Song : Naadha roopiNi
Composer : Raveendran
Lyrics : Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodhiri
Singer : M.G. Sreekumar
Movie : His Highness Abdullah
Performed by : Murali Venkatraman
It has been quite a while since I tried anything even modestly semi-classical. The last time I sang a semi-classical was in Oct 2005:
1. Vedham Nee
2. Pramadhavanam
3. Sangeethame
But my recent enrollment in Smt. Shobha Shekhar's classes has once again sparked my excitement in the old semi-classicals. And the result of this excitement ? Internet needs to bear with my version of a National award winning song of MGS.
To say Raveendran was a gandharvan would be a severe understatement. Can you imagine an angel without wings but with an unshaven face and with glasses ? If you can that would be Raveendran. This master composer left us with his rich musical legacy four years ago when the South Indian musical fraternity wept. ( Check out dhool's tribute here ).
With all the Idea Star Singer and Super Singer programmes popping up in every possible channel, Raveendran's long lost songs like rajeevam vidarum nin mizigaL are regularly sung since they challenge the singer to the very end. A Raveendran song was always an elaborately prepared feast in a modern setting with traditional techniques. Anybody could enjoy the tasty meal and those who know musical cookery revel in the technique apart from the taste.
This song dragged MGS from relative obscurity to superstardom. MGS has been singing difficult songs for long (e.g. swaminatha paripaalayasumaam and nagumomu in Chitram) but gained unprecedented popularity with this song which won his first national award. His delivery which stuck to the classical roots with his apt warmed up tone won him plaudits.
My humble attempt is two-pronged:
1. Remember Raveendran by singing his songs akin to singing Tyagaraja's songs in Thiruvaiyaaru.
2. To dust my rust and stand-up for better semi-classical / classical performances.
Listeners - please feel free to critique.
Composer : Raveendran
Lyrics : Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodhiri
Singer : M.G. Sreekumar
Movie : His Highness Abdullah
Performed by : Murali Venkatraman
It has been quite a while since I tried anything even modestly semi-classical. The last time I sang a semi-classical was in Oct 2005:
1. Vedham Nee
2. Pramadhavanam
3. Sangeethame
But my recent enrollment in Smt. Shobha Shekhar's classes has once again sparked my excitement in the old semi-classicals. And the result of this excitement ? Internet needs to bear with my version of a National award winning song of MGS.
To say Raveendran was a gandharvan would be a severe understatement. Can you imagine an angel without wings but with an unshaven face and with glasses ? If you can that would be Raveendran. This master composer left us with his rich musical legacy four years ago when the South Indian musical fraternity wept. ( Check out dhool's tribute here ).
With all the Idea Star Singer and Super Singer programmes popping up in every possible channel, Raveendran's long lost songs like rajeevam vidarum nin mizigaL are regularly sung since they challenge the singer to the very end. A Raveendran song was always an elaborately prepared feast in a modern setting with traditional techniques. Anybody could enjoy the tasty meal and those who know musical cookery revel in the technique apart from the taste.
This song dragged MGS from relative obscurity to superstardom. MGS has been singing difficult songs for long (e.g. swaminatha paripaalayasumaam and nagumomu in Chitram) but gained unprecedented popularity with this song which won his first national award. His delivery which stuck to the classical roots with his apt warmed up tone won him plaudits.
My humble attempt is two-pronged:
1. Remember Raveendran by singing his songs akin to singing Tyagaraja's songs in Thiruvaiyaaru.
2. To dust my rust and stand-up for better semi-classical / classical performances.
Listeners - please feel free to critique.
Murali, pramadhavanam & sangeethame was great, Enjoyed. Wished there was karoke / some backing for vedham nee, it was also very gud.
ReplyDeleteramya
First of all, I truly appreciate your brave venture to render a complex song as this. Your instincts have led you well in singing the song in a technically correct manner. And you handled those tonguetwisters (abba kaetta enakkae vaai vali!:))quite efficiently.
ReplyDeleteThe intro alaap could have been handled better. Your classical training, I am sure, will help you a lot in bringing more clarity in the brigaas.
Quite an apt tribute to the genius! Keep singing loads!
It is an awesome tribute to a great music composer Murali.
ReplyDeleteI have heard this version of yours and know how it is :) So, kudos to you for trying it out, it takes guts to do it and then post it as well !
Murali,
ReplyDeleteWonderful attempt. I remember telling you how I liked your "Sangeethame" when we met in some unknown place in Virginia (literally !!). I think you have a good knack in presenting such semi-classical songs. Partly driven by your passion and mostly due to your confidence level in delivering such songs. Whatever it may, it was a good treat. Keep up the good work.
Hi Murali,
ReplyDeleteMind blowing rendition. I'm no expert to comment at the technical nuances, But I can certainly say that it requires a lot of skill and application to sing a complex composition as this with such finesse.
Inspiring performance.
Thanks
Murali, Hearing this song for the first time. It's very nice to hear. Can you please try the song "naadham elundhadhadi" from the movie Gopura Vasalile, when ever you find time ?
ReplyDeletewow Murali Chetta! That was nice! A brave attempt indeed! I am getting inspired to try out this in my voice! :-D
ReplyDeleteGurubhyon Namah!
Truly an interesting blog on Indian music. the subject matter it excellent and the presentation is awesome. truly this blog is an asset for music enthusiasts
ReplyDeleteThanks to each of you who have taken time to comment. Such encouragement fuels future ventures.
ReplyDeleteI also like your blog very much! Just saw a beautiful film called Laya Project with classical indian music you might like!! look on youtube maybe,it was a film about tsunami i think. keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteThanks vinodini ! I will surely check it out.
ReplyDeleteAwesome singing! Totally totally enjoyed it. Such a complex composition. My fav. from the movie along with "deva sabhathalam" (if time permits do attempt that one as well, haven't heard many male duet covers :)). I sp. liked the swarams and all the modulations on the shankarees. Felt the starting alaap and some of the pahimaams could be slightly improved.
ReplyDeleteHI DA , hearing ur voice after a long long time.Though i am not an expert in carnatic i can enjoy it. great rendition. it touched my heart. continue to rock....
ReplyDeletemariappan
Dear Murali,
ReplyDeleteExcellent. I also am a Raveendran Maash fan. To say the least, your song was a great effort indeed. Looking forward for more...Vinod Nair.