Of Course everyone knows the brilliance of Ilaiyaraaja when comes to BGM; We had/will read n number of articles/news/blogs exploring the Master's breathtaking BGM's on - soulful Idhayathai Thirudathey Title Score Or spine-chilling Sivappu Rojakkal Or Poovizhi Vasalilie "Om Om Hari Om" Or blissful romantic scores like Kathalukku Mariyadhai, Aanpaavam, Or sentimental Thalapathy Score and so on, but hardly we had read about Maestro's comical BGMs which are no way inferior to his other mainstream scores.
It happened on one or few instances while watching some comedy scenes, I was completely amazed by the scores, which eclipsed the actors in those scenes.This is something unusual.Generally, BGM doesn't play a major role in comedy scenes than compared to emotional or romantic scenes - as comedy scenes depend purely on its actors to do their slapstick gimmicks. In spite of this, Maestro's scores are remarkable in many comedy scenes as they even outdo the actors.
Some of the best funny scores of Ilaiyaraaja I love.
Mudhal Mariyadhai : In a complete emotional movie, there lies a single scene - where Radha challenges Sivaji to lift the "Maapillai Stone" - which shows Ilaiyaraaja's stamp.Scene starts with a beautiful Guitar strumming, closely joined by another Guitar, forming a heavenly counterpoint and finally ends as a postlude Keyboard piece.This is one of the most delightful score ever composed by Raja.(Of Course Sivaji's expression too priceless)
Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri : After all, Who could forget the classic phrase " இஷ்ட லக்கடி லாலா சுந்தரி கோலா கொப்பர கொய்யா!! " The movie which showed the Captain in a new and unusual role.Needless to say,he pulled off the role quite comfortably.Equally the BGM too take the credit.Listen to the Title Score. Ilaiyaraaja's Trumpet Grandiose starts the moment Vijaykanth comes.
Agni Natchathiram : VK Ramasamy tries to hide Disco Shanthi from his wife by moving her from one room to another.This is what the scene.But it has three emotions Humour - Secrecy - Sensual.On observing the score anyone could clearly figure out the three emotions.That's typical genius of Ilaiyaraaja!!!!
Micheal Madana Kamarajan : Divine Comical Carnatic Piece!!!(Note the mild Bass Guitar :)
Karagatakkaran : What's there to say in this BGM ? :-)
Padikathavan :
The above are some of the best known examples I have seen till now of Ilaiyaraaja.Raasukutti Theme is another good score from Raja but sadly I couldn't find it in youtube.Still there could be some scores which I missed and I will try to upload them in future.
