Synthesizer based PolyCaRe arrangements in 201x - interludes

We will continue the journey on PolyCaRe arrangements of Raja, with his compositions based on synthesizer  as the background melody instrument. In this post, we will particularly focus on his interlude compositions in the 201x. As we made it very clear in the definition, the PolyCaRe arrangement not only requires a background synthesizer  melody, it also requires two call and response melodies in the foreground played according to our rules of CaRe arrangements.

Let’s begin with the song ‘Kaatrai Konjam’ from Neethane Enthan Pon Vasantham (Tamil 2012). This segment, has synthesizer as its background instrument. Here is how the segment is structured:

Song	Film	Year	Background instrument	CaRe - Instrument1	CaRe - Instrument2
Kaatrai Konjam	NEPV	2012	Synthesizer	Guitar	Saxaphone

1. The 5 seconds in the clip is the synthesizer play which will continue till the end of the clip. However, Raja has composed several back to back melodies and it is not a constant melody unlike other PolyCare compositions. 
2. Between 5 and 10 seconds, there is a call from the Sax for which the guitar responds. Note that the background synthesizer keeps going
3. Between 11 and 15 seconds, there is another call by the Sax and the guitar now responds with a slightly different melody compared to #2. I am sure,  the orchestra would have practiced several times to get this right. Just brilliant use of the technique

The foreground melodies can stand on their own feet as simple CaRe arrangement. The background synthesizer melody makes them polyphonic and hence PolyCaRe. There are 4 foreground melodies playing on top of the constant background synthesizer melody in these 15 seconds. 

Let’s hear the brilliant, modern PolyCare arrangement of Kaatrai Konjam…

Let’s next analyze the interlude of the song ‘Mauni Naanu’  from Sooryakanthi (Kannada 2010) . 

This segment, has synthesizer as its background instrument. Here is how the segment is structured:

Song	Film	Year	Background instrument	CaRe - Instrument1	CaRe - Instrument2
Mauni Naanu	Suryakanthi	2010	Synthesizer	Piano	Violins

1. The first 8 second sis an unusual beginning to a PolyCare arrangement. It has the synthesizer playing on the background, a melody that continues throughout the clip. However, there is a counter melody of the piano playing a few melodies in the foreground. By itself, this segment can make it worthwhile. However, Raja wants to raise the bar and that’s how, this turns out to be a very pleasant PolyCare composition
2. Between 8 and 14 seconds, the violins play briefly for which there is a response from the piano while the synthesizer is still going about its background melody
3. Between 15 and 19 seconds,  the violins play briefly for which there is a response from the piano (a different one than #2) while the synthesizer is still going about its background melody
4. Between 19 and 31 seconds, the violins and piano do a C&R 4 times over with the melodies varying in typical Raja style

The foreground melodies can stand on their own feet as simple CaRe arrangement. The background synthesizer melody makes them polyphonic and hence PolyCaRe. There are 12 foreground melodies playing on top of the constant background synthesizer melody in these 31 seconds. 

Let’s hear the modern PolyCare arrangement of Mouni Naanu…

Lastly, in this section, let’s next analyze the interlude of the song ‘Mella Oorndhu’  from Nandalala (Tamil  2010) . This segment, has synthesizer as its background instrument. Here is how the segment is structured:

Song	Film	Year	Background instrument	CaRe - Instrument1	CaRe - Instrument2
Mella Oorndhu	Nandalala	2010	Synthesizer	Bells	Synthesizer

1. The first 2 seconds is the basic synthesizer tone that lasts till the end of the clip. This is the background melody
2. Between 3 and 13 seconds, there are 4 call and responses between the bells and the synthesizer. I use the term Bells to indicate simple discrete tones on the synthesizer. 

The foreground melodies can stand on their own feet as simple CaRe arrangement. The background synthesizer melody makes them polyphonic and hence PolyCaRe. There are 8 foreground melodies playing on top of the constant background synthesizer melody in these 13 seconds. 

Let’s hear the modern PolyCare arrangement of Mella Oorndhu…

In summary, the synthesizer based PolyCaRe work of Raja in the present decade is full of creative use of C&R on top of his staple strength, counterpoints.

This section must be read by detractors of Raja, who think that he has lost his creativity…