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Interviews--an archive

Topic started by aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-74-21.sprint.ca) on Mon Nov 16 09:06:25 EST 1998.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Hi! I was able to get some interesting old magazines which have articles on film music personalities. I was thinking that this may help people understand about musicians a lot better and what others beside tfmer's think about them, not to mention some interesting news about them.
But I want to make sure that you people are interested so please give back some comments and I will start posting if you are all in with me on this.

Thanks Nanri Merci!
Aruvi

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Responses:

• From: YGeetha (@ gatekeeper.oracle.co.uk) on: Mon Nov 16 10:51:33 EST 1998
  
  ARUVI: This sounds fantastic. Please do post these interviews, as I'm not able to read Tamil very well, like some other DFers, and all the stuff I'm unable to read you will be providing me with. This is an excellent idea, not to mention very different to the current IR/ARR wars......
  
  THANKS FOR THINKING THIS UP......Thanks in advance.
  
  
• From: dhan (@ dajal.legato.com) on: Mon Nov 16 11:48:08 EST 1998
  
  I am all for it as well!
  
  
• From: P.Lankathas (@ spc-isp-stc-uas-02-33.sprint.ca) on: Mon Nov 16 12:11:22 EST 1998
  
  Aruvi
  
  count me into it too, I am all up for it too.
  
  P.Lankathas
  
  
• From: SitaRam (@ portal.ameritech.com) on: Mon Nov 16 18:02:29 EST 1998
  
  Aruvi:
  
  Do you have IR's spectacular interview which came in the center page of the Illustrated Weekly sometime in early 1980s?
  
  If you can get that it the mother of all write-ups on IR.
  
  
  
• From: Sandeep (@ 166.37.105.63) on: Mon Nov 16 18:18:41 EST 1998
  
  Count me in too!
  
  
• From: Udhaya (@ 205.218.142.217) on: Mon Nov 16 20:33:48 EST 1998
  
  aruvi,
  That's a great idea and will take this forum in a fresh direction. I'm certainly with you.
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-73-57.sprint.ca) on: Tue Nov 17 00:07:33 EST 1998
  
  The following is from a series of articles on IR that came PESUM PADAM in 1993.
  
  Last week Issue
  Last time Mr. Selvaraj shared with us some unforgettable memories of Illayaraja in their young days. He stated that he has not seen IR laugh a lot. We investigated to find the truth.
  
  THIS WEEK
  
  A person who has made IR laugh many times is R. Sundararajan, director of films such as many hit films such as 'Payanangal Mudivathilai' and 'Naan Paadum Paadal. We went to his place to ask him.
  This is what he had to say....
  
  
  Whenever I have to talk to someone relating to my work I usually start of with general conversations. I usually talk like so with IR when I sit down to do song compositions. One time I told him about something that happened at home.
  
  One evening I returned home my son was not home. I asked my wife where that fool was. She replied that he went out to play. When I heard her reply I unassumingly thinking that I had trapped her asked her " How did you think that I was talking about him when I asked you where that 'fool' was. For that, she said,
  " There are only two fools in this area. One is him and the other is you. How can you ask where you were? I took this in mind and replied that he had gone out to play."
  
  When I told IR this he laughed for a while.
  
  
  As like this, when I was talking to IR another day, my assistant directors subject came up. I told him that I would tell him a little story, listen.
  
  " Every morning, after he has taken a bath, Lord Shiva creates humans with sand. When he finished making them, Brahma gives life to them and sends them to earth. This happens daily. Like this, one day he woke up, bathed and started to create humans. When he had done creating three humans Parvathi called him and he left and went to her. Brahma came then. He saw the three human forms and thought "Okay only three today" and gave then life and sent them to earth. When Lord Shiva came and saw that the three humans he had created were not there he asked Brahma were they were. When Brahma replied that he had sent them to earth, Lord Shiva panicked. Brahma asked him what was wrong he stated that he had only created there bodies but had not created their brains yet! Lord Shiva then asked Brahma where are those three now. Brahma pointed to earth and said ' See there in Chennai, they have all joined as assistant directors to a director named R. Sundararajan!
  
  when IR heard this story he laughed for a long time.
  
  My wife has a habit of letting water run in the bath tub, then go and take care morning duties such as heating milk and then she goes to take her shower. This happens daily. In that time I would be sleeping well. One day when I heard all that sound I woke up and stayed in bed. There was sound of water running into a bucket. My wife was in the kitchen. At this time, my younger son woke up, looked around and walked towards the bathing room. At first I didn't give any notice to this. One day he woke up and tried to figure out if I was awake. I acted like I was. He slowly went towards the bathing room. I followed him without him knowing. There was sound of water filling the bucket. My wife was in the kitchen as always. As soon as my son went into the bathing room I peeked in to see what he was doing. In there he was sleepily peeing. I couldn't hold back my laughter and went back to bed. My son also came and slept. When I woke up after a while my wife was drying her hair in front of me. I remembered what my son had done a while ago and opened my mouth to tell her. But she interrupted saying that
  
  'for whatever reason, I hadn't even put shampoo today, but my hair is shiny'!!
  
