Yesterday, I bumped into this word called 'Counterpoint'! I had absolutely no clue what this word meant and I started wading through innumerous websites and journals to get the hang of it... Here you go!!!
Counterpoint is often defined as the art of combining independent lines. The term derives from the Latin contrapunctum, meaning ‘against note'. When there is more than one independent melodic line happening at the same time in a piece of music, the music is said to be contrapuntal. The independent melodic lines are called counterpoint. Bach's counterpoint, often considered the most profound synthesis of the two dimensions ever achieved, is extremely rich harmonically and always clearly directed tonally, while the individual lines remain fascinating.
The Musical Saint, Mr.Ilaiyaraaja, know for his out-of-the-world novel compositions, has incorporated the counterpoint technique during his prime (Late 70's and 80's) with élan. The brilliance lies in the fact that the counterpoint technique is so native to western music and Raaja has adopted that into the musical patterns of Tamil songs nonchalantly. The way Raaja has blend the western music with east is simply riveting. Sheer Genius!!! Raaja has also experimented a two-voice counterpoint in conjunction with a third voice, amid mellifluous interludes … Also, Raaja celebrated this Bach-smitten- technique with instrumental counterpoints in his illustrious musical journey!
Here are some of the songs which has shades of the counterpoint technique, and all these years we've been listening (at least I've been listening) to them without actually understanding the technical nuances of it!!!
But do we need to really understand them to appreciate Raaja??? Well, yes… We'd appreciate him even more!
- En Kanmani Un Kadhali, Chittu Kuruvi ( 1978)
- Poonthalir Aada, Panner Pushpangal (1981)
- Kanmani Anbodu, Guna ( 1981)
- Poomalaye, Pagal Nilavu(1985)
- Vikram…Vikram, Vikram ( 1986)
- Nee Partha, Hey Ram ( 2000)
P.S: Am not an expert in music. This is just an honest attempt to exemplify, counterpoint technique and glorify the brilliance of Maestro. Please let me know if you find something incorrect!
2 comments:
'Uravenum pudhiya vaanil':- This song also has traces of counterpoint. When Janaki starts singing, the great man Balu starts pababa-paaa-pabaa-ba-ba-ba... Pliss to listen to it and let me know.
Hello, thanks for the very lucid explanation and examples of counterpoints.
Am an absolute zero in music but an ardent fan of The Maestro.
I tried to identify the counterpoint in Poonthalir Aada. An ensemble of two guitars in interlude 2.
Please correct me if am right here.
Thanks a bunch
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