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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: Dobri (@ 195.39.134.84) on: Fri Apr 4 00:20:03 EST 2003
  
  Could note from Mani's posting the way Sivaji dishonoured Kaviarasar in Singapore. There could have been reasons for it in the later years because even in the 70s their bond was stronger with excellent songs in Vasantha Maaligai, Avanthaan Manithan etc. discussed in this thread earlier. Future postings could reveal more on this.
  
  Compare this with MGR. He fell out with Kaviarasar in the 70s and still when he became the CM, he honoured Kaviarasar as 'Arsavai Kavinjar'.
  
  Great postings Mahendra raj and Manisekar. Thankful for your time and efforts.
  
  
• From: puvanes (@ 161.142.100.87) on: Fri Apr 4 01:24:43 EST 2003
  
  somewhere in 1997 or 1998 there was an article on tamil nesan titled 'paattil porul uranggum' (something like that)every sunday.i don't know who was the writer of this article.i remember this incident, which was written in the article that kannadasan made mistake when he wrote a song.the song was in thaayilla pillai.the song goes like this
  chinna chinna ooraniyaam
  thaen manakkum solaigalaam
  ooraniyin naduve onggi nirtkum maamaramaam
  maamarattu kilaigalile maadappuraa koodugalaam
  koodugalil kudiyirukkum kunjugalaam pinjugalaam
  the story and dialogue writer for this film was m.karunanithi.m.karunanithi point out that maadappura(pigeon) will normally build its nest on maadam.that is why it is being called maadappura but howcome writer wrote that maadappura build its nest on mango tree.the release time of the film was same with the time kaviyarasu going out from dmk.at first kannadasan became nervous but a college student answer m.karunanithi's question through newspaper. the student said that according to the storyline we can accept kaviyarasu's song where a child who should live in maadam had to live in mankudisai.another child who should live in mankudisai ,came to maadam. when this explaination came in newspaper kanndasan also said "yes, i wrote for the film situation"
  
  is there any other incidents that kaviyarasu's songs being pointed out by filmmakers?
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 61.6.39.139) on: Fri Apr 4 02:54:23 EST 2003
  
  
  PUVANES
  
  The Paattil Porul Urangum was written by me for more than one year in Makkal Osai-not in Tamil Nesan. Someone borrowed the collection and has lost it.
  
  
  bb. MSV, to my humble knowledge was a silent observer of cine incidents. He was careful not to get involved in cine politics. Yet he was dragged into some controversies. For example after the film Ulakamn Sutrum Vaaliban, there was an accusation that MSV scored better tunes, and orchestration for MGR. He totally and vehemently refuted. To prove a case in point he set to work on good scores for a Sivaji Ganesan movie - Ponnoonjal. In an interview he mentioned that the film did not do very well a lright, but the song was immortalised. However, the only reason as to why MSV scored better music for MGR movies was the direct involvement and inordinate pressure exerted by MGR himself. Such were the small time pressures he was involved in. But in so far as the Kannadasan matter was concerned MSV was strong defender and shield for Kannadasan, and under no circumstances did he ever compromise on that stand.Kannadasan in his book Chinthithen CHanthithen relates as to how ignorant MSV is in so far as world affairs were concerned. Kannadasan points out that MSV knows nothing else other than music. In the book Naanum Intha Nootraandum by Vali, it is clear that MSV never wanted to be the centre of controversies.
  
  DOBRI,
  
  
  There is one reason why Sivaji favoured Vairamuthu. It is no secret.
  
  MGR-All along MGR and Kannadasan have been fighting and patching up like smaall children. there were times when their fights took gigantic proportions. Kannadasan took the fil Karuppau Panam for hitting out at what he conceived as hippocricy of MGR. But MGR's charisma was so great that he just could not eb erased from the minds of fans. Likewise MGR too brought Vali and a few other poets to suppress and silence Kannadasan. Sorry no way! He too was a majestic personality.
  
  MGR was very sincere in making Kannadasan Asthana Kavinyar. MGR had a magnanimous heart to take care of all those who had given hime a helping hand during times of trials and tribulations. The contribution of Kannadasan in the shaping of the personality and future of MGR cannot be washed aside. MGR thought about that plus Kannadasan's own contribution to Tamil literature.
  
  Ironically all along when MGR started his party and later became Chief Minister, Kannadasan was irritating MGR by writing with satire and making sarcastic remarks. One book that all must read is Arangamum antharangamum where we see the "Other Side of Midnight" One other statement that Kannadasan made of MGR was "Should MGR take off his hat and sun glasses even a donkey would win him in election." He also said "Should he take off his sun glasses, one could pour rice in the dent around his eyes. It will look like Sunnambu Dappi" Karunanithi was enjoying all these remarks.
  
