Usage of choir for transition - Red, Pink, Purple and Yellow tulips

The transition between the charanam and the pallavi is done using several techniques, and chorus is used very rarely. Raja has done that too. There are several tracks this goes unnoticed. This is a staple Raja technique that he has exploited in several tracks.

Chinna Kuyil from Poove Poochoodava (Tamil 1985).  The track has the female chorus instead of any strings for the first 3 phrases. Also, the transition between the charanam and the pallavi is orchestrated with the chorus voices (la la la la). Interlude 2 is executed with a chorus in a C&R mode.

Oru Naalum Unai Maravaatha from Ejamaan  (Tamil 1993). The prelude starts off with lines from the female chorus. The first interlude (between the pallavi and the anu pallavi) is also filled with the female chorus. The second and third interlude has some melodious female chorus parts. The transition between the charanam and the pallavi is done using the female chorus. This is a conventional Indian chorus used for transition between the charanam and pallavi.

Let's hear Oru Naalum...




Poo Pookum Maasam thaimasam from Varusham 16 (Tamil 1989) – Raja uses female chorus in several parts of the pallavi, charanam and the interludes. Usage of female chorus in folk mode as part of the transition to the pallavi is the specialty of this track. The pallavi itself is orchestrated with western drums! By now, surprises should be a norm for all Raja listeners! This is Indian folk style transition between the charanam and the pallavi.

Let's hear Poo Pookum...




Aadungal Paadungal from Guru (Tamil 1980). The track uses choir based on children for the transition between the charanam and pallavi.

Let's hear AadungaL PaadungaL...




Hey I Love you from  Unnai Naan Sandithaen (Tamil 1984) has some very cool arrangement. From each charanam, the transition to the pallavi is done using some very intelligent western mixed choir. The song uses choir arrangement throughout its interludes. The transition between the charanam and the pallavi is done using a Western style scat in a mixed mode.

Let's hear Hey, I love you...




There are many more examples. The key idea is the fact that Raja has used every form of choir arrangement even for transition. Under each of the categories (Indian, folk, western, scat, carnatic) you can find a number of examples, if you choose to explore further.