Sundari

Song: Sundari
Movie Name : Dalapathi
Singers : SPB, S Janaki
Music Director : Illayaraja

If I have not said it before, let me say it now. And If I have said it before, let me say it again. I don't think I will see a composer who is better than Illayaraja in my lifetime. If this is a bias, I am happy that I am biased towards Illayaraja's music. The word genius can be used for a few music composers in the Indian film industry - Illayaraja, R D Burman and now A R Rehman.

When you talk about Illayaraja's greatest songs, you cannot help mention Sundari. What makes this such an awesome number ? Why is it among the greatest songs every composed in the Indian movie industry ? I am no expert, but let me try and elucidate. The song starts with a brilliant string prelude - one of Illayaraja's trademarks and strengths. The strings begin as if they are uncertain, and as if they do not wish to dominate the flute, that is about to join in. The flute prelude then sets the mood of this song. You immediately know that this is going to be a sad melodious song. Once the flute dies down, the violins take over and establish a royal command over the mood. This is a sad song but it is still a strong emotion. Now, as the prelude comes to an end, Illayaraja knows that the heart of the song is the vocals, and you have to hand it over to two great singers - SP Balasubramaniam and S Janaki. So as he wraps up, he makes you leave the violins in the background and progresses to silence, with a gentle rhythm as SPB starts off strongly "Sundari kannaal oru saedhi..". As he ends his first line, Illayaraja is not done squeezing the most out of this set up. He follows it with a melodious flute piece, to hand it over to the next line "...solladi innaal nalla thaedi" and now he wraps up with another flute interlude to hand it over to the female vocals from Janaki following the same format. And now is the time for the crescendo, the vocals rise with "Naanunnai neengamaatten neenginaal toongamatten". Now if you are Illayaraja, you have set yourself up brilliantly with this rise in vocals, the strings have found something to follow and so they do. The strings in the background that are looking for just this opportunity and as SPB goes to "saerndhade nam jeevane" they rise in the background to be heard again, and to garner attention. It is at this precise point that you realize the genius that is Illayaraja. You go back and listen to this song again and realize that the strings have always been in the background. That he has been creating a song within the song. The strings tell a completely different story, albeit in the background. He has chosen a moment when the vocals die down, to reveal the beauty of these strings. And you listen joyfully now, paying more attention to the strings and you marvel at the wicked genius that is Illayaraja. Granted that he came up with a brilliant tune for the vocals. Granted that he wanted to introduce strings in the background as violins bring out the sadness in a song like no other instrument. Now sit back and think what anyone would do with this set up and look at what Illayaraja has done. And as you listen a third and a fourth time, a wonderful feeling takes over as you think you have finally understood what this song is about. The music just fills you up like no other song you have ever heard.

As I listen to this song,I can picture Illayaraja and his humble harmonium. I can picture the genius with his eyes closed reading out notes as a nervous assistant tries to keep up with him and writes it down. It is not a small group of musicians mind you, this song needs a grand orchestra. Illayaraja has collected around 120 musicians to be in sync for this song. The orchestra is not sure what they are up for, as they listen to Illayaraja dictating the notes. As he is done, he turns towards them in an unassuming manner as they get ready to play. On cue, the violins start and as the music is played out, it is perfect. The musicians are astonished to hear what their instruments are churning out. They stand up and applaud at the end of the first prelude, tears rolling down some of their eyes. Every note has found its place and a masterpiece is born!