  One day before the appointment, Kannadasan was contacted by MNGR over the phone and said" I intend to appoint you as Asthana Kavinyar. I know you have done much for the languagfe. but given the circumsances thisis a sm,all way in which I coluld honour you. You must accept this. What do you say?" kannadasan replied "People may talk differently" To that MGR said "If you listen to people's opinions, you will never reach your destiny. You just say OK and I will announce tomorrow" Kannadasan agreed and on the following day MGR announced this.
  
  The moment Kannadasan was appointed, Karunanithi made remarks that Kannadasan was bought over. But Karunanithi was also a chief Minister. What did he do to Kannadsan other than pressurising him and humiliating himvery subtly? How come he did not appoint him as one?
  
  At one faunction, where MGR and Kannadassan were there, a prominent person openly said that MGR has bought over Kanndasan. MGR stood up and said that that was never his intention. MGR said that he was aware that no poet, especially kannadsan could be silenced. He said "Let me say in no uncertain terms. Kavinyar is most free to criticise me and my rule. This is a public statement I am making" Of course Kannadasan never attacked MGR in strong terms.
  
  But when Kannadasan died in Chicago, there was no original intention by the government of Tamilnadu to fly his remains to Tamilnadu. Karunanithi politicised this and pressurised MGR to bring the body fast. He even said that DMK would not hesitate to bring the body down and give a befitting burial to the "dravida poet" MGR then made arrangements to bring the body and he gave a very befitting nurial to the royal peot.
  
  Karunanithi wrote a fierce poem"
  
  Thendralaaga Veesiyavanum nee-En
  Nenjil Theeyaga Suttavanum Nee. .../
  
  Aruvadaikku yaro vanthaar Unai Mattum Aruthu Senraar"
  
  Who stopped from harvesting Kannadsan when you were the CM?
  
  At least Vali who came to compete with Kannadasan was magnanimous in writing so well about Kannadasan.
  
  Something like this:
  
  Nee Tharayil Piranthu Thirayil Valarnthavan. Unakku Moonru thaaram Enraalum moolatharam tamizh.
  
  Padikka Theriyathavarkalil Yamanum Oruvan
  Athanaalthaan Oru Kavithiyai Kizhithu Vittaaan
  etc etc.
  
  
  Vali also said that Kannadasan became Arasa Kavinyar from being a Kavi Arasar.
  
  
  But vali says in his book "Naanum Intha Nootraandum" that his greatest achievement in the cine field was the appreciation given by kannadasan.
  
  About the other songs pointeed out- there are so many.
  
  pacharisi Pallaada Pambarathu naavada
  
  Thangathile Oru Kurai Irunthaalum (there is a Malaysian story on this)
  
  Paarthu Paarthu Ninrathile Parvai Izhanthen
  
  etc etc
  
  This is one area where many could contribute.
  
  OK for the moment. Have a nice weekend.
  
  Vanakkam
  
  
  
  But the one thing that made millions including me respect MGR is the honour he gave Kannadasan by making him Aasthana Kavinyar.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: lav (@ 192.39.39.106) on: Fri Apr 4 03:41:36 EST 2003
  
  Excellent postings by you all. Thank you so much for sharing all these info.
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.49.80) on: Fri Apr 4 10:37:36 EST 2003
  
  bb re - MSV's role. It has re-kindled my memory again.
  
  When kaviarasar and MSV were selected to visit the then USSR it was the latter's first trip overseas nothwithstanding his 'maiden' plane travel. When the plane was crossing the Afghanistan desert kaviarasar remarked to MSV that this was the birthplace of Ghazni Mohamad who led the army into India. In all innocence MSV asked him as to who was Ghazni Mohamad. Kaviarasar got irritated with MSV over his lack of histroy knowledge and just plainly told him that he is the brother-in-law of Atta the neighbour back home in Chennai! MSV believed him and throughout the journey he kept kaviarasar busy with his persistent questions on the surroundings. Kaviarasar had a tough time explaining in detail just like a father explaining to his son on the environment on the first outing together!
  
  In Moscow, when both of them strolled around the streets wearing their national home attire they were surrounded by curious on-lookers. The weather was ice cold with the locals wearing heavy clothings and mufflers to keep themselves warm. Here these two natives were walking around almost barefoot (with only the Indian sandals on) oblivious to the chill. It was only later did they decide to buy shoes to keep them warm!
  
