Triple instrument based imperfect symmetry with bridge

This involves a number of call and response arrangements involving three instruments that have a pattern and also includes a musical bridge. With some exceptions, the arrangement is symmetrical. Mostly, it is a single exception that stands out. This is common as the film music composer has time constraints and does not focus on perfect symmetry. Also, there are cases with one, two and even three bridges that makes this a hard one to analyze.

The first track we will analyze is the song Kaalidasan Kannadasan from Soorakottai Singakutti (Tamil 1983). The first interlude uses three instruments, Santoor, Violins and Flute in C&R arrangements. There are also two musical bridges used that throws the arrangement out of symmetry. The arrangement of the first interlude is as below:

San-Fl x2

Vi-San x2

Vi Br

Vi-Fl x4

Vi-San Br

The last Vi-San bridge upsets the symmetry.  Not only that. The Vi-Fl x4 also complicates matters from a symmetry perspective. The ideal arrangement could be without the last Vi-San bridge, something like this:

San-Fl x2

Vi-San x2

Vi Br

Vi-San x2

San-Fl x2

However, the perfectly symmetrical arrangement is no guarantee for a great melody and the not so perfectly symmetrical arrangement definitely is.

Let’s hear the near perfect three instrument symmetry of Kaalidasan Kannadasan…

The next track we will analyze is the song Kanmaniye Pesu from Kaaki Chattai (Tamil 1985). The first interlude of this song uses Violins, Flute and Synthesizers in C&R arrangement with three violin bridges. The arrangement of the first interlude is as below:

Vi-Fl

Vi br

Fl-Sy x3

Vi br

Fl-Sy x2

Vi br

Vi-Sy x2

Not only does three violin bridges throws the arrangement awry from a symmetry perspective, but also the number of times the C&R arrangements are repeated. The ideal symmetrical configuration would be something like this:

Vi-Fl x2

Vi br

Fl-Sy x2

Vi br

Sy-Fl x2

Vi br

Fl-Vi x2

The above arrangement would render this into a perfect translation symmetry with bridges. 

Let’s hear the imperfect three instrument arrangement of Kanmaniye Pesu…

The next track we will analyze is the first interlude of the song Kiliye Kiliye from aa Raathri (Malayalam 1983).  The interlude uses tabla, synthesizer and flute as the three instruments in a C&R arrangement. With a Flute and a synthesizer bridges, this interlude is close to perfection though not perfectly symmetrical. The arrangement is as below:

Ta-Sy x2

Fl-Sy x2

Fl br

Sy-Fl x2

Sy br

If the last Synthesizer bridge was replaced with a C&R arrangement, this could have been another perfect translation symmetry with a bridge.

Ta-Sy x2

Fl-Sy x2

Fl br

Sy-Fl x2

Sy-Ta x2

Let’s hear the near perfect three instrument symmetry of Kiliye Kiliye…

Next, let’s analyze the complex prelude of the song Nikattuma Pogattumaa from Periya Veetu Panakkaaran (Tamil 1990). This prelude uses conga drums, flute and Violins in its C&R arrangement. It is not perfect, but nevertheless a complex arrangement that is worthy of analysis. The arrangement of the prelude is as below:

(Vi-Fl-Co) x2

Vi-Co x2

Fl-Co x4

Vi-Fl-Co

Sy br

In a perfectly symmetrical world, there is no need for the Synthesizer bridge at the end. However, notice that all the three instruments participate in a single C&R arrangement, which is unique.  This is perhaps the reason for the lack of symmetry when you start analyzing it from a C&R perspective. In the ideal arrangement, it could be something like this:

(Vi-Fl-Co) x2

Vi-Co x2

(Vi-Fl-Co) x2

Fl-Co x2

However, with such arrangements, it is hard to meet perfect symmetry arrangements.

Let’s hear the complex arrangement of the prelude of Nikattuma Pogattumaa…

The next track is the 1st interlude of the song Sangathamizh Kaviye from Manadhil Urudhi Vendum (Tamil 1987). The first interlude uses Veena, Violin and Flute in C&R arrangement. There is also a violin bridge in this arrangement and is near perfect from a symmetrical perspective. Here is how it is arranged:

Vi-Ve x2,

Vi br,

Ve-Fl x2,

Ve-Vi x2

The perfection in symmetry is not achieved due to several reasons. The Flute is used only in one segment twice. Also, the bridge is out of place. Ideally, this will become perfectly transnationally symmetrical if the arrangement is as follows:

Vi-Ve x2,

Ve-Fl x2,

Vi br

Fl-Ve x2

Ve-Vi x2

Let’s hear the not so perfect symmetrical arrangement of the first interlude of Sangathamizh Kaviye…

There are several other examples that were part of the research that shows how the symmetry is missing due to the other pressures of film music composition. However, rarely have composers focused on the symmetrical aspect of C&R within an interlude as Raja has.