Breathless !!!

Kurai Ondrum Ilai

2010-12-11T03:40:00.000-08:00

Today is the 6th anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr.M.S.Subbulakshmi, the great Carnatic vocalist. I would like to pay my tribute to the great artist and human being by singing the song ‘Kurai Ondrum Illai’, one of the many songs popularized by her. The lyrics of the song were by Rajaji, set to tune by Sri.Kadayanallur Venkatraman, the person I admire so much as a composer. I have sung a short alapana of Sivaranjani ragam, the first of the 3 ragams used in this ragamalika composition, as a prelude to the song.

Kurai Ondrum Illai | Upload Music

M.S. amma is my role model for how to be a good musician and more than that, a good human being. I regret even today for having missed the opportunity to listen to M.S. amma's performance when she was among us. Though I have been a student of Carnatic music since childhood (thanks to my parents' support for my interest), I did not have a great passion for Carnatic music and never took it seriously, apart from going to music classes regularly, despite occasional breaks. Like the majority, I had more attraction towards film music and it's grandeur.

But, things changed after I came under the tutelage of Dr.S.A.K.Durga, a renowned musicologist. I learned how to appreciate the creative side of Carnatic music, called 'Manodharma sangeetham', identified the areas I need to work more on in my singing, thanks to Durga madam's guidance. I must say that I did not utilize many opportunities since my childhood to appreciate this great art form and be a sincere student to all my gurus who taught me the music. My sincere apologies to them.

Having started to understand the richness of our own music form, I can surely say that in no other form of music other than Indian Classical music, is on stage creativity given so much importance - raga alapanai, swarakalpanai, niraval, thanam, thani avarthanam, so on. Listening to such extempore creativity in each concert is a great experience. This change in my interest was the main reason I have not posted songs in my blog for some time. I realized that there is a lot to learn for me in the ocean of music and a lot to improve and correct in my singing. Honestly, I do not like the way I had sung most of the songs in my blog till date. So, I felt it's better to take the time to learn, practice and hone my singing skills and then share any more of my songs. This song too, in my opinion, is certainly not my best work. But, I just wanted to show my respect for the great artist by singing a song in her remembrance. Long live M.S.'s music!

An interesting and very moving article about the story behind the lyrics of this song, from The Hind's archive - http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2002/12/22/stories/2002122200220100.htm

Nilaave Vaa

2010-03-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Song: Nilaave Vaa
Film: Mouna Raagam
Music: Illayaraaja
Originally sung by: S.P.Balasubramaniam

Won Raajageetham 2nd round

2010-03-06T23:45:00.000-08:00

Friends, I am happy to share the news that I won the 2nd round of Rajageetham, a singing competition in Raj T.V. The 2nd round was aired today at 11:00 A.M. I sang Pala Palakkira Pagalaa Nee, a pacy Hariharan number from Ayan.
Honestly, I did not give my best performance in the show. I made quite a number of pitching mistakes since I couldn't follow the background music well enough and perceive the sruthi right in the stage atmosphere. Also, the fact that the song was a fast one added to the hurry in singing and not paying enough attention to the sruthi. Nevertheless, no excuse for mistakes :-) I hope to correct those mistakes in my future performances.

I'm happy that I made it to the next round. But, would have been even more happier if I performed better, even if I din't win :-) Anyway, I take this as a lesson and move forward... Will update you guys soon with the next round performance soon...

Naanaga Naan Illai Thaaye

2010-03-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

A classic song by the Maestro, with soul stirring lyrics penned by Vaali. Had recorded his song some time back. But, some how dint feel like posting it then. May be, I felt the song din't come out well or I wanted to reserve it for the Mother's day :-)

Anyway, March 8th is Women's day - posting the song for the woman I love the most on this earth. 'Kovil thozhum dheivam, Nee andri naan kaana vaerillai...'... Amma, this song is for you...

