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V.Kumar: Malarum NinaivugaL

Topic started by bb (@ 24.6.231.170) on Wed Jul 7 00:37:21 EDT 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Saravanan is starting a new series on V.Kumar, titled 'V.Kumar: Malarum NinaivugaL'. He has been in touch with V.Kumar's wife and son and is planning a comprehensive series of articles on V.Kumar. I am sure this will be a treat for VK fans. This will also feature unique introductions to the songs by V.Kumar himself, in his own voice. Thanks to Govind and VK's family for their help on this.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 195.229.241.186) on: Thu Jul 22 10:16:40 EDT 2004
  
  raj, I am absolutely certain that lyrics for 'kuyil koovi' were by Alangudi Somu.
  
  Btw, when and where did Poovai Sengutuvan make this claim? I remember reading his memoirs that were serialised in a magazine, he didn't mention this song at all. In fact, he clearly stated that the first time a song of his was used for a film was 'thiruparankundRathil nee sirithaal', but before Kandan Karunai (1967) could be released, gowri kalyaNam (1966) had come out with his 'thirupugazhai paada paada'.
  
  
• From: GK (@ 206.132.99.2) on: Thu Jul 22 10:44:59 EDT 2004
  
  Saravanan,
  Great stuff as usual....what more can I say?
  
  
• From: SK (@ 199.90.34.67) on: Thu Jul 22 11:42:05 EDT 2004
  
  These wednesdays are proving to be memorable and mesmerizing by Saravanan's excellent write-up's. It has been long since I waited like this for a serial, after those memorable JK's 'thodarkathaikal' in the 60's. Thank you!!
  
  
• From: sk (@ 64.175.109.2) on: Fri Jul 23 10:54:50 EDT 2004
  
  Saravanan:
  
  Enjoyed reading your write-up on naaNal and the songs. Great songs by VK! Why was the movie named naaNal?
  
  
• From: sk (@ 64.175.109.2) on: Fri Jul 23 11:06:02 EDT 2004
  
  Regarding Poovai Senguttuvan I also haven't heard of any mention anywhere about his claim of having written the naaNal song. But he seems have picked up many fights with other lyricists. The tiff he had with Gangai Amaran is well known.
  
  
• From: SK (@ 199.90.34.67) on: Fri Jul 23 11:59:17 EDT 2004
  
  'nANal' is the type of grass which will just sway away any strong wind and will not get uprooted as against big trees which may appear to be strong but may fall in a cyclone.
  The household members in this movie also accommodated initially to the whims of the thieves who forcibly entered their home but prevailed in the end.
  Had they fought with them foolishly, might have perished.
  Hence the apt title.
  [Sorry, Mr. saravanan, for taking your spot!]
  
  
• From: bb (@ 206.154.118.2) on: Fri Jul 23 17:53:20 EDT 2004
  
  One of you guys should change your handle:) Caps small letters pOraathu. yaaru sathiya keerthi?
  
  
• From: Kupps (@ 192.76.80.74) on: Fri Jul 23 19:13:57 EDT 2004
  
  bb,
  
  sathiya keerthi-ngravaru munnaadi namma forum-la post paNNikittu irundhavaru ;-)
  
  ungaLukku theriyavae theriyaadhaa :-)
  
  
• From: Kupps (@ 192.76.80.74) on: Fri Jul 23 19:14:40 EDT 2004
  
  also another confusion chinna "raj" periya "Raj".
  
  
• From: Bala (@ 68.38.85.102) on: Fri Jul 23 20:12:05 EDT 2004
  
  Saravanan
  
  'MuththaaramE un oodal ennavO' was by Sankar Ganesh from the Sowkar Janaki's double starrer movie 'Ranga Rattinam'? (with Ravichandran and Gemini)
  
  Bala
  
  PS: Manoranjitham (Vijaykumar and Sumithra - the stills I saw in Pesum Padam is still vivid in my memory) still rings me as by IR. Can you please confirm
  
  Bala
  
  
• From: Bala (@ 68.38.85.102) on: Fri Jul 23 20:14:05 EDT 2004
  
  Saravanan
  
  By any chance you can locate 'Pallava Naat Rajakumarikku paruvam pathinaru) in "Ival ore Seethai".
  
