YouTube has revolutionized the entertainment industry and it is slowly becoming a verb the same  way “google” became a verb. Trailers, TV serials and advertisements  are created and broadcast exclusively on YouTube. The fundamental success of YouTube lies in the fact that it democratized creativity.

Anyone with a handy cam/movie camera can produce and broadcast his/her creative production and reach so many audiences with minimal cost and time. If the content quality is good, there is definitely going to be an audience.

But if there is one group that must be unhappy with YouTube, it must be the Indian Music composers.

Why?

Because if they compose a song which is plagiarized from some obscure music video from another corner world, and if they think no one is going to find that, they are sadly mistaken. It does not take much time for someone to bring it to the notice of fellow YouTube viewers. It can also work to their advantage. If someone from another part of the world ripped off their songs, they will come to know soon.

In this series, I plan to bring together some of the popular Indian songs and similar songs from across the globe. I do not know which one is the original and which is an imitation (or inspiration, as some of our movie industry pros would like to say).

Here comes the first 3 pair of songs. Come back for more. Enjoy!!

Click “Version” below to reach the YouTube link

1. Song – Ya Ali; Movie – Gangster

Version A - From the film Gangster

Version B – Arabic Version

2.  Song- Kaho Na Kaho; Movie – Murder

Version A -From the film Murder

Version B – Arabic Version

3. Song- Dil Samandar; Movie-Garam Masala

Version A – From the film Garam Masala

Version B - Turkish Version

PS: If you come across similar songs, please bring it to our notice. We’ll acknowledge your contribution and publish it, if appropriate.

Image Credit: JSome

Popularity: 63%

I was elated to hear that AR Rahman won a Golden globe.

It’s great and in this context let me bring the (fuel the) most debated topic or comparison. Who is the best music composer in India? Rahman or Ilayaraja? (Leaving other options for simple reason that I don’t know much to discuss)

More comparisons are drawn between these two legends because of the fact that they are from same part of the country. So I propose to put forth some of the things I feel are worth considering, which will definitely help you chose your favorite among them.

The most striking similarity between both of them is unmatched genius, which revolutionized the Indian music arena. Both of their works reach one and all without any boundaries, which placed them, much above their contemporaries.

Ilayaraja entered the industry when songs in movies were not of that prominence in the films like when they used to be in the golden era of black and whites. Songs were more like cigarette breaks in the films. Entry of Illayaraja, with melody as his forte, people started loving his songs. He enjoyed a star status in Tamil Nadu with his large cutouts being erected at theatres in that time.

So perfect in his composition, (hear this) Ilayaraja could play the same notes in different ways that we cannot make a difference. He is the one to introduce western instrumentation to south Indian film music using electric and bass guitar extensively (hear this). But he always made sure that the soul of his tune is completely classical though polished by western.

Rahman’s entry was at a time when music had its recognition in the films. He completely changed the face of Indian music with extensive use of technology and impeccable recording quality with the resources available. He got a jumpstart with Roja and never looked back, became a god to music lovers in no time.

Many music directors till date fall flat trying to imitate Rahman. He completely changed the old typical format of “mukhda antara mukhda” in the songs. A lot of experimentation with multiple singers, varied instruments, fusion, and the scale attempting classical, Hindustani, western classical, jazz, rock what not.

Like Melody has been key to Illayaraja’s songs, Harmony plays a key role in Rahman’s songs.

Illayaraja composed songs, which can be remembered even after centuries for their melodious tunes. However, he did not get a chance to work with a variety of directors, except Maniratnam, Bharatiraja, Vamsi, Vishwanath. Music given to each had its own flavour in tune with the director’s taste.

For instance nobody can expect the first and second are from the same composer. His key focus was to never leave the melody in the song, even in if there is no big situation in the movie to inspire him. Watch this song, Malli Malli.

Rahman on the other hand had it ranging from Maniratnam to Shankar to Ashutosh Gowarikar. This helped him to induce a lot of variety from Sivaji to Khwajaji. It’s like he has no boundaries and can attempt anything, which is a rare quality in a composer. But again, he still has signature on the song with his harmony you can say it’s a ‘Rahman song’.

Finally, in my view, Illayaraja can be called as a King of Melody and Rahman, the king of Harmony!

Hail! ARR! Hail! Illayaraja

Image Credit: Wikipedia and Indiaspecial

Popularity: 20%

Image Credit: Germeister

In Part 1 of this series, we saw some of the recent popular Hindi movie songs and some similar songs from other countries. It was followed by some lively comments from some great music fans that brought to our notice several other plagiarized songs.

In this part, we’ll see some more plagiarized songs. Here we go!!

1. Abhishek Bachchan’s item song from the movie Rakht(Released 2004)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYhbgLGHGlw

English version from the English boy band – “Blue” (Released 2002)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpjCrMZYzy4&feature=related

2. Song “Hare Ram Hare Ram” from the movie Bhool Bhulaiya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLEsgP0FMQ4&feature=related

Another version from the Korean troop JTL’s album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ML1n1zI-3M

The following pair of songs was contributed by Mr. Sachin P.K., Bangalore. Sachin mentioned that the Polish song is a regular feature in their weddings.

3. Song “Dil Tadap Tadap Ke” from the movie Madhumati

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=te0ZdZ1ndyw

Polish folk song

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=-z7KtSGjLx0

I will be back with more songs next time. Till then, enjoy the music.

Popularity: 25%