  I couldn't hold back the laughter any longer. When IR heard this he laughed uncontrollably.
  
  Later I will post the following interview with MR. RS regarding IR
  
  aruvi
  
  
  
• From: balaji (@ schubert.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue Nov 17 01:24:50 EST 1998
  
  what does this have to do with IR?????? it is funny though...
  
  
• From: Velaiyaththavan (@ 129.252.26.37) on: Tue Nov 17 02:57:38 EST 1998
  
  irukkatum balaji, konjam pozhudhu pogattumey
  
  
• From: shankar (@ webgate0.mot.com) on: Tue Nov 17 08:37:20 EST 1998
  
  Ravi pArthAl idhai hub il post seyya solluvAR.illayA Ravi???
  
  
• From: Ramki (@ cs101.cs.wmich.edu) on: Tue Nov 17 11:29:18 EST 1998
  
  Aruvi if this going to be only abt IR interviews,then probably u should change the topic to 'IR interview's-an archive'(it will save some of us some time:)))
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-77-37.sprint.ca) on: Tue Nov 17 12:17:39 EST 1998
  
  Ramki
  I have got a bit of everyone's. And I am still searching for others. But I live in Canada. I can only get a hold of magazines that came in the early ninties and afterwards. So it would be great if others from India or so tried to get hold of older magazines
  
  Balaji
  The following article for IR is very long. As I said before, the magazine had a section for IR throughout that year. I will post the continuation later in the day.
  
  
• From: balaji (@ schubert.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue Nov 17 12:35:53 EST 1998
  
  ok, aruvi, please continue!!
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-82-10.sprint.ca) on: Tue Nov 17 17:07:05 EST 1998
  
  The following is an interview with MR.MOKAN who directed "Annakili" along with Thevaraj, IR's first film.
  
  Since when have you known IR?
  
  I knew him from the time he worked with G.Venkatesh. He speaks well. He gets along with everyone. This is what attracted everyone to him. Then he was introduced in the film that we directed. Now he is at the peak of the mountain. I am very proud of the fact that he was introduced in the film that we directed. He composed for many of our films after "Annakali". Then me and Thevaraj had to split. Then I directed the film 'Tusi'. That film was a flop. Afterwards, I didn't get any chances to direct. So after the 1980, I did not get a chance to meet IR. In 1998, I became ill. I did not have the money to pay for medical services. Somehow IR found out about my situation. He put me in a hospital immediately and payed the entire money for it. I had to be hospitalized for 3 months. He payed many thousands. But he has never told anyone that he had helped me. He had a nobility of thinking that if you give with your right hand your left hand should not know. He still has. After I got well I went to meet him. When he saw me he welcomed me and asked how I was doing. I told him that it has healed well and that if it weren't for him it would be doubtful that I would still be alive. I thanked him.
  To that IR said, Don't say all these thinks and make me feel like a stranger. This is my duty. You can come to me if you need help. My house door will always be open for you.
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-82-10.sprint.ca) on: Tue Nov 17 17:12:52 EST 1998
  
  If You Asked ARR What His Most Unforgettable Year was What Would He Say?
  
  The first film that I composed with some fear 'Roja' ran well and made me extremely happy. The fact that 'Chinna Chinna Aasai' was hummed by little children to old ladies made me proud. When I was surrounded by the applause of fans, I got my national award for best MD of 1992. This year was my most unforgettable year. This victory is goods gift. I have placed it tightly in my heart.
  
  
• From: SitaRam (@ portal.ameritech.com) on: Tue Nov 17 17:27:56 EST 1998
  
  Aruvi
  
  IR's kind heartedness, magnanimity, generosity and understanding is clearly seen on his face. There is a an aura surrounding him all the time. I am touched to read this incident as I have not heard this one before.
  
  
• From: Srinivas (@ pup36.stanford.edu) on: Tue Nov 17 18:32:49 EST 1998
  
  Aruvi :
  That was a real touching incident man. Clearly brings to light the nobility of IR.
  
  Srinivas
  
  
• From: balaji (@ schubert.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue Nov 17 22:17:31 EST 1998
  
  IR's gesture is great, compared to jayalalitha who disregarded sridhar(who introduced her into films) and launched into a bitter fight with him when he was hospitalized.
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-84-90.sprint.ca) on: Sat Nov 21 20:26:27 EST 1998
  
  The following articles are interviews from the Late Shahul Hameed. He has worked in most of ARR films. Also, he is famous for songs such as, 'Raasaathi Ennuusuru Ennadila' and 'Senthamizh Nadu Thamilachiyae'.
  
  The first article is from the Srilankan newspaper Viresari on the 30.03.1997.
  
  SHAHUL HAMEED
  We have given some excerpts from interviews given by singer Shahul Hameed to chennai newspapers. He has passed away recently in a car accident.
  