Song: Naanaaga Naan Illai Thaaye
Film: Thoongaathey Thambi Thoongaathey
Lyrics: Vaali
Originally Sung by: S.P.Balasubramaniam
Sung by: Vikram

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New York Nagaram Urangum Neram

2009-10-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

A beautiful composition and great singing by Rahman sir. The lyrics is what i like the most about this song. You can feel the loneliness and the pain of missing in the song. There are many lines in the song that speak for Vaali's poetic prowess and yet simple lyric writing style.

'...Natkurippil nooru dhadavai undhan peyarai ezhudhum en pena,
Ezhudhiyadhum erumbu moikkum peyarum aanadhenna thenaa...'
.......

'Vaan ingey, neelam angey, indha uvamaikku iruvarum vilakkamaanadheno...'

This movie (Sillunu Oru Kadhal) released in mid 2006, the time i had just shifted to Hyderabad for my first job. This song would play non-stop (thanks to Arunbalaji :-D) in our house. Still, we won't get bored listening to it. Whenever i listen to this song (or any other song from this film), it reminds me of those days...

Song: New York Nagaram Urangum Neram
Movie: Sillunu Oru Kadhal
Music director: A.R.Rahman
Originally sung by: A.R.Rahman

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Pani Vizhum Malarvanam

2009-07-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

After singing the 'Pani vizhum malarvanan' song in the 'Meera Ganakuyil contest', i started loving to sing the song so much, that i wanted to record it and make it part of my DEMO album.
Needless to say, this song was a classic from Ilaiyaraja-S.P.B combo for the film 'Ninaivellam Nithya', directed by the legendary C.V.Sridhar. Please listen to the song and give your valuable feedback.

Panivizhum Malarvanam - Play
Panivizhum Malarvanam - Download

Tamil Music Awards - 'Meera Ganakuyil Contest'

2009-07-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, i feel happy to share the news that i got shortlisted as one among the 12 finalists for 'Meera Gaanakuyil Contest' - a voice hunt for singers to be given an opportunity to sing during 'Meera' Tamil Music Awards 2009.

The finals were held last Monday in Chennai. Singer Srinivas judged the competition. For those din't know this earlier, Srinivas was the composer of the new 'Meera' gingle . He was the one who picked the finalists from over thousands of entries and i'am really happy that i made it to the finals.

The song i sang was 'Pani Vizhum Malarvanam', a ilaiyaraja classic from the film Nivellam Nithya. It was the first time i chose a bit pacy number (though a melody) for a competition. Unfortunately, i din't give my best that day. The winners were Gayathri, Harini, Aishwarya and Rakesh Raghunathan. They sang really well, and i think they really deserved that. Yesterday (Jul 22, 2009) the Tamil Music Awards function was held in Nehru Indoor stadium, and those four winners sang in the function, and the performance was really good. I wish all of them the very best to shine in the music field.

Though i missed a good opportunity to sing in front of such a big music fraternity, it was a really a great experience to be part of the finals, and the whole contest was a good learning experience. I got some good friends as Rakesh Raghunathan, Prasanna Nivas(an upcoming keyboardist), Naveen, Bharath, Rakesh Krishnan... and will take those expriences to make myself a better singer, and advance my music career.

The competition will be telecasted in Isaiaruvi (and kalaignar tv) channel and Hello FM (Frequency : 106.4) .

Demo Album

2009-05-07T23:43:00.000-07:00

Hi, I recorded my voice demo album two days back @ Digitrack studio, Nungambakkam. The album contains four songs.

Please listen to them when you find time, and give your feedback.

