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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.

a) Raga Gyanam of Kavingyar

In the file ‘ Thiruvarutchelvar’, no one can forget the great song ‘ Mannan Vandhanadi’. This song was penned by Kannadasan and music by legendary KVM and sung by P.Suseela. I do not think we can ever get a better song in the Raga Kalyani in our tamil movies when compared to this song . This song has all the nuances of Kalyani in a capsule form.

In the Charanam, look at these lines,

Viraivinil Nee… Ni
Mana malar Tha .. tha
Thiru Marbaa… Pa
Thamadhama… Ma
Mayil ennai Ka… Ga

Ni.. tha.. Pa.. Ma.. Ga….
The words end in the avorahanam of Kalyani ( descending order of the musical notes)

Similarly, there is one stanza which will have the first letters in the arohanam ( ascending order).. I do not recollect the exact lines..

Sa…
Ri.. ri ga ma pa da ni sa..
Ka.. karunaiyin Thalaiva
Ma.. Madhi migu Mudhalva..

Do we have any such poet today ?

b) Kannadasan’s command over Language

Also, can any one forget the ‘Then’ song in Veera Abhimanu.. This duet is again a KVM song in Raga Sahana by PBS and PS.

Paarthen Rasithen pakkam vara thudithen
Unai then ena naan ninethen – andha
Malai then idhu ena malaithen

What about the ‘voor’ song in the file Oorkkaval.. PBS is the singer

Endha voor endravanae
Irundha voorai chollava
Andha voor neeyum kooda
Arindha voor allava

The great ‘ Kai’ Song ‘ Athhikkai Kaai kaai’ in Balae Paandiya.—About this song, I will dwell in detail subsequently.

c) Kannadasan’s knowledge of Litreature:

(i) There is one tamil poem in ‘Pura Nanooru’, the old tamil literature.

To know the meaning of this poem, you also need to know about the philanthrophist tamil King Paari. He was so noble and kind hearted that on one occasion, when he found a jasmine creeper without a support, he let his chariot as the support for the creeper so that it could grow. His fame and wealth was an eyesore to cheera , choola and Paandya kings and they waged a war against him and killed him. They also want to marry his daughters who were too young and the marriage proposal was stopped by Tamil Sage Avvaiyar.

The poem is written to a situation where, the daughters of Paari, on a full moon day, recalls that their father was with them on the last full moon day and he is now more now and they were grieving for his death.

The poem in chaste tamil starts as

Attrai thingal Auv Vennilavil…

Kannadasan has taken this incidence to write his song

‘Androru Naal Idhe Nilavil
Avar irundar en arugil’ in the film ‘Nadodi ‘ ( wagabond)

(ii) In Kamba Ramayanam, the poem which describes Kaiykeye seeking two boons from Dasaratha starts as

‘Aazhi sooz ulagelam Bharathanae Aaala’ and ends as ‘ Theeyavai yaavinum Sirandha Teeyal’
whereby kambar describes Kaiykeye as the worst of the worst for her act .

I think Kannadesan must have been inspired by these lines and in the movie ‘ Karnan’, there is a song by SG, Tirchy Lokanathan, PBS, TMS which is penned to the situation of Karnan performing pooja to his father Suryan ( the Sun God). There the stanza

Mannavar porulgalai Kai kondu…. Ends with ‘ VARUMAIKKU VARUMAIYAI VAITHTHOR MAAMANNAN VAZHGAVE…VAZGHA VAZGHA.

Here, he used two negatives ‘ Varumaikku Varumai’ to elate Karnan’s noble charity that there was no poverty because of his abundant charity.

Also, I feel vairamuthu must have been inspired by Kannadasan’s lines that he had sai ‘ maanatthin Maanathai vaangi vittan’ in the song ‘Poo Malai Vaangi Vanthan’ in Sindhu Bhairavi.

(iii) In one of the Sirappu Then Kinnam ( remember the yester years in Radio… Chennai Vaanoli Nilayam !!), Kannadasan himself had said that he wrote the song

Thookkamum Kankalai Thazuvattume
Amaithiyum Nenjinil Nilavattume

Since he was inspired by the lines of shakesphere in ‘Macbeth’

(iii) The famous song in ‘Vaazhkai Padagu’

‘ Neetru varai nee yaroo naan yaroo
Indru mudhal nee vaero naan vaero’

Is based on the ‘Pura Naanooru’ padal

‘ Yanum neeyum yaaraa giyaro
yendaiym numadiyum evan kollo
Sembulap peyar neer pola
Anbudai Nenjangal Tham Kalandaduvae’

(iv).. One Sanga kaala illakkiya padal was the inspiration for Kavingyar to write the famous song in “Balae Paandiya’ – ‘ Atthikkai Kai Kai’

One newly wed bride is separated from her husband since he need to be in the battle field shortly after the wedding. On the full moon day, the lady, is thinking about her husband and feeling lonely without him on a romantic night. She requests moon ‘ I am always remembering him but not sure about how he feels.. Already I am sore without him… you also do not add to my suffering with your full radiance.. instead of glowing here, you shower your moon light on the direction where my husband is so that he also gets romantic mood and gets back to me’

This is what the song

‘Athikkaai kaai kaai
Aalangai Vennilavae’

Athikkai is fig. Also it means glow in that direction ( thikku in tamil means direction / side).

