One has been regarded as a Musical Maestro, king of melody, one of the greatest musical talents India would be proud of. A man who redefined music, and one of the most innovative musical geniuses India has ever seen. The first Asian to compose a full symphony for Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Another is one of the best singers of Indian films, and a singer of whom every Telugu person would be genuinely proud of. Not only a great singer, he was also a music director and an actor of note, and has the distinction of singing the maximum number of songs, in as many as 8 Indian languages.
Ilayaraja & S.P. Balasubramaniam. Two outstanding personalities in the field of music. And when they came together, the result was sheer magic on the screen. During the 80's and early part of 90's when Cable TV had not yet made inroads, on the radio, we would often tune into music programs. And when we heard these words Sangitham- Ilayaraja, Paadinavaru-S.P.Balasubramaniam , that's it, we would stop every thing and get glued to the radio. Balu's voice suited Raja's compositions to a T, and the number of outstanding songs these duo penned together in Tamil, Telugu were numerous. Its no wonder that both of them were born just within two days of each other, Raja on June 2,1943 and Balu on June 4,1946.
Raja and Balu produced many outstanding albums in Telugu- Abhinandana, Aalapana, Anveshana, April 1 Vidudala, Bobbili Raja, Swathimuthyam, Sagarasangamam, Abhilasha, Nireekshana, Swarnakamalam, Rudraveena to name a few. In fact Raja got 2 National Awards for Sagarasangamam and Rudraveena. He also got it for Sindhu Bhairavi, which was however a Tamil original. This article is about one of the best albums from Raja-Balu combo, an album which was a rage in 1989 when it first came out, and the songs are still a rage today. I am referring to the 1989 movie Gitanjali directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Nagarjuna. Mind you this article is not a review on the movie per se, its about the songs in the movie.
Gitanjali was the product of 3 great talents- director Mani Ratnam, music maestro Ilayaraja and cameraman P.C.Sreeram. The trio in combo with another talent Kamal had already given us Nayakan, one of the greatest Indian movies of all times. Mani Ratnam, had already made a mark with Telugu movie goers with movies like Mounaragam, Nayakan, Gharshana( Tamil original was Agni Natchathram). In 1988 Gharshana had already vowed viewers with its snazzy MTV style music, jump cuts, and story of two warring brothers. However Mani chose to make his debut in Telugu with a lighter movie, and he came up with Gitanjali, a normal feel good boy meets girl love story. To be honest, Gitanjali is not one of Mani's best movies in my opinion, but it was Raja's music, coupled with P.C.Sreeram's brilliant camera work, that made it a work of visual poetry on celluloid and elevated it beyond a normal boy meets girl story.
Jagada Jagada- The first song is a typical racy number. Comes at beginning of movie. The lyrics are of pretty much the youthful variety. Veturi wonderfully depicts the energy and restless attitude of youth. The movie starts off showing the hero as a typical carefree youngster and this song superbly captures. The following lines show the attitude of the youth living in present Neede re neeku neestamu repe ledu,ninnante nindu suna ra raane radu. Music is very racy, and very rhythmic. The song is a real foot tapper, and it can set you going even if you listen to it now.
Jallantha- For me one of the best songs in this album. And what stands out is the song placement. The hero on knowing he is not going to live for long, decides to go to a remote location. And as the director shows the fog filled valleys and hills of the Nligiris, the raindrops fall, and the heroine's face is revealed. Pretty much reminiscent of Julie Andrews introduction on the Austrian Alps in the Sound of Music. Mani had already shot a wonderful rain song in Mouna Raagam( Megham Vachene). There is no sight more beautiful than the monsoon in the hills, and P.C.Sreeram?s camera work wonderfully captures this. The rain lashing the hills, the horses running hither and thither, the mist, all this has to be seen on the big screen. And of course Raja?s music, and Veturi's lyrics wonderful captures the gay spirit of the movie's heroine. And the dance is absolutely natural, like any playful teen girl. No P.T.steps, nor a thousand dancers in backdrop here. Just the heroine, her feelings and the nature. Great song, great lyrics and of course great picturization makes this song a delight. Chitra is outstanding with her rendition here again.
Amani Paadave- In sharp contrast to the earlier two songs, which were racy and playful, Raja changes track to a totally slow and soft melody. Depicting the hero's sober mood, and his philosophical outlook, Raja's music and Sreeram?s camera follow the hero along, as he walks in, taking in the beautiful sights of the hills. Ooty has never looked so beautiful on screen, as it did in this movie. Song starts off with the hero's invocation to nature Aamani padave Haayiga, mogavai poku e vela, raaleti poola ragalato, poseti pooula gandala to, Manchu taki koyila mounamaina velala?. Wow what lyrics there by Veturi. And then follows the chorus of the tribals singing, as they walk along. Raja often had this habit of including natural sounds in his music. Totally melodious, listen to this song while relaxing, it just soothes your soul. Its Raja's genius that he can come up with a Jagada Jagada and Aamani Paadave in the same movie.
Nandi Konda Vagulona- Totally MTV style song, this is picturized when the heroine plays a prank on the hero, in a graveyard. Raja again comes up with a totally eerie score, with heavy bass beats, echoes and sounds. More of a tit for game played by heroine and hero on each other. Quite a popular song, but not one of the best in this. Good for a listening once or twice.
Om Namaha- For me the song of the album. One of the best songs, right from mood, music to picturization. And one of the best picturizations of a kissing scene in a movie. Most of our movies romancing is reduced to heaving bossoms, cleavages, and the hero, heroine indulging in all sorts of weird acrobatics. The entire song is just shot in one single scenario, the hero and heroine, kissing each other in a slightly dark room, and the mist coming in and out. Balu and Janaki, lend life to this song, with their impeccable rendition. And Raja's music, is just brilliant. He keeps that constant heartbeat throughout the song. And wonderful usage of violin. And what lyrics by Veturi again. Considering that both hero and heroine, have a short life, Jagathi ke athituthulai, jananam andhina prema jantaki. Or this line Preminche pedavulokatai ponginche sudhalu manavaite which describes a kiss so poetically. The feelings of love, passion and romance are so wonderfully depicted in this song.
Oh Papa Lali- No doubts about the impact of this song, though. Comes at the climax of the movie. The heroine is critically ill, and she doesn't want to see the hero, as she is aware that his is also a short lived life like hers. The hero is caught in a dilemma, as he wants to be with her, but at same time, he doesn?t want to hurt her feelings. And he imagines himself, cuddling her and comforting her. The picturization suits the somber mood of the song, with mists floating around, and dim lighting. And Raja?s music, just adds to it, of course helped by Balu's wonderful expression. I guess Balu being an actor himself, made him put that extra bit of emotion in his songs. Even today, I find myself being totally affected whenever I listen to this song. And Veturi?s lyrics as usual, top class, making this one of the best lullabies. Naa jolala leelaga taakalani, gali ne korana jaaliga, nee savadee sannaga vundalani, korana gunde ne korika?. Or this imploring to leave the girl kalalarani pasi papa tala valchina vodilo, tadi needalu pada neeka e devata vodilo. Its as if the hero, wants to hold his beloved, and protect her from this world.
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