[Raja Thread - Part 2 - Tribute to Puru] After I did the thread on Puru a couple of days back, I saw that I have left out songs in other languages (other than Tamil) and some rare songs. In this thread we will play them

In the earlier thread I had picked up songs from this article of writer and director Suka (who had given the list along with Violin Vicky) http://venuvanam.com/?p=593  If you know Tamil, you can get to know more songs that I played

Today we will first do some non-Tamil numbers and then get to some rare Tamil numbers. I must put a disclaimer though: since the credits were generally not mentioned in those days, I assume the drumming in the songs I play is by Puru going by the style of drumming

I start with this Telugu number, which is a stunning one. 'naa paruvam' from 'Yugandhar'. The drumming is dominant from the beginning

Also observe the pattern the drum plays in the charanams. Deliciously complex. How I wish we had a good recording of this song. Superb jazzy song

And those interludes. Every single instrumentalist was having great fun.

An outstanding song which Raja tuned for 'Nee Nanna Gellalare', the all time favorite, 'jeeva hovagidhe' Seems like Raja has constructed this for Puru's drumming

What delicate playing throughout. That was his skill. Never let the energy go down but never be loud. When you hear these in good quality sound, you can hear the brilliance of drumming better. Also Rajkumar and Janaki in this are 'aahaa'

Now to Malayalam, probably Raja's favorite language when it came to melody. 'kuliradunnu manathu' from 'Olangal'

Observe the drumming in the pallavi. This song though belongs to everyone. The guitarist, flute player, drummers and the chorus singers. What delicate drumming again.

Not to forget Yesudas at his peak. I keep wondering as to how Yesudas was able to sing such melodies without breaking down hearing their sheer beauty.

Back to Kannada for this freakout song, 'yarigagi aata' from 'Barjari Bete'. Brilliance all around

Observe that in this song the rhythm has probably more than one drum involved. Many a times Raja uses congos/bongs with the drum kit to create a wonderful sound. The rhythm is so very unique.

And the sudden shift of scale. As SPB explained in one program, this is not an easy song to play or sing. Only someone like Janaki could have pulled this off.

Next to Telugu. 'nirantaramu vasanthamule' from 'Preminchi Pelladu' Another song tailor made for Puru.

Raja had a soft spot for Vamsi and it shows in film after film. The number of songs and the variety that Raja gave for Vamsi is stupendous.

Malayalam now. The lovely 'ee neelimathan' from 'Aa Ratri'

Wish I had a better quality audio. Observe Puru's drumming throughout and in the first interlude

And also the way the melody moves towards both the pallavi and the charanam. Making such serpentine moves and then making it sounds as if that is how the melody must move is Raja's specialty.

My Kannada friends may not forgive me if I don't play 'jotheyali' from 'Jenma Jenmada Anubandha'. As someone once remarked, this is like a national song in Karnataka.

Need I say anything more about the song. It is a favorite of everyone.

'urakalai godavari' from 'Abhilasha' Once again a demonstration of how to keep the song energetic without even being loud.

From Malayalam, 'malar thoppile' from 'Dooram Arike'

Such a lovely song. Raja in Malayalam is very dear to my heart.

'yava shipli kanda kansu neenu' from 'Janma Janmadha Anubandha'

One of the many songs of Raja based on Madhyamavathi. Observe the hi-hat playing in the interlude

From Telugu, this amazing Suddha Saveri based 'janaki kanagalaledu' from 'Rajkumar'

From Malayalam, the Kalyani based, 'mizhiyil meen pidanju' from 'Sandhyaku Virinja Pookal'

The director was enamored by 'Vellai Pura Onru' (who isn't?) and asked Raja for a similar tune. Raja gave him this amazing tune.

The Kannada beauty, 'sweety namma jodi' from 'Barjari Bete' Unfortunately can't find a good recording

Now for some rare Tamil songs, 'yaar thoorigai thanda oviyam' from 'Paaru Paaru Pattinam Paaru'

Once again, a song tailor made for Puru style drumming. Brilliant song

'margazhi parvai parkava' from the unreleased 'Uyire Unakkaga'

'engengo sellum en ennangal' from 'Pattakathi Bhairvan'

Another song that need the soft and sure touch of Puru.

Another rare gem with Puru's playing, 'maalai ila manathil' from 'Aval Oru Pachchai Kuzhandai'

Sung by the Sister Brother duo of Shoba Chandrashekar (Actor Vijay's mother) and her brother S.N.Surendar

'manadhil enna ninaivugalo' from 'Poonthalir' Lovely drumming throughout

One more Malayalam song, 'bul bul bul bul maine' from 'Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu'

So much for the drummer to do in this song.

We will end with two songs. First one about which Guitar Prasanna wrote. 'poonkatrile' from 'Paattu Pada Va' Do go to Guitar Prasanna's FB page and read what he has written. I don't need to write anything more

We will end with this Kannada beauty, a rare song. 'kanavarisu' from 'Shikari'

That is it for today. I hope the songs gave you a good idea of how world class a drummer Puru was. A great loss to all music lovers.

cc: @catchvp If you can also make a playlist of this as well, will be grateful