This article emerged solely out of my own thoughts. I haven't done any research to prove all these. So this can very well be contradicted or concurred per individuals thoughts and factual proofs.
Most of us might have wondered how ARR's music fascinates majority of the crowd. Even I had thought about the same many a times. Being an avid fan of ARR, I took the next step to analyze how he orchestrates each and every number in his albums. Looking at his discography, I think that he follows certain methodology in his albums.
Hunting Fresh Talents
While reciting this, I ought to make a point about Dil gira kahin par from Delhi-6. OMG... What a composition, I just keep on listening to this song every day and night. He used lead guitars as base and used a magical and romantic voice of Ash king without which the song wouldn't have emerged like this. After the first note, he does something that seems like fusing violin, followed by Scottish bag pipes, followed by Irish folk music bit. Still am yet to identify the instruments used in that part. But i can assure u,only legend like him can really do that. This song is a perfect example for all the points mentioned above, #1 new voice - Ash king, #2 processed music that sounds like/actually bagpipes and violin, #3 New genre of using Scottish and Irish folk music.
Most of us might have wondered how ARR's music fascinates majority of the crowd. Even I had thought about the same many a times. Being an avid fan of ARR, I took the next step to analyze how he orchestrates each and every number in his albums. Looking at his discography, I think that he follows certain methodology in his albums.
Generally he opts for new, fresh voices/musicians rather than popular faces. During the past decade, he introduced most of the singers starting from Hariharan/Minmini in Roja, till Ash king in Delhi-6. But these guys are not amateur singers but are real professionals just lacking opportunity. He finds them and exploits their talent. By doing this he has 2 advantages, 1) When we listen to the song we hear a new voice which adds a new flavor to the song and so definitely draws our attention. 2) He gives ultimate freedom to the new singers/musicians to improvise the song in their own way such that he gets 200% fruitful result. Being their debut song, these guys will give their utmost effort to make the song better and also adds colors to the song. And the final result, wow an enchanting outcome. One of my friends complains this, that ARR tries to gain credits for others work. But i can't totally agree this. It's his own note, rhythm and just for the sake of improvisation the credit shouldn't go to the singers/musicians.
Processed Music
He seldom uses raw music in his composition in contrast to Ilaiyaraja who always uses raw music. Sometimes we will be blindfolded while listening to ARR's songs. We can hardly key out the instrument used in the song. He uses keyboard and processes raw music to produce a new music that has a refreshingly new flavor than the original. In my latest favorite - Mausam & escape from Slumdog millionaire he used a new instrument as base. After enjoying the song I was just perplexed as i was not sure about the instrument he used. I couldn't resist myself from knowing it. I googled it and finally came to know that he used 'Sitar'. That too played by a novice 'Azad'. Again #1 holds true here. This song is simply amazing and should have won Oscars.
New Genre
While most of the contemporary music directors are accustomed to plagiarism he's the one who uses a different technique. He doesn't steal others' tune but he influences others' genre. None can question that or find fault in it. I will explain it. For e.g take the Taxi Taxi song from Sakkarakatti. I know that this song topped the chart for months and became the anthem of young crowd. If you see the reason, it's not just the tune that attracted the crowd but also the type of music. This kinda music falls under Reggaeton genre which is new to Tamil as well as India but which is prevalent in Latin America. If you had visited any of the pubs or watched VH1 during early 2007 you might have heard the song 'Gasolina' by Daddy Yankee. This is one of it's kind. There are several songs in this genre by Daddy yankee, Reggaeton Niños. But this is new to Tamil and hence it won. Similarly the fusion music, coalition of carnatic base and soft rock. E.g Alaipayuthey from alaipayuthey,Love check from Parthale paravasm. Yuvan, highly inspired by this tuned a similar song 'Kanda naal muthalai" in kanda naal muthal. If you listen to it intensely you may find a strong correlation between this song and alaipayuthey song. Then songs with a pinch of Ghazal touch - Manmohini morey from Yuvraaj, Bhor Bhaye from Delhi-6 etc that has a Ghazal base in his own style.
While reciting this, I ought to make a point about Dil gira kahin par from Delhi-6. OMG... What a composition, I just keep on listening to this song every day and night. He used lead guitars as base and used a magical and romantic voice of Ash king without which the song wouldn't have emerged like this. After the first note, he does something that seems like fusing violin, followed by Scottish bag pipes, followed by Irish folk music bit. Still am yet to identify the instruments used in that part. But i can assure u,only legend like him can really do that. This song is a perfect example for all the points mentioned above, #1 new voice - Ash king, #2 processed music that sounds like/actually bagpipes and violin, #3 New genre of using Scottish and Irish folk music.
The above said points are just add-ons... There may be more like this.. But am not sure about the intricacy of Music ocean... Whatever it's... Either a new genre or a new voice, none can doubt this prodigy's inborn sheer talents because of which he's going places and will be... I feel am just lucky to be in his era....
