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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.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.25.241) on: Fri Jun 21 00:23:30 EDT 2002
  
  One more addendum:
  
  When we edit these articles for newtfmpage's library, necessary song samples would be added at appropriate places and apt comments/responses of the DFers would be cited to make a good flow. Hope you would not mind. This way we would please the soul of the gifted composer whose song making abilities are absolutely beyond compare. similar articles are expected for MSV, GR and other reknowned old MDs and singers who have left their songs as the invaluable treasure for a tfm fan.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 21 02:04:28 EDT 2002
  
  
  
  MS,
  
  This is what I shared with many over the emails:
  
  "TMS was nailed in Malaysia by Ilayaraja. Ilayaraja was coming up from
  Annakkili onwards, and has been using TMS as he was the star of the day.
  However, IR was a trend setter, giving new music altogether, which TMS, PBS
  and Seergazhi Govindarajan and a few others did not support (They told me)
  
  But they all feared to voice out their opinion. TMS did bad mouth. Perhaps
  TMS was of the opinion that IR was a small boy and would not shun TMS. After the success of Annakili there were a few other movies where TMS sang-Deepam, Naan Vazha Vaippen, Thiagam etc. Following that
  IR came with TMS and a few others to Malaysia.
  
  There was an interview in TV Malaysia. TMS has come many times and had known the officers in TV Malaysia. But these officers were speaking to IR as a new and upcoming MD who had made his first trip here. TMS saw that and called the head of the Section "Yow! Chinna PaiyanKooda Ellaam Enna Pechu Irukku? Vanggiya Naama pesikkittu Iroppom" and took away the officer. IR was very hurt but humbled himself.
  
  In the gropu interview TMS was aksed " What is the difference between MDS of those days and these days?" TMS said "Antha Kaalathiley G. Ramanathan isaikku paadinaal ulagathil evanudaiya isaikkum Paadidalaam. Intha kallathilke enna Thiraimai Irukku?"
  
  That was hitting IR below the belt, and upon return to Madras we saw TMS being slowly sidelined and completely shun by IR.
  
  
  So I agree that TMS is talented as a singer, but bad mouths unnecessarily. He spoilt his career owing to his own mouth. But I still do admire his tremendous talent."
  
  
  You see what happens following this posting. Its going to be fun.
  
  
  MS,
  
  You may edit the way you want, but I belive I will be consulted too for final editing.
  
  No written contribution would be enriched without criticism from readers. I very much welcome that. Thanks for the idea.
  
  The only regret is that I may break soon and take some time off and continue later, as for the moment I am still relatively free.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 21 19:59:04 EDT 2002
  
  PART 13
  
  NALLA KAALAM FOR KVM AND ASSOCIATES
  
  In 1954 came Nalla Kaalam, which lifted KVM many steps higher. M.K Radha was the main actor with Bandaribai of Parasakthy fame as heroine. There was a saying that Nalla Kaalam, starred by NN Kannappa brought Nalla Kaalam to KVM, APN and the play back singers. In the earlier films there was no guarantee that the songs would be a hit. But Nalla Kaalam songs were very much appreciated by the cine fans and music lovers. This film had more songs, and more singers than before.
  
  No admirer of R. Balasaraswathy Devi would easily forget the song:
  Vaazhvu Malarnthu Manam Veesiduthey,
  Inba Then Undu Aaduthey Vandu
  
  This song is the highlight of this film. This is a 1954 song that has been immortalised by KVM to be appreciated for generations to come. Even a first time listener would be mesmerised by the fine and soul-stirring tune in this song. Balasaraswathy Devi sang another song called “ Manamey Un vaazhvil Nee”
  
  Kalaivaanar NSK sang more under other MDs, but very seldom under KVM. Nalla Kaalam has one of those rare songs of N.S. Krishnan and the song is
  Summa Irukkathunga-
  thuruthuruthavan kaiyum kaalum
  summa irukkathunga.
  
  It is widely believed that this was the first song of NSK under KVM. NS Krishnan’s wife T.A. Mathuram sings a song called “Bharatha Naattin Kankal” here. Some unknown children sang a long song on Ramayana. Aaandaal and KVM sang a song called “ Vaazhvin Kadamaiyai Maranthu Nee vaadathey”. It is said that this song was popular and popularised in Ceylon as well. Therefore the fame of KVM was also noised abroad in 1954.
  
  Aandaal also sang another song called “Kolakalamaaga Kondaaduvom.” Ganasaraswathy sang a song called “Kannaley Kaanpathum Poiye” written by Pabanasam Sivan. K. Rani sang a solo called “Kantham Pol”
  
  In 1954 came one more film of APN – Mangalyam for which APN penned the dialogue, directed and acted as the hero. MA Venu of Modern Theatres produced this film while KVM was made the MD. This film has some excellent songs. There were other good songs too. Ka Mu Sheriff wrote a song called “Thottathu Roja” sung by Jikki. There was another song by Jikki called “Thinamey Unai Ninainthu” Radhe Jayalechumy had sung two very captivating songs- Ninaithaalum Inbam Tharum and Ottumiru Ullamthanai Vetttuvathu Nyayamillai. The latter is again one that could be appreciated for all time to come.
  
  TMS sang two songs in this film. One is “Koojaa Kooja Kooja- Vaanaa Moonaa Kaana” with Chellamuthu. This is a political song. The other is “Nalla Kaalam Poranthiduchu” a solo by TMS. In discussing the song Kooja Kooja Koojaa we have to go back to a film produced in 1952-Panam where MSV and TKR combined for the first time. In that film produced by NS Krishnan there is a song promoting DMK. The song goes “Theenaa Moona Kaana” In those days the censor board did not allow, among other things political propaganda in movies. Following the resounding success of Velaikkari and Ore Iravu, C.N. Annadurai publicly gave a statement that should censorship be removed completely, within a few movies and a short span of time DMK would capture the state legislature in Tamilnadu. It was at this difficult period of time that NSK sang Theena Moona Kaana and in the next line mentioned Thirukkural Munnani Kazhagam. There was nothing the censorship could do about this though the purpose was tactfully and cunningly achived. Now APN and a few of his close friends at this time saw the DMK party growing like wildfire and so decided to suppress it. They were members of the Thamizharaus Kazhagam. Ma PO Si and Avai Shamnugam were strong supporters of this. Being a film penned by APN and produced by Venu, APN took the freedom to counter the Theena Moona Kaana song. A song was written in Mangalyam and the song was “Vaanaa moonaa Kaana,” sung by TMS and Chellamuthu. This was a reference to the comedy actor Ezhumalai who was named Va.Mu. Kazhugumaalai. This was a competition song between Ezhumalai and A. Karunanithi (Again Karunanithi!) The Tamilnadu got the message. Such competitions were needed in those days to make the films run.
  
  The other song is Nalla Kaalam Poranthiduchu by TMS. It was a prophetic song as indeed Nalla Kaalam had dawned upon a few- TMS himself, KVM, APN and a few others. It was a great comeback for TMS!
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 21 20:00:46 EDT 2002
  
  PART 14
  TMS AND KVM
  
  I am taking the liberty of discussing, very briefly the advent of TMS into KVM’s ambit, as his role with KVM is not too small to be neglected. We have seen how TMS came to see KVM for a singing chance. Now how could we divorce the combined contributions of KVM and TMS. Therefore allow me to say a few lines on TMS and KVM.
  
  TMS was the second son for Meenachi Aiyangaar, a temple progithar who earned a living from Madurai aratharaja Perumaal Temple and singing in marriage functions. TMS had been training his voice from the age of 7 by singing the songs of MKT and P. U. Chinnappa Bagavathar. TMS studied till SSLC. He learnt carnatic music from Rajamani Aiyangar for two years and did his staging at the age of 23. He got married much early. He was singing in stage kacheris in the voice of MKT and many called him kutty MKT. TMS wanted to also become a disciple of MKT but MKT advised TMS to shape a separate identity for himself.
  
  TMS had a burning desire to sing in cinema. Through actor Narasimma Bharathi, a person of his community, TMS worked in the Kovai Royal Talkies for a monthly salary of only Rs50. Then he went go over to Coimbatore Central studio to show his ability to the seniors in the field, such as K R Ramasamy and P U Chinnnappa. (Later KRR and TMS sang a song in Nirabarathy -Oruvam Kandu En Manathu Uruguthu) PU C took a liking for TMS and started to take him for movies. TMS found his own way of working for six months in the house of Sunderlal Natkarni, who was a director making good number of movies at the Central Studio, hoping to get a chance. But nothing was forthcoming. The director recommended to the MD S.M. Subbiah Naidu to give TMS a singing chance. SMS made TMS sing five songs for the film Krishna Vijayam starred by Narasimma Bharathi. The hit song was “Raathey Ennai Vittu Odathedi” a replica of a song written by Boomi Baalakadass and sung by MKT in the film Chintamani. He was paid Rs 625 for that. This film was released in 1950.
  
  In 1950 he got a chance to sing a song Annamitta Veettiley for an unknown actor in the film Mandiri Kumari. G. Ramanathan had composed the music for this MGR film. Surprising MGR never gave lip movements for even a single song in Modern Theatres Mandiri Kumari though later his films were full of songs where he himself had given lip movements. In this movie MGR somehow missed TMS. In 1951 TMS acted and sang as beggar in the film called Devagi, and the song was “Theeraatha Thuyaralley.” In 1952 came Valayapathi where TMS sang two songs under S. Dachinamurthy. One was a solo “Kulir Thaamarai Poigaiyai Kanden.” The other was Kulungidum Poovilellaam” with K. Jamunaraani, based on a famous Hindi song by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkaar. Bharathithasan wrote both songs. During the time of recording “kulungidum Poovilellaam” TMS was able to witness the fight between Bharadhidasan and the MD S. Dachinamurthy. Bharadhidasan wrote the first line as “Kulungidum Poovilellaam Thenaruvi Kamazhnthathanaal”, but the MD Changed “Kamazhnthathanaal” into Kandathanaal” to suit the tune. Bhardhidasan walked off and banged his car door. A boy came from the recording studio and told Barathidhasan that the car sound may be recorded, for which Bharadhidasan retorted “If your recording machine cannot record my “Kamazhnthathanaal” how could it record the car sound” Anyway the MDs version was sung by TMS.
  
  They were all good songs, but there was no further chance for TMS. It was around this time that TMS came to KVM in the HMV studio and recorded two devotional songs for which he was paid Rs 80. KVM requested TMS to go to AVM which was looking for new voices. So TMS went to AVM where he sang two songs for the film Chella Pillai. One was “Podanum Kulla Podanum” and the other is “Naadu nadakkira Nadayiloey” with MS Rajewswari. The film came later in 1955, after Koondukkili was released in 1954.
  
  
• From: archivist (@ 172.153.21.85) on: Fri Jun 21 20:31:31 EDT 2002
  
  Mr. Manisegaran, was not following this, but catching up and this is now what make this forum wholesome and enlightening. feel nostalgic and more appreciation of the TFM Greats! Like the KVM-TMS-MGR saga of this much. KVM-Yesudas and SPB relationship anything on this? Did KVM use PJ at all?
  
  

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