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Creativity of K.V. Mahadevan

Topic started by Udhaya (@ 207.218.76.4) on Fri Dec 18 22:02:30 EST 1998.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Neels (@ 202.54.125.176) on: Wed Jan 13 02:06:42 EST 1999
  
  Sriram,
  
  Yeah, I remember the tune, a great 'light' number(Raga Maand gives the characteristic light music feel, I guess)
  The same Raga appears in the Thiruvilayaadal song 'Oru Naal Poduma' (in the Pallavi) and is very classical.
  
  There is another tune played by Manorama in Thillana Mohanambal (when Sivaji insists on her playing for him) that is very folkish, very rustic and immensely listenable. Is it on the lines of 'Kaavadi Chindu'?
  
  The tune reminds me of L R Eswari's famous devotional song, "Chellatha Chella Mariyatha".
  
  Neels
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ ifmxlenx.na.informix.com) on: Wed Jan 13 12:19:33 EST 1999
  
  Shashi, I will probably enjoy listening to the song you mentioned now (the song I once despised). His "Elanthapayam.." song had a classical touch to it with I think PunnaagavaraLi dominating at times. His "Hello Hello Sugamaa" also had touches of the same Raaga presented differently.
  Neels, it does sound like a "Kaavadi Chinthu" type of song. Interestingly, KVM made good use of the same melody character in most of the folk or songs with the nativity touch like "MaNapparai Maadu Katti" and "Pottathu VeLanchuthadi" (Navarathiri). My favourite folk song of his is "PoravaLe poravaLe" .
  
  
• From: Udhaya (@ 205.218.142.217) on: Wed Jan 13 13:37:39 EST 1999
  
  Guys,
  Your contributions are all sweet revelations for me. So far this thread is the best example of the true value of TFM discussions I've seen in some time. Thanks again, please keep them coming.
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ ifmxlenx.na.informix.com) on: Wed Jan 13 17:11:50 EST 1999
  
  Going further into KVM Mama's folk music, the fisherman song in "ThiruviLayaadal" was a killer ( you know when Savithri is re-born as a fisherwoman) . It is set to "Pahaadi" Raag and has beautiful chorus pieces esp. the "Yelelo" stuff. This song along with "Pothigai Malai Uchiyile" (this song had the KVM trade mark , tune for the second stanza was different from that of the first) were the least talked about song s in the movie (not that they were not popular). But TMS and BalamuraliKrishna stole the show .
  
  Interestingly, PBS was not used too much by KVM, probably because he seldom scored the music for a Gemini Ganesan movie. AM Raja too was not used all that much . The only song that comes to mind is "Mayakkum Maalai Pozhuthe Nee po po" in Kulebagaavali. Rest of the songs in the movie were composed by VR. Dharapuram Sunderrajan was used only once for "Unakkagavaa Naan" in Selvam. Fortunately, Bhanumathi would not sing for any other heroine, but remember the classy "Mayangaatha manam Yaavum" from Kanchi Thalaivan. A beautiful tune with shades of Charukesi. My other favourite in the movie was "Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal".
  
  
  
• From: karthi (@ lab3.theatrium.net) on: Wed Jan 13 22:23:20 EST 1999
  
  Sriram,
  
  Is 'Mayangaadha Manam Yavum' from Kanchi Thalaivan? That song had a popular mispronunciation by Bhanumathi inspite of its melody: 'Kannathile Paya Thottam'.
  
  I even now feel very inferior to you guys when I think that I cannot name a single ragam of a song. Pch. Enna Seiyya?
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 202.188.1.83) on: Thu Jan 14 05:49:53 EST 1999
  
  Mayakkum Malai puzhuthe ne po po is by Viswanathan Ramamurthy.
  
  Am Raja had been very seldom used by KVM, for example:
  1. Inmabey Pongumey - Bommai Kalyanam
  2. Anbey Nee angey naan ingey-Bomai Kalyanam
  3.Kayiley Inippathenna-in Manamulla Marutharam.
  4. En Kathal Inbam Ithuthaana- Thaikku Pin Thaaram.
  
  In fact AM Raja had a misunderstanding with KVM after Manamulla Marutharam. So KVM wrote him off. In fact many wrote off AM Raja in the cine filed especially after the box-office hit of Kalayana Parisu, followed by Anbullor Anni, Then Nilavu, Adi Perukku and Vidivelli.
  