What a great song.. full of name of various vegetables. At the same time, has got a different meaning in chaste tamil.



d) Ability to convey his message through his songs.

(i) Kavingyar came out of Congress but had great admiration for Kamaraj. He wanted to convey his respect and desire for an ever lasting association with Kamaraj. Hence

‘Andha sivagami maganidam sedhi solladi – yennai
serum naal parka solladi’

came in the movie ‘Pattanathil Bhoodam’. In the movie , the song was set as it to praise Lord Muruga..

Kamaraj’s Mother’s name is Sivagami !!

(ii) Similarly

Nalandana … Nalandana…
Udalum Ullamum Nalandana..

Nalam Pera vendum nee Yendru
Naalum Yen Nenjil Ninaivundu
Ilai marai kaai pol porul kondu
Yevarum ariyaamal sol indru….

Was written in ‘Thillana Moganaambal’ for as the meeting song between Sivaji and Padmini after sivaji’s injury.

But, this song is actually written with C.N. Annadurai in mind when he was ailing in the hospital and kavingyar was away from him .

One more great song by KVM in the raag Sivaranjani.


WILL WE EVER GET BACK A KAVINGYAR LIKE KANNADASAN ??

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.163.51) on: Fri Mar 14 02:42:49 EST 2003
  
  Again something on KBalachandar and Kannadhasan.
  
  Sometimes back the producers of "Varavu Ettanna Selavu Patthana" invited KB for their 100th day function. KB accepted the invitation and rummaged through his old records and got hold of his scripts written for "Bama Vijayam (1967)". At the function, when he was invited to address, he waved the scripts and said that although written nearly a quarter of a century ago he still cherishes it for sentimental reasons. And then he came to the point. He told kaviarasar that the crux of the story was that of a middle-class family who is not budget conscious. He wanted kaviarasar to pen a suitable comical but philosophical song for this theme. Thus kaviarasar came out with the song "varavu ettana selavu patthana" in simple layman's words. Perhaps this was the begining of the KB-Kannadhasan era where the crux of the story was told in a single song. KB told the audience of the greatness of Kannadhasan and he was also gratified to note that he was invited to attend the celebrations of the same title film which rightly should be credited to kaviarasar.
  
  Kaviarasar was not fond of listening to his own songs but there was one exeption. Somewhere in 1981 carnatic play-back singer Balamaurali Krishna paid a courtesy call on kaviarasar at his home upon learning that the latter was indisposed. Upon entering his room he found kaviarasar in a pensive mood listening to his (Balamurali) rendition on the cassette recorder. The song was "Mounathil Vilayadum Manasaathchiye" (Nool Veli 1980)- a KB's film. It was a rare occasion for kaviarasar to be seen listening to his own song. Could it be premonition of his death (he died the same year) that prompted him to review his own lyrics?
  
  
• From: R.Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.163.51) on: Fri Mar 14 05:32:51 EST 2003
  
  When Kaviarasar was at the height of popularity he took things very easily. He was never serious in his life. In short he lived for the day giving little importance to yesterday and tomorrow. He was always seen in a jovial mood and it was at this time he decided to script and produce the film "Kavalai Illatha Manithan (1958)" with full optimism that a man can survive without worries. But he was proven wrong for the very film which he intended to promote to the masses had him drowned in worries instead for nearly a decade. He trusted a few accomplices and let them handle all things connected with finance for this film. They conned him and he had had to face legal implications. He commented later that ,to be born as a human being the karma is such, one has to undergo sufferings and worries to complete the cycle. Since he defied this will of God by going ahead with such a title for this film had landed him in hot soup for many years to come. He realised that it is totally impossible for a human being to live worry-free throughout his life. He thus cautioned everyone not to undermine God's will as he is a living example.
  
  Incidentally "Kavalai Illatha Manithan" contains beautiful songs and in the opening our kaviarasar who was in the prime of his life can be seen giving advice to newly graduated university students. That piece of advice is still applicable in this millennium.
  
  Chandrababu, the hero of this film, had had given a lot of problems and inconveniences to kaviarasar thus delaying the production on and off. At one stage kaviarasar almost abondoned the idea of going ahead with the film if not for some mediators. Notwithstanding this, when Chandrababu produced "Thattungal Thirakkapadum (1966)" it was Kannadhasan for the songs. As said earlier in this thread, kaviarasar was not known to harbour contempt of any kind for fellow human beings despite the latters' shortcomings.
  
  The same also goes with Savithri. She too gave problems and did not fully give her cooperation to complete kaviarasar's film "Raktha Thilagam".
  Gemini Ganesh, who was a close friend of kaviarasar and who fondly addresses kaviarasar as 'brother' had to interfere and admonish Savithri.
  
  In the recent 80th year birthday celebrations of Gemini Ganesh he (Gemini) had credited kaviarasar amongst the 80 things he likes in life.
  
