Rhapsodic Reethigowlai
I was first exposed to Reethigowlai during one of my flute classes in the initial days of my musical sojourn when I was learning a ‘geetham’ set in the raagam Aanandha bhairavi. As I played the geetham on my flute, I felt that it had a striking resemblance to a film song of the yesteryears. I mustered some courage to ask my guru, who would generally not prefer discussing film songs in class, if “Chinna kannan azhaikiraan” from an old movie Kavikkuyil and sung by the great Dr. Balamuralikrishna was, by any chance, based on Aanandha bhairavi. My guru smiled at me and explained one of those common mistakes that beginners make: mix up Reethigowlai and Aanandha bhairavi. The two raagams do have some prominent similarities but there are certain prominent differences and subtleties too that can help distinguish from each other.
Ok now, you might not be very confused as to which raagam I am gonna take up today (thanks to the title!!) but I am definitely gonna leave out Aanandha bhairavi now and reserve it for a future post.
| Chinna kannan azhaikiraan – Kavikkuyil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIWQLoE1G1w |
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Reethigowlai, a janyam of the 22nd melakartha scale Karaharapriya, is a vakra raagam meaning that the aarohanam or avarohanam has a convoluted (zig-zag) note pattern.
Aa: S G2 R2 G2 M1 N2 D2 M1 N2 N2 S
Av: S N2 D2 M1 G2 M1 P M1 G2 R2 S
Now if you notate the first line of “Chinna kannan azhaikiraan” which is S G2 R2 G2 M1 N2 N2 S, it exactly follows the aarohanam of Reethigowlai. Oh, how silly of me to not have got that? The song, if I am not wrong, was the first Reethigowlai composed by Ilayaraaja and bears all the prominent attributes of the raagam without deviating from it. Dr. Balamuralikrishna must have probably thought then: How could this seemingly rustic fella without any formal training in carnatic music have possibly come up with such a genuine composition in Reethigowlai? Probable indeed 
Most of the classical compositions in Reethigowlai are set in a pleading tone. One of my favorites, for example, is the Subbaraya Shastry’s composition, “Janani Ninnuvina” rendered by Aruna Sairam. The raagam, as they say, has a power to direct but to me it soothes my mood, makes me feel delighted and satiated.
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| Thalaiyai kuniyum thamarai – Oru odai nadhiyaagiradhu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StH2QX65Ws0 |
Another Reethigowlai that came in the 80s was the song “Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiye”, an excellent number from the movie Oru Odai Nadhiyaagiradhu. I think Raaja had exploited the beauty of the raagam to the fullest extent to give us an audaciously authentic Reethigowlai. The metaphorical lyrics of the song must also get a special mention though “Poo vaadai kaatru jannalai saathu” in the second verse is a little awkward and funny.
There are quite a few songs based on Reethigowlai that have come in the relatively recent times. “Kangal irandaal” from Subramaniyapuram which was a runaway hit is the latest. The song is pretty simple, straight forward and is easily appealing. James Vasanthan did enter the music director’s world with a bang I must say.
| Kangal Irandaal – Subramaniapuram http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaWXoLwUXeI |
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One that came from ARR was in the movie Mudhalvan in the form of “Azhagaana Rakshasiye”. SPB and Harini had given us a wonderful rendition of the song. There seems to be a debate among music lovers on whether it is purely Reethigowlai or not but nonetheless the song, in my opinion, does seem to have all the semblances of the raagam.
| Azhagana Rakshasiye – Mudhalvan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A8NoiBaqT4 |
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Vidyasagar is one amazing composer who probably did not get the attention and acclaim that he deserved. He has a lot of wonderfully melodious compositions to his credit and one relevant melody of his that’s worth a mention here is the song “Sudum Nilavu” from the movie Thambi. The song was sung by Unnikrishnan and Harini (again!) and is one of those soothing melodies in Reethigowlai you can get to listen to. The chorus in the song is simply stunning, exhibiting the unique N2 N2 S and the G2 M1 P M1 G2 R2 S sancharams, the blueprint of Reethigowlai.
