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Celebrating Maestro Ilayaraja: A Journey Through His Musical Genius

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No introduction is needed for the Maestro Ilayaraja, as his music provides a resounding introduction for him. His songs are not only all-time chartbusters, but what is extraordinary is that movie and music aficionados even recite his background music as songs. He breathed life into the work of several renowned directors, ensuring that his music not only underscored their work but also stood out on its own. This is indeed a rare feat.

In celebration of his birthday today, here are a couple of interviews featuring Ilayaraja, each accompanied by a brief summary.

Interviews Featuring Ilayaraja

Maestro Ilayaraja Interview in Telugu

In this interview, Ilayaraja discusses his exceptional energy and dedication to his work (from 22:34 to 25:00). He also talks about how lyrics flow into his tune and vice versa (from 06:40 to 09:05). When work flows, there is an infinite amount of energy.

RGV Memories Behind Shiva Movie Making | Akkineni Nagarjuna | Cut Chesthe #1 | Film Tree

In another interview, RGV discussed Ilayaraja’s work. He explained that Ilayaraja perceived the students’ fight as a painful event, and this sentiment was reflected in his music.

Live Composing by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja | 50th International Film Festival of India Goa | Doordarshan

Once again, he picks up a unique theme of a lullaby as background score for a situation as narrated by Director Balki, where a son is headed to kill his father.

Ilayaraja’s career is a testament to the power of letting work flow seamlessly. His ability to immerse himself in his compositions and create music that resonates deeply with listeners is a true demonstration of the infinite energy that comes from a passionate and uninterrupted creative process.

The Magic of Flow in Ilayaraja’s Music

Ilayaraja’s work is a masterclass in the concept of “flow,” a state of complete immersion and engagement in a task. This state, often described by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, is characterized by an almost euphoric sense of focus and productivity. When Ilayaraja composes, he enters this state, channeling his creativity and energy into every note and melody.

In the Telugu interview, Ilayaraja speaks about how work becomes effortless and time seems to stand still when he is in the zone. This is evident in the way he seamlessly blends lyrics with tunes, creating harmonious compositions that transcend time. His dedication to his craft ensures that his music not only supports the narrative of the films he works on but also elevates the emotional impact of the scenes.

Ilayaraja’s Musical Influence

Over the years, Ilayaraja has worked with a plethora of directors, each bringing their unique vision to the table. His collaborations with directors like Mani Ratnam, K. Balachander, and Bharathiraja have produced some of the most iconic soundtracks in Indian cinema. His ability to understand and enhance the director’s vision with his music has made him an invaluable asset to the film industry.

In RGV’s interview, the director recalls how Ilayaraja’s music added depth to the emotional and dramatic moments in the film “Shiva.” The background score for the student fight scene is a prime example of how Ilayaraja’s music can convey complex emotions and elevate the narrative.

The Unique Themes of Ilayaraja’s Compositions

Ilayaraja’s versatility as a composer is evident in the wide range of themes he has tackled in his music. From soulful melodies to high-energy dance numbers, his repertoire includes something for every mood and occasion. His live composing session at the 50th International Film Festival of India in Goa is a testament to his creative genius. In this session, he composed a lullaby as a background score for a scene where a son is headed to kill his father, demonstrating his ability to find beauty in even the most intense and dramatic situations.

Conclusion

Ilayaraja’s career is a shining example of the boundless energy that comes from being truly passionate about one’s work. His ability to enter a state of flow and create music that resonates with audiences worldwide is a testament to his dedication and talent. As we celebrate his birthday, we honor his contributions to the world of music and look forward to many more years of his enchanting compositions.

Happy Birthday, Maestro Ilayaraja. Your music continues to inspire and energize countless fans around the world.

Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedic Wisdom to Duke’s Class of 2024

“Find your path”- image created by author and DALL.E-3

“What’s the deal…” with finding direction after college? Jerry Seinfeld’s wildly entertaining Duke commencement speech broke it down in his trademark comedic, yet abundantly insightful way.

He playfully joked that Duke was eager to get rid of the graduates and bring in new students. But his real wisdom came through in his core life advice:

Don’t obsess over finding your passion – Seinfeld advocated simply working hard at whatever you do well, whether your dream job or not. His three keys: 1) Bust your ass 2) Pay attention 3) Fall in love with everything around you.

On that first key about work, Seinfeld didn’t mince words: “Whatever you’re doing…Make an effort. Just pure stupid, no real idea what I’m doing here effort. Effort always yields a positive value.” He viewed hustle and hard work as non-negotiables, even if you’re not on the right path yet. “Just swing the bat and pray is not a bad approach.”