  
• From: Sankar (@ 203.124.138.34) on: Sat Mar 15 04:24:49 EST 2003
  
  Dear Saravanan, Mahendraraj - Thanks for the corrections. Rama Kannappan, who was Kavingyar's assistant for a long period, naratted the way he use to pen his songs / stories. Without any reference to where the serial had ended in the last edition, Kavingyar can continue his dictation. One the thumb and index finger is joined as a circle and kavingyar sits head up looking at the ceiling or the wall, that is the indication that the thought flow is on.. for YESU KAAVIYAM( a tamil poem by Kavingyar on JESUS which is rated as BIBLE Tamil Translation), he completed the major portion of the work in one night and given it to publishers.. the next day, rama kannappan had to be treated for Writers' Fracture and at that time, Kavingyar naratted that if Rama Kannappan is not treated and made ok, his writings will suffer . I belive he personally requested Doctors for the best treatement to be given to Rama Kannappan.
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.0.65) on: Sat Mar 15 20:59:23 EST 2003
  
  When kaviarasar was invited to speak at a forum organised by the local Tamil literary circle somewhere around the mid seventies in the border town of Kroh (Malaysia/Thailand), Veeraman, a local poet accompanied him from Kuala Lumpur in a car.
  
  Whilst in the vehicle Veeraman noticed that although kaviarasar was talking his mind was engaged at a higher level with both his eyes slightly drawn up as though communicating with the gods above. At this level of thought he poured out whatever came to his mind and his assistant (not Rama Kannappan) immediately was seen scribing the dictations of the former.
  
  Veeraman concluded that kaviarasar must have been indeed communicating with higher intelligence as the flow of words which was gushing out were not ordinary ones but masterpieces. Although seen in a semi state of consciousness nevertheless he engaged in the lively conversation with Veeraman throughout the journey. It was something to be marvelled at as we human beings can only perform one work concerning the mind at any one time.It was no ordinary feat for kaviarasar.
  
  They say that kavingyars' words are next to God's because of being adopted by the Godess of Education, Lakshmi. That reminds me of an incident narrated by MS Viswanathan.
  
  When kaviarasar was producing 'Sivagangai Seemai' (1959) he was constrained by budget limitations. He had to produce the film with the barest expenditure and booked a studio to shoot the film. When the day arrived for shooting kaviarasar along with MSV, TK Ramamurthy and the artistes went to the studio to proceed with the shooting and other related work. On arrival they found that a different company was in the midst of shooting. Kaviarasar confronted the manager of the studio who cooly told him that this company paid a higher rate of rental which was why he allowed it to do their shooting work. Kaviarasar pleaded with the manager telling him of his predicament but to no avail. The manager, however, offered to refund the booking fees which was made earlier.
  
  That was the last straw! Kaviarasar with tears welling up in his eyes cursed the manager saying that his studio will perish in fire for being money conscious. He refused to accept the refund and walked away choking with emotions just like a child.
  
  Fair enough, at about 5.00 p.m. the same day MSV telephoned kaviarasar and told him that the studio was gutted down in a strange fire incident. MSV took this opportunity to extract a promise from kaviarasar that not to curse anybody or anyone under any circumstances in future. Such was the word power of our childlike kaviarasar!
  
  As regards to "Yesu Kaaviyam" and some other bits on kaviarasar I will post it later of an article I had written for publication three years ago.
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.0.65) on: Sat Mar 15 22:05:30 EST 2003
  
  Kaviarasar always advocated hard work for success. He despised illegal means or labour without sweat to gain riches. Although coming from the Chettiar community who are economically prosperous he was just the opposite - borrowing instead of lending!
  
  To show his displeasure of those who acquire riches on the sufferings of others, especially money-lenders he let it go in a song. In the song he did not hesitate to hold in high esteem even the astrologer and doctor but not the money lender. Note the prefix 'avar' for the other professions and 'avan' for the money lender!in the song "Undaaki Vittavargal" (Muharasi 1966) a Devar films MGR-Gemini Ganesh (first and last starrer). MGR, a police officer in this film, disguises himself as a graveyard caretaker and mouths the sattirical song:-
  
  Undaaki vittavargal rendu peyru
  Ingu kondu vanthu pottavargal naalu peyru
  kondaadam pothu oru nooru peyru
  Uyir koodu vittu pona pinne kooda yaaru
  
  Kalyanam seyvathurku naal solluvaar
  Entha kaariyathai seyvatharkum theythi kurippar
  Nalla seythi sollum joshiyarku
  Theervu sollum naal varai
  Theythi vaikka villayadiyo
  Uyirai meethi vaikkuvillayadiyo
  
  Theeratha noigalayum theerthu mudippar
  Ivar theyraatha vaythiyathum sernthu padichaar
  Nalla noi theerkum marunthu vanthu
  Noi theerka maattha thendru
  
  Pattanathil paathi ivan vaangi mudichaan
  Antha pattayathil kandathu pol veyli eduthaan
  Athil ettaduku maaligai vachi
  Kattadathu katti vittu
  Ettadikul Vanthu Paduthaan
  Mannai kotti athil veyrai eduthaan
  
  

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