| Sudum Nilavu – Thambi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mguYP9xv1_w |
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Life will not come a full circle for me if I don’t end the post with an other ingeneous composition of Raaja in the same raagam. This song “Meetaadha oru veenai”, sung by Hariharan and Mahalaksmi, is from an obscure movie of the late 90s, Poonthottam. There was a story making rounds that it took about 14 hours for Raaja to record this particular song. I am not sure how true the story is but the song does have quite a complicated rhythmic pattern.
| Meetaadha Oru Veenai – Poonthottam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka72hiowkX0 |
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There are more Tamil film songs set in this raagam than what is referenced here. All these songs, irrespective of whether you know what raagam they are tuned in or not, are definitely enjoyable. But the pleasure that we derive out of finding out the raagam of a song or by associating a song with a particular raagam has no bounds and we do get a kick out of it, don’t we?
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Author: Murali Rangarajan – (c) IsaiArangam |
Hi mate! Good article with great examples! Some more recent ones from my end:
Sahaana from Sivaji is also based in the same raaga i believe. Then there is Vizhiyil Vizhiyil from Kireedam, a beautiful song! Oh Nengil Dola from Bommalaatam. If I am not wrong the song titled Un Parvai from Chennai 600028 is on the saame raaga aswell.
Andankaaka from Anniyan ¦ Oh podu from Gemini ¦ Theradi Veethiyil Thevatha from Run, and also one song from Mudhalvan! The list continues!!!! What an amazing raaga! :yahoo:
oh!!!
Nice explanation with examples thanks…
As-usual great article!
cool B-)
Continuation part is going in a good way.
Good article dude!!
hi.. Im reading your articles every week..your English level is 100% perfect.
i hope “raaga”continuation part is going well
“How could this seemingly rustic fella without any formal training in carnatic music have possibly come up with such a genuine composition in Reethigowlai?” – That’s why Raaja Sir is called a Genius!
kangal Irandal from JV was an exact Inspiration from Raaja Sir’s Chinna Kannan – So It’s best to call it ‘Inspiration’
There was another Song from Raaja Sir in the same Raagam which is ‘Raman Kadhai Kelungal’ from ‘Sippikkul Muthu’
ARR’s Alaghana Ratchasiye is 90% Reetigowlai but there are some mixes – However he has done a terrific job!
Also Vidyasagar in my humble Opinion is much more heavily rooted in Carnatic Classical than ARR or any other Composer today apart from Raaja Sir – As I work with him I can very firmly say that when it comes to Raaga Based Melodies – He is the real King of the Business! – The Film ‘Pasakkilighal’ from Vidyasagar has one Song in a Raagam that no other Composer has touched to-date – Unfortunately I dont remeber the Song nor the Raagam as the film was a flop! You don’t need Oscar Awards to show how talented you are – The Song will speak for itself – Raaja Sir & Vidya Ji are two very good examples…! ARR – We Still Love You!
nice article it is absolutely different guys i loved this sight very much
absolutely Good
i thing RAaGa is gona giv big hit for isai-arangam
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!!..
Thank you guys for the overwhelming response.. Do keep visiting and adding your comments..
@Prashan: I think you’re referring to “Thendral ennum thaer aeri” song which is set to the 70th melakartha raagam Nasikabhushani.. The song itself reveals the raagam actually in one of the verses: “Nasikabhushani naan paadum raagam”.. It’s one beauty of a song indeed.. Madhu Balakrishnan’s voice adds more to its beauty..
Hi Murali, Nice Articles mate…Congrats! Actually I was referring to ‘Raman Kadhai Kelungal’ from ‘Sippikkul Muthu’ – It’s on Youtube, Check it out…….I am not referring to “Thendral ennum thaer aeri”
Hi Murali, Sorry got it confused……you meant about the Vidya Ji’s Song right? – yes that’s right – That’s the one in Naasikabhooshani…..Apologies for the confusion!
Awe some article
The article brighten my night
your words very strong and has lot of meanings in it
pretty darnn amazing!
:good: Thank u s mc!
Thumbs up :good:
Amazing article guys :negative:
:heart: :rose: :good:
i like the words in this Song it inspires me
you have fantastic creative mind pa
nice raaga. especially in kangal irandal song. i love that song because of the raaga rare to hear as people just go by what they hear they never try to know what raaga is it based on!!!. but this article tells all about the raaga one needs to know. it is very infomative . thanks :good: