Thiruvasagam by Ilayaraja

Mother and Shiva are two themes that brings the best out of Raja. This is proved once more with Thiruvasagam. ( I equally enjoyed Rajavin ramanamalai)

The biggest annoyance however, is the fact that Raja has sung all the songs (except one) by himself. Raja is a great music director but stretching that Halo effect to the singing department is quite not fair. I am not saying he is unfit to sing. But his voice is a rustic voice that fits folk. This is the voice which you link with a " veetukku veetukku vasapadi vaenum" or a "Nila athu vanathu mele". Listening to thiruvasagam in the same voice makes you feel only as divine as watching Ramya Krishnan or Roja in the 'Amman' attire. Can you imagine waking up to a suprabatham sung by Paravai Muniamma?

To add to the irritation, he ensures his beloved daughter gets to sing some of his best compositions ( remember , Mayilpolae from Bharathi that got her the national award?) I consider, Bhavatharini one of the overrated singer, whose only qualification is being the daughter of a genius. She doesnot fit into a composition like Thiruvasagam. Still we hear her sing one of the finest numbers in the album.

Disappointments apart, I still recommend this to everyone, as it is immenseley enjoyable. Some people are hyping it to be the ultimate divine expression. I beg to differ. Treat it like as a music album, you have value for money. If you want to relate to the lord, I recommend "thevaram" by Dharmapurai Swaminathan.