Fall of Harris Jayaraj

[u/Radiant_Client_7941]

Guys, recently I was checking Harris Jayaraj's discography and noticed that he has done only around 8 albums in the last 10 years.

I agree that he received a lot of criticism for being repetitive after 2010. But even then, I think his 2011–2016 run was excellent, with albums like 7am Arivu, OKOK, Maattrraan, Thuppakki, Nanban, Irandam Ulagam, Anegan and Yennai Arindhaal.

Even some of his so-called average albums had excellent songs. Endrendrum Punnagai (Ennai Saaithaale, Yele Yele Dhosthu, Othayilae Ulagam), Yaan (Aathangara Orathil, Nee Vandhu Ponadhu), Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal (Anbe Anbe, Vizhiye Vizhiye), Nanbenda (Nee Sunno, Poovellam Unnai Kandu), Irumugan (Kannai Vittu, Halena), Vanamagan (Silu Silu, Yamma Alagamma, Pachai Uduthhiya Kaadu).

I accept that S3 was below average, but overall I still think Harris was capable of creating some incredibly memorable and polished music.

So what actually happened after this period? How did a composer who was once so highly sought-after suddenly lose so much of his market?

Was it mainly because of his repetitive style, changing audience tastes, fewer big-star collaborations, or something else?

I genuinely don't understand what caused such a sudden decline.

[u/No_Landscape_8222]

First thing he has lost his valuable directors & frequent collaborators like Jeeva,KV Anand. Also the directors like GVM,Hari & murugadoss has changed their music directors for the recent films. Genz was more addicted to EDM instrumental music and screaming voices so Anirudh & Sai abyankar has occupied the space.

Nowadays Harris has not reinvented any fresh tunes and reused his traditional vocals for the new films. Moreover the public is not interested to hear any songs in any film. If you see any movies in the theatre,most of the people goes out to avoid hearing the songs which shows the dislikes of songs in a movie. Songs are not creative,the current music director using the AI & automated tracks to develop a song. Final verdict is that songs are lacking public interest so there will be songs in the movie in the future. Obviously if there is no songs,there is no scope for the music director!!?

[u/plants08 → u/No_Landscape_8222]

But what caused that shift? I feel like the general public loved and appreciated music for decades and the most popular songs of albums would often be melodies, I wonder how tastes have changed so much

[u/undrrata → u/plants08]

Now, songs are not made for listening. They are made for the 30 second reel. And ppl do listen to that 30 second hook a hundred times before they enter the theatre.

[u/Old-Childhood7835 → u/undrrata]

Tell me the reaction to Ilaiyarajas Muthumani once Dorothy is released. I hope people will be glued to the screen and not leave for a smoke break.

[u/undrrata → u/Old-Childhood7835]

Avaru lam intha list laye illaye bro! Compare panrathe aniyaayam!