en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/329267 Comments by violinvicky http://www.thecommentfactory.com/indian-composer-ilaiyaraaja-is-a-genius-how-long-can-the-west-ignore-him-1878/#IDComment15484276 Lesmoore: //But, what is this topic for?// - I think you are too hasty in writing your reply. Please go back and kindly read the 3rd paragraph of the article again. //You cannot write Ramayana for Indians only and expect everyone around the world change their religion// - I hope you know enough of Ramayana to have made such a strong statement. Why do you think Ramayana or Bible or Quran don't have anything to offer to everyone outside their religion? How different is Rama's acceptance of his father's wish (to sacrifice his kingdom) different from Abraham's acceptance of God (to sacrifice his son)? How different is Seetha's loyalty (to Rama when she claims "whereever Rama goes, thats my home" and follow suit to the Vanvaas) from Ruth's loyalty (to her mother in law to not dessert her and accompany her back to Bethlehem); Values, Virtues and Wisdom are taught in all great books world over; The question is how open are you to learn from each other. Thats the undercurrent of this post.. To emphasize how to understand and appreciate a previously unknown genre of music; I don't see the point how this amounts to begging or seeking attention. The world won't be half a mess that it is today, if people don't take such fundamentalist views (such as "Book X is only for Religion Y";) No one needs to change for anyone; Just have an open mind to listen to new ideas. Thats all. Coming to making music like MJ or Rahman, the point I am trying to make is, how much did marketing and positioning play a role to their success as much as their music. Neither is it about bending backwards to suit to the taste of public as you mention. Rather quite the opposite of setting the new trend which will automatically be a success if its worthy enough AND if its marketed enough. Its of my view that Ilaiyaraaja's song fulfill the first criterion and not the second. The reasons why he is not known in North India as you asked are the same reasons why North Indian legends are not known in Kanyakumari. Idea here is not to seek anyone's approval or change your originality to reach new places.. Language barriers and reach are obvious hurdles. When they are addressed, every quality music makes it mark. Finally, I have seen the songs you have sent. In what capacity do you call them "really sensible Indian film music"; They are good songs. No doubt; But if your aim was to compare it with a Ilaiyaraaja song and say they are more sensible, I can't find any such objective measures in these songs that substantiate your claims. Since you seem to be qualified enough to make judgmental statements like what is sensible and what is not, May I humbly challenge you here to come out with areas where you found the conviction to identify these songs as THE sensible songs.. ? Was it in their composing techniques (such has handling of Leitmotif or Ostinato) Or in their arrangement (of chord progressions to the melody for instance) Or in their orchestration (of making a set of insturment together in different styles) OR from an Indian system's stand point, was it in their of handling of the Raagas or the way how interesting the time signatures are divided (Tala)? In my opinion these are good songs.. But nowhere near being a "really sensible" song.. If your statements were not objective and merely subjective emotions, then I do respect it; But the story ends there and I don't see any scope for a healthy debate further; Because every mother thinks her child is the best and opinions are no different. But Facts are Facts... See you soon if you have my answers.. With Love Vignesh Subramanian Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:06:59 +0000 http://www.thecommentfactory.com/indian-composer-ilaiyaraaja-is-a-genius-how-long-can-the-west-ignore-him-1878/#IDComment15484276