"The East and the West have influenced one another in a very real and not yet thoroughly understood way from the earliest times": thus wrote Rev. Dr. G.U. Pope in his introduction to the translation of Thirukkural in 1886. The symphonic oratorio "Thiruvasagam" by Ilaiyaraaja with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, conducted by László Kovacs, released on 6th July, 2005 at Chennai, brings out the confluence of the East and West Pope deeply felt, through a rich classical musical cross-over, in ways words can never describe. Hats off to Ilaiyaraaja, László Kovacs, Richard King, Stephen Schwarts, Budapest Symphony Orchestra and all the other musicians for their brilliant work.

This delightful masterpiece cost more than Rs. one crore to produce. Tamil Maiyam founded by Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj, its producer, is looking forward to income from album sales and donations, but it would be a blessing, if many orgs and govs could join together, pay the outstanding debts of Tamil Maiyam reported to be around Rs. 75 lakhs, and have the work released under a suitable creative commons license. There are about 51 chapters in the Thiruvasagam, and the album is a fine selection of only choice verses presented as six songs. A cc license should help many musicians to join the project, and soon set entire work Thiruvasagam of Thiru Manickavasagar in symphony. A brief intro to the songs:

Song #1 The album begins with the verse "poovar senni mannan..." which is about the "last journey" towards "ultimate liberation", and it is also believed to be the last composition by Manickavasagar, on the last day of his life on earth. The score for this song is quite naturally set to a score that reminds of "poom poom dan dans" - the sound which anyone in this part of the world can instantly recognize as a pointer to a death in its vicinity, and that the last rites and rituals are in progress. It seems, when the recording started at Budapest with this song, the score sounded funny to some in the orchestra, who tried to hide their laughter. Illayaraja observed this, and immediately sung the verse explaining it, and the orchetra understood and briskly started with the business of bringing Manickavasagar back to life again.

Song #2 The entire album is sweet as honey, but at about the 5th minute of this song, the first stanza of Thiruvasagam, "Namasivaya vazhga, nathan thal vazhga.." comes, and this is very easily the best part of the album, a little more sweet than the rest. Illyaraja has freely arranged the various verses, to convey meaning even through the topography and arrangement of verses. Ilaiyaraaj and Roy Harcourt sing mixing Tamil and English verses creating a very deep and stunning effect. A brief snapshot from the lyrics, translated by Stephen Schwarts:

<quote> I'm just a man imperfect lowly, how can I reach for something holy? ...

So many forms I must wear! So many lives I must bear! Grass and shrub and stone and tree! Worm and bird and beast and demon heaven the sky and turn the earth how long till I'm fin'ly worthy?...

Hail! Hail! ...

I am beginning to be free... </quote>

The symphonical oratorio is a rich tribute especially to Rev. Dr. G.U. Pope who translated the entire work of Thiru Manickavasagar. (Available online at http://siddhanta.shaivam.org/thivacha.html ) We could be certain that Manickavasagar would have composed his verses with our traditional music in mind, but for sure, Pope had only a western symphony in mind as he worked on the translations. The frequent "Hail" we come across succintly summarises the essence of "Namasivaya Vazhga" and other praises, and sets the work in symphony with great effect.

Song #3 pooerukonum Purantharanum is yet another sweet composition picturising a king bee singing praises.

Song #4 Umbarkatkarrsaey

Song #5 Manickavasagar paints a picture of women pulverising gold and perals to dust with ural and ulakkai (pestle and mortar), singing Muthu Natramam in praise of their lord. At the inauguration, this song was enacted on stage by a classical troupe, and at the same time a pair danced swift ballet moves sharing the stage with them.

Song #6 This is like a "hello world" introduction to setting Thiruvasagam into symphony. Ilaiyaraaja takes a simple score, searches for suitable verses and finally finds that the verse beginning "putril vazh aravum anjen.." fits the score rather well, and finishes the album with great grace. He makes the whole exercise appear very easy and simple, but none other than the mastero could have undertaken the task of setting the fairly difficult classical tamil verse of Thiru Manickavasagam, that is more than 2000 years old, into symphony.

More stories and resources at: http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/06/stories/2005060612390600.htm http://nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?id=3650 http://www.tis-usa.com/2004/06/project.html http://www.tamilmm.com/ http://siddhanta.shaivam.org/thivacha.html

Enjoy :)