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KAVIYARASU KANNADASAN

Topic started by On behalf of Sankar (@ 210.186.51.129) on Mon Dec 30 07:11:34 EST 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Kaaviyathayin Illaya magan
Kadhal Pengalin Perun thalaivan
Paamara jaadiyil thani manidan – naan
Padaippadhanal yen per Iraivan

Naan Manida jaadiyai aati vaipen – avar
Maandu vital adhai paadi vaipen
NAAN NIRANDARAM AANAVAN AZHIVADILAI
ENDA NILAYILUM ENAKKU MARANAM ILLAI

These are the great lines of Kaviyarasu Kannadasan in the movie Ratha Thilakam where he acts in the movie singing these lines. ( Song.. Oru Koopayilae yen kudiyiruppu)

What a visionary he was ? Indeed, he is NIRANDARAMAANAVAN.

I share some of my observations about Kavingyar. I want all the fans of HIM to join this discussion and add more quality material in praise of his great works.
This is the only way we pay tributes to this GENIUS.
WILL WE EVER GET BACK A KAVINGYAR LIKE KANNADASAN ??

Read the complete opening post here.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.2.59) on: Fri Apr 25 00:29:34 EDT 2003
  
  When Gemini boss SS Vasan sat with kaviarasar to do the songs for 'Vazhkai Padagu' (1965) he was not satisfied with the drafts although he himself narrated the story situations. Fed-up, kaviarasar asked for the film's scripts and after understanding the whole story he wrote all the songs. Those present during the discussions were taken aback by kaviarasar's bravery in commanding a giant like SS Vasan. This film became a runaway success which prompted SS Vasan to remake it in Hindi ('Zindagi'). The Hindi lyricist decided to just translate kaviarasar's Tamil songs to incorporate into 'Zindagi' becuase he could not match the latter's!
  
  In this film there are two gems sung by PB Sreenivos i.e. "Netru varai nee yaaro naan yaaro" and "Kangalae kangalae kaathal seivathai vittu vidungal". Hereafter this film our kaviarasar was branded as 'a contradictory poet'for giving opposing views on a same topic. In this case it was love.
  
  You can see him praising women sky high in songs like "Ilamai koluvirukkum" ('Hello Mr. Zamindar' (1962) and a host of others. But the very poet had also written songs condemning women as a whole like "Kadavul manithaanaga pirakkavendum" ('Vaanambadi' 1963). But after the release of 'Vaazhkai Padagu' people began to understand that he was not stable or stood firm on his beliefs on certain topics.
  
  There are even songs condemning the Almighty like "Bhoomiya padaithathu saamiya?" ('Kannan Varuvaan' 1974); "Naalai muthal kudikkamaataen" ('Neethi' 1973).
  
  Of course a lyricist must see a topic from all perspectives in order to come out with quality songs. Kaviarasar was gifted with this ability.
  
  Speaking of 'Vaanambadi'(1963) I just recollected two bits.
  
  In this film Devika is a women poet and the song "Aan kaviyai vella vantha penn kaviyae varuga" was written by kaviarasar for her. As mentioned earlier, the song "Poyyilae piranthu poyyilae valarntha pulavar perumaanae" ('Ananda Jothi' 1963) has some semblance to the growing relationship between kaviarasar and Devika. He gave her a chance to win over him through this song!
  
  One can see a young Kamalhassan mouthing the group song "Nil gavani purappadu" in Vaanambadi.
  
