It has been quite sometime since I sang a mallu song. So, when I got the karaoke of Neeraaduvaan from NakakshathangaL, I coudl not resist myself. This simple, but extremely soulful melody of Ravi rendered so romantically by DasEttan ranks as one of the finest examples in melody making. Ravi's trademark is in making a simple but unforgettable soulful melody. He loved the raga mohanam so much that he had the temerity to score three songs in the same ragam in the movie NakakshathangaL one of which won the second National award also for Chitra. He is a true priest of melody.
This song has a long aalaap by KJY which is a little tough to sing. I have tried my level best to do justice to the song. Please let me know how you like it.
Broadband
This song has a long aalaap by KJY which is a little tough to sing. I have tried my level best to do justice to the song. Please let me know how you like it.
Broadband
Dialup
Hello Murli bhai,
ReplyDeleteYour voice is amazing, you always use to give me chance to sing and you use to play guitar. I dont understand this song but the music and the melody of your voice is fabulous.
suraaj
Mr. Murali. The alaapana was a total failure. There is absolutely no depth in your voice to carry the song. Also the place where u say thinkale the "le" sounds terrible as if you were singing with a paan in your mouth. ::Naavu vadichittu poore moone ee paripaadikku pookaan?::
ReplyDeleteUllas
Murali,
ReplyDeleteFirst thank u for singing an evergreen song. You have a good voice, somewhere resembling to SP.
In this rendition I noticed you went off sruthi a bit in alapana. Also in the pallavi at the place "Nilayil Neeraaduvaan", there is a forceful gamaka u used for "Neeraa.." is a little off sruthi. If you compare your rendition with the original you can get the difference quickly. Nice work with scope of improvement. You have great talent , please preserve and nurish it .
Regards,
Sreejith
Ullas,
ReplyDeleteWhile you critisize a singer be specific , so that he/she can improve in the next song. Nobody is perfect and even KJY reached that stage after singing a lot of Rafisabs songs etc the way Murali and other bloggers do. Also, Murali if possible moderate ur comments field so that u can filter comments.
All the best Murali,
Sreejith
Sreejith::
ReplyDeleteI have given two specific points and you say that I am not specific? strange!
1) No depth in voice to carry the song and alaapana.Where he goes to lower notes no voice at all.Also no gamakas and breath control. He sings as if it is the harmonium playing. In carnatic music especially gamaka prayogam is very essential to convey a ghana raga such as mohanam.
2) All places where "le" comes the pronounciation is awful as has this stuffed throat feeling.
3) he sings with the upper part of mouth. his voice should come from the nabhi...nabhi trikandha rasana....you might have heard.
4) Since the pitching problem is everywhere no use of commenting abt that.
5) Attu vanchi is said as vanni...
6) Gandharvan is pronounced as gandarlvan...
What more u need...sreejith? Why are u silent on these things?
If you want him to improve then be harsh and frank.
Sreejithe, achane paatu padippikkalle moone...First hear the original and then hear this.
Murali is a good singer with good voice but sutable only for some songs. he should leave these songs for more talented singers..::Eudthan tangavunnathe edukkavoo..::
Abt comment moderation. If it was so your first comment here sometime back as an anonymous person ought to have been moderated.
Murali I speak for thy good. Sorry am very harsh in music. I do not know any way else. I cannot tolerate negligence and nonsense in music.So work on these points.
Ullas
Murali
ReplyDeleteI agree on sreejith's point abt comment moderation. Your blog should not be allowed to be a fighting place for others. But both the above people seem to be very passionate about their music.
I have a big relation with this song Murali. I started my Ganamela life by singing this song for ONAM program in front of capacity audience in Thekkinkadu Pooram Ground Trichur in 1984-85! Then Alphonse (upcoming music director) with a trouser used to sing children songs! I do not have count about how many times I have sung this song. I had immense fear in reaching the high notes then!
Your rendition is very good except for some pitching issues here and there. The last sangathi which improvised was very nice. Also some very minor pronounciation issues...already pointed out above by ulas.