Unnale Unnale
Song: Unnale Unnale
Album: Unnale Unnale
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Singer (Original track): Karthik, Krish, Harini

Unnale Unnale - Play
Unnale Unnale - Download

En Kadhale
Song: En Kadhale
Album: Duet
Music: A.R.Rahman
Singer (Original track): S.P.Balasubramaniam

En Kadhale - Play
En Kadhale - Download

Azhagil Azhagu
Song: Azhagil Azhagu
Album: Raajaparvai
Music: Illayaraja
Singer (Original track): K.J.Yesudas

Azhagil Azhagu - Play
Azhagil Azhagu - Download

Sriman Narayana
Song: Sriman Narayana
Composer: Annamaacharya

Sriman Narayana - Play
Sriman Narayana - Download

In Rajageetham...

2009-03-30T00:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all, i am happy to share that i participated in the new set of rounds of Rajageetham and the first round was telecast 2 weeks back on Raj TV. I won that episode and am through to the next level. I sang a P.B.Srinivas classic, 'Mouname paarvaiyaal oru vaarthai pesa vendum' from the film Kodi Malar. I do not have a high quality recording of the show to share with you people, but will upload the one i have soon. Will be updating this space about the forthcoming episodes too :-).

PS: Here is the link to one of my performances in Ragamaalika-2005 (male-male duet with Praveen) uploaded by Praveen Vipranarayanan.

Vaaranam Aayiram

2008-11-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

A pretty long break from audio blogging since June. This time, with a beautiful song from Vaaranam Aayiram, a good album i heard in recent times despite the heard-it-somewhere niche with many of Harris Jayaraj's songs. This album is simply a masterpiece. Especially, the choice of singers - Hariharan, Karthik, Sudha Raghunathan... really nice. Hariharan's voice still has that magic. 'Nenjukkul Peidhidum Maamazhai...'. Amazing lyrics and an awesome song overall.

Song: Nenjukkul Peidhidum Maamazhai
Album: Vaaranam Aayiram
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Lyrics: Thaamarai

Nenjukkul Peidhidum - Hi-Fi
Nenjukkul Peidhidum - Lo-Fi

Kan Paesum Vaarthaigal

2008-06-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

Now, back with a song with karaoke :-)

Song: Kan Paesum Vaarthaigal
Movie: 7G Rainbow colony
Music: Yuvanshankar Raja
Originally sung by: Karthik
Lyrics: Na.Muthukumar

Hi-fi (streaming)
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Pon maalai pozhudu

2008-06-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

Song: Pon maalai pozhudhu
Movie: Nizhalgal
Music director: Ilaiyaraja
Originally sung by: S.P.B

Recording a song with karaoke track has always been a arduous task !!! Most of the time i will be spending time finding the right karaoke track for the song, correcting sync mistakes (with track), equalizing voice the track, etc., At times, i've even chosen songs based on the availability of karaoke track for them rather than choosing songs that suit my singing !
This time, i've attempted a song without the -1 track, not trying too much to correct any mistakes and hence with minimal no. of takes :-). Lemme know your valuable comments.

Hi-fi
Lo-fi

Mother's day special

2008-05-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Today is Mother's day. The day that transcends the boundaries of religions and cultures, the day every single species in the world has the right to celebrate. I love my mom so much (as anyone would love his), and wanted to give her on this occasion, a special gift, that is not just of monetary value. And, here it is!
The song 'Ammaa endru azhaikkaadha uryirillayae' from Mannan, a scintillating semi-classical song composed by none other than the Maestro, and sung by K.J.Yesudas. The lyrics were penned by Vaali. The genius of Vaali can be known from these lines in the song

'...Pasum thangam pudhu velli maanikkam manivairam
Avai yaavum oru thaaykku eedaagumaa
Vilai meedhu vilai vaiththuk kaettaalum koduththaalum
Kadai thannil thaayanbu kidaikkaadhammaa...'

Song: Ammaa endru azhaikkaadha uyirillaiyae
Film: Mannan
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Sung by: Dr. K.J.Yesudas
Lyrics: Vaali

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Mudhan mudhalil paarthaen

2008-05-04T04:52:00.000-07:00

Posting a song after nearly 7 months :-).