  Bye folks see you again!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: RR (@ 203.199.213.4) on: Fri Apr 25 03:48:26 EDT 2003
  
  Mahen, Even as I am savouring your mind-boggling output on Kaviyarasar, let me add a bit on the PBS song in Vazhkaipadagu. In a recent programme
  on TV, MSV said the first line "Netruvarai.." was actually given by him. Apparently, KD had given a pallavi and pushed off in anticipation of the long time taken by Vasan to approve the tunes.
  MSV sang a tune several times, and finally Vasan said that tune would be more appropriate for Sivaji Ganesan than Gemini Ganesan. Then MSV claims to have sung a different tune along with
  the line "netruvarai.."
  I remember now an interview Prof. AS Prakasam gave in the AIR a few months back. Among many things, he spoke extensively about Kavingyar.
  For the "Paramasivan.." song in Suryakanti, ASP asked KD for a song that would elaborate on the theme "paramasivanin kazhuthil irundu...sowkhyama". KD immediately repeated the line and said that was to be the pallavi. MSV
  apparently chided him for "stealing" the story-writer's lines and that he should justify the pay given to him! (all in good humour, of course).
  KD re-rebuked MSV and leaned forward and started singing the pallavi. From what I could gather MSV
  could not resist keeping that as the tune for the pallavi! And when it came to the question of who would appear in the film singing thesong, ASP said that he was emphatic that it could be none other than KD, who had pretty much composed the song (and not just the lyrics)>
  ASP also mentioned how sitting in Madras, Kavingyar was able to write songs that conveyed the beauty and grace of Andaman (in A. Kadali).
  I also vaguely remember him mentioning about expressing reservations about the factual correctness of the pallavi of that great song in Imayam - "Gangai Yamunai inguthan sangamam" and that when they went to picturise the song in Nepal
  that they found this to be correct (i am not a gepgraphy expert to assess this!!)
  RR
  
  
• From: P.V.D.Chakara Varthi (@ 203.145.155.106) on: Fri Apr 25 09:42:59 EDT 2003
  
  tamil fond anuppavum vanakkam
  
  
• From: R.Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.0.149) on: Sat Apr 26 00:31:45 EDT 2003
  
  RR, what a beautiful input re - "Paramasivan kaluthil irunthu"!
  
  I had always wondered as to whom the song was aimed at and my inquiries drew a blank until I saw your posting. I remember when I asked one of kaviarasar's associate-cum-relative about this song he said it was aimed at Karunaneedhi. According to him when Annadurai's health was detrioting during his last days Karunaneedhi used the inquiry-statement "Sowkiyima?" knowing fully well the former's condition is terminal. Annadurai lamented later that Karunaneedhi was already feeling the power at the helm even before his death. This comment reached kaviarasar and was working in his mind during Karunaneedhi's rule. The reference to "vandi odum chakkarangal irandu mattum vendum" was a reference to Annadurai and Karunaneedhi as the two important cog wheels in the DMK machinery. This is what I was told.
  
  But some or rather this bit did'nt click very well with me because the purported incident took place in 1969 and 'Suriyakanthi' was produced in 1973. However, kaviarasar was also noted for storing such info in his memory until it is hatched later for an appropriate situation.
  
  Therefore, RR your input sounds more convincing and relevant than what I had had gathered.
  
  Such inputs from others will surely make this thread even more interesting to read.
  
  Btw, is Prof. AS Pragasam, the same director AS Pragasam?
  
  Back to a bit on kaviarasar and KB.
  
  During one friendly discussion KBalachandar suggested to kaviarasar to pen songs and using his byline for one of his sons so that they can follow in his footsteps.
  
  Kaviarasar, in jest, told him that such a 'cheating' arrangement could work out when he (kaviarasar)was around but surely it will be otherwise if he is dead and gone. He also reminded KB that the latter is fond of demanding on the spot lyrical changes to suit his ever changing story situations while working on the sets. Imagine the situation when he asks for such changes and his son starts scratching his scalp and he (KB) gives him a hard knock on the head! KB was notoriously famous of doing just that on freshies if they are not up to his expectations! They both laughed heartily over this propspective scene!
  
  Anyway, kaviarasar took KB's advice by taking his son Kanmani Suppu under his umbrage for KB's film 'Ninaithalae Inikkum' (1979).
  
