This is an rat-size contribution for the Himalayan achievement Illayaraja has done 7 years ago. Seven years ago I was in 3 year of my college typically involving myself anything other than engineering. My involvement with Theatre , Music , Street Play , Mime started then. My Daily after college attending theatre workshop , work shop in Russian cultural center Alwarpet Chennai gave me ample time and scope to look for creative field as my occupation and I somehow achieved as little as I have now. These days my involvement with people in stage production (Musical play) was much and I even went to extend of doing small theatric roles for Madras Players and winning four in four Saarang IIT Theatre almost changed my mindset about life. With friends , I even managed to pull out a music album about Namma Chennai , from scratch completed full length production involving six tracks with as many music director-friends , invested months of my savings , released launched in Sathyam cinemas on Chennai day … and thus entering into the world of Music production with my life time aim to stage a musical play in Chennai (the land of creative hearts).
4 PM , took an auto from Chennai central to Music academy RK Salai grabbed a third row seat for the launch of Tiruvasagam in Symphony by Illairaja Supported by Tamil Maiyam.
Thiruvasagam ( திருவாசகம்) is a volume of Tamil hymns composed by the ninth century Shaivite bhakti poet Manikkavacakar. It contains 51 compositions and constitutes the eighth volume of the Tirumurai, the sacred anthology of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta.
Illairaja , the Maestro did an Oratorio aptly supported by Tamil Maiyam ( NGO) consists of 6 tracks on “Tiruvasagam”. The oratorio was performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.
Goose bumps, Happy –Cry, Speech less are some words which doesn’t get apt after listening to this track. It’s an experience. Particularly from a Vedic family , the impact of this experience was an Himalayan journey whose fathom can never be measured. The launch was grandeur who is who of Literal musical political fraternity who can relate to anywhere any form with Tamil Literature and music were there. Speeches after speeches four hours of non-stop experience of once in lifetime portrayal of magnanimous creation was this. Its blend of Carnatic music with western world , it’s what Mozart or Beethoven would have taken Illayaraja into their lap and kissed him and said , the legacy of Symphony was created just for you to master it.
Shiva , the Lord as we all know has lot of literature on him right from Veda to silent prayers. Tiruvasagam is very sacred and experience. Illayaraja donning the creators hat to give an ever lasting impression in the musical world is not just fluke.
Whom I’m here review it when my life has changed that evening. Three time each academy award and Grammy award winner says this on illairaja who wrote English Lyrics for this Symphony.
“Last night, at Sony Studios in New York City, I had the pleasure of hearing the almost-finished mix of Ilayaraaja's amazing work. It is unlike anything I've ever heard before, a stunning blend of Indian and Western music and instruments. I asked Mr. Raaja if this was something different for him too, and he said he had never done anything like this piece before. I don't know if anyone has. So I believe those of you looking forward to this are in for a great treat. The section to which I contributed English words is about twenty minutes long and dovetails back and forth between Mr. Raaja singing in Tamil and an American singer singing in English, plus there is a large and beautifully produced chorus. Mr. Raaja's orchestrations are superb, and the recording engineer, Richard King, has done a spectacular job sonically. I felt so very proud to be a small part of this project. Mr. Raaja is a pleasure to work with, in answer to your question. He is a quiet and gentle personality, always smiling and encouraging, which can make one forget what a musical genius he is. He was extremely clear with me about what he wanted me to do in translating/paraphrasing the Tamil text, what portions of Manikka-Vacagar's poem he wished me to emphasize, and what the deeper meanings were. When he wanted revisions, he was again very clear and helpful as to what adjustments he felt needed to be made to accomplish his vision. The people Mr. Raaja surrounds himself with, at least those it was my pleasure to meet, are also unfailingly positive personalities. The entire project for me has been an enjoyable and fascinating experience from beginning to end, and I feel extremely lucky to have been asked by Mr. Raaja to participate. I hope this answers some of your questions, and I believe I can promise you with confidence you are in for a major treat when you hear Thiruvasakam in Symphony. Sincerely, Stephen Schwartz”
And this is true , an experience of life that was and that is for last 7 years I’m looped this more often than not. To realize and gain this performance of Thiruvasagam, you seldom have to be an adept in music or an ability in Thiruvasagam. But you have so , you can understand what a Himalayan trek it was , it was of course trekking to MT Kailash sitting in your living room. Thiruvasagam is itself a master stroke and any compilation on it is burning your hands , Illairaja did it. To Bring Symphony in Classical Tamil , it’s an honor to have lived in the era and to have firsthand copy of it and experience meaning of life way back to my home .
