A Musical Friday Evening

It was an adventure reaching the venue in time; jumping in and out of buses, wading through puddles created by a sudden rain-shower and finally meeting the blogger friend Sandeep who kindly arranged for seats at the musical event - Rhythms, Roses and Raja concert.

The event started with a group of children singing "Paruvamae..." This was followed by the key artistes for the day making an entry. Anil Srinivasan on piano, Naveen Iyer on the flute, Keith Peters on the guitar, Sridhar on drums and Bala percussion. Harini, Saindhavi and Bala contributing vocals.

Then it was sheer magic starting with "Nee Parrtha Paarvai ku oru nandri " from Hey Ram a musical symphony of the piano and the flute which overshadowed the other instruments!

The theme was the elements like - Sky,Rain,Moon, Wind etc, songs included - "Andhi Mazhai" from Raajaparvai, "Oho Megham Vandadho" from Mouna Ragam "Thendral Vandhu Theendum Bodhu" from Avatharam and other hits. .

Anil entertained the crowd with information on classical progression of notes, Bach and how one main song's tune was used as a BGM for another and vice-versa.

Tanna Na Na Na - the BGM from Punnagai Mannan and BGM from Johnny were really well done.

Gautham Vasudev Menon landed up to attend the concert!

A Friday well spent!

Rhythms, Roses and Raja - A Tribute to Ilayaraja

It all started with a Facebook post by blogger friend Sandeep about a musical evening! I was intrigued - the name - Anil Srinivasan - a Google Search showed up a website under construction a blog that had not been updated for a while but loads of YouTube videos that held me captivated.

Tomorrow at the Music Academy Alwarpet, a lovely show titled - "Rhythms, Roses and Raja - A Tribute to Ilayaraja" is being held.

For more details visit the link below:

http://allevents.in/Chennai/RHYTHMS,ROSES-and-RAJA-A-Tribute-to-Ilayaraja/451119838294051#

Also visit Facebook Page – Anil Srinivasan – The Madras Pianist and like his musical tributes and compositions!



Hail the Maestro :)!

Nan Kadavul-Movie Review

Movie-Nan Kadavul.
Director-Bala.
Cast-Arya, Pooja and others.
Music-Ilayaraja.
Year of Release-2009.
Genre-Drama.

Bala is one director whose movies mix the commercialism and realism in the right proportions. His three previous movies have been box-office hits but this time I believe Bala might be lucky if the movie recovers its production costs. The problem being it took more than 3 years to make with several heroines being cast and then replaced. The movie presents a stark portrayal of the organized beggary in India, specially in Tamil Nadu.

If you thought Slumdog had difficult scenes, then this movie will shock you. Bala presents a coterie of real life beggars-Eunuchs, midgets, deformed people, physically challenged people, blind people. The attention to detail is indeed detailed.

A man visits Kashi/Benaras to find his son Rudra-whom he had abandoned 14 years ago in the holy city based on the advice of an astrologer. The beginning is flawed and a bit unbelievable when the man spots an aghori-Arya and faints. He realises that Arya is his son Rudra in just one glance.

The story shifts to Malaikottai in Tamil Nadu, where a tall bald man is a kingpin running the beggar-mafia. Pooja is introduced as a blind girl singing in the train and getting alms.

Pooja is inducted into the bald man's group and is made to sing at a temple atop a hill. Arya stays there smoking ganja and uttering mantras once in a while. A Keralite businessman comes to the bald man and pays money and takes beggars to Kerala.

He comes again with an offer of Rs 10 lakhs to buy Pooja as a companion for a man whose face is deformed. When his goons come to kidnap Pooja, Arya bashes the group and kills the businessman.

Then a court case scene follows. A bit of forced humour perhaps!

A final confrontation with the bald-headed villain follows with Arya killing the villain.

Then comes the twist-an expected one-Bala killed the heroes in his earlier movies-here he kills Pooja. Pooja pleads with Arya to save her from the pains of the world. The next scene shows her lying in a pool of blood. So we assume that Arya kills her to guide her to her salvation.

A role worthy of an award by Pooja. Arya has worked reallly hard for his role and deserves applause for his physical makeover. Music is great.

We can only sympathise with Bala and pray that his next venture has a strong script.
How about a crime thriller Mr Bala or an urban college romance?