To know what happened to ilayaraja s symphony go to john scott s web page (john scott was the baton for ir s symhony)getting funded or noticed is not the yard stick for music if the music is worthy it will talk itself
The author of this article is not at all biased...and not jealous with ARR... You should also find ARR quoting that "I messed up...and will come prepared next time" Isn't it highly stupid for a composer (so called "isai puyal" to just play some of his earlier tamil film compositions at a symphony orchestra, where his talent in western classical instrumentation should be displayed... According to me and many of music fans (i underline...music fans..not Ilayaraja fans... ) ARR is a best sound engineer, who produces and mixes sounds at his best...not a best composer... I can agree that he is a genius only when he composes melodies like "pani vizhum malarvanam" or something like "idhu oru pon maalai pozhudhu" or "maalai yen vedhanai" etc., Its not that u can pick and choose some sounds and new sounds from your computer and orchestrate them.... that may last for short time...Only when ARR takes up the harmonium and composes the actual tunes or music which is soul stirring melodies(remember ... not just foot tapping) but iam sure that no one can equal either the Rerecording capabilities of Raja or the situational music which tells the story by itself without dialogues.
I am great fan of Ilayaraja. That does not mean what i am going to put down is a biased one. But objectively, you cant compare both of them. One is a veteran of almost 900 films and another less than 100. One came in an era where Media wasn't developed like in ARR's times. No influence of MTVs' and Channel V's. Ilayaraja provided the transition from Old to very new through his incomprable music. Given his beginnings and facilities that he had, one can only say its God's gift to Music, at least to Tamil Music. I can be sure of that. The songs that he gave us are beyond Time - the one in 'Aval Appadithan'that goes like 'Uravugal thodarkathai...' possibly sums up his ability to make the verses stand up beyond BGM. There its no comparison to the legend to a protege.
I empathise with Karthik. I dont think he's finding fault with Rahman. Positive criticism. I feel this carelessness stems out of overconfidence Indian (specifically South) media has given him. Having lived in the UK for sometime I know how Europeans value performing arts. Pindrop silence that audience observe while artists perform in huge fullhouse theatres at the Barbican is proof to how they appreciate peforming arts. Given this, an internationally famous ARR should have prepared well. The Indian lot is contended with whatever little recycled music he passes on, assuming he's doing great abroad. And he messes up a concert! Sometimes I get a feeling if the media has overprojected him. Every new release of ARR reminds you of half a dozen old songs (thankfully his own works, unlike Deva), but after the media gives a major push you get used to these masterpieces in a shortwhile. Ilayaraja is not an exception, but among his 5000-odd numbers, original works are far more than recycled & adaptations.
Mr. Karthikeyan has only reproduced what was published in some English magazines some months back. Isaigyaani Ilaiyaraajas contributions are being downplayed by the powers that be for obvious reasons. Also some jealous people unable to accept his genius inconsistent with his background are leaving no stones unturned to get even with him. He was a god-sent musician and he provided the missing link between tradition and modernity. If somebody differs with this opinion then they are definitely biased against Ilaiyaraaja for obvious reasons which need not be elaborated here. By birth some people have many resources and exploit them fully to get even undeserved name and wealth. That is the game of the plotters and they abound always in all the ages. Ilaiyaraaja did not have such privileges and he had not promoted himself consciously like others. Ilaiyaraajas fans also never speak against the musicians of yester-years and they are as gentle and humble like their Master. In this world you dont always get the answers for all your questions. Undeserving, arrogant, and self-promoting people cornering undue respect and wealth definitely is one such baffling phenomena. Hence I request the Maestros fans to ignore any criticism/comments against Mr.Karthikeyen. Also I feel that those who comment against Isaignani and his project Thiruvasakam in symphony, donot deserve to talk about music. Anupama boopathy
Since you are the executive producer of the Ilayaraaja's symphony..What happened to it? is it a success or failure? if its a success why is it not released?
Looks the Karthik is a insecure Ilayaraja fan who lost hopes after Raja's last attempt to gain National recognition by Hey ram went unnoticed.
He Feels proud of a unreleased work, but forgets one important thing that great man Ilayaraja is now depending on public funds to complete his thiruvasakam project, nobody is willing to touch it. A poor raja sympathiser who has fumed his fury in this article.
