Parayaan Maranna (Outcast Vocals Cover)- Feat., Kaushik Srenevasan

This is the first post on my space for the year 2011, and my 6th year of audioblogging with 3 of that being on Muziboo. This is a wonderful music community which has helped me grow, improve, and in turn introduced some talented and enthusiastic musicians to interact with. Like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been regular visitors to this space. Your support & encouragement has meant a lot in the last couple of years…

I have known Kaushik for almost a year now, and he is easily one of the most soulful pianists I have ever come across. I am so glad to have collaborated with him especially for this number. He tailored the arrangement to my vocals instead of the other way around….quite an interesting experience for me. Thanks Kaushik for all your hard work— given that I had improvised quite a lot, I am sure it wasn’t easy :)

This cover also marks my first attempt at mixing everything from scratch. I had to learn about frequency of instruments, spatial placement of instruments, clashing of vocals with the other tracks et al. Thanks Bala and Jay for those numerous crash courses on mixing-couldn’t have gone this far without you both!

Was a challenging cover for me in every conceivable department, but the major head breaker personally was the language/diction. Know fully well it’s not perfect as it should be, but still something that I am proud that I gave a shot at that I wanted to share it, nonetheless. Apologize for some recording glitches, and those diction errors, which I am sure are lurking in almost every line. And as with every other cover of mine, you will find quite a few improvs here and there

Sounds better on headphones….and thanks for your time.

Parayaan Maranna…
Raagam: Jog
Original music by: Ramesh Narayanan
Originally sung by Hariharan
Cover version based on: Outcast Vocals (Neha Nair)
Original Arrangement by: Kaushik Srenevasan
Lead, Harmonies and Mix: Meera

Parayaan ( Outcast Vocals Cover)-Feat., Kaushik Srenevasan by meeramanohar

Vizhiyile En Vizhiyile- Cover version from Vellithirai

An attempt @ one of the songs that I really love for its lyrics and melody.

Movie: Vellithirai
Original music by: G.V.Prakash Kumar
Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar
Based on versions of both Naresh Iyer and Chitra
Lead, backing vocals, harmonies and mix: Meera Manohar
Thanks Sushanth for the k-track…

Lyrics:

Vizhiyile En Vizhiyile Kanavugal Kalaindhadhe
Uyirile Ninaivugal Thalumbudhe
Kannangalil Kanneer Vandhu Un Peyarai Eazhudhudhe
Muththamitta Udhadugal Ularudhe
Naan Ennai Kaanaamal Dhinam Unnai Thedinen
En Kanneer Thuliyil Namakkaaga Oru Maalai Soodinen (Vizhiyile)

Imaigalile Kanavugalai Vidhaiththene
Ragasiyamaai Neerootri Valarththene
Ingu Verum Kaatrile Naan Viral Neettinen
Un Kaiyodu Kai Seraththaan
Un Uravum Illai En Nizhalum Illai
Ini En Kaadhal Tholai Dhooramdhaan
Naan Saambal Aanaalum En Kaadhal Vaazhume
Andha Saambal Meedhum Unakkaaga Sila Pookkal Pookkume (Vizhiyile)

Ullirukkum Idhayaththukku Enai Puriyum
Yaarukkuththaan Nam Kaadhal Vidai Theriyum
Kaadhal Siragaanadhu Indru Sarugaanadhu
En Ul Nenjam Udaigindradhu
Un Paadhai Yedhu En Payanam Adhu
Pani Thirai Ondru Maraikkindradhu
Yen Indha Saabangal Naam Paavam Illayaa
Vidhi Kannaamoochchi Vilayaada Nam Kaadhal Bommayaa (Vizhiyile)












Vizhiyile En Vizhiyile (cover version)-Vellithirai | Upload Music

Mahaaganapathim-Bombay Jayashree-Morning Raaga

Happy New Year !!!

My 2nd cover of a classical based number from Morning Raaga after Maathey This is one of the most popular invocations on Swami Ganesha set in the raagam Naattai, a very pleasing and chirpy raagam, almost considered a standard in many if not all classical concerts.

The one by Bombay Jayashree in the movie is a little short… so I rearranged the track a little, and added my own stuff to it. And, for the first time- have done harmonies in a totally classical composition and introduced a mild western influence here and there.

So, Classical purists—please excuse :)

Krithi: Mahaaganapathim
Raagam: Naattai
Thaalam: Adi
Original composer: Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar
Movie: Morning Raaga
Lead, Backing vocals, Harmonies and Mix by: Meera Manohar

There’s also a short explanation of the lyrics that I found somewhere. Makes an interesting read:

Pallavi:
Mahaganapathim Manasa Smaraami
Vashista Vaamadevaadhi Vandhitha

Anupallavi/Charanam:
Mahadevasutham Guruguhanutham
Maarakoti Prakaasham Shaantham
Madhyamakala Sahithyam:
Mahakaavya Naatakadhi priyam
Mooshika vaahana modhaka priyam

