Quadruple instrument based imperfect symmetry without bridge

This involves a number of call and response arrangements involving four instruments that have a pattern. It is hard to get perfect reflection symmetry with four instrument choices. Lots of Raja’s interludes do fall under this category where it is hard to identify symmetry and the composer uses a number of C&R arrangements with 4 instrument choices

Let’s first start with the song Andhi Varum Neram from Mundhanai Mudichu (Tamil 1983). The first interlude of this song is based on C&R arrangements involving 4 instruments. There are no bridges and Raja uses Violins, guitar, flute and veena to create the interlude. The pattern of this interlude is as shown below:

Vi-Fl x2

Gu-Vi x4

Gu-Ve x2

Ve-Vi x2

In short form, one can say that the pattern of this arrangement is 2+4+2+2. This is not symmetrical in any way and a possible translation symmetry would look like this:

Vi-Fl x2

Fl-Gu x2

Gu-Ve x2

Ve-Vi x2

You can see that there is only one element that stops this arrangement from being a perfect translation symmetry based arrangement.

Let’s hear the near perfect Andhi Varum Neram…

The second interlude of Maalaiyil Yaaro from Chatriyan (Tamil 1989) is our next track to analyze. Raja uses 4 instruments in atypical C&R arrangement. While a particular instrument combination can be argued as pure harmony, I still think it is a C&R. He uses, Guitar, Sax, Violins and Synthesizer to weave this beautiful melody. The pattern of this interlude is as shown below:

Gu-Sax x3

Gu-Sy

Vi-Sax x2

In short form, one can say that the pattern of this arrangement is 3+1+2. This is not symmetrical in any way and a possible translation symmetry would look like this:

Gu-Sax x3

Gu-Sy

Sy-Sax x3

Sy-Vi

Vi-Sax x3

Though far from perfect translation symmetry, the melody of the arrangement is definitely striking. 

Let’s hear the second interlude of Maalaiyil Yaaro…

The last example in this post would be the second interlude of Madurai Marikozhundu from Enga Ooru Paatukaran (Tamil 1987).  Raja uses four sets of instruments in C&R arrangement in this interlude – Synthesizer, Violins, Flute, and Chorus. The pattern of this interlude is as shown below:

Sy-Vi

Ch-Vi x4

Ch-Fl x3

Vi-Sy x2

Fl-Vi

In short form, one can say that the pattern of this arrangement is  1+4+3+2+1. This is not symmetrical in any way . If you leave out the first C&R element, it appears like a simple progression of descending number of C&Rs going from 4 to 1.

Let’s hear the second interlude of Madurai Marikozhundu…

There are a few other songs of Raja, where he has used a four instrument C&R as the interlude of his composition. While most composers do use this technique, it is rare to find a composer who can do the entire interlude with just C&R arrangements, be it with three , four or more instrument combinations.