  In so far as PB Srrenivos is concerned KVM had composed as and when the need arose, for example:
  
  1. Padikka Vendum Puthiya Paadam-Thayilla Pillai
  2. Onru Serntha Anbu Marumaa-Makkalai Petra Maharasi
  3.Kathaiyai Kettathum Maranthuvidu- Neengatha Ninaivu
  4. Ennai Paarthaal Parigasam- Sengamalath Theevu
  5. Malarai Parithai Thalaiyil Vaithaai- Sengamala Theevu.
  6. Velli Panathukkum Nalla Gunathukkum- Sabash Mapillai
  7. Oruthi Oruvanai Ninaithuvittaal- Saradha
  8. Parthen Sirithen- Veera Abhimanyuy(New)
  9. Velum Villum, Vilayada- Veera Abhimanyu
  10. Neeyum Oru Pennaanaal-Veera Abhimanyu
  11. Povom Puthu Ulakam -Veera Abhimanyu
  12.Nee Pogumidamellam naanum Varuven-Idhaya Kamalam
  13. Thol Kanden thole Kanden- Idhaya Kamalam
  14. Ponnum Porulum Parisalla- Neeya naana
  
  Bhanumathy too had been seldom used by KVM, for example
  1. Mayangatha Manam Yaavum Mayangum- Kanchi Thalaivan
  2. Sonna Pechai Kekkanum-Makkalai Petra maharasi
  3. Poravale Poravale Ponnurangam- Makkalai Petra Maharasi
  
  Vanakkam
  
  4.Asaithadum thenrale thoothusellaiyo- Thaiku Pin Thaaram
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ ifmxlenx.na.informix.com) on: Thu Jan 14 10:46:56 EST 1999
  
  Mani,
  "Mayakkum Maalai" had been composed by KVM for TR Ramanna even before "Kulebagaavali" was concieved. This song was brought into the movie even without VR's consent. As I had mentioned in my previous posting, the rest of the songs were composed by VR.
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ ifmxlenx.na.informix.com) on: Thu Jan 14 11:44:40 EST 1999
  
  Mani,
  You are a "storehouse of knowledge". I am sure you have all the songs you are talking about. Where could one procure these songs from ?
  I would also request you to elaborate further on the tete-a-tete session you had with KVM.
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 202.188.1.83) on: Fri Jan 15 06:14:11 EST 1999
  
  Dear Sriram Lakshman
  I am in no way a store house please-just look at the corrections made by others on my inputs.
  
  I have been collecting a few thousand songs in audio cassettes and records from 1975 from several record studios around the world, mainly from Malaysia, Tamilnadu, Singapore.
  I have met a number of singers and Music Directors, and I share them from time to time in the appropraite threads. My interiview with KVM was lengthy, and I am not able to relate all here.
  
  Its news to learn that Mayakkum Malai was composed by KVM. The 78rpm record (Record number 65283)that I have mention the following details:
  Singers-Am Raja & Jikki
  Lyrics- Vinthan
  Music-Visvanathan Ramamurthy
  
  In any case we know that the MD for Netru Indru Nalai was MSV. There is one song "Nerungi nerungi pazhagum pothu nenjam onraagum" written by Suratha and sung by TMS and PS. When I met Sratha in November 1987 in Malaysia he told me that themusic for this song was composed by KVM for another film. As that film did not take off, this song that was liked by MGR was used for Netru Inru Naalai.
  
  Simlarly KVM and MK Athmanathan had composed the songs for the film Naalu Veli Nilam.
  
  Vanakkam
  Vanakkam.
  
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ ifmxlenx.na.informix.com) on: Fri Jan 15 10:49:21 EST 1999
  
  Mani,
  I had met MSV at his Santhome High road residence in '97 when I mentioned to him that a great melody like "Mayakkum.." could have been given to PBS instead of AMRaja. He revealed to me that KVM had composed the song.
  
  I have never ever read KVM's interview . Therefore atleast konchamavathu ezhuthungalen. Atleast the gist of it.
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ bat-48-135.tm.net.my) on: Sat Jan 16 02:19:33 EST 1999
  
  Sriram
  
  TRRamana used KVM in the initial days, and later when both he and his sister TR Rajakumary produced films under the banner of RR Films, they started to use VR. So MSV must be right in saying that KVM had composed that particular song.
  
  
  My response posted on 25 Dec as well other postings carry the essence of my intervies with KVM.
  
  Thanks.
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ ifmxlenx.na.informix.com) on: Mon Jan 18 20:10:46 EST 1999
  
  We have been discussing KVM without ever considering "Mahakavi Kalidas". All the songs were brilliant. "Yaar tharuvaar intha ariyaasanam","KalaimagaL enakkoru AaNai IttaaL","Malarum Vaan nilavum" (Both by TMS and PS and the tunes for the stanzas were different), "sendru Vaa magane vendru Vaa". There is a song by TMS when Sivaji is grazing the sheep. I do not remember the pallavi but the song has a lilt.
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ bat-47-67.tm.net.my) on: Tue Jan 19 08:17:07 EST 1999
  
  Sriram is it "Kallai vanthathu kadavullamma"? There is another song by KBS-"Kaalathil azhiyatha kaviyam tharavantha kaviyathalai mannava". I did not see Mahakavi Kalidass. Only heard the songs.
  
  Yes Mayakkum Maalai was composed for the film Kooddukkili by KVM. The song was written by Vinthan. When the film was produced, there was no suitable scene to insert this song. So TR Ramanna kept the song untill he produced Gulebagavali. There he had used this song.
  
