Home   Forum   Wiki   Notes   Register   FAQ   Sitemap   About Us   Contact Us  

A JOURNEY WITH K.V. MAHADEVAN

Topic started by Manisekaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on Fri Jun 14 01:54:38 EDT 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

This is an effort, in a modest way, to trace the great contributions of KVM to the Tamil Film Music. As Tamil Film songs originate from the Tamil films, I am aslo taking the liberty of discussing the background of the films where KVM had comsposed- with the intention of adding spice. I believe this article would serve as a nostalgic tonic to the fans of old songs.

---

Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 3 01:37:02 EDT 2002
  
  
  PART 24
  THE LAST OF APN AND KVM
  
  The APN-KVM combination had to break off after Thirumaal Perumai, a commercial fiasco. Vengadachalam who was the financier for many films produced this movie under the banner of Thiruvengadeswara Movies. Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, Nambiyaar, ER Sahadeven, Nagesh TR Ramachandran, Sivakumar KR Vijaya, Rajasulochana, Sowkar Janaki G.Sakuntala and Manorama were among the leading stars. There were some Divya Pirapantha Pasurangal, Bharathi’s song and Kannadasan’s songs.
  
  The prapantha songs are:
  Kathiravan Kunathisai sigaram by Seergazhi Govindarajan
  
  Maargashi Thingal Mathi Niraintha Nannaal by P Suseela
  
  Pachaimamalai pol meni by TMS
  
  
  A Bharathiyar song sung by Soolamangalam Rajalechumy is:
  
  Kaakkai Chiraghiniley Nanda Laala-Undan
  Kariya Niram Thyonuithaye Nanda Laala
  
  The song of Kannadasan sung by TMS is:
  Malargaliley pala Niram Kanden
  
  
  Again, P.Suseela and TMS sing this song by Kannadasan:
  
  Sri Hari Hari Hari Gokula Ramana
  Unthan Thiruvadi Saranam Kanna
  
  P. Suseela sings another song by Kannadasan:
  
  Kannanukkum Kalvanukkum
  Pethamillai Thoizhi
  
  P. Suseela and Soolamangalam Rajalechumy sing this song by Kannadasan:
  
  Karai Eri Meen Vilayaadum Kaviri Naadu
  
  
  TMS sings this song of Kannadasan:
  
  Kopiyar Konjum Ramana
  Gopalakrishna
  
  The famous song of Kannadasan sung by TMS is:
  
  Thirumaal Perumaiku Nigar Ethu
  
  This is a wonderful song where KVM uses many ragas such as Mathiyamaavathy, Thanyaasi, Mohanam, Kaanada, Saranga, Kamas, Savery, Saarumathy, Surutti, Piyakadai and Sreeragam.
  
  
  
  Somehow the film did not do well, and brought heavy losses. The unfortunate thing is that KVM was told to pay the debts. KVM and APN were business partners. KVM was busy composing music and so preferred to be a silent partner. APN used to rush into the recording room and ask KVM to sign in blank cheques. In trust he signed, and regretted after Thirumaal Perumai.
  
  Following the split APN went over to Kunnakkudi Vaithiyanathan and did Vaa Raja Vaa, Thirumalai Thenkumari, Agathiyar and Kankaatchi. This new combination came out quite well initially, but started to decline over the years. Finally APN went to MGR to do Navarathinam, and that pulled APN six feet underground.
  
  But the APN-KVM combined contribution to the Tamil Devotional movies and devotional songs as well as carnatic songs could never be blotted from our hearts. Their problem is theirs, but looking from distance their contribution would be remembered well in the annals of Tamil cinema.
  
  
  LIMELIGHT OF APN AND KVM
  They say films of the season. When APN was successfully coming out with good purana movies others also took interest in producing the likes. AL Seenivasan took Kanthan Karunai, and retained APN to do direction. This was another star value film produced with untold difficulties. There were very good songs.
  
  1. Kurinjiyiley Poo Malarnthu Kulunguthadi Thannaley was by P Suseela. A folk song for kurathi Jayalalitha.
  
  2. A great song by Seergazhiyar who appears for the first time and sings here
  Arubapadi Veedu Konda Thirumurugaa
  Thirumurugaatru Padaithanile Vel Murugaa
  
  
  3. Another good song by P. Suseela
  
  Solla Solla Inikkuthadaa Muruga
  Ullamellam UN peyarai
  Solla Solla Inikkuthada Muruga
  
  4. Velli Malai Mannavaa Vetham Nee Allavaa by S. Varalechumy is a wonderful song with a golden voice even that age. AL Seenivasan took her away from TR Mahalingam when TRM was declining and used her here.
  
