RIP - Michael Jackson

28th June 09

Yesterday I was shocked when Geethu told me that Michael Jackson passed away the day before. She was surprised that how come I didnt know. Really I was not aware due to my hectic work pressure. I could not believe until I surf and came to know about his death. Though I'm not a fan of him, I mourned for him as a Music Lover.

The first thing came to mind is my youngest uncle "Kalli". He's crazy about MJ and considers him as his Mentor. He had MJ blow-ups in his Chithode house. I came to know abt MJ only from my uncle. He's my senior in school and a terrific dancer during his school days. Still I remember the Annual Day Function where he danced for "Dangerous" song and got oncore from the audience. I was in 2nd std and he was in 9th std then.

I know only abt the plastic surgeries undergone by him. I used to tell my mom that I would undergo such a surgery like him to become fair. Though i dont listen to Pop music, I have only one casette of MJ (Dangerous) which was given by Kalli mama. The music was used in Indu (Metro channel song) and also in Kushi (Yaar solvadho song). Prabhu Deva, who's popularly known as the Michael Jackson of India has used many of his gestures in his early movies like Gentleman, Love Birds, et al. The graphics in the song "Maya Machindra..." from Indian was also inspired from one of MJ's songs. I have to listen to his all-time Chartbuster "Thriller"

I wished him to do atleast an album with AR.Rahman. But unfortunately it didnt happen.

His death is a real loss for Music Lovers internationally. Ironically, the Grand Finale of the Reality Show "Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva" was telecast on Vijay TV on his death day.

MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE!!!

Tribute to R.D.Burman

June 27th 2009

Today is one of my most favourite Music Composer R.D.Burman's 70th Birth Anniversary. Though he's not alive, his Birthday is celebrated by almost all Hindi music lovers of India.
Rahul Dev Burman, who was called Pancham da created a wave in Hindi Film Music. Though is father S.D Burman was a renowned Music Director, RDB created a special identity for himself.Still his music is loved by all. Before Ilayaraja's entry, even Tamil people liked listening to Hindi songs.My mom and dad are lovers of Old Hindi Music esp Aradhana, Yadon Ki Baarat, Bobby, Caravan, Kati Patang, Tere Mere Sapne, etc. Almost all are RDB songs.Even Ilayaraja has told that RDB was one of his mentors. But I became his fan without knowing about him and his other. The first Hindi album I loved is 1942, A Love Story. (Courtesy: My neighbour Savitha Akka). I was crazy about "Oh ek ladki ko dekha to...."; "Kuch na kaho.." songs.It was in 1994 and I was in my 5th std. The satellite channels were at their initial stage. I started learning Hindi from Vasantha Maami.She advised us to watch Hindi channels. Our favourite was Top Ten Songs in Zee TV or Star TV.The songs from 1942 A Love Story were on Top. It made me a gr8 fan of Anil Kapoor, Kumar Sanu and the composer (but I didn't know abt his previous compositions).Unfortunately it was his last movie. Later I started listening to other Hindi songs.
But I became an ardent fan in 2007 when I was in Kolkata where I became a fan of Kishore Kumar first.The song "Yeh jo Mohabbat hai.." from Kati Patang was played in the office and suddenly it attracted me.I got the other songs of Kishore from Ritwik. Then regularly, I used to watch the program K for Kishore in Sony TV without fail. Most of the songs sung were Kishore Kumar's songs in RDB's composition. I started loving RDB's Music.The songs of "Teesri Manzil" (Original version of Kalaignan) made me a big fan of the legend. I was taken aback by the Orchestrization of the songs.It was released in 70s but the music was a decade ahead. The songs "O Haseena zulfonwali..", "Aaja aaja...", etc are still Listener's choice.Then the songs of "Hum Kisi se Kum Nahin", "Aandhi", "Jawani Diwani", etc made me idolize him. He extracted the best from every singer.I love his melodies in Kishore-Lata combination and foot-tapping numbers in Kishore-Asha combo.He's the only Composer who made three legendary singers sing a song.That's my most fav "Tum bin jaaoon kahan..." from Pyar Ka Mausam. He made Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar sing the song.Asha Bhonsle has sung many songs for him. Though she was used for Peppy n Cabaret type songs like "Churaliya hai..","Dum maro dum..", "Piya tu ab to aaja...", "Aaja Aaja...", "Jaane jaan...", "Aa dekhen zara...",she got her national award for the soul stirring "Mera kuch saamaan.." from Ijaazat.They got married though she is elder than him and a widow. The movie "JHANKAAR BEATS" and "DIL VIL PYAR VYAR" are tributes to the Legend. His songs were remade in those movies. (I also think to name my child "Rahul" like Sanjay Suri in Jhankaar Beats.)Though he ruled Bollywood, he had composed for only one Tamil movie.That's Sathyaraj-Gouthami starrer "Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga". But the songs didnt become hits. Even when the Madhavan starrer Dil Vil Pyar Vyar" was remade in Tamil as "Kaettavarellam Paadalam", both the movie and the songs got unnoticed.

