The album presents a few selected pasurams, which have been set to different ragas, from Nalayira Divya Prabhandam

Nineteen years after presenting selected verses of Manickavachakar’s Thiruvachagam in Oratorio format, maestro Ilaiyaraaja has composed music for a few pasurams from Nalayira Divya Prabandham. With the support of Prof. Gnanasundaram, an acclaimed academician, Ilaiyaraaja chose some pasurams (Tiruvoimozhi) by Periyazhwar, Naachiyar, Kulasekara Azhwar, Thondaradipodi Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar for his latest album Divya Pasurams, which was released recently.

These pasurams provide a kaleidoscope of Krishna’s life — from birth to Thirumangai Azhwar’s plea for the Lord to reside in Thiruvazhundhur and from surrendering to being liberated from the torment of the five senses.

In an era of Schumpeterian changes, Ilaiyaraaja sticks to the time-tested basics by engaging four main sections in the orchestra: the strings, woodwinds, brass (in a few places), and percussion. His music and orchestration often reflect the meaning and feel of the Azhwar pasurams, providing a divine experience.