  KVM had alos appeared in a small palace scene in the film Asok Kumar along with MGR. It was too negligible to be noticed.
  
  He and MA Venu co-produced the film Alli Petra Pillai where he made the great MD G.Ramanathan sing a playback song for a horse-"Ejamaan Petra Selvamey, en Chinna Ejamaaney".
  
  I had mentioned that KVM introduced AL Ragavan as playback singer. Likewise he also introduced SP Balasubramaniam, the guiness record holder for singing the most number of songs. In fact SPB was initially singing in Telugu films. The MSV made him sing a duet along with LR Eswary for the film HOTEL Ramba which never came out. The song "Athanukku ippadi irukkuthu manasukulle" also never came out. When MGR was producing Adimai Penn, TMS could not be aoround to record his songs for the film, as he had to go off outstation for a family wedding. MGRinsisted he stayed back, but TMS was equally heavy-headed and told him off. MGR took a challenge to produce a new singer. Thats how he dragged SPB to meet KVM who composed "Aayiram Nilave Vaa" KVM told me that MGR squeezed oth the energy out of him for the tune of this song. OF course MSV and others used SPB later.
  Next KVM composed music for the great Sankarabaranam. It is said that Dr. Balamurali Krishna was approached but he refused for some reasons. Then they had to look for an alternative. And in the existing circumstances then they had to accommodate with SPB, who was again said to be not that well qualified in carnatic vocals. But KVM used him! The songs became great hit so much so that it stirreed up the whole of the Indian sub-continent as well as the "Tamizhk kooRu nallulagu". Madurai Shanmugavadivu Subbulachumy-MS Subbulachumy very much admired the singing ability of SPB and threw a dinner for him. Thereafter the great Isaignani used him for varoius abilities and talents.
  
  In the same Adimai Penn KVM introduced Jayalalitha. While shooting of certain scenes of Adimai Penn was going on MGR overheard Jayalalitha singing some cinema songs. MGR took her to KVM and made her sing a song for Adimai Penn. That is "Amma Enraal Anbu"
  
  KVM and APN and co started the Vijayalachumy films and started to produce so many movies, mainly purana films, which I have already mentioned earlier. We all know KVM as a very humble person. While KVM was fully immersed in the recording of songs the Vijayalachumy films partners (no need to mention names)used to get KVM's signatures in cheques. KVM used to sign quite blindly. When the Vijayalachumy films met financial crisis, KVM had to settle in several lakhs. Poor MD! After the misunderstanding,we could see APNagarajan deserting KVM and using Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan for the other films like Vaa Raja Vaa, Thirumalai Thenkumari, Agathiyar and Kankaatchi and Navarathinam(the last)
  
  
  But APN made full use of the ability of KVM. Doyou remember the song "Senthamizhnaattin Kalayulagin Thilagamey" in the film VAdivukku Valaikkaappu? This was APN's film. Taking the pallavi as a lead in the next film Navarathiri you could see in the title the words "Thamizh Thirai Isai Thilagam"
  
  There are two schools of thought-one group claims that MSV and KVM are equally talented, while the other group claim that KVM is the better. We know that MSV is an all rounder in all the music of India, with good knowledge in the western music, while KVM has gone deep into the Carnatic music. In so far as carnatic music or even semi classic is concerned KVM is still the best afet the period of the Thirumoorthikal-G.Ramanathan, S.V.Vengatraman and CR Subbaraman. While KVM had worked under SVV, MSV had worked under CRSubbaraman. The old timers may prefer the music of KVM while the newer generation may prefer the songs of MSV. This subject matter had been a hot argument all along, and it could not be avoided here. But to sum it up, lets take the middle path by saying that taste is something personal.
  
  Whiel MA Venu produced Samboorna Ramayanam. KVM was used as the MD. Do you remember the song "Veenai DKodi UDaya Ventane" sung by Trichi Loganathan and follwed up by CS Jayaraman. That is an excellent song that gives basic education to the beginners in carnatic music. To date no other song has dialogue explaining the intricacies of carnatic songs. There is another song-"Inro Pi Naalai Vaarai" sung by CS Jayaraman. The sound engineer was so much mesmerised that he forgot to switch off the tape upon completion of the song, untill someone had to remind him.
  
  OK, sufficient for the moment. Will continue later.
  
  Vanakkam, Vaahga.
  
  Manisekaran
  
  
  
  
• From: Shashi (@ eed02958.mayo.edu) on: Tue Jan 19 11:19:21 EST 1999
  
  Hi Manisekaran
  
  When you were talking about Sampoorna Ramayanam and the song which gives a good intro. to carnatic music are you talking about 'Sangeetha Sowbagyame, Endrum kundratha perum Bhagyame...'
  
  I cannot recall the song 'Veenai kodi Udaya Venthane..' right now; but will try to think and get back.
  
  Thanks for some great info. on KVM.
  
  

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