applauding our version of Tamizha Tamizha enough.

(Today, I would be thrilled to just catch sight of his slightly-smiling face anywhere and that would be enough because of the magic that’s his music, but this fuss was long, long ago.)

Then, when I left my first-ever job in an Internet-services company to pursue my passion in the US of A, two guys who were colleagues of mine, gifted me an audio cassette: “Kadhalan”. First of all, I was surprised that my colleagues of 6 months thought me special enough to give a gift to. (The company had given me a watch! So these 2 didn’t really have to give me anything). Secondly, I have always noticed that anyone who gifts me music is simply unforgettable in my life. So, that’s why I remember those two. Let’s call them G&P.

Anyway, I thanked G&P bemusedly, and gave the cassette cover a once-over and then shrugged it off. After all, it had Prabhu Deva and Nagma on the cover! Still, I packed it in my suitcase because I always listened to music while doing anything and everything and plus, it was a going-away gift from 2 BOYS.

I HAVE to mention Isaignani Ilayaraja here. (Yes, this is weird) Sorry, Blogeswari, music is personal so you will have to bear with ramblings of my journey with Ilayaraja first and
A R Rahman next. Until Roja happened, Ilayaraja’s was THE music which was familiar, revered, enjoyed, etc. So, you can’t just-like-that switch to someone new and go gaga over him, right? That’s not what a good South Indian does. So, I didn’t ‘justu’ switch. But I sure added him to my music collection as and when more of his music was released.

As an adult, when you hear new music, you don’t just accept it and dance and sing along. You sit down and break it down and criticise it if you can. But then, there I was, all alone in my room, listening to Kadhalan on my mini tape player in the boonies of the West Virginian mountains, soaking in the hep-sounding Tamizh, jolted by the newness and marveling at the fresh music. It was like going through one of those parallel universe thingies through a strange tunnel full of alien music but it was all so filling and oh-so-melodious all the same. I can’t say I cried like Actor Karthik weirdly did in Gopuravaasalile (which scene I want to UNSEE till date), but I can say that I was just terribly taken aback in a wonderful way. I wasn’t cheating on Raja, I told myself. I was just moving ahead with Raja in my backpack and Rahman in my handbag. Clutch*Clutch*.

All the new voices added to Rahman’s magic. The SPB and Janaki Jodi-singing was replaced by so many new singer-combos and solos which all sounded fantastic. A whole, new world opened up. The variety in voices, the freshness of sound, and the powerful effect of the instruments coming together for harmony was just earth-shattering!

Back home, the TV used to blare out insane visuals of SPB and Prabhu Deva dancing together in Kadhalan. My late father was very taken with ARR as well. He tried mocking ‘this new music’ but ended up enjoying it as he sang ‘Muqaala, Muqaabala, Laila ohhh Laila’. Being a good singer himself and partial to the likes of Rafi, Talat and Ghantasala, he sang Muqaala to tune and though he inserted cluck-cluckings like “What ARE these lyrics I say” in attempted disgust, he didn’t stop singing the songs. J One particular song tickled him terribly. Oorvasi Oorvasi. When I sang out “Pakathu seat-u-la paati okkaandha, Take it easy policy”, he laughed out loud (ya LOL-ed. Back then, we said the WORDS, actually).

When we came to “Dhanda soru-nu appan sonna…Take it easy policy” he chuckled, and “pandigai thedhi Sundayil vandha Take it easy policy” made him snort, “Vazhuka thalayan Tirupathi pona” made him giggle and finally, “Azhagu kaadhali Anna-nu sonna” had him chortling with laughter. This now makes me think he might have been Anna-ed and also that he may have had many a Paatti take a seat next to his. Anyway, in the short time he was alive after ARR’s entry, he enjoyed Isaipuyal’s music immensely.