  -PLAYBACK SINGER SHAHUL HAMEED
  
  Shahul hameed is the posessor of the voice that rendered hit songs such as 'Usillampadi Pennkudi...Raasaathi Ennusiru.. Senthamizh Nadu Thamilachi'. He has also rendered for many private albums. He's concerts are popular not only in TN but foriegn countries.
  
  * SHOULD A SINGER LEARN MUSIC PROPERLY OR IS KNOWLEDGE FROM ASKING AND LISTENING ENOUGH?
  
  Knowledge from asking and listening is enough. If they know music then it is better.
  
  * WHAT WAS THE FOUNDATION FOR YOU TO BECOME A SINGER?
  
  My mother has sung many national songs in stages. That influenced me. I got opportunity to sing national songs in radio and tv. ARR asked me to sing in his religous cassette.
  That first meeting- has given me the song from 'Thiruda Thiruda' and made me popular and has made me continue singing in his music and strenghten our friendship.
  
  *IN HOLLYWOOD MOVIES GAIN VICTORY WITHOUT SONGS. BUT HERE, MOVIES RUN ONLY IF THERE ARE SONGS.
  
  There taste is different. Our taste is different. The two can't be compared. People want commercial films. They need some entertainment. That's why they come to see movies. In the beginning, there were 15 to 20 songs in movies. It has decreased now.
  'Even though songs are needed to move the story on,, they are sometimes there for entertainment. Sometimes songs are like right hand to hit movies. Some movies become hit even without song. Songs are needed for our taste. We have been familiarized with that.
  
  *MUSIC ALBUMS HAVE A BIG RESPONSE IN FORIEGN. WHY NOT HERE?
  There movies don't have any songs. If they want to here songs they have to get music albums. They put on the tape simultaneously when they start the car. When they walk they listen to the walkman. You could say that there isn't a house without a CD player.
  Here, there are more than 300 movies coming out every year, when you include all languages. Apart from these films, if an private is extremely well, only then does it become a success. Now western music is becoming popular here by TV. From now on there will be more response for private albums.
  In my opinion, I want to be in the limits of our culture. I released an album called 'PAzh Nizha'. Not only here but it has become popular in countries such as Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia and London. I am planning on releasing new albums. I am sure there will be good support.
  
  *IN GENERAL THERE IS A COMPLAINT THAT MUSIC STRANGLES/EXCEEDS THE VOICE IN TODAY'S MUSIC. BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR SONGS SUCH AS ' USSILAMPADI'..'RAASAATHI'.. ' SENTAMIZH NADU'. IS THE REASON FOR THIS YOUR VOICE? OR HAS JUST COME THAT WAY?
  
  You can say that mostly there are not tamil singers here. They write in other songs and sing. My pronunciation may more clear because I am from TN. Also, song's come to me the way they come to TMS. They ask me to come for songs such as these. I am proud of that.
  
  Shahul Hameed's inspirations are A.M Raja, and Mohammed Rafi. He likes Lata Mangeshkar's and Susheela's voices.
  
  
  
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-84-90.sprint.ca) on: Sat Nov 21 20:52:30 EST 1998
  
  The following is from PESUM PADAM May 1994
  
  Super Hit Singer Shahul Hameed
  
  A recent example to say that people who have are different from others is Shahul Hameed.
  
  His voice is different from everyone else's and doesn't sound similar to any other singer. That is what has popularized SH.
  
  Who is he?
  
  He is the singer of songs 'Ussilampadi'.. Raasaathi enn usiiru'.. 'Ethuku pondaati enna suthi vapaadi'. A discovery of ARR.
  
  We met him at his home is PURASAL VAAKAM.
  HOW DID HE COME INTO FILMS?
  
  Let us look at his background.
  
  SH belongs to KAMUTHI( Where is this place? aruvi) and has settled in Chennai for the last 20 years. He studied at Chennai New College. He studied Literature( in tamil MUDHU KAZHAI ILLAKYAM), and won many awards in his college days.
  He became popular on TV in 1982. He has sang in more than 30 songs in Izhanthenral and Mezhisa shows.
  ARR background is in TV. So he got ARR's friendship. They first collaborated for religious songs.
  AFTER?
  
  - Rehman entered cinema. I was not interested in cinema that much. Rehman asked me to sing in "THIRUDA THIRUDA". I sang. When Mani Rathnam heard that song, 'Raasaathi ennusiru' he praised me. After that song, I sang 'Senthamizh Nadu'. The song released and made me very popular. Then 'THIRUDA THIRUDA' released and made me more popular. Like that the song in Kizhaku Cheemai...
  Rahman has been making me sing in most of the movies he puts music to. His belief in me gives me a lot of hope and proudness.
  
  *WHAT IS THE OPINION OF OTHER SINGERS ABOUT SH?
  SPB sir gave a lot of encouragement when I was singing in TV. He asked me to come into Cine field. Mano sir has said that I sing differently and praised me. MV has praised me at the cassette release of 'THIRUDA THIRUDA'. These praises from my seniors have given me a lot of enery and hope.
  
  aruvi
  
  

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