A.R.Rahman - The Intimate Concert (Review)

In June 1996, my brother Ashwin and I had our "poonal" (thread ceremony) in Madras, India. This was when Shankar's Indian released (music composed by A.R.Rahman). Although I had heard some of his earlier tunes like 'Chinna Chinna Aasai' (Dil Hai Chota Sa) from Roja and 'Kannalane' (Kehna Hi Kya) from Bombay, Indian (Hindustani) attracted me to Indian music. More specifically the songs 'Akada' and 'Telephone' -- but I digress.

Let's fast forward nearly 2 decades later-- yes, June 2015. My brother and I (being the ardent ARR fans we are) booked 4th row seats to the San Jose concert. The nearly $400 tickets were absolutely worth it given we got such a good view of the stage, and mind you we also dropped another $500 or so on the airfare flying out from Atlanta (he last performed here in 2007).

THE CONCERT

So let's start with the + (positives) and then we can do go into the - (negatives).

POSITIVES - HIT THE RIGHT NOTE

• A good mix of old, new and fusion items
• Mayya Mayya was performed really well with a nice background dancer
• Kadhal Rojave / Roja Janeman performed beautiful with instrumentals and female humming
• Nice mix of Tamil/Hindi songs and a few Telugu ones
• Jonita Gandhi is a great performer and great diction on Tamil songs (even though she doesn't speak it)
• Nice time length - and nice flow without pauses/intermission/emceeing
• New interactive hand sensor song ("Thee Thee" Thiruda Thiruda) was very innovative
• Sid Sriram's version of "Ennodu Nee Irandhaal" from I was mindblowing
• Annette Smith's jazz ensemble and cover with ARR from "Jaane Tu Ye Jaane Na" was beyond impressive
• Concert started right on time with few technical glitches
• Nice video background to complement the singers
• Brilliant violin renditions

NEGATIVES - A LITTLE OFF

• Few singers (mainly Jonita Gandhi and Haricharan Seshadri) whereas previous concerts have included an ensemble cast
• Songs like 100 Foot Journey and 127 Hours were purely filler for the singers to have costume changes and for the audience to take restroom breaks (an instrumental would have been better)
• ARR should have probably memorized the lyrics given that he's the composer
• Jiya Jale singer who was flown in was very average, if not a little off key and the arrangement seemed to be a little off as well (possibly playing on top of a track)?
• Perhaps an unplugged section with just piano/vocals would have been nice?

LIST OF SONGS

• Ariziyan
• Chinna Chinna Aasia (Tamil/Hindi)
• Uyire / Tu Hi Re (Tamil/Hindi)
• Dil Se - jugalbandhi with violin
• Munbe Vaa (Tamil/Telugu)
• Saathiya / Pachai Nirame (Tamil/Hindi)
• Naane Varigaraen
• Pookale Satru
• If I Rise - 127 Hours
• Tasalli/Ala Hada
• Nenujukulle
• Jazz improv / Jaane Tu Ye Jaane Naa
• My Mind is a Stranger
• Without You
• Kadhal Rojave (instrumental)
• Warriors in Peace (instrumental)
• Tere Bina
• Ishq Bina/Love is Never Easy
• Thee Thee (interactive sensor demo)
• Maahi Ve
• Jiya Jale
• Innum Konjam (instrumental)
• Yeh Jo Des (instrumental)
• Merasalayiten (instrumental)
• Endrendum Punnagai / Oh Hum Dum (Tamil/Hindi)
• Jiya Re
• Mayya Mayya
• Ennodu Nee Irrindhaal
• Pattaka Guddi
• Naadaan Parindeey
• Chaayya Chayya / Mental Manadhil / Jai Ho (finale medley)

But overall, compared to his previous concert in Atlanta (he didn't make it to Atlanta this time), the San Jose concert was superb! A good mix of songs, innovation and most importantly it didn't feel too long or short-- and it started right on time! And for an added bonus, we got to meet the singers and the legend himself backstage!

Did you attend the concert? What were your thoughts? What songs would you've liked to see? Leave a comment below! 

Social media has changed the way we exchange information. For me personally, I've started using Twitter and Facebook much more in the last 2 years or so. A lot of that is because of (a) it's just the new trend and (b) we use it to promote and research story ideas for the news.

I think, though, with sites like Facebook or Twitter, you just have to be careful what you post. Don't post things that may get you in trouble at work. Don't post pictures about valuables at home. If you're going out (vacation, even just out for dinner), don't tweet or update your status.