To me, some movie albums stand out because they’re outstanding (!) -- Like VTV, OKK, Kaatru Veliyidai, Tenali, and many, many more. Innumerable songs have delighted us. VTV’s Omana penne is terribly special and Swasame in Tenali too. So very mellifluous. It’s hard to pin down favourites cos they keep slipping out like Slippery Seppankizhangu that has been boiled and ready for peeling. MORE favourites keep jostling for attention! ‘Kaara Attakara’ jolts me out of lethargy anytime, while ‘Azhagiye’ from ‘Kaatru Veliyidai’ makes me want to hug someone immediately in Kushi! (not shadily, mind you)

On another note, I get jealous of any South Indian celeb who ventures close to the North ie Bollywood. So I refuse to listen to ARR’s Hindi ventures. Even so, ‘Khwaja mere Khwaja’ moves me and ‘Dil Se’ songs are far superior in effect, to the Tamizh version. So, I have to let him go once in a while so that he will come back and compose a ‘Munbe va’ and a ‘New York Nagaram’ which will keep me less sulky (!) while he visits the Mumbai scene and comes back. (Back here in Chennai, is where you belong, ARR!)

All said and done, I’d say that ARR speaks to us in song. He voices the notes to us and shares with us his scintillating music, telling us that the world still has hope, beautiful music, awesome lyrics and…himself. That’s all I want to hear. <3

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About Chennai Motorist

What do I write about someone who I've known more than half my life?
One post and all won't do justice I say.

Chennai Motorist a.k.a Teesu Akka a.k.a Tees is one of the most lovable person/s you'll come across. An entrepreneur, a Seppankezhangu aficionado, a pianist, guitarist, writer and a cute cuddly friend (I can see her cringemaxxx) who one can discuss all possible vetti stuff particularly about Madras. 

A supremely creative person, Tees is a strictu aabeesar as a music teacher when she taught us, a big group of singers and instrumentalists, a dozen songs to sing at various culturals. Ya, including the one where we sang in front of the The ARR.

Thanks Tees for sharing your thoughts. This is so well written. Love eeet & Love you!

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Susmitha Chakkungal

 If you are here for the first time, please read this post.

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I always felt that my era should be aptly called the “Trans Gen” as in, people caught in transition.  Be it oh! I walked to college/ I travelled by public transport/ I cycled/ I go by a two wheeler, Typewriter/Computer/Laptops/Blackberry to everything today happens on mobile. We are the generation that transitioned through transition some in thoughts some in actual life… Music was no different at home for me the argument was always, always …MSV is the best, Ilayaraja is the best, it was almost spiritual and political to listen to them in the background of these voices. Scared if you could err by liking one more than the other because they are geniuses and their music is indeed brilliant, wondering will I have a musician of my own. As I grew passing through the most important personal phases of my life searching an identity in friendship, love, career, politics, family, marriage, faith...ARR happened. Music that gave emotions to all that shaped my life as a youngster, so it’s not easy for me to pick one song that made a lifetime impact on me, for his music is inseparable from me, imbedded in every DNA. Now having said that personally two emotions stand out for me with ARR’s music, devotion and patriotism maybe because somewhere these two emotions intertwine with the musician’s personality or it could be purely because both these emotions are very personal and speaks of faith that is true.

Image - ARR's Instagram

The music that crescendo’s in Tamizha Tamizha,  the visuals of secularism in Thai Mannae Vannakam,  the hope of peace and togetherness that Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and ARR’s voice in Gurus of Peace ,  the optimism when the Shehnai pierces your heart in “ Yeh jo Desh hai tera” . I’m actually absolutely partial to the unplugged version of the same, where ARR says…Undhan Desathil kural, tholaidurathil adho…seviyil vizhadha…i tear up and feel the pride that my country is and will always remain to me, giving me a purpose. Strangely enough I felt the same with all the music tracks of Pele : Birth of a Legend , when the eyes fill up in Pele’s fathers eyes…I was soaked in uncontrollable tears… so what if Pele is not from India, ARR is from my ooru …J

The closeness to a supernatural power that his music brings in Anbendra Mazhayilae… ( Honestly this is about the only song that I like of this singer) a God that will be within me and guide at times of distress in Oh Palan Hare nirgun our nyare… the purity and tranquility  ik onkar a simple hymn that tugs at your heart , the search to find faith in Kun Faya Kun…Khwaja merae khwaja… Maula Wa Sallim …his music only showed me the oneness in the supreme power a God that helps us and impresses all of us to be good, a God that transcends beyond differences a God that you understand.  ARR…a musician and music that brings us all closer to each other through our personal belief.