  This V.Kumar gem by SPb used to top the count down in 1979 for a long time
  
  Bala
  
  
• From: sk (sathiya keerthi) (@ 216.52.229.254) on: Fri Jul 23 20:22:53 EDT 2004
  
  SK:
  
  Thanks for the explanation of 'naaNal' title.
  
  bb:
  
  adiyEn eppOdhum paNivudan lower case 'sk' dhann. I am sure SK will identify himself/herself soon.
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 213.42.2.27) on: Fri Jul 23 23:57:37 EDT 2004
  
  Bala,
  
  both rangaraattinam and manOranjitham are definitely by V.Kumar. I have 'pallava naattu rajakumarikku'- Can you wait till we reach ivaL oru seethai in the course of the malarum ninaivugaL? :)
  
  GK, SK and sk, Thanks a lot for your encouraging responses!
  
  
• From: malathy (@ 210.187.121.166) on: Sat Jul 24 05:25:10 EDT 2004
  
  rangarattinam by MSV...
  
  
• From: vengayam (@ 203.197.203.98) on: Sat Jul 24 05:52:18 EDT 2004
  
  Good write up on naanal. funny I have not seen the movie yet. But have heard the story from my aunty who could tell a film story very well and keep us kids enthralled.
  Vinnukku melaadai - I thought that this was a typical Jai number. probably wasted on the serious Muthuraman.
  KB also wasted a jolly " netru nee chinna pappa inru nee" on Pastor AVM Rajan!
  coming to the crowning glory Kuyil koovi is really a haunting morning number. A comparison would be the incredible " Malargal naninthana paniyaale" by KVM for idhayakkamalam!
  lovely songs both
  
  
• From: Bala (@ 68.38.80.142) on: Sun Jul 25 09:55:51 EDT 2004
  
  Saravanan
  
  I hardly can question your knowledge. However I believe Ranagarattinam must be one movie where many people somehow wrongly believe SG as the MD.
  
  See the following threads
  http://newtfmpage.com/forum/13153.25012.15.47.13.html
  http://newtfmpage.com/forum/14515.25588.12.44.56.html
  Dhool shows the song by SG.
  
  The songs has MSV style (but still not MSV-ish) and some music touted to have been copied from famous Hindi Song tracks. V Kumar, I believe was largely original, and hence difficult to believe he was the MD
  
  Anyway, thanks once again. Will wait fro the Pallav song
  
  Bala
  
  
  
• From: SL (@ 138.88.145.97) on: Sun Jul 25 22:19:10 EDT 2004
  
  rangarAttinam, to my mind was VK's. Yes, some Hindi influence, in this movie, it is the charanam and the overall flow of the song 'oru malligai mottu'. The charanams have a similar santham to those of 'yEh jO mohabbat hai' in kati patang and even the violin pieces after the first 2 lines of the charanams. For instance, 'madanOrstavam rathiyOduthAn' is a creative take off on 'mAnA hO tum' by Bappi Lahiri who obviously several rungs below VK. But again, which composer is devoid of influences ?
  
  
• From: raj (@ 61.246.255.3) on: Mon Jul 26 02:52:24 EDT 2004
  
  Kupps,
  
  chinna raj periya Raj enna confusion!! hmmmmmm
  
  Mutharame un oodal ennavo is definitely by VKUMAR
  
  SARA, it was in the hello ungaludan in Podhigai TV
  where he said abt this song and they telecasted this song too..
  
  
• From: raj (@ 61.246.255.3) on: Mon Jul 26 02:55:17 EDT 2004
  
  SL do mail me . I was trying to reach you but came to know that you have not returned from US
  
  
• From: Anju (@ 61.95.238.11) on: Tue Jul 27 12:43:42 EDT 2004
  
  He started his career in "Neer kumizhi", the very first song was ' Aadi adangum vazhkaiada "- He broke all Cinema sentiments with this.
  
  Ethir neechal songs - Vetri venduma pottu parada by Seerkazhi, Thamarai kannangal - PBS, Iru Kodugal songs - "Punnagai Mannan" etc cannot be forgotten.
  
  For those who have listened to the song "Thanga ratham yeri" from the movie "Appa Taata" aung by seerkazhi, his classical genius would be evident.
  