  When they were taken to Albert Music Hall in Moscow the grand piano caught the eyes of MSV the maestro. He straight away walked towards it as though the piano had beckoned him and started to play with his deft fingers. Within a short while a sizeable crowd had gathered watching the maestro play. While MSV was playing his concentration was fully in focus and oblivious to the surroundings. After the rendition the curious crowd gave him a standing ovation for the performance.
  
  This incident was related by kaviarasar as an analogue when he spoke on the topic of 'concentration'. MSV is a novice in worldly affairs but when it comes to music he is in charge of the world as his concentration is fully in focus. In the same breath kaviarasar asked everyone present to imitate MSV's style of concentration be it work, play or prayers.
  
  MSV had had a near brush with the rivalry between MGR/Shivaji and Kannadhasan/Vaali way back in 1968.
  
  Kaviarasar was in the midst of producing his own film 'Lakshmi Kalyanam' (lyrics, story & dialogues by kaviarasar) and the songs had just been recorded in the studio. Music is by MSV.In this film there is a dialoge to the effect by the hero, Shivaji confiding to his friend, Balaji that he is yearning for the carefree days spent in his native village as he is fed up with city life politics and the materialistic people around. This dialogue was an expression of kaviarasar's own mood at that time.
  
  This was also the time when KBalachander booked him to pen all the lyrics for 'Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi' (1968). Who could forget the song "Madras nalla Madras" which created a controversy of sorts and irked the ruling elite of Tamil Nad then? It was reckoned as being sattirical of the then DMK government and was banned temporarily. The other song "Muthu kullika vaarigalaa" was a hit nationwide and veteran Hindi comedian-actor Mehmood liked it very much. In the Hindi version of this film Mehmood can be seen singing and humming this song.
  
  It was also in 1968 when kaviarasar's song "Ezhanthu payyam" broke records in sales, (35 thousand copies were sold bypassing the record held by "Singaara veylanae deivaa" ('Konjum Salangai' 1962). This was nothing but the commonest of common song but became popular with the masses. Kaviarasar sighed when told of this song becoming the chart topper. He regretted that although he had had written hundreds of well meaning songs the masses still opted for low key ones like "ezhantha payyam".
  
  Is'nt it ironical that within the same year (1968) one song of kaviarasar was banned whilst another topped the chart and this was also the year he was bestowed with the title 'kaviarasar'?!!
  
  Sorry for the deviation and now back to the issue of 'Lakshmi Kalyanam'.
  
  MSV rushed to the studio where the recording of the songs for 'Oli Vilakku' (hero MGR) was about to commence. This film had Vaali as the lyricist. When MSV saw the lyrics of one song ("Dhairiamaaga chol nee manithanthaana?") he observed some similarities in kaviarasar's opening line of the song "Yaarada manithan ingey Kootivvaa avannai ingey" recorded for 'Lakshmi Kalyanam' just a few moments ago.
  
  MSV politely asked Vaali to change the lines without assigning any reasons thereof as he was a friend to all, namely, kaviarasar, Vaali, MGR and Shivaji. Of course, the poet in Vaali refused to budge. MSV, on his part, refused to render tune for this song unless the lines were changed. Vaali did'nt like to be dictated and told MSV flatly to mind his own business by giving the appropriate tune.
  
  This issue reached the ears of MGR and he summoned MSV to his house. The latter explained that what he had told Vaali was in good faith as both the lyrics can be taken to read as critical of either MGR/Shivaji; MGR/Kannadhasan; and or Vaali/Kannadhasan. MGR requested MSV to reproduce the 'Lakshmi Kalyanam' song the following day. MSV obliged and after hearing the song MGR was satisfied that both conveyed different meanings and cannot be considered as pitting one against the other.
  
  Only then did MSV relent and went about compising the music for this song. MGR, with his keen literary senses and knowledge, had to be the arbitrator unwittingly between kaviarasar and Vaali relating to their respective professions. The irony of the whole situation was both kaviarasar and Vaali were in the dark until much later when told by MSV. Both being 'glass mates' they celebrated this so-called controversy with their usual bitters defeating the crux of the song "Dhairiyamaaga chol nee manithan thaana?" - a song devoted to reform the tipplers and which almost caused an unwitting clash between the two stalwarts just because MSV wanted to prove his so-called knowledge on a different area!
  
  More later folks!
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.49.80) on: Fri Apr 4 10:49:25 EST 2003
  
  Mani, you forgot to add that the morning MGR appointed Kannadhasan as the 'Aasthaana Kavyingar' via the telephone the very evening he was seen criticising MGR in a public function over some trivial issue. When new of this criticism reached MGR through the latter's cronies MGR just laughed abd brushed them off replying that it is typical of Kannadhasan - no one can rule him with any carrot sticks!
  
  

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