Heavy Rotation: Vidyasagar (Part V)
No offense meant to the current crop of composers out there, but where is Vidyasagar? While I await his return, here's a continuing exploration of his music from the 90's...
Thottu Thottu Pesum (Ethirum Pudhirum) - Imagine my pleasant surprise when I recently found that this addictive westernised Tamil folk piece was set to tune by Vidyasagar. And Swarnalatha and Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, what vocals!
Ennanna Solven (Ayudha Poojai), Mugam Enna (Subash), Poongatru Veesum (Mr. Madras) - Where S.P.B. and S. Janaki wow with their flawless singing of the delectable melodies.
Oru Theithi Paarthal (Coimbatore Mappillai) - Vidyasagar may have subsequently repurposed portions of this captivating melody in Vellinila Thullikalo, but the strings-laden arrangement remains a highlight in both the songs. But what is lesser known is that the roots of the song date back to another gorgeous duet sung by S.P.B. and Chitra, Oohalalo Oopirilo, from the 1993 Telugu movie Urmila.
Dilruba Dilruba, Oru Kelvi (Priyam) - Vidyasagar nails the middle eastern Arabesque flourishes in Dilruba... — and Anuradha Sriram!
Nilave Nilave (Nilaave Vaa) - A winning mix of strings-driven contemporary and classical elements, with actor Vijay and Anuradha Sriram handling the singing and really well at that.
Kanaavil Partha (Aatha Naan Pass Ayittaen), Kadhale Thangakili (Chirunavvula Varamistava/ Vicky) - Where Vidyasagar channels Ilaiyaraaja in the most beautiful way only he can.
Thom Thom (Alli Thandha Vaanam) - Hariharan and Chithra, enough said! And what stunning classical fusion.
En Anbe En Nenjil, Silaneram Yedhedho Nadakum (Poo Manam) - Vidyasagar's debut outing as a composer, which includes En Anbe... (Chithra, Dhenesh), a mellifluous retro-styled song that he later reused in a similar context in Parthiban Kanavu's Buck Buck Buck, and a pretty Ilaiyaraaja'esque melody Silaneram Yedhedho Nadakum sung by P. B. Sreenivas.
Kanchi Pattu Cheera Katti, Gopiloludu (Chilakapachcha Kaapuram) - Gopiloludu is every bit a sultry semi-classical folk fusion, absurdly catchy and spiritedly led by Malgudi Subha.
Chaamanthi Poova Poova, Raara Raara Gopala, Rajasekharaa (Mugguru Monagallu) - Vidyasagar showcases his incredible sense of sound, with singers S.P.B., Chithra and S. Janaki lending their characteristic velvetiness to the tunes. The classical-inflected Raara Raara Gopala, in particular, is a cracker of a melody.
Thalaiyil Kiridangal, Pudhu Uravu, Otha Kuyilu (Nila Pennae), Nee Choopu Suprabhatham (Madhavayya Gari Manavadu), Guruthunda Neeku (Raguluthunna Bharatham), Thoorupu Sindhoorapu, Inta Inta, Alakalaku Lalijo (Allari Pilla), Cheliya, Nadiveedhilo Amma, Yendammo Magasiri (Minor Raja), Chikkenamma Chakkanamma, Pachchani Muchchata (Dharma Teja) - Those Ilaiyaraaja vibes. Bliss!
Pitta Muddu Pettana, Kavvinche Jeevitam (Sahasame Naa Oopiri), Kalalo Thera (Teneteega), Khaleja (Jagannatakam), Muttham Thara (Jai Hind), Navvukune Mana (Chitram Bhalare Vichitram), Nee Pere Naa Prema (Alibaba Aradajanu Dongalu), Netru Indru Naalai, Mani Thooral, Meetu Ennai (Maathangal Ezhu), Maharani Manjulavani (Mummy Mee Aayanochadu), Navvali Neetho (Neetho) - Signature Vidyasagar tunes filled to the brim with beautiful and soaring melodies, fantastic backing instrumentals, and satisfying vocal harmonies.
Thamarai Poovukum, Adi Aathi (Pasumpon) - Thamarai is too pretty a folky melody to give it a miss, but Adi Aathi is the first Vidyasagar composition to feature both Chithra and Sujatha in one song, a feat they would repeat in Snegithiye in not one, not two, but three songs.
Anandham Anandham (Murai Maman) - Barring Sudum Nilavu, Mainaave Mainaave and Un Samayal Arayil, Unnikrishnan is a rare presence in Vidyasagar's discography — but this is such a delightful semi-classical song. Just listening to it fills you with anandham!
Pullorkudavum (Mahathma) - An astounding Carnatic fusion that slowly reveals its secrets, and grows increasingly complex over its almost six-minute runtime.
Nanna Usire Jo Laali Jo (Mangalasutra) - One of the very few Kannada songs from Vidyasagar, but a signature semi-classical composition too exquisite for words.
Minnum Nilathinkalayi (Ezhupunna Tharakan) - Scintillating mix of saxophone, flute, bass guitars and classical elements, superbly tuned and well sung by Yesudas and Sujatha.
Poovukellam Siragu, Anbae Anbae, Vannakili Solkonda, Nathi Enge Valaiyum (Uyirodu Uyiraga) - A one of its kind blend of melodious songs, echoing a style Rahman popularised in the early 90's.
Maha Ganapathim, Krishna Krishna (Millenium Stars) - Setting aside the fact that Millenium Stars was Vijay Yesudas' debut as a singer, the soundtrack sees Vidyasagar in hyper-inventive form. Featuring vocals from Hariharan and K. J. Yesudas, it's easily one of his finest works till date. Perhaps far ahead of its time too!