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About Susmitha
With a Double Master's Degree in Criminology and Human Rights, Sush continues to inspire her contemporaries including yours truly, with an envious career spanning over two decades in Electronic Media. As my go-to person for all career-related (read : boss related) problems, Sush is a level-headed problem solver and a much-needed motivator everyone needs.
It's no surprise that she was the most loved boss (as mentioned by her reportees) in her recent stint with a Radio station.
A Classical dancer and a super duper chef, Sush is seriously contemplating on setting up her cake business. That is, when she has some time to breathe amidst all the CSR work that she's involved in.
Say Hello to Sush here.

 

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Ninad Sonawane

 If you are here for the first time, please read this post.

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My life is a series of dualities, twos...Unbelonging in either world... Like the mythical Trishanku, stuck between this world and the heavens above.

When I was going through particularly troubling times, transitioning, accepting, choosing one world over another, Rockstar was released. It was the last audio CD I bought. This was a confusing period in my life and swinging between love and lovelessness, the lyrics of "... Khaiyon Na Tu Naina Morey..." didn't have the same resonance they would have otherwise had. 

Image

What stuck a chord was the musical Jugalbandi piece "Dichotomy of fame"... Colliding two worlds, celebrating their individuality and cleaved together in a spellbinding manner. 

Marital separation and decisions about matters of heart are severe. Love, longing and loss leave deep wounds and searching your heart and mind to discover what direction you want to take takes a heavy toll on your sanity and peace of mind. 

I visualised the lived past and imagined past and possible futures while playing "Dichotomy of fame" on repeat. At the end of the day, what had to happen, happened. The pain and joy of contemplation while listening to the Shehnai and guitar, stayed with me. Belonging and Unbelonging to someone and losing exclusivity of those emotions is what my journey from Iruvar to Rockstar stands for. 

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About Ninad Sonawane

The one friend who one call anytime and who will have the answers to all of life's problems. Meet  my dearest Ninad, a 24*7 Social Scientist, Global Gyaani, Media guy, Storyteller, Shhunya Vad, Movie buff and an Ambivert.
And above all, a guy with a heart of gold. Thanks Nin, for writing this.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Shrey Jadav

If you are here for the first time, please read this post. 

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The year was 2006 and I was 9 years old going into 10. That age is a very strange one, you don't want to be called a child and you "can't wait for high-school, and college and have your own money." I also felt like that was the time when one get's a slow introduction to emotions that are individual and personal to you; it could be people, events, hobbies, art, music or films. And that was the time when I first felt something very unprecedented, it was poignant and over-whelming, but it was beautiful.

Rang De Basanti was released that year and it was the hot talk in the country and the next thing I remember was my dad, my mum, my sister and I in the theatre. My in my mother's lap because I was small enough still to be a "half-ticket”.  Rang De Basanti is of course a roller-coaster of emotions but then towards the end when Lukka Chuppi played, that song hit different. The music, the melody, the miss-en-scene was so perfect, remember what started as small sobs at intervals turned into heavy weeping and I held my mum’s hand real tight.

At first, she thought I was scared with the idea of death and protest (as shown in the movie) and asked me to shut my eyes. But I knew it wasn’t that. I knew that I was feeling “heavy”, something I wasn’t able to describe at that time. Even with my eyes closed, I heard the music unfurl in the magic of  Mr. Rahman and Lata Mangeshkar and I felt a strange sad, a happy kinda sad - which I knew was monetary and would pass a few hours after the movie ended but I was happy to be in that moment; I felt like I was growing up and I was learning of the joys that one can gain from art and emotions and music. And A R Rahman was one of the firsts to make me realise that. The fact that I can remember this singular incident in detail is an epitome of how these small, personal experiences really shape you. Yes, I wasn’t aware of who he was at that time, nor did I know who was signing, I just knew that the music was stirring something inside of me and I was keen to have more experiences as such.

