|
| Review of
'Moongil Kaatre'
|
'Moongil Kaatre' (The Sound of Bamboo) presents a number of recent melodious songs by musicians like Illayaraja and A.R. Rahman rendered on the flute - a rare album because seldom do instrumental renderings of Tamil film songs come to the market.
The album is the maiden effort of Canada-based Siva Chockalingam ('Flute Siva' as he is known in Ottawa). Born in Canada and brought up in India, he started taking Carnatic music lessons in Chidambaram at a very young age, moving back to Canada at the age of 17. He is now a computer professional and is employed in the U.S.
The album has 11 tracks and starts off appropriately with `Tamil Thaai Vaazhuthu', which has a vocal track by Siva. The other songs are
'Alai Payuthey Kanna' from 'Alai Payuthey', 'Yedho Oru Paatu' from 'Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen',
'En Mel Vizhuntha' from 'May Maatham', 'Nilavu Thoongum Neram' from 'Kunguma Chemizh',
'Nalla Thor Veenai' from 'Marupadium', 'Ooru Sanam' from 'Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu',
'Then Kizhaku' from 'Kizhaku Cheemaiyelay', 'En Veetu Thotathil' from
'Gentleman' and a mix of the themes of 'Idhayam', 'Apoorva Sagotharargal' and
'Bombay'.
Siva has done a good job by selecting such songs as give him ample scope to exhibit his talent. And as all the songs he plays are melodious, the effect is pronounced. The music arrangements have been handled by Fred Cesare, who plays the drums, guitars, keyboards and the electronic tabla. A good effort. But Siva should bring out an original album, instead of playing cover versions of others' songs, which will give him more freedom to experiment and widen his
horizons.
Venky
|