  
• From: bb for Saravanan (@ 24.6.251.57) on: Thu Jul 29 03:40:13 EDT 2004
  
  

  Part III - Major Chandrakanth

  
  We ended the last part with Kumar making an enchanting entry in tfm in 1965 with two successful films; the songs that he created for them heralded the arrival of a gifted composer. Kumar would have been perfectly right to expect at least a few offers to come his way in the aftermath of neerkumizhi and naaNal, but his eager expectations were coldly rebuffed. The only film that came out in 1966 with Kumar’s music was Major Chandrakanth.
  
  First, let us go back a few years. A non-Tamil Accountant General had newly taken charge in Chennai, and KB wrote a play in English to be enacted as part of the function got up to welcome the new head. Major Chandrakanth became such a big hit that KB reworked on it to develop it as a longer play for the Tamil stage. The riveting play became an instant success, fetching laurels for both KB and Sundararajan, who acted in the title role.
  
  Sundararajan was then staying with his uncle and mentor Veeraraghavan in Triplicane and working in the Telephones Department. Though he did get to play some minor parts in the plays staged by Triplicane Fine Arts, his first major role was in the play ‘Last Judgement’, directed by his friend Rayappan. Interestingly, this was Balachandar’s story. Apparently in those days, dramatists were free to take others’ stories, and there were no royalty/ copyright issues. KB heard of Rayappan staging this play and sent Manavaalan, a regular actor in his plays, to watch the adaptation. Manavaalan is said to have carried glowing reports of Sundararajan’s performance to KB. Later KB came to watch Sundararajan performing in the plays staged by Madras Amateurs, and saw that Manavaalan had not overstated his praise. And it was thus natural that Sundararajan soon became an integral part of KB’s Ragini Creations.
  
  Major Chandrakanth was an offbeat story, revolving around a retired army Major, who has lost his vision. He has two sons; the elder Srikanth is an upright police officer, while the younger son Rajnikanth is an irresponsible playboy. Rajnikanth jilts an innocent girl, Vimala after seducing her. Unable to face the shame, Vimala commits suicide, when she discovers his true colours. When Vimala’s loving brother Mohan comes to know the reason for Vimala taking this extreme step, he is horrified and vows revenge. He manages to trace the unrepentant Rajinikanth, and in a fit of rage, kills him. He then is on the run, and by an ironic twist of fate, seeks refuge in the house of the blind Major! The strange bond that develops between them both (reminiscent, at times, of the mutual respect that develops between Rev. Kumalo and Mr. Jarvis in Alan Paton’s Cry, The Beloved Country) forms rest of the story, ending with Srikanth arresting his father for granting asylum to Mohan.
  
  Sundararajan won critical acclaim for his brilliant performance in the play. Interestingly, Nagesh didn’t get to play Mohan’s role till much later. It was Manavaalan who played Mohan initially. After watching this play, Nagesh who was slowing making his presence felt in the theatre circles, was keen to join KB’s troupe. He made a brief appearance in the play one day – he appeared just to toss a newspaper into the house from a window. He soon won KB’s confidence and bagged Mohan’s role. It was only afterwards that KB wrote Server Sundaram especially for Nagesh.
  
  Now we come back to 1965. A.V.Meiyappa Chettiar, who had earlier been impressed with KB’s work in Server Sundaram, now approached him to make a movie of Major Chandrakanth under the hallowed AVM banner. It was a great honour for KB, and he set about working on the screenplay. Sundararajan and Nagesh were to be retained; Muthuraman and AVM Rajan were booked to play the roles of Srikanth and Rajnikanth. Jayalalitha who had just then made her debut, was picked for the role of Vimala. Interestingly, in the play, Vimala never made an appearance, only her name was alluded to!
  
  AVM. Kumaran called V.Kumar and informed him that he would be composing the songs for the film, and so Kumar and KB held discussions about the songs and their placement in the screenplay, and Kumar started working on the tunes. Unfortunately due to inexplicable reasons, there was no further progress on the film and things came to a standstill. Meanwhile, rumours abounded that Kumar was being replaced by MSV. Perhaps the patriarch, who still was firmly at the helm at AVM, felt that MSV would do a better job, and tried to persuade KB to go in for MSV. Kumar was filled with apprehensions at such tidings.
  