Mohanam has always been my favourite too.
hi ppl,
ReplyDeleteappreciate your passion in music and commenting. I did not apply comment moderation because I believed anybody shd be given freedom to express their comments on any public performance. But I realize may be a mild moderation is necessary after seeing a lot of spamming (in the other blogposts). And as Pradip noted, this apparent 'freedom of commenting' has brought out a war of words twice in earlier occassions too. Hence the coments henceforth will be moderated.
Ullas - I am very happy to see your passion in music bringing the harshest critic in you. Honestly I do agree with you in some of the points like the pitching issues and pronunciation. But I do not subscribe to your exaggerated display of passion bordering on narcissism and exacerbating choice of words which must be distilled off the flame-baits to really understand the intent and content. Well, that being said, I will definitely work on the errors in the future.
Sreejith and Pradip - I am always thankful to my critics who show me the right way to improve. I think I had gone rusty in this delivery after having been out of touch with singing for sometime (almost a month..most of the songs I posted were done a while back). I will have to immerse myself in practice to get back what little I used to have. 'll do.
And here is a step by step response:
ReplyDelete1) No depth in voice to carry the song and alaapana.Where he goes to lower notes no voice at all.Also no gamakas and breath control. He sings as if it is the harmonium playing. In carnatic music especially gamaka prayogam is very essential to convey a ghana raga such as mohanam.
define depth. Yes I do not sing great in lower notes true. Gamakas are definitely there and I do lack breath control.
2) All places where "le" comes the pronounciation is awful as has this stuffed throat feeling.
Not really. Some have been drowned in the reverb. please listen to the poonthingaLE at the ends. As far as the stuffed throat feeling is concerned, I can only try to sing more open throated but cannot do beyond a certain level.
3) he sings with the upper part of mouth. his voice should come from the nabhi...nabhi trikandha rasana....you might have heard.
Scientifically speaking nobody can sing from the nabhi (stomach) since vocal chords are in the throat only. Probably what you wanted to imply is sing with more air blown from the lungs. I will try.
4) Since the pitching problem is everywhere no use of commenting abt that.
That is a comment already. But I genuinely dont think it is everywhere.
5) Attu vanchi is said as vanni...
I know it is aatu vanchi. Listen to Yesudas. He does not use "chi" but "nyi" only. And to my knowledge, vannyi is not wrong malayalam.
6) Gandharvan is pronounced as gandarlvan...
This seems more like a made up comment.
Murali,
ReplyDeleteNice attempt to sing a beutiful song. One of my favourites! Thanks for singing it.. :-)
There is nothing that cannot be corrected in this.. Keep the spirits up buddy..
:-)
Ullas,
I do appreciate the effort you have taken to point out things. but, it would have been great if you did it in a bit more polite and gentleman's way.
All would appreciate if you could please start a blog and show us the right way of doing things. We all are students, eagerly waiting for the heavenly knowledge that we will be getting about the intricacies of music, especially the carnatic, from you. Please lead the way by setting examples..
Also, I would say that if father doesnt know about music, he has to learn, no matter if it is from the son. No one will respect the way you presented things, even if you are Thyagaraja swamikal. So, let us behave.. As you have mentioned, You should lift ony what you can. That applies to you too. no one is a god, who does everything right in here.
My humble request to Ullas is that he sing a manipuri - hmm! I take it back.. from the way you speak, try a hindi - song whithout mispronunciation or aalapana mistakes AFTER cleaning his tongue. Thanks in advance.
Lets move on..
"Its not about commiting mistakes, but how we learn from it"
(special thanks to Divya, for pointing out that one of my favourite songs is here.)
Amazing aalap!
ReplyDeleteMurali,
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong in the first aalaapanam. I think the best part of the song is this aalaapanam. But you know am a novice still when it comes to music. :-) I think it is a very difficult job to sing that aalaapanam, one would only know if he/she tried singing it. So you got it perfect (in my opinion) and that gives 50% of the total marks. :-) As for the rest, your voice don't have any problem but as Sreejith said the un-necessary gamakam can be avoided. And I think you are not singing open throated when it comes to high notes, perhaps its the situation that I am facing here. Being in the lodge room and wary of the neighboring room mates. :-) That's one thing and I agree about the pronounciation, but hey! I think Ullas didn't notice that your mother tounge is Thamizh and you grew up in Tamil Nadu. For such a person, your pronounciation is totally fine.
