Category: Entertainment

Eenam – A free music album in Malayalam

eenam7

Following the foot steps of Blogswara, a group of Malayalam bloggers have teamed up to create eeNam – a freely downloadable Malayalam musical album. EENAM 2009 has 9 Malayalam songs of different genres falling into Folk, Pathos, Philosophical, Festival, Semi Classical, Lullaby, Melody, Duet, Fast Campus Song categories. The album is scheduled to be released by the end of June 2009. The EENAM team is also planning to release and distribute an audio CD version for Rs 50.

I will be singing a solo song and a group song in this album. The song teasers have been posted at the EENAM website. Do check it out.

Ek Meetha Marz Dene (cover)

welcome-to-sajjanpur-tnI have been away from singing and recording for a while. Thanks to the regular sinus attacks I get. 🙂 Anyways, here is a song that I liked in the recent past – Ek Meetha Marz Dene from the movie Welcome to Sajjanpur. Mohit Chauhan is a singer whom I adore right from his Silk Route days. It is a pity that Silk Route isn’t active these days. But fortunately for Mohit, he gets to sing some nice songs. I liked the movie too, with Shreyas Talpade’s wonderful job in the lead role. Set in a village, the movie was a relief from the usual urban/NRI junk that the so called Bollywood churns out every year. And after watching the Khans and Bachans, Talpade seems to be a unique and original actor.

Anyways, here is my try on this song. Lemme know what you think.

Movie: Welcome to Sajjanpur
Music: Shantanu Moitra
Original singer(s): Mohit Chauhan, Madhushree
Covered by: Joseph Thomas (Jo)

Download Ek Meetha Marz Dene (my version) here


Ek Meetha Marz (cover) | Music Upload

What I have been listening

Thaalam
Artists: Job, Charan and Yakzan
Label: Manorama Music

This album comes as a welcoming change from run-off-the-mill “romantic” songs which dons the Malayalam music album scene these days. I can say that these youngsters have real talent in them. The major highlight of this album is a folk song with western sounds rendered by Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu. This song also has Piano works by Stephen Devassy and guitar by “Avial” fame Rex. The entire album has been produced well, good compositions and orchestration. Check out one of their songs below:

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Swarathma
Artists/Band Members: Vasu Dixit, Pavan Kumar, Sanjeev Nayak, Monty Manuel, Jishnu Dasgupta and Varun
Label: Virgin Records

swarathma

Swarathma comes with a fresh fusion sound. A mix of Indian folk with western and Indian sounds. You will hear the sounds of Violin, Thavil etc mixed beautifully with guitars and drums. Probably the only other music band I can remember of with the same calibre is Silk Route and that reminds me of how long it has been since we have heard something good and original.

Listen to their tracks online from here.

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Mariam Matossian
Genre: Armenian Folk Songs

I recently stumbled upon Mariam’s website through Twitter and got addicted to her voice. Even though I did not understand a word of what she sings, her voice and the music brings in a soothing effect. Listen to the songs available on the top left side navigation bar in her website.

Thoughts on The Pianist

I watched the movie “The Pianist” today for the 3rd or 4th time. I love war movies and when I say that people think it is because I like violence. But I like war movies because they show the the effect of violence in the human life. It teaches me to cherish the life that I have as it is and reminds me how important it is to support the causes of oppressed and downtrodden people and voice for them.

A couple of thoughts passed my mind when I watched The Pianist again today. There are many scenes (and remember the movie is based on a true-life account) in this movie where individuals are left with no choice but to save/help themselves and ignore the others in the process. That makes me think, can we really help anyone but ourselves in the extreme situations? I mean, the really extreme situations. If not, then what is this so called thing “morale” mean to us? What is our morality based on?

(Image source: Wikipedia)

Etho January Maasam (cover)

The songs from the Malayalam movie Orkkuka Vallappozhum are a beautiful mix. My most favorite songs from this album are, Etho January Maasam (singer: Karthik) and Thaamara Pookkalum (singer: Sankaran Nampoothiri). This album is one of M Jayachandran’s best work to the date, I would say. I recorded this song without the shruthi in the BG, so please pardon any shruthi issues in between the pallavi and charanams.