  In the meantime, Bollywood overtook Kodambakkam in filming the story. Oonche Log (1965/ Chitra Kala) was directed by Phani Majumdar and had music by Chitragupt. The actors were Ashok Kumar (Chandrakanth), Raj Kumar (Srikanth), Feroz Khan (Rajnikanth), Tarun Bose (Mohan) and…hold your breath…K.R.Vijaya playing Vimala!!
  
  Coming back to Major Chandrakanth, the filming resumed after a while, and Kumar was relieved to find that he was still the MD for the film. Apparently KB had stuck to his stand of retaining Kumar, and Meiyappa Chettiar had to unwillingly agree. Of course, he didn’t have any cause to regret; Kumar ensured that.
  
  The film also marked the beginning of Kumar’s memorable association with Vaali; Vaali wrote 4 out of the 5 songs, while Suradha wrote the ‘thuNindhu nil’ song alone.
  
  The first song is kaaNa kaN kOdi vENdum, a stage show filmed on Jayalalitha, with PS giving a nonchalantly stylish rendition - hark at that classy ‘naanE pani nilavu’ part. The chorus voices add to the appeal of the song. Listen here:
  
  http://www.newtfmpage.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?url=http://www.dhool.com/sotd/vkumar/kaanakan.rm
  
  The next is a breezy TMS/PS duet nEtRu nee chinna pappa, filmed on AVM Rajan & Jayalalitha. TMS and PS seem to have had a blast singing this one; TMS particularly seems to go overboard with his merry exclamations!
  
  http://www.newtfmpage.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?url=http://www.dhool.com/sotd/vkumar/netruneech.rm
  
  Now we come to the eternal favorite- ‘oru naaL yaarO’. The radio plays spoilsport just when Vimala’s song is about to be broadcast. The ingenious Mohan hastily improvises with the kitchen utensils, and Vimala sings, beguiling the crowd of neighbours into thinking that they are listening to the radio programme! A memorable song by PS, bringing forth enticingly Vimala’s secret love and her anxious hopes of its fulfillment, and together with Jayalalitha’s expressions and Nagesh’s antics, this song becomes an audio-visual treat.
  
  First, listen to Kumar speaking about this song. How shiningly his humility comes forth when he says that he composed music for this film, without besmirching the AVM’s name, and its record of having excellent music in its films remained unsullied.
  
  http://www.newtfmpage.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?url=http://www.dhool.com/sotd/vkumar/vkonmajor.rm
  
  PS was always Kumar’s favourite singer, and she justified the trust Kumar placed in her by repeatedly coming up with stunners. Listen on to the wonderful song: oru naaL yaarO -
  
  http://www.newtfmpage.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?url=http://www.dhool.com/sotd/vkumar/orunaalyaaro.rm
  
  Then we have kalyaaNa saapaadu pOdavaa by TMS; Nagesh happily dreaming of his sister’s wedding, and singing of the grand arrangements that he would make for the event. TMS catches you by surprise by suddenly breaking into a mini cutcheri!
  
  http://www.newtfmpage.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?url=http://www.dhool.com/sotd/vkumar/kalyana.rm
  
  There is also a short, pathos version of the song in the aftermath of Vimala’s suicide. Beginning with ‘ veedhiyEllaam poo pandhal pOdaNum’, TMS gives a heart-rending essay without any instrumental accompaniment. The last song is the short ‘thuNindhu nil, thuNindhu sei, thuNindhu sel’, sung by Seergazhi Govindarajan.
  
  Both AVM and KB should have been pleased with Kumar’s work in the film, the songs are popular to this day, and are often heard on radio even now.
  
  But unfortunately for Kumar, a bitter disappointment was in store for him in the next year….
  
  ---to be continued.
  
  
• From: raj (@ 61.246.255.3) on: Thu Jul 29 04:14:30 EDT 2004
  
  Major Chanrakanth!! A Stunner from KB and Major..
  
  The scenes involving Major & Nagesh are the highlight of the movie.
  
  Jayalalitha had nothing to do in this movie so as AVM rajan
  
  but the Song "Oru Naal yaaro" is such a wonderful song - Excellent Lyrics by Vaali and Crystal Clear rendition by PS and what a melodiuos composition. This being PS's fav too.
  
  VK used to give PS the opening song (usually solos)
  
  

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