Facebook and Twitter are fun tools. But while its fun for you, it's also fun for a lot of people that are looking at making the most gains because of your carelessness.

enjoyed a great dinner last night with the Aon Apps team at Tamarind Seed. I had Kai Pad Prikh Kingh (Beans with tofu), spring rolls, coconut ice cream. Katie, Denise, Sean, Rabi, Dan, Sreekar and Rooks were at the dinner.

Twitter and Facebook - two new vocabulary words that have taken over (hence the reason I don't blog as much)! I'd like to think though 10 years down the line, to have a memory of how life was in the 2000's, I can always turn to online tools to relive a part of history.

Speaking of a history, on a very random note, I think our generation has seen quite a lot of historical changes.

- 9/11 terrorism attack (2001)
- Tsunami (2004)
- War on Iraq (ongoing)
- First African-American US president (2008)
- King of pop, Michael Jackson dies (2009)

This week is Studio!'s first piano recital. We have 25 students but only 13 will perform as some of them are out of town and others are too new at the moment. It's very exciting because usually Ashwin and I are used to performing and this time its organizing and managing a show. We plan to give out trophies so I am sure it'll be an exciting adventure for the kids!

Here is an essay I wrote about why I want to attend the 2009 inauguration. I saw a contest about this on 11alive and it said the top 10 entries will be picked. Regardless, I thought it was a great way to address politics! Something I have learned a lot about from this election.


GENERATIONAL CHANGE

I am 25. I think our generation has seen change. We've witnessed large scaled terrorist attacks. A tsunami. The existence of a planet that we grew up with to not really be considered a planet. We witnessed change. And the change is continouous. As we embrace an economy that is reminiscient of the Great Depression, we wait. We hope and pray. The change we anticipated is about to be here. A new president. An African-American president. The change that will hopefully transform our view to the world. And yet again, this is another spectacle that my generation will get to witness. Some people look at change as a negative thing. I think it is perception. We like things the way they are. But can we allow a global power like the US to lose dollars, lose our large-scaled industries and only have some spare "change?" I am sure our president will instill not only hope in our economy but a promising era for the kids of today. The kids of today who will shape our world tomorrow. This inauguration is special to me because as an immigrant, I get to witness something that may never happen to me. One of my relatives said, the world is changing. If we have an African-American president, this is great because this opens the doors to other ethnic minorities who can also make an impact. An impact to inspire others. Women. Native Americans. Asian Americans. Hispanic Americans. All men are created equal - the notion on which this country was founded upon. But ironically the change has manifested itself. It can soon say with our new president, all people are created equal. I am not a naturalized citizen. I am a permanent resident. For me, I may not ever stand on the same platform that Obama will stand on in a few weeks. But, we will share his joys, his jubilations as he motivates the fortunate and the less fortunate. As he changes our everyday lives, it will be a window of hope. And for me, and for our generation, a change about how politics will shape our lives today and how these decisions will make or break us tomorrow. Thank you for bringing change to us. A change for our generation. So when I am 55, I can look back and reflect, this is what our generation lived through. The change that our 44th president brought. A change that shapes your lives today in the year 2038.

Sakkarakatti: Audio Review

Marudhaani
A great composition with Rahman's stamp written all over it. The beautiful melody grabs your attention from the start with the pulsating beats. The opening sounds like Swarnalatha's humming from En Vaanil (Kadhal Virus). Madhushree's pronunciations are quite good; it is obvious that she is one of ARR's favorite, although Chinmayee or Shreya would have also done justice to the song. The tune reminds one of Munbe Vaa (Jillunu Oru Kaadhal) and Sahana (Sivaji) especially with Rahman's humming in the interludes. The background beat is reminiscient of Santhipoma (Ennaka 20 Unnaka 18). The chorus effects are soothing with a nice piano piece layered on top of a female whisper. This song will definitely be one of the popular melodies of 2008!

Taxi Taxi
The opening 2 lines are good but once it soon goes into the rap, the song reminds you of Kama Kama (Ennaka 20 Unnaka 18). Definitely not one of my favorites - seems like the song has way too many unecessary effects! There is a French humming in the middle of the song by Vivainne which is similar to Bailamore (Kadhal Virus). This song may be a hit in Madras but nothing special about it in comparison to the rest of the album.

Chinnamma
Rahman's dubbed songs generally do not do well in other languages. However, Chinnamma Chilakamma (Meenakshi) originally sung by Sukwinder Singh, is brilliantly revived in Tamil with a medley of young singers. Benny Dayal and Chinmayee do a great job with the song making it a peppy duet unlike its Hindi version which was only a solo. The song weaves a folk melody with a flute opening and a female chorus. One of the best songs in the album!

