For the uninitiated, I cannot really explain what is Thiruvasagam. You have to delve into it to even have an idea.
But for those of our generation who havent even heard of it, leave alone read it, here is an opportunity. Ilayaraja, the pride of Tamil Music fraternity, has come out with a musical rendition. Now, take this opportunity and listen to it. Its just spellbinding!
If you are still not encouraged, here are some excerpts of the lauds.
Thiruvasagam -- Classical Crossover
-- The Budapest Symphony Orchestra has showered praise on the maestro.
-- Another global celebrity who has singled out Ilayaraja's work is Oscar award winner, Stephen Schwartz, America's most celebrated opera play writer, who has written a letter to Fr Jaspar about 'Thiruvaasagam in 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 Raja 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 Raja singing in Tamil and an American singer singing in English, plus there is a large and beautifully produced chorus. Mr Raja'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."
For more reasons, see here.
[Currently listening to it for the second time. Mesmerising.
திருவாசகத்துக்கு உருகாதார்
ஒரு வாசகத்துக்கும் உருகார்]
1 comment:
I am fortunate to know who Ilayaraja is and what he is capable of. I am a spiritually inclined person too.
The more I listen to Thiruvachagam, the more I am moved. (I am particularly fond of the 2 Bhakthi pieces "Pollaa vinayEn", "Chiikenap pidithEn").
No doubt this disk is Ilayaraja's masterpiece. Only he and he alone could have done it because he is blessed with a divine spirit. His (normally off-key voice) is so beutifully and emotionally tuned to such a fine degree in this album, that NO ONE ELSE could have brought in the devotional fervour that he has given to the songs.
I wish Ilayaraja stops his musical works with this, so that he retires when he has reached the summit. Let him devoute his rest of the life in spirituality alone. We shall get a true gyani from an "Isai gnyaani".
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