Shehnai unusual conversations

We have covered in detail of Raja’s use of Shehnai in his music and the way he has used this instrument defying common mood expectations that most film music listeners have. C&R is no exception. Raja has several tracks where he has used Shehnai in a C&R mode. Let’s explore a few top of mind tracks.

Here is a single clip with multiple segments that cover Raja’s Shehnai C&R work:

1. The first segment is for about 23 seconds and is from the song, ‘Maalai Soodum Velai’ from the film ‘Naan Mahaan Alla’ (Tamil 1984). This is a conversation between the shehnai and the bells. The bell response is short for the long shehnai calls.
2. The second segment is for about 18 seconds and is from the song, ‘Kasturi Manae’ from the film Pudhumai Penn (Tamil 1983). This segment has two different C&R arrangements. The first two shehnai calls are responded by the guitar; the last two calls by the shehnai are responded by the synthesizer. A very pleasing arrangement
3. The third segment is from the song ‘Athadi Paavadai’ from the film Poovilangu (Tamil 1984). The call by the shehnai is responded by the flute. This is a very common Raja arrangement and he has used it in several songs.
4. The fourth segment is from the song, ‘Kasturi Manae’ from the film Pudhumai Penn (Tamil 1983). The call is from the the shehnai and the response is from the flute. Observe the segment 3 and segment 4 – the instruments are exactly the same, but the tempo is different and the percussion support is different and creates a completely different experience
5. The fifth segment is from the song ‘Athadi Paavadai’ from the film Poovilangu (Tamil 1984). The call by the shehnai is responded by the bells. I did not include two segments from the same song one after the other to ensure that the listener appreciates what the master does with one technique but different instruments, different rhythm arrangements. Both the Pudhumai Penn and Poovilangu songs have the same choice of instruments, but until you hear them all side by side, it is hard to realize what Raja does with his treatment!
6. The sixth segment is from the song ‘Kanmaniye Pesu’ from Kaaki Sattai (Tamil 1985). The call is from the shehnai and the response is a detailed one from the flute.

Let’s hear the sample of Raja’s unusual shehnai conversations of Raja set to a C&R arrangement...