  As far as I can remember only one song 'Naan theydum sevvanthi poo" ('Darmapathini' 1985) made Kanmanai Suppu popular after it was awarded best song of the year.
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.49.84) on: Sat Apr 26 10:31:18 EDT 2003
  
  Talking about KB I remember how attached he was to kaviarasar than Vaali even after his demise.
  
  Vaali once regretted KB's statement that he (Vaali)was fond of seeking personal glory through his lyrics rather than for the picture situation. This was after kaviarasar's death and it was obvious that KB was missing the former's input for his films.
  
  But later, KB made up with Vaali and he had even acted in his tv serial "Kaialavu Manasu' as a Tamil teacher. In one scene he quoted kaviarasar's statement to Prakash Raj. It was apparent here that KB had a hand in it since he was the director. Vaali also acted in KB's 100th film.
  
  Bye folks, have a nice week end!
  
  
• From: venkatesh (@ 203.145.155.123) on: Mon Apr 28 08:10:40 EDT 2003
  
  Dear Mr.Mahendra Raj,
  
  This is Venkatesh from chennai, india. I am a ardent fan of kannadasan and collecting a lot of songs written by him.
  
  I visited www.newtfmpage.com and read your articles in the discussion forum. i thank you for the wealth of info u have shared with others about Kannadasan.
  
  Please clarify/provide more inputs on the following i saw in a programme on TV -
  
  that - the song - "Naan pesa ninaipathallam nee pesa veendum...." from "Paalum Pazhamum" was written by Kannadasan for another movie which did not get released. And the song was actually written with a scenario where - a mother is singing it to her blind son..... and that the song was a favourite of kaviarasu... i believe he changed a few words to make it relevant to a couple to sing that song in the film.... Kaviarasu is a Genius.....
  
  Please send in your thoughts. Please send ur e-mail ID for further discussions on kaviarasu
  
  Thanks
  
  Regards
  
  Venkatesh
  
  
  
• From: puvanes (@ 161.142.100.81) on: Tue Apr 29 01:47:00 EDT 2003
  
  Dear Vengkatesh,
  
  In a film produced by Barathi Films it was Kannadasan who wrote the story, dialogue and the songs for the film.Kannadasan had written the story and two songs for the film.Unfortunately Barathi Films company closed.One of the song Kannadasan penned for the film used in Paalum Pazhamum (naan pesa ninaippathellam).The original lyrics Kannadasan wrote for Barathi Films goes like this
  
  thaai pesa ninaippathellam
  nee pesa vendum
  thaai thoongga thalaattu
  nee paada vendum
  nee paadum thaalaattai
  thaai ketka vendum - than
  nilai maari avalkooda
  mozhi pesa vendum
  
  Another song that written for Barathi Films, used in Paasamalar (malarnthum malaraatha).The original lyrics Kannadasan wrote for the unreleased film:
  
  mannil kidanthaalum
  madiyil kidanthaalum
  ponnin niram maarumaa
  
  
  
  
• From: R.Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.0.60) on: Tue Apr 29 04:33:49 EDT 2003
  
  Hi! Venkatesh thanks for the compliments.
  
  You are right about the song "Naan pesa ninaipethaellam Nee pesa vendum". It is true this song was working in kaviarasar's mind well before the production of 'Paalum Pazhamum' (1961). It was based on the incident which you had described but for the film kaviarasar made some cosmetic changes and reversed the roles to reflect the love scene. Originally the lyrics were "Thaai pesa ninaipethallam Sey pesa vendum".
  
  And this brings to my mind of yet another handicapped song - "Malarae nee sollum orum mozhiyum illae" ('Kodimalar' 1966) where it is meant for the heroine who is dumb. I remember reading eons ago that kaviarasar traded this song with the above which was also meant for a dumb woman. I am now confused whether the 'Paalum Pazhamum' song was meant for a blind or dumb woman?
  
  My e-mail address is raj_k65@yahoo.sg.
  (guess what the 'k' here stands for?)
  
  Regards
  
  

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