  5. Manam Padaithen Unnai Ninaippatharku-Naan
  Vadiveduthen Unnai Manappatharku by P. Suseela was a novelty altogether. Mathalam was heavily and most beautifully used. How beautifully P. Suseela sang it, with so much feeling. Heavy settings were put up for this song scene. This song received heavy criticism as it depicted first night situation, they said. This should not have been for Murugan, was their argument.
  
  Manam Padaithen Unnai
  Ninaippatharku
  Vadiveduthen Unnai manappatharku
  
  Mathala Melam Murasolikka (Beautiful drumming here)
  Vari Sangam Nindraangey Oli Isaikka
  Kaithalam Naan patra Kanavu Kanden
  Antha Kanavukal nanavaaka Uravu thanthaai
  
  Palliyarayil naan Thanithirunthen
  Pakkathil Vanthu Nee Kan Maraithaai
  Thulli Ezhunthu Naan Thedi Ninren
  Thozhi, Thookkathil Kanavu Enruthaan Uraithaal
  
  
  Thiruparam Kundrathil Nee Sirithaal- Muruga
  Thiruthani Malai Meethu Ethirolikkum
  
  was another song by Soolamangalam Raajalechumy and P. Suseela. This was by Poovai Chenguttuvan written for Soolamangalam Raajalechumy to be performed at stage singing. APN heard it once and sounded to KVM to use it. KVM got the approval of Kunnakkudi to use it, and it was improvised for film situation. What was sung by Soolamangalam Raajalechumy as a solo was sung by her and P. Suseela in the film. (It is also said that the original stage song was sung by two persons)
  
  Thriupparamkunrathil Nee sirithaal-Muruga
  Thiruthani Malai Meethu Ethirolikkum
  Tiruchendoorile Velaadum-Un
  Thriuppugazh Paadiye Kadalaadum
  
  Pazhaniyile Irukkum Kanthap Pazham- Nee
  Paarvayile Kodukkum Anbu Pazham
  Pazhamuthir Solayil Muthirntha pazham
  Bakthi Pasiyodu Varuvorku Nyanapazham
  (Thirupparam)
  
  Sirappudane Kanthak Kottamundu- Un
  Singara Mayilaada Thottamundu
  Unakkaka Manakkoyil Konjamillai-angu
  Uruvaagum Anbukkor Panchamillai
  
  (Thirupparam)
  
  When this film came, Kirubanantha Vaariyaar asked Kannadasan how could the sound of laughter of child Murugan echo from other hills? It is only possible for the sound produced by Asuras to create this effect, he argued. Kannadasan replied that it is also possible when a child of divine capacity laughs. Kannadasan also told Vaariyaar that it is their duty to support tottering infants (referring to Poovai Chenguttuvan) to walk well.
  
  
  It was for Kanthan Karunai that KVM received national award as the best MD. He as the first MD from the south to have received such an award. When I asked KVM how he had the inspiration to compose such lovely songs, he just pointed to the heaven and smiled, a sign of real humility that carried has carried him thus far in the hearts of his fans.
  
  
  PART 25
  
  THE TWO GREAT MOVIES WITH PURANA TOUCH
  I can think of three movies that were directly or indirectly influenced by movies produced by the combination of APN and KVM. Two were earlier and the third was later.
  
  VEERA ABHIMANYU (1965)
  This is an excellent movie where songs are concerned. This film would be remembered as one of the best contributions to the cine music. The Director Madhu Soothanan did his best while Gemini Ganesan, AVM Rajan and Kanchana did their best. The movie was a flop, leaving behind some of the best songs.
  
  A song by PB Seenivas and P. Suseela that would keep ringing in our soul for ages is
  
  
  Neeyum Oru Pennanaal
  Nilavey Maraiyaathe
  Un Nenjil eeram Undendraal
  Irave Vidiyaathe
  
  Muthamidum Pothinmile
  Intha Mookkuthi Thadaiyaagum-Athai
  Sathamindri Kazhatrivitaal Nam
  Santhosham Migavaagum
  
  Paayum Thendral kaatre –Nee
  Paranthu Sellaathey-Intha
  Palliyarai Ullavarai
  Sange Muzhangathey
  Katti Thazhuvum Velayile intha
  kaivalai Thadaiyaagum-athai
  Kazhatri vittu Mella Anaithukondaal-Nam
  Kaathal Suvaiyaagum
  
  
  Another great song by PBS and PS that would be rejuvenated in our hearts forever is:
  
  PBS-Velum Villum Vilayaada Vellai Thamarai Kathai Solla
  
  Kovilil Irunthu OorvalamPogumn Kunguma Chilaye Ivalthaana
  
  PS- Kannil veeram Vilayaada Kanintha Punnagai Kathai Solla
  Kanniyar Nejil kanaikal veesum Kaviyathalaivan Ivanthaanaa
  
  PBS- Kankal Enna paarvai Enna
  Kanni malarai kaanamal
  
  PS- Menmai Enna Meni Enna
  Vanna kaikalil Seramal
  
  PBS – Onril Onraai valaralaama
  Oruvar Kannum Kaanaamal
  
  PS-Kankal Moodi mayangalaama
  Thendral Naduvey Pogamal
  
  The above is unusually a different song by KVM as both PS and PBS start their first lines whispering and then bring out their voice in the next lines. This is truly an enchanting song that lifts one' soul along with the lifting music.
  