Swaram:
P P M G M R S
R S N S P M G M
P , D N *S *R *G *M
*M *R *S N *S N P M
*S N P M G M
N P M R G M R R S
*R , *S *S , N P , M G , M N S G M

Pallavi:
Dikshithar starts off with a very small pallavi singing “I medidate and recite(‘Smaraami’) with my whole heart(‘Manasa’) on the supreme Lord Ganapathy, he who is worshipped by(‘Vandhitha’) sage Vashista, Vaamadeva and others(‘aadhi’)”. Very simple but extremely open-ended for improvisation and I have heard so many different versions of the pallavi alone which once again is because of the flexibility characteristic of all dikshithar krithis. The entire scale and important phrases of the raga are brilliantly captured in the opening lines itself. Moving on to the samaashti charanam now

Anupallavi/Charanam:
Dikshithar continues describing Lord Ganesha as “He is the son(‘sutham’) of Lord Mahadeva, adored(‘nutham’) by Guruguha. He shines(‘Prakaasham’) like crores(‘koti’) of cupids(‘maara’) put together. He is the peaceful one(‘Shaantham’) and loves(‘priyam’) literary epics(‘Mahakaavya’) and other arts like Drama(‘Naataka’). He uses a mouse(‘mooshika’) as his vehicle(‘vaahana’) and loves modhakam(a popular sweet).” Not much to explain in the charanam except for the beautiful inclusion of the raga mudhra ingeniously incorporated in the word ‘Naataka’ referring to drama. On the whole, a simple composition.(With all due respect to Lord Ganesha), maybe Dikshithar composed this while he was asleep or something :). The characteristic ‘Sa Ri3’ phrase embellishes this composition.

Mahaaganapathim-Morning Raaga-Bombay Jayashree | Upload Music

Life at Sonagachi ( original composition) with Balamurali Balu

My 3rd original with Balamurali Balu after Yaaravan & 80's Ilayaraaja feel , and first collaborative effort with Hricha Debraj, a very gifted vocalist! Bala- was immensely satisfying to work on this, thanks for the opportunity!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Songachi, Kolkata, I would suggest that you read up about this before you listen. It might help you appreciate it better.

And, gives me great pleasure to announce that this single is available on itunes and amazon now

“Life at Sonagachi”
Originally sung by: Hricha Debraj Nee Mukherjee & Meera Manohar
Backing Vocals and Harmonies: Meera Manohar
Original Music, Arrangement, Orchestration and Mixing by: Balamurali Balu

Muziboo comments on this song

Life at Sonagachi (original composition) | Upload Music

Thendral Vandhu Theendum (cover version)-Avadhaaram

Been my long time dream to cover this song, probably ranks highest in my list of totally digged songs for many years now. This is basically a folkish kinda song, and intentionally have done it with a weirdly open throated tone (a sore one at that as well) in the hope of imparting that rustic, crude, and probably a little imperfect charm of the typical down south folk style. For those of you who don’t know Tamizh, the song is about a guy who describes how life around her is, to a blind girl. He tries to show her in words as to how colors, flowers and love look and feel, for instance. The picturization is also interesting for those of you who are visual buffs :) This is also yet another attempt of mine in changing lyrics to make this a female solo as well.

This goes out to my parents who are celebrating their 43rd wedding annivsersary today, and to my brother who celebrated his bday on Nov 14th… I owe my inculcation into music, fueling my interest to listen to all kinds of music amongst other things to the 3 of them! To top it all, all of them simply adore this song- guess that was good enough reason to attempt it. K-track is a bummer but some songs can’t be passed up =)

Guess, that’s quite a long write up from me!! So here goes….

Movie: Avadhaaram
Original music by: Ilayaraaja
Originally sung by: Ilayaraaja & S.Janaki
Original lyrics by: Valee
Lead vocals, backing vocals, harmonies & Mix: Meera Manohar
K-track: Balaji Seethaaraman
“Tweaking of ktrack” :) Balamurali Balu

Muziboo comments on this post

Thendral Vandhu Theendum (cover version)-Avadhaaram | Upload Music

Thathithom (K.S.Chitra cover)- Azhagan

This is considered one of Chitra’s anthems and definitely one of the most challenging numbers she has done, EVER! Amazing, absolutely brilliant composition by Maragathamani (aka Keeravani/M M Kreem). Lovely lyrics as well by Valee. The beauty of the song is the almost minimal/non-existent orchestration and her voice just filling the ears……

Here’s my humble attempt at it. It was a total monster roller coaster ride for me :)

Movie: Azhagan
Originally sung by: K.S.Chitra
Original music by: Maragathamani
Lyrics: Valee
Lead, harmonies and mix: Meera Manohar