But for what you said about "vanyi", no, Yesudas did not sing it as 'nyi'. Perhaps he did not stress 'chi', but one can still say its Vanchi from his singing itself. and as far as I know, "Vanchi" is that wooden boat, and its not called "vannyi".
I think you should keep singing more songs as such.
Hi Murali..
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard the original version of this song.. good attempt and i liked the way u started the song...
ungalukku malayalam nalla theriyuma?? may be i guess when u sing in other languages, pronounciation makes a lot of difference.. so athula ellam criticise panrathu is probably not neccessary.. this comes out of practise and familiarity with the language..
Malayalam is a beautiful language.. though it is close to Thamizh.. it has a smooth touch to its syllabols... if you are planning sing in languages like this.. may be give it a lil more time to crasp the sounds and it wud be great...
Thanks for the song..
Kanya
hai murali
ReplyDeleteI like the song and the singing style.every one sings their own style.U did it with small mistakes [ compare with the others in the blog ]dont worry about the pronounciations.....music doesnt need any language.... .did u noticed the pronounciations of DR.balamuralikrishna.....and Hariharanji's malayalam songs......they dont have the voice depth also like dr.Jesudas.....but they are good musicians.sruthi is the main thing.........so dont be dissapointed about the voice and the pronounciations.The voice is depends on the physical nature of your body ....that is not your mistake...
One thing... when u study a song u must try to study every inch of the song if u can.
I read all the comments...dont care about the unnessosary comments.I good musician ever do that kind of comments...
ya....this is not a fighting place
anil bs
with lv
Murali..nice to hear you sing one of my fav song. I am not well versed in music to type out any constructive criticism here. I really enjoyed listening to your version.
ReplyDeleteFor a tamilian singing in malayalam your effort is commendable, maybe you want to focus a little more on pronouncing some of the words.
In case you are not sure try to read out the lyrics to any of your mallu friends before you sing so they could help you if any changes are required. I'm sure any mallu frm the blogswara family would be willing to help. Hope to hear more classic mallu songs frm you.
Murali - Sorry for coming late here..Like I said today..had a problem with my Sound card.!
ReplyDeleteFantastic song..one of my favorites ( probably one of the movies that pulled me to watch/listen to Mal.movies songs.!)
Though there is a slight slip in the Alaap..( like you said it is difficult) good singing.! Not sure about the Pronunciation?
Mohanam - Hmm..didn't know about that..thank you.
Murali:
ReplyDeleteYour aalaap was very good. I agree with Pradip on the fact that there were occassional pitch issues here and there but nothing to totally mar the overall effect.
I found the aalaap especially smooth flowing and your voice sounded delectable in this song. Pronounciations-- well am no great pronouncer as well, so guess all I can say is I know how tough it can be!! *LOL*. Every non-tamizh song is a challenge in itself, so I am sure everyone improves leaps and bounds with each additional rendering.
Well done-- you should be proud to have taken this up and rendered it!
Exellent rendition!(I heard the original too)
ReplyDeleteWith due regard to your immense talent,if I may just make one comment-your transition between certain notes can be more smooth- eg., the very starting of the aalaap-you go like..Ga-Pa, 'discretely'.Even the 2nd time you sing Neeraduvan, and in 'poonthingaLe' etc. Would be a lil better if it was more 'continuous'-ie touching all those kutti notes in between...
The gamakams in the aalaap were excellent as always!
Thanks yet again for singing :)
Murali:
ReplyDeleteI heard your version. First of all I appreciate your effort. I dint find many issues. There are some picthcing issues and some prononciation issues. And I feel that the humming in the beginning could have been done better.
I dint find much pitching issues in Anupallavi and Charanam. Pallavi had some issues.
