Ilayaraajaangam

He is a composer, singer, lyricist and the first Asian Composer to score a Symphony. He is a gold medalist from Trinity College of Music, London has composed over 4,500 songsand scored for more than 900 Indian films in various languages in a career spanning more than 30 years. He has composed Indian film songs that amalgamated elements of genres such as pop, acoustic guitar-propelled Western folk, jazz,rock and roll, dance music, psychedelia,funk, doo-wop, march,bossa nova,flamenco,pathos,Indian folk/traditional, Afro-tribal and Indian classical. He's a seasoned guitarist, pianist, keyboardist. He's the king of dramatic and evocative melody and background score. His vocals left people spell bound. He's the best music organist in India and produces one of the best orchestrations in the world. His movies have got maximum nominations for India's official entries to Oscars. His composition Rakkamma from Thalapathi was amongst the songs listed in a BBC World Top Ten music poll. His non film albums, How to name it (is dedicated to the Carnatic master Tyāgarāja and to J. S. Bach) and Nothing but Wind (with flautist Hariprasad chaurasia) stunned the western audiences. He was aptly named as Isaignani by Kalignar for his music which speaks for him.



Happy bday Raja sir :D
Raja... Rajathi Rajan intha Raja!!!!

ICE class trip travelogue

Finally after a lotta planning and discussion, the ICE department class'09 trip happened. The places being Veegaland, cochin, Munnar. It was really exciting to go for class trip in last semester of college life. So much memories to cherish for a life time :)

We took a bus for the entire journey. The common boarding point being Bhel, Trichy. It started around 9:30 pm and then a small halt at sangeetas at CBS trichy. The route was along the Dindugal, chalakudy route.We stayed at the YMCA, kochi. Thanks to Shamsu, AB, Pant, Privin for organizing(or helping the organizers).

Day1 started with a Nair kadai chaaya, from tea shop outside YMCA. A filling breakfast and photosessions were already in the pipeline.( gals took boys by surprise.. appearing in their uniform black tshirts for veegaland). After a small stop at Naveen's grandma's place, we proceeded to veegaland. Absolute fun at the theme park. Being my second time, i went for all the dry n wet rides totally and enjoyed my best at veegaland. RB was kind enough to teach me swimming. Veegaland was followed by a small stop at marine drive, for some ppl to booze, while the gals proceeded for shopping. I'd an awesome,filling Mango Milk shake. The dinner was at a 3 star hotel. The veegaland swimming was so tiring and we felt completely exhausted at the end of the day.

Day2 was to Athirampalli falls, 2 hrs from cochin. Remember Aishwarya Rai dancing for Barso re from Guru, Oru theivam song from Kannathil Muthamittal, Namitha's Arjuna song from Aei or the famous Punnagai Mannan. All have been shot at this beautiful place. simply outta this world. No wonder its a favourite shooting spot. The journey to the downstream of the fall was steep and strenuous. The return trip was even more fun, wit ppl pole dancing in the bus. I'd some house building(voodu katturathu..chennai slang) and saroja step. I'd to leave midway to airport to chennai to attend cousin's engagement. The trip continued,minus me, to munnar. A campfire was organised that nite. I really(totally) missed that one. I was awaiting such opportunties to show my dance skills. Chey.. Opportunity missed. :( :(

On the whole, an amazing, evergreen trip to the God's Own country.

PS: The photos that i was posing were big time flops. Either someone shapes the camera, less focus, too much flash, trims the frame. Very difficult for a photographer to get himself photographed. while most(i think) photos that i photograph are much better.

some photos are posted on my facebook album, ICE class trip