4 PM , took an auto from Chennai central to Music academy RK Salai grabbed a third row seat for the launch of Tiruvasagam in Symphony by Illairaja Supported by Tamil Maiyam.
Thiruvasagam ( திருவாசகம்) is a volume of Tamil hymns composed by the ninth century Shaivite bhakti poet Manikkavacakar. It contains 51 compositions and constitutes the eighth volume of the Tirumurai, the sacred anthology of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta.
Illairaja , the Maestro did an Oratorio aptly supported by Tamil Maiyam ( NGO) consists of 6 tracks on “Tiruvasagam”. The oratorio was performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.
Goose bumps, Happy –Cry, Speech less are some words which doesn’t get apt after listening to this track. It’s an experience. Particularly from a Vedic family , the impact of this experience was an Himalayan journey whose fathom can never be measured. The launch was grandeur who is who of Literal musical political fraternity who can relate to anywhere any form with Tamil Literature and music were there. Speeches after speeches four hours of non-stop experience of once in lifetime portrayal of magnanimous creation was this. Its blend of Carnatic music with western world , it’s what Mozart or Beethoven would have taken Illayaraja into their lap and kissed him and said , the legacy of Symphony was created just for you to master it.
Shiva , the Lord as we all know has lot of literature on him right from Veda to silent prayers. Tiruvasagam is very sacred and experience. Illayaraja donning the creators hat to give an ever lasting impression in the musical world is not just fluke.
Whom I’m here review it when my life has changed that evening. Three time each academy award and Grammy award winner says this on illairaja who wrote English Lyrics for this Symphony.
“Last night, at Sony Studios in New York City, I had the pleasure of hearing the almost-finished mix of Ilayaraaja's amazing work. It is unlike anything I've ever heard before, a stunning blend of Indian and Western music and instruments. I asked Mr. Raaja if this was something different for him too, and he said he had never done anything like this piece before. I don't know if anyone has. So I believe those of you looking forward to this are in for a great treat. The section to which I contributed English words is about twenty minutes long and dovetails back and forth between Mr. Raaja singing in Tamil and an American singer singing in English, plus there is a large and beautifully produced chorus. Mr. Raaja's orchestrations are superb, and the recording engineer, Richard King, has done a spectacular job sonically. I felt so very proud to be a small part of this project. Mr. Raaja is a pleasure to work with, in answer to your question. He is a quiet and gentle personality, always smiling and encouraging, which can make one forget what a musical genius he is. He was extremely clear with me about what he wanted me to do in translating/paraphrasing the Tamil text, what portions of Manikka-Vacagar's poem he wished me to emphasize, and what the deeper meanings were. When he wanted revisions, he was again very clear and helpful as to what adjustments he felt needed to be made to accomplish his vision. The people Mr. Raaja surrounds himself with, at least those it was my pleasure to meet, are also unfailingly positive personalities. The entire project for me has been an enjoyable and fascinating experience from beginning to end, and I feel extremely lucky to have been asked by Mr. Raaja to participate. I hope this answers some of your questions, and I believe I can promise you with confidence you are in for a major treat when you hear Thiruvasakam in Symphony. Sincerely, Stephen Schwartz”
And this is true , an experience of life that was and that is for last 7 years I’m looped this more often than not. To realize and gain this performance of Thiruvasagam, you seldom have to be an adept in music or an ability in Thiruvasagam. But you have so , you can understand what a Himalayan trek it was , it was of course trekking to MT Kailash sitting in your living room. Thiruvasagam is itself a master stroke and any compilation on it is burning your hands , Illairaja did it. To Bring Symphony in Classical Tamil , it’s an honor to have lived in the era and to have firsthand copy of it and experience meaning of life way back to my home .
