Thread #3 - 1/n Raagam for the week: Reetigowlai – An extremely enjoyable raagam, that is quite easily identifiable. This is why a few songs may give you a ‘I have heard this before’ feel (and not because they were copied). Here's hoping you enjoy your Saturday evening :) https://twitter.com/rgchennai/status/1284459421779628034

2/n Plugging in the disclaimer as usual :) https://twitter.com/rgchennai/status/1281893304070582272?s=20

3/n Starting the thread with the song that started a lot of talk about use of Reetigowlai in cinema. Thanks to James Vasanthan for this gem! While both lead singers bagged a lot of awards for this, it is sad that they did not go on to sing many numbers.

4/n While many 90s kids were enjoying Kangal Irandaal, the '80s and before' kids were harping about the ‘heard before’ feel of that song. Can’t really complain because Raja had put Reetigowlai to some brilliant use in Kavikuyil (1977)!

5/n Transport ‘Chinna Kannan Azhaikiraan’ to 1999, you get ‘Adi Manasa Aruvaamanaiyil Nee Narukiriye’ :) Special mention to the ghatam in this song and the liberal use of pots in the picturization!

6/n Forward 6 years from Chinna Kannan Azhaikiraan (1977), Raja gives us Thalayai Kuniyum Thamaraye. You can’t help the ‘heard before’ feel, because that’s just how the raagam is, but do listen for the absolutely riveting Charanams and the Tabla! :)

7/n Of all people you expect to make a fusion out of this raagam, it is Vidyasagar who delivers it in 2006. Kaadalithu paar :)

8/n In the same year, GVP gives us another fusion in Reetigowlai – a brilliant song that IMHO never got its due! The flute interlude at 3:00 is genius. (Once again, wishing GVP comes back to composing full time).

9/n Take Chinna Kannan Azhaikiran from the father, give it to the son, and tell him Premgi will be the hero for the song :) You will get an absolutely fun Vaaliba Vaa Vaa! Wait for 2:39, when Chithra Amma joins with a beautiful aalapanai.

10/n Closing this thread with a recent song in Reetigowlai and one of the best in the lot! Nivas K Prasanna keeps it simple so that you can enjoy the rhythm and Sathyaprakash’s amazing voice :)

11/n And here you go, the YouTube playlist so that you can listen to them all in a go – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAzt-Lkwl9IclErqgkKAuCqFveFWJwgB3

12/n Tagging a few kind folks who have enjoyed the previous threads, hoping you like this one too :) @SunOfGan @iShO_o @jiljilramamani
@AynavaramGopal @Ajumplakdibampa
@accidentlwriter @saitired @harinisorini @simplychoo
@ssramkrishnan @ranjprakash @gcmouli
Good weekend! :)

13/13 Special thanks to @praveenkpm18 for asking me to do a list in this raagam. I absolutely enjoyed putting this one together :)