Nayagan - BGM || An Analysis - READ DESCRIPTION
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- čas přidán 1. 12. 2020
- Nayagan - 1987; starring Kamal Haasan, Saranya, Karthika and others, directed by Mani Ratnam with a musical score by Ilaiyaraaja, the film got Kamal his second National Award for best actor and was Raaja's 400th film. Often, we get caught in web of Kamal's brilliant portrayal of Sakthivelu Nayakkar, Mani's staging of the scenes, PC's award winning camera work and Raaja's gorgeous songs and the haunting song/theme of Thenpandi Cheemaiyile that plays throughout the film that the finer aspects of what Raaja has pulled off in the film's OST goes under the radar. However, on multiple watches focussing on his background music work, it does reveal a sharp genius at the peak of his craft, with a theme and sub-theme in that theme for various key characters and moods. This video will be non-linear with respect to the film's storyline as this is focusses on the BGM. So, let's go.
Neela's Theme:
This is a theme for Velu's love interest and wife, Neela.
Start-0:15: When Velu sees her for the first time in a brothel, surprised at a school student who is prostituting herself, a gentle guitar wafts. This guitar will underline Neela.
00:16-2:17: However, when Velu believes in her and lets her study for the night, the theme begins blossoming, fully in guitar first with a keyboard pressing the theme, as it reveals the heroine and her tenderness. Dawn breaks, and as Velu leaves, his interest in her, even as the guitar-keys underline Neela, comes in sweeping strings of violins. Neela and Velu together are in a silent dialogue through guitar-keys and violins. The violins will mark Velu in Neela's theme.
2:18-3:41: As Neela talks about her gratitude to Velu, fearing she'd break down if she talks further, the entire theme is in only guitar-keys now, as it is about Neela's perspective and feeling of gratitude.
3:42-4:16: They're married with kids. As they ponder the future of the kids, the guitar leads us through Neela but as Velu speaks, we hear a variation in a solo violin, which prominently reminds us of the main theme at 4:07, as Velu talks about their offsprings. This is not Velu's perspective of Neela but of (t)he(i)r kids. The leitmotif is also a branch off the main theme. Brilliant.
4:17-4:44: Neela has been murdered. Gentle guitars in the background (her memories) with the violins sweeping the theme entirely as Velu's grief and rage take centerstage. This theme will not play again in the film. Total genius at work.
Ajit's theme - Velu's Mercy
4:45-5:31: Young Velu murders a corrupt Inspector Kelkar in Bombay but realizes the inspector has left behind a special kid. Velu's guilt and innate mercy towards Ajit are brought out touchingly with a sarangi (?).
5:32-6:36: Ajit has grown, wanting to be an inspector, and an ageing Velu, in his all compassing mercy, asks him to be his personal inspector. The touching theme plays, with a dholak.
Reddy Brothers - Villainous Tracks
6:37-7:34: A theme for the brief villains, the Reddy brothers, who come in Velu's ways and the underworld rivalry between Don Velu Nayakkar and the Reddy Dons are brought out in a very cool theme.
7:35-7:43: Raaja takes a detour from the main theme as the Reddy bros plot the murder of Velu and his family with trumpets and some really funky drum work.
7:44-7:56: As Reddy bros close in to murder Velu's family.
7:57-8:39: As Velu orders the revenge killing of the Reddy clan.
8:40-9:52: Here, we see a marriage of the main theme with the detour theme from 7:35-7:43 as the Reddys end up murdered. The detour is a theme for murders plotted and their eventual backfiring on the Reddys. Brilliant.
Death - Morbidity as Velu loses kin
9:53-10:38: As Neela ends up murdered by the Reddys, a morbid vocal harmony plays.
10:39-11:24: As Velu's son dies executing Velu's errand, the same morbid vocal harmonies repeat, as a guilt and grief stricken Velu mourns. This morbid theme plays only twice; as Velu loses his love, flesh and blood. Brilliant again.
Velu's Strife with his Daughter
11:25-12:03: As his daughter detests his underworld means of life and wants to leave him for it consuming her mother and brother, a shehnai screams in three pitches, possibly underlining how out of sync an ageing Velu is with his daughter.
12:04-12:52: As an old Velu discovers his daughter and realizes she is married with a kid, the Thenpandi Cheemaiyile bells clink, quickly leading to a delighted surprise giving way to the song's bells again, before arriving at this theme as his daughter is out of sync with him and wants him to leave.
12:53-End: As Velu's daughter comes around during his trial and lets him bless his grandkid, the theme plays as Velu is out of sync and has no answer to the kid's "are you good? Or bad?"
Ilaiyaraaja blazes his trail and peppers this film with an absolutely stunning score which he'd have scored in 2-3 days in all likelihood, which is baffling and a pointer to his monumental genius. Well, long live the Maestro.
Admire ur intense labour of utmost love, fr Isaignani's music, in ur laudable effort, to delineate the nuances to laymen like me, fr the wholesome savouring of Isaignani's electrifying music
The bgm Kamal meeting Saranya for the first timd always gets me 🙏🙏🙇♀❤❤
Love you man 🖤🖤.. your brilliant description and ILayairaaja sir music🎹🎸🎵 literally made me to cry.
Wow Great work brother 🔥🔥🔥🔥
1.7K views in 2yrs as on date - 25.01.2023, & only 9 comments. I think it's coz the ardent Isaignani fan is dumbstruck, on learning about the captivating elements of his music thru ur elaborate commentary.
Brilliant. Raaja's craftsmanship is at different level. I remember he did something similar (as in variations of motifs, thematically) in Thalapati too.
You done a great job sagoo😍😇
I didn't know if I can admire Raja anymore than I already have but your description gave me that capacity to expand myself.. ;-).. Thank you! If you get time, please see if you can do writeup on "Bharathi" BGM.. it too has too many layers that not all people can see it when they hear it.. Please give it a try.. Thanks again..
Excellently written and nice compilation ❤. The King of BGM ❤
Splendid analysis and write-up