Movie: Orkkuka Vallappozhum
Music: M Jayachandran
Original singer: Karthik
Covered by: Joseph Thomas


Etho Janurary Maasam (cover) | Upload Music

Hello Hello by MIDIval PunditZ

Midival PunditzSan Fransisco based record label Six Degrees Records has released Hello Hello, the latest album by MIDIval PunditZ an Electronic Indian duo. The lead track from the album is available to download for FREE from the Six Degrees website. They say Hello Hello is the duo’s most adventurous and mature release to date and one that promises to excite old fans while attracting new listeners.

Midival PunditZ is the work of producers Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, two veterans of India’s thriving club scene who felt that Western dance music didn’t connect with them on the same emotional level as India’s own classical and folk music. In 1997, after several years of work setting up their own studio in New Delhi, the two producers launched the PunditZ. Gigs with Tabla Beat Science, the Indo-electronica act founded by producer Bill Laswell and tabla master Zakir Hussain, put the duo on the map. On their newest release, Hello Hello, the PunditZ marry Indian raga, Bollywood pop, and regional folk dance rhythms to several decades of Western dance music, with echoes of everything from Bhangra to rock music to Daft Punk.

(Thanks to Tim of Six Degrees Records for the info)

Happy Vishu (and a song)

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Vishu reminds me of three things – kaNi konna, vishukkaTTa and my Mother’s birthday. 🙂 During the months of March and April, you would see the golden flowers of kaNi konna everywhere in Kerala and just the sight of the bloomed konna is a treat to eyes. Vishukkatta is the traditional Vishu special delicacy of Kerala homes. I remember that there was Mohan chettan and his younger brother Unni chettan who were friends of my elder brothers. They used to bring Vishukkatta on Vishu days in my early childhood and it was so yummy! I don’t know how many homes still prepare Vishukkatta these days. And today is my Mother’s birthday. She has just turned 73.

Here is wishing all Malayalee readers/listeners of this blog a wonderful Vishu day (with lots of Kaineettam 🙂 ) and all prosperity throughout the year.

And here is a song which I have sung with Rashmi Nair.

Film: Panthayakozhy
Lyricist: Sarath Vayalar
Music: Alex paul
Covered by: Joseph Thomas, Rashmi Nair

Download MP3 of “Sundariye Chempaka Malare” (my version)


Sundariye Chempaka Malare (with Rashmi) | Upload Music

Happy Easter and a song

“Yahovayaam Daivamen” is my most favorite devotional song of all times. In my Church choir days, I used to pick this song to sing for Holy Communion. I love this song, for it talks about a loving and supportive God instead of a punishing and destructive one that the Old Testament usually talks about. This song is a Malayalam translation of Psalm 23 and it is written and composed by A J Joseph for the album Sneha Pratheekam and sung by Yesudas. The lyrics of the song also instills Hope in life, like Easter, which is why I picked this song for the day. Easter gives us hope, that there is light at end of darkness and there is rising after you have fallen.

Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free. – Shawshank Redemption

Here is wishing all the readers and listeners of this blog, the Hope and blessings of this Easter.

Album: Sneha Pratheekam
Lyrics, Music: A J Joseph
Original singer: Yesudas
Covered by: Joseph Thomas (Jo)

Download MP3 of “Yahovayaam Daivamen” (my version)


Easter Song | Upload Music

Kanivin Kadale (Devotional)

Many years back, I had an opportunity to sing in a Ganamela where only the old Malayalam drama songs were sung. It was conducted in Regional Theatre, in Thrissur as part of the annual function of bank officers’ association. Some of the best singers in Thrissur were part of the team, including playback singer Viswanath.

I was asked to learn 2-3 songs and this song, Kanivin Kadale Kanyaa Kumaaraa, was my only solo. I clearly remember that evening, being nervous on stage as I always am. After so many years, I still remember the lyrics and gave it a shot in the evening. I do not know much details of the song, except that it is a Drama song and it is sung by Yesudas.

Wishing you all, a blessed Holy weekend.

Download MP3 of “Kanivin Kadale” (my version)


Kanivin Kadale (Devotional) | Upload Music