Projekt Ilaiyaraaja Season III — 159/365 — Vaa Veliye

Subhapantuvarali is considered to be a raaga used for sad, melancholic songs. On the other hand, the Hindustani equivalent of the raaga is used in weddings. But in Tamil film music, the raaga is usually used for songs that evoke sadness, pain and melancholy.

Ilaiyaraaja who is known to change perspectives, has used Subhapantuvarali for interesting fun songs too. The most popular one is Kandupudichen Kandupudichen from Guru Sishyan where it’s used as a cheeky teasing song between two friends about their love affairs and the song that I am posting today is in a different genre.

To know more about the raaga, visit Vid Dev post on Subhapantuvarali

[embed]Shubhapantuvarali — Ragapedia 23 ragam that is synonymous with pathos and sorrowmedium.com

Vaa Veliye is a climactic competition song between the hero and the heroine. They are both singers who have ego clashes and the hero has sworn to defeat her in the competition. The heroine’s father is also plotting the murder of the hero and heroine takes the stage so that she can save the hero from getting killed.

The initial aalaap from SPB clearly establishes the raaga and the techno beats welcome you into the song. The techno beats continue throughout the song. The first interlude is filled with group violins, trumpet and a brief period when the first charanam ends, the beats move to a bit more traditional tabla. The second interlude is filled with a beautiful flute solo accompanied by group. The second charanm switches between tabla and drums beats and the final swara battle between Chithra and SPB provides a scintillating end to the battle.

Day 159/365

Song: Vaa Veliye Movie: Paadu Nilave (1987) Singers: SP Balasubrahmanyam, KS Chithra Lyricist: Vaali Actors: Mohan and Nadhiya Director: K Rangaraj

Audio Version

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Video Version

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