Image from the video 

The years followed with me singing Lukka Chuppi, Maa Tujhe Salaam, Dil Se Re among many of the Maestro's hits for Mother’s Day, Independence Day etc at school events not knowing the singular link amongst the magic in all these that was A R Rahman.

I love scrolling through YouTube and a lot of my recommendations consist of choir music. Quite recently, I came across some videos of the Berklee Indian Ensemble’s tribute to A R Rahman where they performed some of his absolute classics, Jiya Jale, Kun Faaya Kun and my most favourite the Swades title track. And that was nothing less than a transcending experience, watching Indians and foreigns alike sing, play and grove to these powerful melodies; a supreme reminder of how music is beyond any boundaries and A R Rahman has not only accomplished that within our country, but taken us to the world.

In conclusion, Mr. Rahman GAVE to me, one of my very first coming-of-age experiences that I will cherish for life. And continues to deliver to us those moments of ecstatic surprise every now and then, and that is gold for me.

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About Shrey

Before anything let me introduce you to this ARR song, sung by singer Shrey.

A Digital Content and Social Media professional, Shrey did his Bachelors in Mass Media and started his career as a copywriter. I have had the fortune of working with fun Gen Z folks and Shrey is one of them. When not chatting with bff Katy Perry (no kidding, just check this), he spends his Lockdown time on his fabulous insta-live sessions, singing.

Sing along with Shrey here.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Anjana

If you are here for the first time, please read this post.

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*Thadak dhum dhoom* was how I used to sing the opening thunder clasp of 'Yaayire' from
Rangeela. My mom had a Akai music system that used to sit on my study table. Every morning, as she used to get ready for work she'd put in a cassette and hit play. Sometimes it would be Thiruda Thiruda, sometimes it would be Rangeela. But ARR was constant even without her consciously being an ARR fan. If there was one song or album of Rahman's that I would hold special (ugh, this choice is so hard because my mind instantly flits between Rangeela, Roja, Minsara Kanavu and so many more) then it would be Rangeela. I am no music expert to pinpoint on the exact reason for this and I don't think one expects reason here, but the entire album was very 'Rangeela' indeed. Going from "Kya Kare Kya Na Kare" to "Hai Rama" to "Mangta hai kya" each song had a different perkiness to it that appealed to the 8 year old me. Without even seeing the visuals, I 'favourited' these songs instantly.

Image courtesy - Discogs

Even today, that iconic thunder clasp brings back memories of a girl in two braids sitting at her study table, looking that black jacket of Rangeela, slowly becoming a fan of the man behind the magic, ARR.

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About Anjana

Moving out of the crowded metros, Anjana has made the best decision of her life, living in a sleepy little town in Tamilnadu. A lover of Coffee and Crocheting, Anjana handles social media for clients and hosts her own podcasts. An active blogger, Anjana was an RJ and a Product manager apart from being a Baby wearing consultant. Oh, did I mention she works with her husband as well, in their business?

Phew! 

You must must must take a look at her fantastic online Crochet store on Instagram .

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Sharanya

 If you are here for the first time, please read this post.

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Very early on in my relationship with this one boy- he spoke to me about how much he was moved by Dil Se. The Gujarati in him hadn't obviously watched the Tamizh version.  Just like he hadn't watched any of his Mani Ratnam favorites in the language it was originally meant to be watched in-my mother tongue, Tamizh. 

Growing up so far away from the home to the language- music became the fastest way for my Bombay waala Bhelpuri Tamil to look at nuance and truly appreciate the 'roots'. "'Rahman is universal, you can't stake claim on him," he would laugh at my being territorial of the same tune in its original form.

Years later, we would be in a dark movie theatre- him passing his ultimate test- sitting between Amma and me-watching his first ever Tamizh padam- for nothing but ARR in all his glory. My mother was impressed.

Months later, my entire extended family was. Five years later, on afternoons when I don't even notice him- I catch him singing - Mana mana mental Manadhil. The original.

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About Sharanya

Sakalakalavalli Sharanya is a singer, radio host, screenplay writer and is a Studio head.
When not planning her next solo holiday, she's busy writing award winning shorts and mentoring a bunch of young creative writers in the team.