Lyrics:

thathithOm viththaigaL katridum thathaigaL sonnadhu thathithOm
thithithOm thathaigaL sonnadhu muthamizh endruLam thithithOm
sindhithAl thALam thAnE varugiradhu
thALam oru sugam rAgam oru sugam reNdum iNaigiradhu (thathithOm)

kaNNil pEsum sangeetha mozhiyadhu kaNNan aRiya oNNAdhathA
unnai thEdum yEkkathil iravinil kaNNukkimaigaL muLLAvadhA
kuzhalinil varAdha rAgam yAvum en kuralinil varAdhathA
endhan manamidhu endhan ninaividhu endrE purigiradhA (thathithOm)

vaNNa thOgai eNNangaL ivaiyena minnum vizhigal sollAdhathA
kaNNan mArbil ponnoosalAdida ennum iLamai pollAdhathA
yamunaiyil varAdha veLLam undhanin karuNaiyil varAdhathA
kAdhal oru vidha yAgam en kural kAdhil vizhugiradhA (thathithOm)

sa ri ga pa ma dha pa ma ga ri sariga sarigasariga sariga thathithOm

pa ma dha ni madhani madhani madhani Sanidhapa madhari gamapa padhanisariga thathithOm

sanisaSaSaSa dhaRinima padhaniSa RiGariga mapadhaniSa RiGaRi mapadha RiGaRi sariga RiGaRi Ri rimadhaRi rimadhaSa

Sanidhapama Sa nidhapamaga ri
ni dhapamagari sa dha pamagarisani ri

sarigasasa rigama dhapamaga rigamariri gamapa nidhapama gamapagaga mapadhamama padhanipapa
dhaniSaRiSani dhaniSaRiSani dhanisarisani dhanisarisani
sarigasariga sarigasariga sa
sarigamapadhaniSaRi GaRiSanidhapamagarisa GaRiSanidhapamagari riRigaGa Sanidha

en kaNNanE vA
un meerAvai nee ingu pArAyO
kAdhal vEdhanai
adhai enna enbadhu
ini/adhai engu solvadhu

hmmm….hmmmm…I love u….

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Thathithom (Azhagan cover)-K.S.Chitra | Upload Music

Maathey ( Sudha Raghunathan cover )-Morning Raaga

This is my first recording in almost a month and a half, been posting my unpublished recordings all this while thanks to a nasty throat…

This is from the movie Morning Raga and just brilliantly rendered by Sudha Raghunathan, one of the most innovative carnatic vocalists South India has ever produced.

This is a vocal cut, so have tried my best to make the vocals work with it. And, fulfilling the request of quite a few muzibians who have asked me to sing a classical number. Happy Vijayadasami to all of you….Here goes…

Movie: Morning Raga
Raagam: Khamas
Dharu Varnam composed by: Muthiah Bhagavathar
Originally sung by: Sudha Raghunathan
Original BGM Music by: Mani Sharma
Leads and Mix: Meera Manohar
K-track: Nitin Dubey

Thanks Nitin, appreciate your time on this one :)

Muziboo comments on this post



Maathey (Morning Raga-Sudha Raghunathan) | Upload Music

Thuli Thuli (female cover version) from Paiyya

Yet another cover of this awesome song…… Have changed the lyrics to suit the gender, and this also marks my maiden attempt at penning lyrics even if it’s just a few lines.

I have changed the scale of the track by a couple of notches, which has ‘kinda’ distorted it a little, and I have done my best to make it work as far the total clarity of the song goes.

And, this goes out to Mahesh & Vidhu, my nephew and niece who adore this song..

Thanks for your time, and hope you enjoy the take!

Movie: Paiyya
Original Music by: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Originally sung by: Haricharan & Tanvi
Lead, Harmonies and mix: Meera Manohar
K-track courtesy: Amal Antony

Lyrics:

thuli thuli thuli mazhaiyaai vanthaanae
suda suda suda marainthey ponaanae
paarthal paarka thondrum
perai ketka thondrum
avanai paarkkumbodhum
kaatrai paranthida thondrum
sel sel avanidam sel
endrey kaalgal solluthadi
sol sol avanidam sol
endrey nenjam kolluthadi
azhagai manathai parithu vittanae

Charanam I:

devanae avan en devanae
azhagiya pon mugam kaanavey
aayul thaan podhumo
kaatriley avanadhu vaasanai
Avanidam yosanai kettuthaan
pookkalum pookumo
netri meley ottrai mudi aadum bothum
nenjukkulley minnal pookum paarvai aalai thookum
kannam paarthaal muthangalal theendath thondrum
kaigal rendum theendumbothum endhan uyir kaatril pogum
azhagai manadhai parithu vittaane (sel sel)

Charanam II:

saalaiyil azhagiya maalayil
avanudan pogavey yenguven
tholgalil saayuven
bhoomiyil vizhugira velayil
nizhalayum odi poi endhuven
nenjiley thaanguven

kaanum bothey kannal ennai katti pottaan
kaayam indri vetti pottaan uyirai yedho seithaan
mounamaagha ullukkulley pesum bodhum
angey vanthu ottu kaettanan
kanavil koochal pottaan
azhagai manathai parithu vittanae

sel sel avanidam sel
endrey kaalgal solluthadi
sol sol avanidam sol
endrey nenjam kolluthadi (thuli thuli)



Thuli Thuli (female cover version) from Paiyya | Upload Music