Also if possible,I suggest rerecording to correct pitching issues.
muraliji,
ReplyDeletei think ur voice has a sweetness n itself.i kno hw difficult t sometimes s 2sing a song which s nt n ur mothertongue.we singers always try 2 giv our best 2 correctly pronounce da song(because i firmly believe a singer s always in lov wth his/her songs).i really liked ur ths song.
we musicians r normally vry soft-minded ppl.f someone has 2 really rectify a singer he should gv t more DECENTLY
keep up da spirit muraliji.kudos.
Language does not set an aspiring singer any barier. See Jo himself is wrong in pointing that Dasettan sang Aattuvanchi pookkalum. But authoritatively I can say it is Aattuvanni , how can vanchi pookal exists ? vanchi in malayalam is boat. Hear original and there is nothing wrong in which Murali sang that line exactly as it was supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteEven Dasettan if sung the same song again wont get that speciality that he has given to the alapana. We can always have the freedom to improvise the alapana. Actually Dasettan's Mohana Alapana is very shallow if you compare other classical musician's alapana in Mohanam. Hear how M S Sheela do the kriti Mohana Rama...the initial mohana alapana is something which Dasettan can not dream of attempt...Each musician has their own speciality. Murali, tried to do the alapana in his sruthi and it was good. People has unnecessary devotion to Dasettan. He is our punyam, I agree; but why to compare others with his terms ??
Murali ..
ReplyDeletePattu kettu.. its a difficult n beautiful song, IMHO , you have done it very well.. I m not trained in music to point out the mistakes that you / some one else makes in music , but one thing is that you "could" sing this difficult one in a very good way that it sounded pleasing to others. Thats wot matters ..and ofcourse when v sing after a big gap ,our voice does NOT behave as we want it to, ( I hav experienced it a lot:( ) .. dont give up .. no matter wot !YOu have a very good voice, tats true !!! Keep going !! You have sung even more difficult songs earlier also, so go ahead ( Head UPPPPP!!!! )
I think all the folks here who commented that the music has Pitch issues are not sincere or rather have not given enough listening - Honestly, this is one song on this blog where Murali as a singer did not have any pitch issue - Check out guys...
ReplyDeleteMurali, be aware of insincere-listeners of music who might divert or rather show off their writing skills. This is just fine rendition unlike your other songs where you had some pitch issue. Mohanam was rendered flawless in it's scale and pitch...you had good depth and bhavam...Exaggerative kind or rather writing skill show off kind or just comment kind can kill your singing easily...Please donot get excited or depressed with the commentators - focus and deliver good songs just as this one - you need to make more and it is kind of getting bored to listen the karaoke every time...make original music and present occasionally.
I can't comment on the language as i don't know enough about malayalam.
This message is from someone who you might easily guess and still dare not to name me!!!
Murali, although a mere starter in music-learning, I found your rendition very nice. I personally believe that by accpeting challenges we find out more about ourselves and by pushing our limits we extend them further. Hence, in my eyes, you effort is highly commendable. It provides you a chance to do better and go further. You did very well. I thoroughly enjoyed your rendition.
ReplyDeleteEr... A small cold war! People- Just listen to the music!!! :) Keep ur spirits high Murali!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, go for comments moderation...
Everyone have their own style of singing- and to comment bad on that is rather very UNFAIR & SILLY! People have different voice culture and when someone attempts to sing in different languages- it may(need) not be with perfect accent... Give them a little room to learn..
Murali, You sing wonderfully well..and though i had not been a regular visitor here, i do keep track of ur songs :) They are all terrific....
Singing is something u do for ur satisfaction and too much of critiscm abt that is rather an IMMATURE BEHAVIOUR i would say!
Elarum konjam freeya vidungapa...
Grow Up!
Wonderfully sung murali....Keep up the great work.CHIN UP!
Regards,
Marutham.
I am very grateful to all of you you have commended and criticized. I have been unable to check this blog space for quite sometime. As "musicians ears" pointed out, I am slowly leaning towards making some original music and sharing. till I get to do that on a regular basis, I will keep karaoke just for the fun of it. And of course, karaoke singing also helps me learn stuff like breath control and pitch issues.
