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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: paramasivan kunjamboo (@ 202.188.115.57) on: Mon Jun 17 05:31:03 EDT 2002
  
  manisegaran,
  
  During my early teens, I grew up listening to MSV-TKR songs only, and that was my only likings. But as I grew older I suddenly realised there are "gems" in KVM too!(semi-classical and folk). Your article only reinforces that fact!!. Great work keep it going SIR!
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Jun 17 19:32:02 EDT 2002
  
  PART 6
  
  KVM STARTS OFF HIS CAREER AS MD
  Everything happened so fast in 1937-joining Special Dramas as an MD, going over to Kolar Gold Field, meeting S.V.V, working under S.V.V, T.O Suba Rao and T.A. Kalyanam. One more incident of equally great importance took place in 1937. Those keen observers of the history of Tamil movies would be aware of the inception of the Modern Theatre production house. The Modern Theatres was also established in 1937. T. R Sundram was interested in giving movies according to the latest taste-mainly modern in style, presentation and nature, and he did succeed to some extent. Modern Theatres has a list of first to its credit. In 1937 Modern Theatres started its own and first film called “Sathi Akalya” In the beginning days three gigantic figures were involved in composing music for modern theatre films- T.G. Lingappa, T. R. Paappa, and T. A. Kalyanam. Time ticked away in agony for KVM. Not until the fall of 1942 did luck come his way. There were a few cast iron rules to enter the cine industry. One is the unwritten law of caste, which KVM easily passed. The other was the need of a proper introduction. In 1942 these three MDs introduced KVM to T.R. Sundram, the owner of Modern Theatres.
  
  In 1942 Modern Theatres went on realising its ambitious plan of adapting an epic into a film. We may remember Professor Sundaranar who wrote an epic called “Manonmaniam” Modern Theatres made a movie of this epic. The film was named “Manonmani.” The main stars of this movie were P.U. Chinnappa, T.R. Mahalingam, T. R. Rajakumari, A Sakuntala and T. S. Palaiya etc etc-all great pillars of the Tamil cine world. T. S. Palaiya was very much appreciated for portraying himself as an excellent villain and the press of those days did not fail to point out this feat of him. The film was a resounding success and a feather in the cap for Modern Theatres as evidenced by the advertisement that read “ Modern Theatres Maatchikku Manonmaniyam Athaatchi” It was T.A. Kalyanam who was signed up as MD for the film. An incident took place that turned KVM into an MD. T. A. Kalyanam had to haste to Madras on an important and urgent call. Therefore KVM Who was the assistant of T.A. Kalyanam was commissioned to compose music in his absence. Fired by the enthusiasm to prove his ability KVM Set to compose for the film. KVM composed two melodious songs for the film. He walled his mind towards every other thought and focussed on composing good and rich music.
  
  We all know who Nadaswara Vidvan T. N. Rajaratnam Pillai. He had just recorded and released vinyl records containing Nadaswaram music in Kaanada raga. As that tune was so popular among the lovers of carnatic and nadaswara music, KVM lifted the tune from there and composed a song for P{U Chinnappa. That song was “Mogananga Vathani” That was an instant hit. That one song became the highlight of the film, and added fame to the movie, the singer and the composer. That song instantly diffused and disseminated the name of KVM throughout Tamilnadu, and to other South Indian states where Tamils lived. All indications were very clear that KVM was already on the path to the height of glory. With just one hit song, some started to seek chance from KVM. There was one person known to all of us, who came seeking a chance from KVM. He had left beautiful songs by the tons, but KVM turned him off .
  
  Continues..
  
  
• From: bb (@ 206.154.118.2) on: Tue Jun 18 00:04:41 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran, it is a wonderful treat to read your essay. Please keep it going. These are absolute treasures to tfm and newtfmpage.
  
  Please tell us how KVM rose through TFM and Telugu FM. Was he more famous in telugu than in thamizh?
  
  
• From: saravanan (@ 213.42.1.246) on: Tue Jun 18 00:40:27 EDT 2002
  
  Mani, awesome work! Please continue.
  I'm new to this forum, but find it amazing.
  Mani, one small correction, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi was in no way related to (Radha)Jayalakshmi. Sool. Rajalakshmi's sister is Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi.
  
  Reg. MDs who have sung under other MDs, I would like to add some more:
  
  1.Illayaraja sang in MSV's music- Aadi asanju vara(Sugamana Ragangal)
  
  2.Gangai Amaran sang in Chandrabose's music- Jail song in Kaliyugam
  
  3.(Shankar) Ganesh uttered the words"Fifty Fifty" in the song "Uravinil"- Glatta Kalyanam- Music by MSV
  
  4. GK Venkatesh sang, as it has already been pointed out, in some of MSV-TKR's songs, like:
  Ezhayin kovil- panam, Kanave kaathal vaazhve- Senthaamarai, sondhamum illai- Hello Mr. Zamindhaar, Vandha naal mudhal (Sad version)- Paava manippu etc. He sang in Illayaraja's music too - Udhayam varugindrathey- Kavikuyil.
  
