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Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Kapi raga - Tamil songs in Kapi raga

Kapi raga is an adorable celestial raga that overflows with intriguing musical notes and oozes melody from all its corners. This raga is interspersed with raga Pilu in many film songs. These songs provide a mesmerizing feel to the listeners. Many Tamil film music composers have indulged in this beautiful raga. There are many Tamil songs composed in this raga. Let's see some of the wonderful numbers based on Kapi. 


The oldest ever composition in this raga is the song Dhyaname Enadhu from the 1941 movie Ashok Kumar. Rendered ebulliently by legend M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, this song displays Kapi at its purest form. Another popular ancient number is Annaiyum Thandhaiyum Thaane from Haridas. Sung by MKT once again, this sangadhi-filled number shows Kapi's rich classical form. One more ideal example would be the song Nandabala from the legendary movie Meera. Bharat Ratna awardee M.S. Subbulakshmi would have played with the swaras in Kapi and delivered an ethereal number. The evergreen gem Senthamizh Thenmozhiyal from Malayitta Mangai is an exhilarating song in Kapi, composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and rendered amicably by T.R. Mahalingam. This innovative composition still remains as a favourite for semi-classical music lovers. Other riveting old compositions include Hari Hari Gokula from Tirumal Perumai, Kaadhal Siragai from Paalum Pazhamum (a heartmelting song sung by P. Susheela), Manjal Mugam from Karnan, and Andha Sivagami Maganidam from Pattanathil Bhootam (cult classic composed by Govardhanam). There are also many underrated old songs which are based on this raga.

Moving on to the 80s, the classic example of songs based on Kapi are the ones composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. His endearing song Thumbi Va from the Malayalam movie Olangal is an enthralling piece in Kapi. Its Tamil counterpart Sangathil Paadadha from the movie Auto Raja is also based on this raga. Ilaiyaraaja's mesmerizing compositions like Kanne Kalaimaane from Moondram Pirai and Chinna Thaayaval from Thalapathi are cult classic songs that have Kapi in its purest form. Romantic duets Hey Paadal Ondru and Ennuyir Neethane from the 1978 movie Priya are some Kapi songs with Pilu touch. Ilaiyaraaja pushed the envelope by composing the foot-tapping folk number Thanni Thotti Thedi Vandha song from the classically rich movie Sindhu Bhairavi. 

A.R. Rahman also utilized this raga effectively in his soul-stirring composition En Mel Vizhundha from the movie May Maadham. Another remarkable song is Kaadhal Rojave from Roja (the humming bit is Desh raga). Rahman also used this raga to compose two uplifting songs from the movie Indian. One is the motivational patriotic number Kappaleri Poyachu and the other is the mellowed composition Pachaikiligal Tholodu. Oru Poyavadhu Sol Kanne from Jodi is a Kapi song with Pilu touches and the Hindi song Pyaar Ye Jaane from Rangeela is a moving piece based on Kapi.

Vidyasagar also forayed into Kapi with some of his finest compositions like Aalanguyil Koovum Rayil from Parthiban Kanavu and Kaadhal Vandhadhum from Poovellam Un Vaasam. Another delightful number in Kapi raga is the underrated song Mazhaiye Mazhaiye from the movie June R (composed by Malayalam composer Sharreth). More recent composition is the song Urugudhey Marugudhey from the 2006 movie Veyyil. Composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, this song was beautifully rendered by Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal.

Other heartwarming songs in Kapi from Tamil Cinema:

1. Bathavukketra from Avvaiyar
2. Madura Nagaril Tamizh Sangam from Paar Magale Paar
3. Chembaruthi Poovu from Chembaruthi
4. Kannan Vandhadhaale from Thambi Pondatti
5. Saami Kitta from Aavaram Poo
6. Sugamo Aayiram from Thunaiyiruppal Meenakshi

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