R Purushotaman

Remembering musicians of the recent past
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rajeshnat
Posts: 9906
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

R Purushotaman

Post by rajeshnat »

R Purushotaman - drummer and conductor of Illayaraja troupe passed away
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Illayaraja Sir's extraordinary drummer and little later conductor who later doubled up as a conductor passed away on May 19th,2020 in early morning hours. Any one who follows Raja Sir's music knows the phenomenal contributions of Puru .

When I was in school i came to know that his anna who is chandrasekar the guitarist and Puru were brothers.The guitarist son was my brief classmate. I never knew the greatness of these two brothers till last 10 years . I personally have seen purush in school day but did not know the greatness of Purusothaman then at all

The Hindu Obituary
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 622981.ece

Check Youtube of a particular touching recording where he says what IR did and talks about actual composing .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDWqg91io4

At this precise time he also has appeared visually playing drums for this famous song mazhai thirandu- Nizhalgal.
https://youtu.be/2OURYl7LuaY?t=27

Om shanthi to Purusothaman , the legendary percussionist .

rajeshnat
Posts: 9906
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: R Purushotaman

Post by rajeshnat »

Just few words About Puru:
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This great Rhythms (drums) head who later also played role as music conductor for illayaraja was just not helping IR for his film songs but also rerecording . Puru they say is one of the right hand of isaignani illayaraja. Puru is so loyal to illlayaraja that he refused not to work with any one else other than Illayaraja even when the tide moved away from IR to ARR etc. His guru bhakthi for Illayaraja is as comparable of Madurai somu to Chitoor subramania pillai in carnatic parlance.

I have never seen illayaraja sir paying obesiance with such choked emotions . Hear this 5 min choked emotions for Puru by IR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6E5j4V4ew

Here is one rasika who has created a collection of 25 drums snippets where puru plays drums for Illayaraja.See how many nadai variations and tala variations . No repetition extremely well researched . I wish some one does like this for PMI And PSP to start with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU-rVa0H0ws
In above link last 10 mins gives a biography like video where he talks so beautifully from his heart, how eye to eye contact, live orchestration is done. THey crafted great music

I do know lot of carnatic percussion artists were /are in awe with Puru. They can add few anecdotes if they feel like as many have also walked with Puru/IR.

Om Shanthi Puru Sir!!!

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