Seinfeld clearly valued a strong work ethic above all else, likely stemming from his own humble beginnings as a struggling comic. He reminisced, “When I started out as a comedian, I did not think I was funny…I just have to be funny enough to feed one person. And I could do that with a loaf of wonder bread, a jar of peanut butter.”

Bucking the common wisdom of “nobody ever looks back and wishes they spent more time at the office,” Seinfeld defiantly stated, “I definitely will not be looking back wishing I worked less.” He viewed work not as a grind, but as something “wonderful” to be embraced. If you hate your job, he bluntly prescribed: “Quit. On your lunch break. Disappear.”

On that third key of falling in love, Seinfeld elaborated “It’s easy to fall in love with people. I suggest falling in love with anything and everything…stumpt mundane objects.” He found joy in the smallest details.

He cheekily defended the concept of “privilege,” saying the elite Duke graduates should proudly own their accomplishments. In contrast, he knocked the “embarrassing” rise of AI as people being “dumb enough” to need invented brains to do their work.

Most importantly, Seinfeld urged the graduates to maintain their sense of humor – as it’s the essential survival tool to navigate life’s abundant insanities that will never make complete sense, no matter how just and improved they make the world.

When it came to careers, Seinfeld advised pursuing whatever job you find “coolest,” over chasing money. As he put it in his typical underdog spirit, “Money will come somehow. Don’t think about having, think about becoming.”

For graduates still feeling lost, Seinfeld argued that was the luckiest position – their lives were primed for way more “surprises and excitement” than those who think they have it all figured out.

In his signature style synthesizing humor and practicality, Seinfeld encapsulated an approach to life that would make any confused graduate feel empowered: Work hard, pay attention, embrace awkwardness, cultivate interests over pursuits, and retain a strong comedic perspective. Yada, yada, yada…not bad advice from a comedian who turned “nothing” into iconic entertainment.

Related links

Tumblers | Cups & Bottles | Stanley – Stanley 1913

Manifestation, Understanding Action, and the Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba: A Spiritual Confluence

Confluence of wisdom- image generated by author and DALL-E-3

In the realm of spirituality, the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, Swami Sundara Chaitanyananda, and Shirdi Sai Baba offer profound insights into the nature of existence, the power of action, and the essence of faith and patience. This blog post aims to weave together these distinct threads of wisdom into a cohesive tapestry of understanding.

The Power of Manifestation: Eckhart Tolle’s Teachings

Eckhart Tolle, a renowned spiritual teacher, offers a unique perspective on manifestation. He suggests that the most powerful way to manifest is not through sheer willpower or desire, but through a sense of presence and detachment. By feeling that what you want is already here, you merge the image of your desire with a sense of fullness. This powerful way of manifesting implies that you don’t need that thing for your happiness or fulfillment anymore.

Tolle emphasizes the importance of detachment from the desired outcome. This detachment prevents the projection of your desire as a future event and allows it to exist in the present moment. This concept aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who said, “Whenever you pray for something, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”

Understanding Action: Insights from Swami Sundara Chaitanyananda

Swami Sundara Chaitanyananda, a revered spiritual leader, offers valuable insights into understanding action. He suggests that one should act with an expectation of an outcome, but not be attached to what the outcome will eventually be. This perspective resonates with Tolle’s teachings on detachment in manifestation.

Swami Chaitanyananda further explains that the perception of the result is always categorized into four types–as expected, more than expected, less than expected, unexpected–and it is this attachment to the perception that causes sorrow. This is because the result was never in our control to begin with, so any perception of it and dwelling on it doesn’t make sense.

Shraddha and Saburi: Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba

Shirdi Sai Baba, a revered saint, emphasized the principles of Shraddha (faith) and Saburi (patience) in his teachings. These principles align beautifully with the teachings of Tolle and Chaitanyananda. Faith, in this context, can be likened to the belief in the manifestation of your desires, as Tolle suggests. Patience, on the other hand, aligns with Chaitanyananda’s teachings on understanding action and not being attached to the outcome.

Shirdi Sai Baba’s teachings remind us that faith and patience are integral to our life’s journey. They guide us to stay rooted in our belief and to patiently wait for the fruits of our actions, without being overly attached to the outcome.

Conclusion

The teachings of Eckhart Tolle, Sundara Chaitanyananda, and Shirdi Sai Baba, though distinct, converge beautifully to offer a holistic perspective on manifestation, understanding action, and the importance of faith and patience. By integrating these teachings into our lives, we can navigate our life’s journey with greater wisdom and clarity.

Related Links

1. Bhakthi TV Clip 1: How to act
2. Bhakthi TV Clip 2: Four types of perception of Reward-Anukoola, Prathikoola, Adhika, Alpa
3. Bhakthi TV Clip 2: Expectation Vs Perception of Reward, Reason for stress
4. Eckhart Tolle on Manifestation