Naan Eppoudhu
Yeh Rishta (Meenakshi) is dubbed into Tamil, the second song from Meenakshi, although it fails to impress as much as its original version. The singer, Reena Bhardwaj, has done a good job with the song but the haunting melody in Hindi fails to capture your attention with its Tamil version. Her voice is very sweeet buy the lyrics seem a little forced at times and in general the tune is more North Indian.

I Miss You Daa
I am a huge fan of Chinmayee but maybe this is one of those songs that have to grow on you, which is typical with ARR's compositions. The Eminee humming that Chinmayee renders is haunting. She has a very sweet voice ...it almost sounds like Madhushree at times since its more base than her other songs. A good effort but not great.

Elay
The opening sounds a little like Puddichirruku (Saami) and Roobaroo (Rang De Basanti). The folkish, Iresh genre flavor to the song is very refreshing. Naresh Iyer and Krish do a great job with the song and it is one of the fresher pieces of the album. The lyrics involve several analogies and mixed with English words sprinkled here and there (camera, kaleidoscope, hiroshima, surgery) - seems like non-Tamil words and non Tamil singers are a must for Tamil songs now!

Overall, a great and youthful album by ARR! His first Tamil movie for 2008 after Azhigiya Tamil Maghan last year. Stay tuned for more reviews - next ARR album is Ghajini (Dec 2008).

Nash’s International Nite: from culture to charity for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
by Archith Seshadri

Airline: National Association of Serving Hands (NASH)
Terminal: Norcross, GA
Gate: Meadowcreek High School
Flight Date: Saturday, February 16 2008
Flight Departure: 4:00 p.m
Flight Arrival: 8:00 p.m
Destination: World Tour
Flight Status: Charity fundraiser for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

National Association of Serving Hands (NASH), an organization founded by youth for youth, organized a spectacular show that showcased the cultural diversity of various dance groups from across the world. The program was emceed by its co-founders, Archith Seshadri and Aishwarya Narendran, who had previously organized NASH’s first event, Children’s Day. The audience got a taste of various cultures all under the umbrella of a noble cause. Some of the performances include:

- Morocccan dance
- Sword balance dance from Turkey
- Classical Indian Kuchipudi
- Latin Salsa – Pasofino Pro
- Brazillian Capoiera (martial arts type dance)
- West African dance with live drumming
- A Capella world fusion group
- Middle Eastern Belly Dance
- Chinese traditional solo
- Argentine Tango
- Fashion show from France
- Scottish Country Dance
- Bollywood film dance

The chief guests for the evening were Rajesh Jyotishi, Khabar co-founder, and Hugh Floyd, state representative. They explained the importance of charity in the community and understanding diversity in today’s ever changing world. The program was graced by around 150 people who generously donated through participating in the raffle draw, ethnic food fair, and even getting a henna tattoo! Local vendors supported the program giving the audience members something to remember for as the community rarely gets a spectacle of a cultural melting pot all under one roof! Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The planning team (Supriya Shridharan, Haritha Viravalli, Madhuri Tondepu, Archith Seshadri and Aishwarya Narendran) consisted of students and recent college graduates. They worked tirelessly over the last 2 months to put together a successful show for charity. NASH is hoping that this program will grow over the years and has already started working on ideas for next year’s program to make it an annual event. NASH’s mission is to aid youth development and education through cultural diversity. For more information on programs and about the non-profit, visit www.nashforchildren.org.

almost a one year hiatus of not posting. the last year has definitely been interesting with a lot of changes ...most of them for the good. significant things that have happened since jun 07 and jun 08:

- started voice lessons for the first time along with piano with alla (jun 07)
- went to SAJA conference in New York (jun 07)
- went to AAJA conference in Miami (aug 07)
- performed Chaand Sifarish (Fanaa) at the Festival of India (aug 07)
- performed at the shaam-E-sargam recital (sep 07)
- attended workshop at PeopleTV (oct 07)
- performed 'Sahana' (Sivaji) at GATS Pongal (jan 07)
- started eKhabar - weekly broadcast (jan 07)
- organized NASH's second fundraiser event for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, International Nite (feb 08)
- attended first MAGS luncheon with the Khabar team (feb 07)
- attended nisha/ranit's wedding in india (mar-apr 08)
- sang 'Yesterday' (Beatles) at the Peggy Still School of Music spring recital (apr 08)
- got a multimedia associate news producer role at 13WMAZ to write stories for the web/evening news (may 08)
- transitioned half of the piano students to Ashwin due to weekend journalism stint (jun 08)

so it has been an interesting year definitely. my brother is going to be teaching piano at the montesorri school and take some of my students.