Music i Loved

I contemplated a lot before deciding to write this blog. Since it was a commentary on music, my apprehension stemmed from the fact that, being part of a family where everyone is learning music and sing too, I was just a listener without any knowledge if music or the ability to sing.  

Buth then I thought - music is something which touches a person's heart and I can very well write about it, because this is about a recent music album I listened to, which touched me so much with its lyrics, music and singing.

"Suchi - Music I like " - a collection of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's songs by Suchi.  

Hmmmmm...if there a few raised eye brows from people who say " Suchi??? Bharathiar Songs???Isn't she more of a singer who sings peppy numbers???".  Folks! You don't know this version of Suchi yet! 

Coming to the album, four things stand out clearly - the theme, the lyrics (it goes without saying!!), the singing and the score. 

The Theme is "Love", which says that love should manifest itself as - love for you spouse, love for you country and devotion for God expressed as love.

Mahakavi's lyrics are very simple and powerful.  A great job in choosing the right gems to fit the theme.

"Veenayadi née enakku" a touching expression of how Bharathi lived his wife, "Vande Maaararam", "Nallador veenai seidhu" and "endhayum thaayum" which stirs our soul with patriotism and "Kakkai Chiraginile" and " Aasai Maugham marandhu poche" reflects love and devotion to God. 

Suchi, i feel has not just rendered but had lived through each song and experienced the lyrics. This is reflected in her singing. Very clear narration and pretty expressive. My favorite is the way she says " Aaridam solve aid thozhi" in the song "Aasai mugham marandhu poche". 

Sai Madhukar had done a great composition.  Right fusion of western and traditional instruments. The score fuses with the singing while ensuring that the power of the lyrics is not lost and giving the classical  touch at the right places - like use of "Varaali" and "Sindhu Bhairavi" in "Vande Maataram" or sticking to "Johnpuri" the raaga which immortalized the song "Aasai mugham marandhu poche" - pardon errata in raagas if any since I am just a novice.

Bharathiar songs have traditionally been part of Carnatic music albums sung by different singers and the reach was restricted to "Rasikaas" primarily. Suchi with here image and reach to the "gen Y" seems to have taken Bharathiar to them with this album. Probably the next inline for this versatile, multi faceted  singer might be "Thirupaavai" :)