ReplyDeleteI thank you all and urge you to provide your wonderful feedback which serves as my fuel for the future efforts.
Hi Murali:
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog closely, even play your songs (& Jo's) while working (rather than listen to the original ones). I have had reasonable training in classical instrumental music (both carnatic and western) to know that you are good. So my suggestion is to not pay attention to inappropriate comments and just go on!
These songs (by Ravi Bombay during this period) has a lot of significance in Mallu film music. During this time, It was said that songs were treated as an interval for people to go out and have a smoke or go to the bathroom. In short noone wanted to be in the theatre when the songs came on. It seems a chain of movies such as nakakshathangal, panchagni etc changed this trend.
Specifically, if you notice Dasettan's use of very subtle modulations in his voice to elicit very simple emotions...e.g. -----kattilaaadi ulanju" He has sung it in a way that he is feeling the "swaying in the wind".
By the way can you attempt the song "Keranirakaaldum"? One of the rare songs composed in Saraswati!
Once again, you are good and keep going.
KK
Hi Murali..
ReplyDeleteWonderfull.....Greeat voice...
All the best - Rajesh
Sorry to come late here.Excellent singing Murali!!.I don't understand malayalam but still its so nice to hear this song.U got such a lovely voice.All the very best
ReplyDeleteMurali,
ReplyDeleteJust had a chance to listen to this song. I think it has come out really well. I haven't heard the original. But your aalap gives a 'hurried feeling'. The pauses between phrases, if altered could bring out the beauty better. Maybe thatz the way the MD has composed the song. It is my personal view that the aalap doesn't match the beatiful melody that follows. Thanks for introducing me a lovely melody.
Dear ullas,
1. From when did 'Mohanam' become a Ghana raaga?
2. What is 'nabhi trikhanda rasana'? Do you mean to say Tyagaraja hints at the existence of 'three throated creatures'? Tyagaraja talks about sounds produced from 'naabhi', 'hridhayam', 'khaNdam', 'naasaa' etc. If Murali had to use those lyrics for his singing, how should he sing? 25% naabhi, 25% hridhayam, 25% throat and 25% nose?
Get your facts straight dude.
beautiful..simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteplease keep singing..and share.
Murali,
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed with an amazing voice. Practice makes a man perfect! Keep going
Ieesha
Hi Murali,
ReplyDeleteI stay in Bangalore, but felt in Kerala while listening to your song. Superb!!!! You have a very good voice. All the very best to you.
thanks to all of you.
ReplyDeletehi murali,
ReplyDeletei am hearing this song for d 1st time... but to b honest fully impressed by ur singing... rombho nalla irunthathu maa... open throat oda paadinel & d words were really very clear... nice job done by you buddy... enjoying every bit of music gven by you... the show must go on.... keep rocking as usual....
Hi Murali,
ReplyDeleteThis is an OK rendition, and you are aware of the blemishes yourself. I guess you would do better justice to lighter stuff. But I am surprised by some comments made by the chap called Ullas. the class is apparent from the comment 'appane...', I wouldn't pay much heed if i were you. If he is that good, I would like to say, go ahead, post some songs and show that they are perfect. or may be he is a carnatic vidwan.. some ghana raagas with aalaapanam, niraval and manodharmam will do then.
About 'aattu vanchi'. I used to think that it was aattu vanchi, but it sounds like 'aattuvanjyi pookkalum' in the original ( ending like 'ilaNJI'). It is unlike yesudas to pronounce aattu vanchi as aattu vanjyi. in any case, if it is vanchi, what exactly are 'aattu vanchi pookkal' that are blowing in the wind? It would have made more sense if it was aatt- ilanji pookal ( talking about mistakes... listen to 'oru puushpam maathramen..' where yesudas sings oru pushpam maatrhamen poomkulayil nirthaam jnan, oduvil nee ethumpol cheviyil moolaan.. may be the baburaj went ahead with that because that was by far the best among some 20-30 takes..)
might as well ask ONV when he lands here next time to visit his daughter...
from Rajesh, anonymous only because I can't be bothered to get a google id right now.