  Then comes a song where KVM uses Veena to the maximum benefit of the listeners. This is a masterpiece of KVM:
  
  P.B S-Parthen Sirithen Pakkathil Azhaithen-anru
  Unnai Then Ena Naan Ninaithen-Antha Malaithen Ithuvena Malaithen
  
  PS- Partyhen SIrithen Pakkam vara Thudithen-Anru
  Unnai Then Ena Naan Ninaithen-Antha
  Malaithen Ivarena Malaithen
  
  PBS- Kodithen Ini Engal Kudithen-Ena
  Oru Padi Then Paarvayil Kudithen-oru
  Thulithen Sinthaamal Kalithen-Kaikalil
  Anaithen Azhaginai Rasithen!
  
  PS- Malarthen Pol Naanum Malarnthen-Unakkena
  Valarnthen Paruvathil mananthen
  Eduthen Koduthen Suvaithen- Inithen
  Illathapadi Kathai Mudithen
  
  (PURIGIRATHAA?) That is ilaimaraikaai in ilakkiyam that adds strength to our language. Kannadasan is greatest at that.
  
  
  There is a song that would make you traverse the universe. This song has echo effect, which makes you float in the airspace. Flute, violin and piano are well used.
  
  PBS-Povom Puthuvulagam
  Kaanbom Mathu mayakkam
  
  PBS-Kaatrilerum Therileri Pogalaam
  PS- Angey Kan Simuttum Meenkalodu Aadalaam
  
  PBS- Palingu Vanna Mandapangal Kaanalaam
  PS- Angu Paarijaatha Pooppadukkai Podalaam
  
  PBS- Engey Sugam Irukkum
  PS-Engey Kalai Irukkum
  Both-Angey Naam Iruppomaa?
  
  PBS- Venpuraavin Siragugalai Vaangalaam
  PS-Vaanameethiyile Kathal Seithu Paadalaam
  
  PBS-Kaamadevan Maaligaikku Pogalaam
  PS- Karumbu Villil Kanai Thoduthu Aadalaam
  PBS-Engey Payamillaiyo
  PS- Engey Thadayillaiyo
  Both –Angu Naamiruppomaa?
  
  
  P. Suseela has a solo in this film:
  
  Thotta Idam Kuliruthu Kuliruththayo
  Matra Idam Kothikkuthu Kothikkuthaiyo
  
  In this film KVM had used PBS and P Suseela and the same combination is repeated in Idhaya Kamalam.
  
  MAHAKAVI KALIDASS (1966)
  Seeing all these there was another effort to use KVM for another purana form picture. That was Mahakavi Kalidass, starred by Sivaji Ganesan, ER Sahadevan, Sagasranamam, Muthurman, G. Sakuntala and Sowkar Janaki. This move has wonderful songs too, but commercially a big flop. This was a production of Kalpana Kalamandhir pictures, produced by RR Chandran who was a cameraman and make up man in those days. He took Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali in 1959 and it was an utter flop. After burning his pocket, he burnt it again in Mahakavi Kalidas. TMS, P Suseela and KB Sundrambaal did their very best to give life to KVM’s music. This is one of the rare films where Ku Ma Balasubramaniam composed lyrics under KVM’s music direction.
  The songs were:
  
  1.Malarum Vaan Nilavum Sinthum Azhagellam Un Ezhil Vannamey by TMS
  2.Same song repeated by P. Suseela.
  3.Kallai Vanthathu Kadavullamma-athil Kaniyai Kaninjaval Deviyamma by TMS
  4.Yaar Tharuvaar Intha Ariyasanam Puvi Arasodu Enakku oru Sariyasanam by TMS
  5.Kaalathil Azhiyaatha Kaaviyam Thara Vantha maberum Kavi Mannaney -Unakku Thaai Oru Varam Kooruvaal was a song of Kannadsan, which refers to his own self. KB S sang very well.
  6.One more song of KBS is Senru Vaa Maganey Sendru Vaa.
  
  A film with excellent songs, but somehow disappoint the cine industry as a whole.
  