The song is 'Mudhan mudhalil paarthaen', a beautiful melody from the film Aaha sung by Hariharan, composed by Deva. This is one song that i have always wanted to sing and post in my blog.
Listen to the song at your convenience and leave your valuable comments.

Song : Mudhan mudhalil paarthaen
Film : Aaha
Singer : Hariharan
Music Director : Deva
Lyrics : Vaali

Hi-fi (streaming)
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Manram Vandha Thenralukku

2007-10-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

Song : Manram Vandha Thenralukku
Movie : Mouna Raagam
Music : 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja
Originally sung by : S.P.Balasubramaniam

Manram Vantha Thenralukku : Hi-fi
Manram Vantha Thenralukku : Lo-fi

Poongatru pudhidhaanathu

2007-09-04T01:36:00.000-07:00

Song : Poongatru pudhidhaanathu
Movie : Moondram pirai
Music Director : Illayaraja
Originally Sung by : K.J.Yesudas

Posting a song after around 6 months :-). I din't get a proper karaoke track. So, this time i have tried with an instrumental version of the song.

Listen to it at your convenience and leave your valuable comments.

Poongatru Pudhidhaanathu : Hi-fi
Poongatru Pudhidhaanathu : Lo-fi

Konja Naal Poru Thalaivaa

2007-04-07T05:27:00.000-07:00

Song : Konja Naal Poru Thalaivaa
Film : Aasai
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : Hariharan

Konja Naal Poru Thalaivaa : Hi-fi
Konja Naal Poru Thalaivaa : Lo-fi

Poongatrile un swaasathai

2007-04-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Song : Poongatrile un swaasathai
Film : Uyire
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : Unnimenon

Poongatrile un swaasathai : Hi-fi
Poongatrile un swaasathai : Lo-fi

Ninaithathu yaaro neethaane

2007-03-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

Song : Ninaithathu yaaro neethaane
Film : Paattukku oru thalaivan
Sung by : Vikram & Jikki (from original track)
Originally sung by : Mano & Jikki

Ninaithathu yaaro : Hi-fi
Ninaithathu yaaro : Lo-fi

Kaatrin Mozhi

2007-03-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Song : Kaatrin Mozhi oliyaa isaiyaa
Music : Vidyasagar
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : Balram

This song is one of my recent favourites from Vidyasagar. A beautiful composition !!! Balram's mellifluous voice adds to that beauty of the song.
Have tried to do justice to this beautiful song :-).

Yeh Manpuru : Hi-fi
Yeh Manpuru : Lo-fi

Yeh Manpuru Mangaye

2007-01-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

Song : Yeh Manpuru mangaye nillaayo
Film : Guru
Music : A.R.Rahman
Sung by : Vikram and Sujatha (from original track)
Originally sung by : Srinivas & Sujatha

Yeh Manpuru : Hi-fi
Yeh Manpuru : Lo-fi

Aayarpaadi maaligayil

2006-10-02T00:12:00.000-07:00

Song : Aayarpaadi maaligayil
Album : Krishna gaanam
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : S.P.Balasubramaniam

Recorded the song in a single take :-) ...

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Thendrale thendrale

2006-08-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

Song : Thendrale Thendrale
Movie : Kadhal Desam
Music Director: A.R.Rahman
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : Mano and Unnikrishnan

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Thendrale thendrale - Lo-Fi
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Raja raja chozhan naan

2006-08-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Song : Raja Raja Chozhan Naan
Movie : Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
Music Director : Illayaraja
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : Dr.K.J.Yesudas

My first song with karaoke...

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Raja raja chozhan naan - Lo-Fi
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Sippi irukkuthu muthum irukkuthu

2006-05-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi...This is my first audio blog post.
Please listen to it and leave your comments

Song : Sippi irukkuthu muthum irukkuthu
Film : Varumayin niram sivappu
Music Director : 'Mellisai mannar' M.S.Viswanathan
Sung by : Vikram
Originally sung by : S.P.Balasubramaniam and S.Janaki

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