Thottu Thottu Pesum (Ethirum Pudhirum) - Imagine my pleasant surprise when I recently found that this addictive westernised Tamil folk piece was set to tune by Vidyasagar. And Swarnalatha and Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, what vocals!
Ennanna Solven (Ayudha Poojai), Mugam Enna (Subash), Poongatru Veesum (Mr. Madras) - Where S.P.B. and S. Janaki wow with their flawless singing of the delectable melodies.
Oru Theithi Paarthal (Coimbatore Mappillai) - Vidyasagar may have subsequently repurposed portions of this captivating melody in Vellinila Thullikalo, but the strings-laden arrangement remains a highlight in both the songs. But what is lesser known is that the roots of the song date back to another gorgeous duet sung by S.P.B. and Chitra, Oohalalo Oopirilo, from the 1993 Telugu movie Urmila.
Dilruba Dilruba, Oru Kelvi (Priyam) - Vidyasagar nails the middle eastern Arabesque flourishes in Dilruba... — and Anuradha Sriram!
Nilave Nilave (Nilaave Vaa) - A winning mix of strings-driven contemporary and classical elements, with actor Vijay and Anuradha Sriram handling the singing and really well at that.
Kanaavil Partha (Aatha Naan Pass Ayittaen), Kadhale Thangakili (Chirunavvula Varamistava/ Vicky) - Where Vidyasagar channels Ilaiyaraaja in the most beautiful way only he can.
Thom Thom (Alli Thandha Vaanam) - Hariharan and Chithra, enough said! And what stunning classical fusion.
En Anbe En Nenjil, Silaneram Yedhedho Nadakum (Poo Manam) - Vidyasagar's debut outing as a composer, which includes En Anbe... (Chithra, Dhenesh), a mellifluous retro-styled song that he later reused in a similar context in Parthiban Kanavu's Buck Buck Buck, and a pretty Ilaiyaraaja'esque melody Silaneram Yedhedho Nadakum sung by P. B. Sreenivas.
Kanchi Pattu Cheera Katti, Gopiloludu (Chilakapachcha Kaapuram) - Gopiloludu is every bit a sultry semi-classical folk fusion, absurdly catchy and spiritedly led by Malgudi Subha.
Chaamanthi Poova Poova, Raara Raara Gopala, Rajasekharaa (Mugguru Monagallu) - Vidyasagar showcases his incredible sense of sound, with singers S.P.B., Chithra and S. Janaki lending their characteristic velvetiness to the tunes. The classical-inflected Raara Raara Gopala, in particular, is a cracker of a melody.
Thalaiyil Kiridangal, Pudhu Uravu, Otha Kuyilu (Nila Pennae), Nee Choopu Suprabhatham (Madhavayya Gari Manavadu), Guruthunda Neeku (Raguluthunna Bharatham), Thoorupu Sindhoorapu, Inta Inta, Alakalaku Lalijo (Allari Pilla), Cheliya, Nadiveedhilo Amma, Yendammo Magasiri (Minor Raja), Chikkenamma Chakkanamma, Pachchani Muchchata (Dharma Teja) - Those Ilaiyaraaja vibes. Bliss!
Pitta Muddu Pettana, Kavvinche Jeevitam (Sahasame Naa Oopiri), Kalalo Thera (Teneteega), Khaleja (Jagannatakam), Muttham Thara (Jai Hind), Navvukune Mana (Chitram Bhalare Vichitram), Nee Pere Naa Prema (Alibaba Aradajanu Dongalu), Netru Indru Naalai, Mani Thooral, Meetu Ennai (Maathangal Ezhu), Maharani Manjulavani (Mummy Mee Aayanochadu), Navvali Neetho (Neetho) - Signature Vidyasagar tunes filled to the brim with beautiful and soaring melodies, fantastic backing instrumentals, and satisfying vocal harmonies.
Thamarai Poovukum, Adi Aathi (Pasumpon) - Thamarai is too pretty a folky melody to give it a miss, but Adi Aathi is the first Vidyasagar composition to feature both Chithra and Sujatha in one song, a feat they would repeat in Snegithiye in not one, not two, but three songs.
Anandham Anandham (Murai Maman) - Barring Sudum Nilavu, Mainaave Mainaave and Un Samayal Arayil, Unnikrishnan is a rare presence in Vidyasagar's discography — but this is such a delightful semi-classical song. Just listening to it fills you with anandham!
Pullorkudavum (Mahathma) - An astounding Carnatic fusion that slowly reveals its secrets, and grows increasingly complex over its almost six-minute runtime.
Nanna Usire Jo Laali Jo (Mangalasutra) - One of the very few Kannada songs from Vidyasagar, but a signature semi-classical composition too exquisite for words.
Minnum Nilathinkalayi (Ezhupunna Tharakan) - Scintillating mix of saxophone, flute, bass guitars and classical elements, superbly tuned and well sung by Yesudas and Sujatha.
Poovukellam Siragu, Anbae Anbae, Vannakili Solkonda, Nathi Enge Valaiyum (Uyirodu Uyiraga) - A one of its kind blend of melodious songs, echoing a style Rahman popularised in the early 90's.
Maha Ganapathim, Krishna Krishna (Millenium Stars) - Setting aside the fact that Millenium Stars was Vijay Yesudas' debut as a singer, the soundtrack sees Vidyasagar in hyper-inventive form. Featuring vocals from Hariharan and K. J. Yesudas, it's easily one of his finest works till date. Perhaps far ahead of its time too!
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