Almost all of my colleagues belong to my generation and are in their 20s. But when we went for a Picnic, we all were singing RDB songs.A set of friends go to bar every Friday. Some of us booze and some dont. But we have never sung songs in the Bar.But this Friday (26th Jun), I started singing "Tum bin jaaon kahan..." and Ganesh and Vinayak joined me.I sang the full song 4 stanzas (2 of Rafi's version and 2 of Kishore's version). Vinayak was surprised to see me singing the whole song and praised me.The we sang "Tere bina zindgi se.." and "Pal pal dil ke pas...". It all happened after 12am. Something made me sing the songs and to give tribute to Pancham da. What's that? That's the magic of Music.

Maanaada Mayilaada -4

Wow, Kalaignar TV is back with MM-4 soon after the MM-3. This is the only Reality Show that commences its next Season immediately after the previous one gets over. The contestants are mostly from MM-2 & MM-3. My favourite couple Nivas-Krithika is back. But they are not pair yet. Ya! the speciality of MM-4 is the audience has to choose the pair. For the 1st 5 rounds, Maan-Maan; Mayil-Mayil (male-male; female-female) will be giving performances. We have to select suitable couple by sending sms.

My choices are:
1. Nivas - Krithika (Best Chemistry of MM3)
2. Karthik - Neepa (Best Chemistry of MM2)
3. Lokesh - Shwetha (Awesome Dancers & Cute Couple)
4. Gokul - Apsara (Good comic sense and expressions)
5. Rahman- Nikisha (Excellent style)

6. Kumaran- Soundarya

Let's see who are made Couples by Audience and the Judges.

The Judges are also changed. Nameetha appeared as a New Judge in the 1st episode. Let's see whether she replaces Rambha or Khushboo. I always want Khush as one of the judges since she's the best and apt Judge.

P.S: Nameetha's judgement is quite better than Rambha's childish judgement.

2nd Anniversary

           Today is the 2nd Anniversary of my Blog. Before this I was using kaarthik.multiply.com as my webpage since 2006. Since www.blogger.com has more users and features, I was thinking open an Account in blogger too but I wanted a special date for that. I chose 05.06.07 and posted my first blog "Pillayar Suzhi". Nice date na?? 

           I wanted my blog to be my Autobiography and hence named it "Memoirs of Kaaru" (copied frm Memoirs of Geisha, but couldn't do anything)  named "I, Me, Myself" since I'm a bit selfish and self-centered as many ppl know. But this became very common like the names "Karthik" and "Priya". Many bloggers use the same name. My friend and co-blogger Bala is also one among them. From today it will be renamed as "Memories n Memoirs"

       Since I'm a Movie Freak, most of my blogs are about Films and Film Personalities. Though many may think, it's a crap and of no use, I feel happy whenever I wish my favourite celebrities through my Blog. I tried hell a lot of times to post something novel and no run of mill posts but in vain. Due to my laziness, I have posted very blogs (This is my 57th). 

I have to ramp up the frequency of posts. I should have been a software techie to keep blogging. Cos many bloggers are working as part time software engineers and full time bloggers and getting paid only for blogging. This may be the reason for "Recession" i guess. 

Happy B'day SPB- The Legendary Singer

            

      My most favourite legendary singer S.P.Balasubramaniam turns 6 . He is one of the gifted singers with a God-gifted voice. It's such a pleasing and mesmerising voice I always envy for. He's the most versatile singer of Indian Cinema. Still in Bollywood, people consider Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi are the best and evergreen singers. But for me, SPB is a mixture both Mohammed Rafi and Kishore da. He has the softest voice like Rafi and versatile styles of singing like Kishore. He has sung almost every kind of songs with different kinds of voices. 

Though he's not a trained in classical music, his songs are classics. S.P.B - Janaki - Ilayaraja trio is still one of the best combos that has given mindblowing songs. 

He holds the world record in the Guinness for having sung the most number of song recordings by any singer (the record for a female singer is held by Lata Mangeshkar). 

     Though his mother-tongue is Telugu, his pronunciation is too good in almost all the languages he has sung.  No wonder he got Five National Awards for the Best Singer. His first song in Hindi fetched him a National Award in Hindi for the song "Tere mere beech mein..." in Kamalhaasan's debut Hindi movie Ek Duuje Ke Liye directed by our own KB. Even Lata Mangeshkar, who had sung the female version of the song didnt get the prestigious award for the song. 

 But his first National Award in Tamil is his 5th Award for the song "Thanga Thamarai Malare..." in Minsara Kanavu in 1997. 

          He sings with an awesome bhava (expressions). This was identified by legendary director K.Balachander and introduced him as an actor in Manadhil Urudhi Vendum as Dr.Ardhanari, a musical doctor. It's such an apt character for him. KB's student Vasanth made himthe male  Pratogonist (namma baashaila sonna HERO) in his debut movie Keladi Kanmani.