“Poovar Chenni Mannan” The track brings out westernized symphony with classical Vedic rendition Maestro himself singing the lines (Tamil) . “Muthu Natramam” , Sung by Unni Krishsnan Madhu Balakrishnan Vijay Jesudas and others is folky. This proves the variation in his style. My favorite is the album itself but to pick Pollaa Vinayen sung by Illairaja and Ray Harcourt. The voice of Harcourt gives me a thumping hit on my inner most senses with lines of Stephen in English you are killed with senses on.
Some lines of translated Tiruvasagam by Stephen are here.
So many forms I must wear –
Grass and shrub and stone and tree
So many lives I must bear –
Worm and bird and beast and demon
Learn the sky and turn the earth
How long till I am fin'lly worthy?
My eyes were set on my own great deeds
My ears heard only words of praise
Tasting, smelling, touching only what is here and gone
And wond'ring why the hunger, thirst, and longing went on
Lost in vanity and pretense
My five senses made no sense
And then to this man, so blind and base
To him, you granted a glimpse of grace
Particularly the layered genius he is. A week back Prahsanth_Ashok was sharing in FB , thoughts on Illayraja and i mentioned a comment on the status. No one in India at least i know of it, has mastered the different layer utilization in their songs like Him.
Basics of audiography and mixing i have learnt when my album was processed in Panchatam studios. When listening to Polla vinayen track in this album , i could feel how could one possess extreme talent in doing this , fact is he didn’t compose using Harmoniam or keybord , he writes notes and fax it to the Hungarian folks. Now that is art. Not Just art , excellence of art.
This being his third attempt with Hungary , first was for a Malayalam film Guru (Lalettan) second was for Hey Ram.
The amalgamation of these lines with Tiruvasagam and its singing by Illairaja and Harcourt , with symphony , you should be living your second life , after reaching out your innermost death in conscience. Death in Niravana , I would call or by…You have missed your life best opportunity to experience Nirvana if you have never listened to this. My journey in the field of music , if by any chance I continue , will never be easy if I don’t bend down in front of maestro like Raaja , for whom the world might know ARR thanks to Andrew Loyd Webber and his Bombay dreams , the who is who in Music of the world should have toasted a cheers on this fellow from Theni , who not only mesmerized the field of cinematic excellence composing music, but went beyond the reach of all so that generations come by , world may destroy this year end , until the Sapta Swaras exist , the god of Music , Mr Illairaja shall survive in the hearts of millions of his lovers.
Some lines of translated Tiruvasagam by Stephen are here.
So many forms I must wear –
Grass and shrub and stone and tree
So many lives I must bear –
Worm and bird and beast and demon
Learn the sky and turn the earth
How long till I am fin'lly worthy?
My eyes were set on my own great deeds
My ears heard only words of praise
Tasting, smelling, touching only what is here and gone
And wond'ring why the hunger, thirst, and longing went on
Lost in vanity and pretense
My five senses made no sense
And then to this man, so blind and base
To him, you granted a glimpse of grace
Particularly the layered genius he is. A week back Prahsanth_Ashok was sharing in FB , thoughts on Illayraja and i mentioned a comment on the status. No one in India at least i know of it, has mastered the different layer utilization in their songs like Him.
Basics of audiography and mixing i have learnt when my album was processed in Panchatam studios. When listening to Polla vinayen track in this album , i could feel how could one possess extreme talent in doing this , fact is he didn’t compose using Harmoniam or keybord , he writes notes and fax it to the Hungarian folks. Now that is art. Not Just art , excellence of art.
This being his third attempt with Hungary , first was for a Malayalam film Guru (Lalettan) second was for Hey Ram.
The amalgamation of these lines with Tiruvasagam and its singing by Illairaja and Harcourt , with symphony , you should be living your second life , after reaching out your innermost death in conscience. Death in Niravana , I would call or by…You have missed your life best opportunity to experience Nirvana if you have never listened to this. My journey in the field of music , if by any chance I continue , will never be easy if I don’t bend down in front of maestro like Raaja , for whom the world might know ARR thanks to Andrew Loyd Webber and his Bombay dreams , the who is who in Music of the world should have toasted a cheers on this fellow from Theni , who not only mesmerized the field of cinematic excellence composing music, but went beyond the reach of all so that generations come by , world may destroy this year end , until the Sapta Swaras exist , the god of Music , Mr Illairaja shall survive in the hearts of millions of his lovers.