Always bubbling with ideas and enthusiasm, this Lockdown period has been quite a busy one for their studio what with releasing back to back shorts on their YouTube channel.


Meet Shar here & here.

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Vinitha Vijayakumar

If you are here for the first time, please read this post.
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Not so long ago, a Saturday evening turned horrendous because I had to watch this disaster called 'Imaikka Nodigal' in cinemas. Uff! Even now my body and mind is aching thinking about it. The next morning I was in that hangover and so I did this and that to get out of the “meh” feeling. 

Thankfully, when I was browsing through my library in Apple Music I landed up at 'New' one among the most famous albums of ARR. It was an instant energy booster and I felt so fresh after listening to the entire album. I wrote the below as an fb post as well. 

“Imagine yourself on a drive on a highway! The car is moving at 120 and suddenly a song of full energy starts playing to give you the indescribable energy that you were craving the most! To get over my Imaikka Nodigal hangover,  I am doing all I can, and this album 'New' is super helpful in the process! A 2005 release still as fresh as any contemporary album. ARR is timeless! I think this was the era, we got the best Intro songs. And this album was unique in its own way to comprise of songs those were stand-alone hits! Irrespective of the content of the movie, I think 'New' as an album is quite a good one! "If you wanna" song broke the stereotype of heroine character intro songs sung by Aparna, Anupama, and Chinmayi. Some Girl power there, you know!

  

Nobody expected Nithyashree would pull off a "Markandeya"! An experiment that clicked big time! 'Sakkarai..' became the best addition in the list of Rahman's folkish dance duets like "Nee kattum selai", "Usilampatty" "Anjadhe jeeva" and "Gopala Gopala"! 'Thottal Poo Malarum' created a new formula for remixes! "Kalayil dhinamum" for all the melody lovers, 'Spiderman', a definition of seductive ecstasy and "NEW NEW", is a powerhouse! Blaaze, Karthik, Vijay Prakash, Sunitha Sarathy and Tanvi Sha - What a combination! The rap portion is out of the world! And our own Vaalee Sir innovating the lyrical part with titles of MGR movies. If possible listen to the song and find them out! :)”

I grew up listening to ARR, so all my stories have all his songs. Thought of sharing the above as it happened recently 😀
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About Vinitha Vijayakumar
(that's an 'i' after the first 'V' not 'a' for those startled ;-))

RJ, Copywriter, Travel enthusiast...Vinitha Vijayakumar is your true Tamizh music buff who has all the metadata and information on TMU aka our Tamizh Music Universe. It's said that people with good work ethic are worth their weight in gold, and Vinitha is one such dependable, enthusiastic and dedicated professional. I had the good fortune of working with her briefly. Thank you, Vinitha for sharing your MemoiARRs.

You can listen to Vinitha's thought bubbles here and share your thoughts with her, here

A Walk Down Rahman Lane by Sachu

If you are here for the first time, please read this post .
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ARR (not Suganda Paaku😂) brings not just memories of people to me, he brings back situations and all that happened right before my eyes. Be it the song that my first boyfriend played for me (though I have forgotten the BF but still remember the song😂)....

...or the song that I sang to my children ...

....or the song I wanted my husband to dedicate to me. ARR has touched every part of my life. 

I started my fan journey listening to Roja songs, a little doubtful about its success. But the songs just grew on me and before I knew it, I was humming them. What is even more astonishing about ARR part from his music is his modesty and generosity. He was always grounded and put India on the Oscar map🙏🙏 

May he continue to spread cheer with his music and get more accolades for India and her people 🥰🥰🥰

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About Sachu

Sara née Sachu a.k.a Sach is a Singer, Fashionista and a Saree influenza who is yet to utilise her "influenzaness" fully. With Kollywood in her blood and now Korean Series in her naadi narambu, Sachu is one element in her truest element that I miss, from the '90s world of mine. Half of my college life was spent at her house, listening to May Maadham and watching Sun Music.
A wonderful mother and a superb human being, Sach intends to resume her higher education to equip herself to work with children with Special needs.
I truly wish she takes up singing full time, after finishing her jewellery design and sareefication duties.
Meet my dearest fashionista  here.