 He turned Music Director in the film Thudikkum Karangal and composed Music for many Telugu and Tamil movies. But my favourite is Sigaram, where he played the role of a playback singer. The song "Agaram ippo sigaram aachu...." was sung by K.J.Yesudoss who was considered competitor for SPB at his time. The song is all about raise and praise of the singer of the movie. But indirectly SPB made KJJ to praise about him. 

Eventhough he's 66, he's voice is always Sweet 16. He has given playback for almost all generation of actors. From the debut "Aayiram nilave vaa..." for M.G.R, "Iyarkai enum ilaya kani..." for Gemini Ganesan, followed by Shivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, Shivakumar, Kamalhaasan, Rajnikanth, Prabhu, Karthik, Mohan, Ajith, Vijay, etc.  till "Yaaro... yarukkul ingu yaaro.. " from Chennai-28, his music journey still continues.  His voice is apt for Kamal, Rajni, Mohan and Arjun. He has won almost all accolades in his career but he is always calm and composed. He always respects his senior singers. He considers Mohd.Rafi as his mentor and KJJ as his elder brother. He tells that though he can sing any kind of songs, he cannot do a Carnatic kutcheri (Concert) like Daas anna (KJJ) especiallly by sitting on the fllor continuously.

 He's so diplomatic when comes to judgement. His music show "Ennodu Paattu Padungal" is the best example for this. He advices the participants without hurting. 

He named his children Pallavi and Charan. The stanzas of a song. They did not become so famous like him. his daughter is a mediocre singer who sang "Hai Rabba..." for ARR in Jeans. His son 

SP Charan made a sensational debut in Alaipayuthe's "Kadhal sadugudu..." but did not have  the talent like him though he has a good voice. But in recent times, he has improved and I could feel the young SPB in him in songs like "Om shanthi..." fromVaaranam Aayiram and "Kadaloram oru veedu...." from Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum. (Like Vijay Yesudass improved himself in recent times and i could feel a young KJJ in him)

I pray God, that I would sing in Ennodu Paattu Padungal with the legend and I would get a soothing voice like him in my next Birth. Let's wish SPB for a Long life and to more and more wonderful songs and to break his own Guiness Record. 

Happy B'day to the Legends

       

        Today the Music legend  Maestro Ilayaraja shares his B'day with Legendary Director Mani Ratnam. Both are my Demi-Gods in their respective fields.  The Maestro turns 66 today and the Perfectionist turns 53. Both the Talented Geminis have given us outstanding Music n Movies respectively alone and together. 

    Both shared a good rapport and gave us Hits like Mouna Ragam, Nayagan, Agni Nakshathiram, Geetanjali (Idhayathai Thirudadhe), Anjali and Dhalapathy. Though Pagal Nilavu and Idhaya Kovil are mediocre movies (not of Mani Ratnam standards), they have awesome Music. 

As per my knowledge, this duo introduced the concept of Theme Music in films. Mani's debut film Pallavi Anupallavi in Kannada has an Awesome Theme Music and one of the songs is now used as the Ringtone of Idea Cellular Service. The Theme Music of Mouna Ragam drives me crazy (My all time favourite). It has been my Mobile ringtone for several years. Unfortunately both parted their ways but fortunately Mani introduced ARR, the Oscar-winner. This clearly showa that Mani has a good taste of Music and needless to say that his films are Musical Hits. 

Today I changed my caller tune to "Mandram vandha Thendralukku...", the master-piece movie of the duo, as a dedication to them. 

Long live IR & MR

Happy B'day to Me!!!

   Today I turned 26. It was just another day. I consider Birthdays as the most Special day of a person. I never forget to wish on one's Bithday.  New Year, Diwali, Christmas, etc are celebrated my all. Only B'days are so special that only the persons who was born celebrate.

But the day was not so special for me since I'm away from my Home and close friends. I wore a Spykar Shirt (Purple and white checked) and a Dockers pants (Ash color), went to office and received some fake wishes. Most of the ppl around me wished just for Treat. But I didnt give to anyone due to month-end. 

Last year B'day was one of my most memorable B'days. Not because that i turned 25 (Silver B'day) but I was in my home with all my 1st cousins, uncles, aunts, chithappa, chithi, periyamma, periyappa, thatha and all. I love to be with my friends and relatives. I just love my cousins since I'm the eldest among them. Today I miss them all...

Many of my friends wished me. I got some unexpected calls, but few expected persons like Balanagesh, Clarence, Neroshan, Shanmugam, Shanthi, Sahithi, Sathish Ramasamy, Isamma didnt call me up. Sathyaraj didnt call and wish me but had sent a scrap like a professional colleague.  Till the end my room mates Muru and Karthi didnt wish me. 

But I'll never fail to wish on any of their B'days. 

Thats me!!!

- 01.06.2009