Pahadi Raaga at its best

The name Pahadi denotes "Mountains" or the raaga sung in hilly areas. This raga gives a feel of having a trekking on a mountain or having a jolly trip over the same. Lot of songs, though have come in tamil, to potray the sweetness with this raga, 2 main songs makes me go really mad whenever i listen to those. One from the movie "Izhamai Oonjalaadugiradhu" and the other from the movie "Punnagai Mannan".

If you still cant guess the song, i dont want to make you wait long. "Orey naal unai naan nilaavil paarthadhu" from the former and "Yedhedho Ennam vazharthen" from the later. This raaga has a touch and feel similar to the hindustani music. Though not used widely in tamil songs, this raaga plays a vital role, in situations where you need to express your feelings to your beloved.

Though the situations are pretty contradicting with both the songs, the simple meaning they convey is "Longlasting Love". "Orey naal unai naan" is sung by the Legends SPB and Vani jayaram while "Yedhedho enna vazharthen" is again by SPB and Chitra replacing Vani Jayaram. Orey naal song is a different scenario where Kamal and sripriya will be in love and she will be married to Rajinikanth. The violin at the beginning of the song followed by a slow flute, the guitar note following it is an amazing piece of work by ilayaraja and the lyrics by vaali,potray a very strong meaning to kamal-Sripriya relationship.

The "Mridhangam" part in the 3 charanam or anupallavi where the charanam is missed out- "Mangaikkul kaathalenum Gangaikkul naan midhakka", Nenjathil per ezhuthi
kannukkul naan padithen" and "Panjanai paadalukku
pallavi nee irukka". Simply amazing use of the raaga. The duo had mastered the entire tamil cinema for quiet 2 decades, but still this song still has its own charm adding a feather to pahadi raaga.

"Yedhedho ennam vazharthen", a song which was picturized in a dark background, needs something special to convey the feeling and any music directors first choice would be none other than pahadi. The piano in the starting of the song, played by ARRahman (yes ARR was working for IR till late 80's and most of his piano was composed by ARR), takes the viewer deep into the scene and he gets a real feel of this raaga. This is a very special song to anyone who has lost his beloved.

It was just an initiative to dig in deep with the raagas, though am amateur. Still more to come. Watch this space for more guys!!!