If the packaging of the “Harris: On The Edge” concert is any indication of the future of live performance and concerts, music lovers can expect sensory nirvana in 3D.
Though it was just a small glimpse of what 3D can do to enhance the concert experience, it is quite a game-changer in a country where music is consumed in the context of the film, the stars and the larger-than-life choreography.
Action unfolds
The Harris Jayaraj concert at Mayajaal recently was full of surprises, and fans lapped up every bit of the action that unfolded, song after song. Right from the moment flautist Naveen created the magic of the ‘Poopol Poopol' number from the composer's debut film “Minnale” to get the concert, directed by AL Vijay, started at around 8 p.m.
And the man who gave him that first break, Gautham Menon sprung up on stage to sing a couple of lines from “Azhagiya Theeye” from the same film before the “Anniyan” theme set the mood for the grand entry.
Harris came sporting an electric guitar spouting fireworks and launched into the opening riff of ‘Adiye Kolludhey' (from “Vaaranam Aayiram”) before his star singer Krish took over and Sunitha Sarathy joined in. It was just the start the adrenaline pumping show needed, as Benny Dayal, Suchitra and Sri Charan maintained the momentum with ‘Pudhu Pudhu' (“Dhaam Dhoom”).
Quickly, the mood turned mushy with back-to-back romantic numbers as Naresh Iyer crooned ‘Mundhinam Parthene' (“Vaaranam Aayiram”) with Harini and Tippu soulfully sung ‘Venmathi Venmathiye' (“Minnale”).
Suchitra and KK got the crowd on its feet instantly with ‘Kalyanam Thaan Kattikittu' (“Saamy”) and Harris paid tribute to his friend Jeeva with ‘Anbe En Anbe' (“Dhaam Dhoom”) performed by Harish Raghavendra and Megha, and soon, Haricharan was next on stage with ‘Pala Pala' (“Ayan”).
Devan Ekambaram came strumming his guitar for ‘Iru Vizhi Unadhu' as the crowd got a taste of “Minnale” again.
It was time for another surprise as Harris decided to give the crowd an early Deepavali gift, with ‘Oh Ringa Ringa' from “7am Arivu” as Benny Dayal, Suchitra and Sharmila moved around the stage. Sunitha Sarathy's high-pitched ‘Thoothu Varumaa' kept the energy levels up.
Krish stepped in for Karthik to sing ‘Hasili Fisili' (“Aadhavan”) with Sharmila, Harini and Sri Charan. Only Harris seemed to be in an uncomfortably awkward centrestage position unsure of his body language with some nervous hip-shaking and theatrics with so much going on at the same time.
The use of animation was creative in the numbers that followed. Haricharan's ‘Nenjukkul Peidhidum' (“Vaaranam Aayiram”) with Megha, and ‘Enamo Yetho' (“Ko”) by Aalap Raju, Harini and Sri Charan.
The choreography of the dancers was always in sync with the animated visuals on the giant screen on stage and there was never a dull moment.
A pulsating ‘Oyaayiye Yaayiye' (“Ayan”) performed by Benny Dayal, Haricharan and Shalini (stepping in for Chinmayi) was followed by ‘Vaseegara' (“Minnale”) by Megha (standing in for Bombay Jayashree) and the high-octane ‘Uyirin Uyire' (“Kaakha Kaakha”) by KK and Suchitra.
Something for the kids
The crowd was then asked to wear the 3D glasses for ‘Randakka' (“Anniyan”) by Krish, Haricharan and Harini. This was the segment that the kids in the crowd completely loved — with flying vegetables coming straight at them, the animation taking us right to the middle of action of a thiruvizha with giant wheels, merry-go-rounds and dancing scarecrows.
Harris himself sang ‘Nangai Nilavin Thangai' (“Engeyum Kaadhal”) with Rahul Nambiar and Benny Dayal, a pleasant surprise for many and ‘Karka Karka' (“Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu”) performed by Devan, Tippu and Andrea Jeremiah was packaged smartly with seamless integration of visuals of Kamal Haasan from the film with animation.
Krish seemed to be in the mood for a gaana as he burst into ‘Anjalai' (“Vaaranam Aayiram”) with Megha. And, Andrea came back on stage with Rahul Nambiar for ‘Kannum Kannum Nokia' (“Anniyan”).
Harris then thanked all his musicians and credited them for his success.
The final song of the concert was ‘Vennilave Velli Velli Nilave' (“Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu”) performed all the male singers led by Krish, and the concert drew to a close with more fireworks in the sky, 20 minutes past 10.