  
  AATHI PARASAKTHY (1971)
  
  The film released in the year 1971 was a risk taken by KSG. His Rani Pictures produced this movie, with KSG penning the lyrics. Following he failure of Thirumaal Perumai and the split between KVM and APN, there was no courage for an attempt on producing movies of Purana nature. Aathi Parasakthy was taken and more than anything else it was KVM who gave life to the movie.
  
  Some of the famous songs in this movie are:
  
  TMS sang a wonderful title song:
  Om Sakthy Sakthy-Aathi Parasakthy
  
  TMS gives another great song with great tune:
  
  Maniye Maniyin Olie
  Olirum Ani Punaintha Vaniye
  Aniyum Anikkalagey
  Anugathavarku Piniye
  Pinikku Marunthe
  Amarar Peruvirunthe
  Paniyen Oruvarai Nin
  Padmapaatham Panintha Pinne
  
  Solladi Abhirami
  Vaanil Sudar Varumo
  Enakku Idar Varumnmo
  Nilladi Munnaley
  Muzhu Nilavinai Kaattu Un Kannaley…..
  
  
  A great all time gem of S Janaki is:
  
  Azhagaaga Kannukku Azhagaga
  Katpaga Cholayil Kaanni Vanthaal
  Kannukku Azhagaaga
  
  Ninaivaaga Pennin Ninaivaaga-Ingey
  Kankal Naankum Mayanguthamma
  Pennin Ninaivaaga! Pennin Ninaivaaga
  
  (what a song by Kannadasan with play of words..)
  
  PS gives a wonderful song:
  Varugavey varuugavey
  Iraivaa En Thalaivaa
  Varugavey Varugavey
  
  P.Suseela also gives one more gem:
  Maayi Maga maayi Manamanthira Segariye-Ena
  Aayi Umaiyaanavale Asthana maarmuthe
  
  Another one song with Kannadasan’s play of words sung by P.Suseela is:
  
  Naanaatchi Seithuvarum Naanmaada Kodaliley
  Meenachi Enra Peyar Enakku
  Gangai Neeraatchi Seithu Varum Vadakasi thannil
  Visalaachy Enra Peyar Enakku…
  Aarendrum Nathiyendrum Odai Enraalum athu
  Neerodum Pathai Thannai Kurikkum
  Nitkum Oor Maari Per Maari
  Onre Kulam Enre Om Om Sakthi Ena Uraikkum
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan sings a folk tuned devotional song:
  
  Athadi Mariamma-Soru
  Aakki Vachen Vaayadiyamma
  
  Radha Jayalechumy sings two songs. One is:
  
  Vandat Kuzhal Kanni Malayathu Vasan Petra
  
  The other song is
  
  Thaippaal Koduthaal Parasakthy
  Thanikkarunai Thamizhpaal Koduthaan
  Thamizh Murugan Vaaippal
  
  
  Aathi Parasakthy was about the last purana film where KVM gave his best music.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 3 01:48:53 EDT 2002
  
  TAKING A BREAK
  
  Dear readers,
  
  This is to notify that I am taking a temporary break for an indefinite period of time, owing to work pressure. When I come back I should be able to continue on the following sub-topics:
  
  1. Famous films of KVM in the 1950s
  2. KVM in Devar Movies
  3. KVM in MGR movies
  4. KVM in Movies for Sivaji Ganesan
  5. Famous movies of KVM in the 1960s
  
  I welcome others to continue, as I have found out that there are many who are very knowledgeable.
  
  This was a very tiring job, and I believe I have paid some form of tribute to KVM, though the series has not been completed.
  
  I wish to thank all the readers who contributed their postings to enrich the discussions. Again thank you for pointing out some mistakes I had made.
  
  Lastly, I wish to say sorry if I have hurt anyone in the course of my contribution. I was under tremendous pressure to organise my thoughts and type out the articles. Somewhow I have kept my promise of a minimum of 25 parts. I have to acknowledge that there is going to be no end to discussion on KVM.
  
  Thank you agian,
  Sincerely,
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: nagarajan (@ 193.194.182.248) on: Wed Jul 3 02:06:45 EDT 2002
  
  veera abimanyu has one more excellent song - by sjanaki = the song situation is the lord krishnan's thoodhu to pandavaas. where it is planned to do 'avamariyaadhai' to krishnan.
  
  the song starts like this :
  kallaththaname uruvai vandha kariyakkanna vaa..
  
  in the middle lord krishna shows who he is and the same people sing :
  
  kallaththanaiththai kandu sirikkum kaviya mannaa vaa..
  
  wonderful lyric by kannadaasan and good music by
  kvm and sj has sung nicely.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

---

List all pages of this thread

Post comments