IndiaTales Releases "Manikantan Geet Mala"

Largest first time release for a South Indian Devotional Album

After the hype and tremendous response to the web launch of "Manikantan Geet Mala", IndiaTales a global entertainment company, is all set to go retail and release the album on November 16, on the auspicious day of Makaravilaku-Mandala Puja, which is the day the temple opens, at Sabrimala, Kerala. On the occasion, IndiaTales will offer the first set of the CD to Lord Ayyappa. The release event will continue at Pampa, the base camp, where IndiaTales has set up an exclusive store for the devotees of Lord Ayyappa.  From November 16, through three major distributors, the CD will be available across India, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. IndiaTales holds the audio rights, and is set for the largest first time release for a South Indian Devotional Album.

Says Managing Director Nalin Singh, who was deeply touched by maestro Ilaiyaraaja's profound devotion to Lord Ayyappa: "In a moment of blessed awareness, we decided to create an album to the glory of the Lord. Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja immersed himself in the task; in fact he kept a vratha for 41 days before composing this album. It is my great joy to bring to you his first devotional work for Lord Ayyappa, and wish you many hours of divine music,"

He adds "We are delighted to see that our first endeavour, which is a precursor to the much bigger effort - "Manikantan - an animated movie", is taking shape and will reach its target audience soon. The CDs will be available at all leading music stores."

For music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, the decision to compose this album was totally spiritual: "I chose Manikantan Geet Mala as my first devotional album because Lord Ayyappa perfectly embodies the inclusive nature of Indian society that is a reality, an inspiration and an aspiration"

People of all religions, caste or creed are devotees of Lord Ayyappa, and hence the music is composed in four different South Indian languages. The best lyricists wrote the songs for this album including Vaali, Vennela Kanti, Anil Parachooran and K Kalyan. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja has sung 6 songs in Tamil, with SP Balasubrahmanyam singing in Telugu and Kannada, Vijay Yesudas and Madhu Balakrishnan in Malayalam. Shankaran Namboodiri has sung a classical composition in all 4 languages.

Among other songs on the Bonus CD is a triumphant chorus -- "One day the whole world will worship Lord Ayyappa", reminiscent of the "We are the World" global chorus of the 1990's.  The Bonus CD and other offerings have been packaged in a colourful sling bag and is presented to every devotee who purchases the CD.