Bombay Jayashri

I have no Music knowledge. Can't identify the Ragas like Venkat and don't know the difference between the thalams. In fact there is a complete ban on my singing at home, apparently my singing does not sit in sur(am), don't know what that means either!

But, what I know is that I Love Music, almost of all kinds (except Rap and the technosounds that are unfortunately being bandied as Music). Like most of you, some song keeps going on inside my head all the time.

Bombay Jayashri is one of my favorite singers, I have tons of her songs (thanks to Visu for some of those CDs) and she keeps us company when we have this torturous travel to and from office, fidgeting inside the metal cage. I simple love her dark and husky voice, which is very different from most of the classical singers (which is fairly exploited by Harris Jayaraj and co). At the same time she easily scales those highs too, with the clarity and crispness of the winter breeze. There is a soothing, soul stirring quality to her voice. Listen to her sing Ehi Murare or Katyayini and you will understand what I mean (btw, the complete Salokyam album is outstanding and so meditative).

So, when my friend Prashant informed about a Bombay Jayashri concert and offered the tickets, I was ecstatic, to put it mildly.

We left early to hold on to the best seats, up close and bang in front. I could literally see the whites of the artists' eyes. The hall was very basic, but it did not seem to bother the singer or the fans. The program was scheduled to start at 5:15 and it did start precisely at 5:15 and for the next 3 hours we (the Rasikas!) were transported to a different world. A magical world that was full of joy, spirituality and wholesome goodness. During the entire duration, she did not say a word (except for some polite conversations with the accompanying musicians); she did not pause to take a sip of water. She just came, sang, conquered and left.

Pictures here are some that I managed to sneak during the program - the light was not very good and I was nervous, to be sitting just in front and shooting with a camera (even if I was really careful not to disturb).

Anandham... Sangeetham

Every time I listen to this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCmsZbarARE), I always wonder what would have been the reaction of the musicians in the recording studio. Probably, a moment of silence followed by a thundering applause -such is the majestic rendition of Yesudas. This song is from the Malayalam movie ‘His Highness Abdulla’. In fact, every song is a classic in this movie, "Gopika Vasantham" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRuSz-_K4hs) is such a beautiful love song, you can feel this mood in Chitra’s voice; it is mesmerizing. She has kept pace with the great Yesudas in this song and probably (I could be a bit prejudiced here) outshines her master too.

The movie itself is a masterpiece; a very mainstream story of a hired assassin plotting to kill a Thampuran (powerful leader), he gets into the Bhraminical house and captures everyone’s heart thru his golden voice as he plans for the kill. Does he accomplish his mission is the rest of the story. Pretty mainstream indeed, but Ravindran’s music along with Yesudas’ finest performance, pushes this movie beyond the ordinary. Mohanlal as the assassin is as good as ever and Gauthami does a decent job (Only Mallus and Kamal used her properly – Venkat used to say!)

This song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a7PI6jXD74 watch from 1:10) is the musical highlight of the movie. In this music duel, between Yesudas and Ravindran Master, you have to listen to the crescendo that Yesudas builds from 8.34, beyond words…will move you to tears. Ironically, the National award for best male singer went to Srinivas for the song 'Naadaroopini', also from this movie

The other movie’s songs I listen very often is from Manichitra Thazhu (the original and the better version of chandramukki and Bhool Bhullaiya – see it, to believe it). It’s a Mohanlal, Yesudas and Chitra combination again.

This great song by Chitra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIegcBCnWAw) really reflects the eagerness of someone waiting to see a loved one (that is what the song is about)…you can feel the desperation, the loneliness in her voice – Magic. Yesudas has his share too (of course!); his version (a shorter one) of the above song is equally good, you can hear years of pure carnatic training in this small piece (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMXWZJs4uuc - Till 1.06).

This is another soul wrenching (I am running out of superlatives) song by Yesudas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0dVtMZNE1k). This is the song that leads to the climax of the movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZA_90S7q5w); watch Shobhana’s dance performance and you will agree that her national award was well deserved.

Interestingly, over the last 13 years, Manichitrathazu has been screened more than a dozen times in Kerala and every time the TRP keeps increasing! Not sure if this can happen to any other movie in any other language.

I have to say this here; my mother tongue is not Malayalam and I can barely understand Malayalam (at least in the form that is used in these songs), but that does not stop me from enjoying these songs. If you love music, I urge you to hear these songs even if you don’t understand a word of what is being said.

Anandham, Anandanandham, JhagathAnandham Sangeetham – His Highness Abdulla.