  5. As for MSV, he has sung in the music of many other MDs:
  
  Illayaraja- Anandha vaazhvin- Thaai Mookambikai
  Gangai amaran- Odam engey- Namma orru nalla ooru
  Gangai amaran- Sondhangale- Ini oru sudhanthiram
  Chandrabose- Endha vazhi- Kutravali
  SV Ramanan- Andavane unnai- Uruvangal Maralaam
  V Kumar- Unakkenna Kurachal- Velli Vizha
  ARR- Aalakanda- Sangamam
  ARR-Vidai kodu- Kannathil Muthamittal
  
  Mani, carry on the great work! Isai thamizhai patri neer exhthum arum saathanai!
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jun 18 03:45:48 EDT 2002
  
  Saravanan,
  
  Thanks for the correction.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jun 18 03:49:05 EDT 2002
  
  PART 7
  
  MELLISAI MANNAR MEETS THIRAI ISAI THILAGAM
  
  As soon as the songs of Manonmani became popular, there was a popular belief that the MD for Manonmani was KVM. In fact the real MD for Manonmani was none other than T.A. Kalyanam. KVM composed for only two songs. It just happened that the songs composed by KVM became greater hits, and hence the fame of KVM. As soon as the name and fame of KVM started to be scattered across Tamilnadu, a small boy came to KVM looking for a chance to sing. Remember this was at a time when KVM was not even a fully acclaimed and renowned MD. He was only an assistant MD in Manonmani. That small boy was MS Visvanathan, who became known to the film fans as the great Mellisai Mannar. MSV initially wanted to be an actor. But he did not mind trying other options. All he wanted was an entrance into the film world, after which he wanted to realise his ambition of acting, which only took place in recent years, following his semi retirement from composing music. (God willing I will contribute an article about MSV some time later) With that in mind MSV came to KVM for a chance to sing.
  
  It happened in 1942 when MSV was first brought into the presence of T.R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres. MSV begged TRS for a chance to sing. T.R. Sundaram sent him to see KVM. KVM first entered into a general conversation in order to gauge the quality the voice of MSV. In that conversation MSV came to a conclusion that the voice of MSV was not up to the mark. Therefore KVM very diplomatically dismissed MSV from his presence. As an effort to pacify him, KVM gave MSV two rupees and a shirt. But MSV was great. He never took the discouragement as an insult. Later when MSV became an MD, he continued to respect KVM and there was a healthy competition between KVM and MSV/TKR. This competition started off in 1958 and went on until about 1976, when Ilayaraja came into the field and got both of them to retire. This healthy competition brought much benefits to the music fans, as KVM and MSV/TKR were forced to give their best to the Tamilnadu fans. KVM and MSV openly appreciated each other’s composition. They used to meet up at functions, and converse freely without any shadow of neither hatred nor envy. MSV always called KVM “Maama” In fact MSV always openly professed his two favourite songs. One is Oru Koppayiley en Kudiyiruppu from Iratha Thilagam. This is a song where Kannadasan himself appears and sings about his own life, with TMS giving playback voice. MSV and Kannadasan were very intimate friends. The other song is “Mannavan Vanthaanadi Thozhi” by P. Suseela from Thiruvarut Chelvar. Wherever KVM organised life shows, MSV would urge P Suseela to sing that song, as MSV felt once thesong is sung the “MANDAPAM KALAI KATTIVIDUM” The composer for both the songs is KVM.
  
  Thadangalukku Varunthukirom....To be continued.....
  
  
• From: OISG (@ 213.150.188.254) on: Tue Jun 18 09:49:20 EDT 2002
  
  ManiS Good work.
  
  In all the MSV stage shows LRE s "Elantha Payam" is a feature. I have watched 5 MSV stage shows with LRE and she sang.
  
  Another one from Sriram Lashmanan s meet with MSV.
  
  MSV first chose Kalyani for Madhavi Ponmayilal then felt the raga has been already crowned too well by KVM in Mannavan Vandhanadi,chose Karaharpriya.
  
  ManiS awaiting your write up on MSV.
  
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.25.241) on: Tue Jun 18 10:18:12 EDT 2002
  
  Kiru:
  
  Yes. There is a big revamp of DF in our agenda for dhool-newtfmpage. Contributions by Manisegaran and similar DFers, would be pooled in and organized into artcles with due credits. This would provide the necessary info for the visitors later int he future.
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ 195.188.191.69) on: Tue Jun 18 10:50:41 EDT 2002
  
  During my conversation with MSV, I asked him to name another KVM song that captivated him. He thought for a while and asked me "ungaLukku veera abhimanyu song pidikkumA ", referring to "pArththEn siriththEn". This is another KVM composed favourite of MSV.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jun 18 19:37:28 EDT 2002
  
  Sri Ram Lakshman,
  
  You are gifted to have seen and spoken with MSV. I have never seen nor met him, other than his interviews in TV and the print media. KVM has given hundreds of gems. My personal feeling is that MSV may easily like more than the three songs of KVM that you and I have mentioned.
  
  Thank you so much for the comments.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jun 18 19:53:23 EDT 2002
  
  PART 8
  
  A PERIOD OF ABEYANCE
  
  Rome is not built in one day, they say. It is highly dangerous for anyone to shoot to the zenith of fame within a fleeting moment. Through Manonmani KVM became a brilliant star overnight. But for the next 10 years KVM faced untold trials and adversaries. Following Manonmani, KVM composed at random in a few Modern Theatres movies, such as “Maaya Jothi” and “Sivalinga Saatchi.” But nothing else is known of these movies. There is a generally held view that these films did not make it to the box office.
  
  Until 1942 KVM was composing with other famous MDs. But he got a chance to independently compose for a full film. That was “Aanandan” produced by Yogi Films in 1942. This film was also called “Aanandan Allathu Akkini Puraana Magimai” Krishna Kanthan and P. Saraswathy acted in this film. Therefore on record Aanandan is the first full film in which KVM composed as an individual MD. In 1945 KVM received one more chance to compose for the film “Burma Raani.” This was the time when writer B. S. Ramayah was popular in Tamilnadu. In 1947 KVM composed music for the film “Thana Amaraavathy” for which P. S. Ramayah penned the storyline and dialogue and even directed it. In this film there is a song by V. N. Sundram, which goes “Yendisaiyum Vanangi Potrum Parasakthiye” This song became very popular. In 1948 KVM composed music for a film called “Devadasi”
  
  Unfortunately luck and chances never breezed over KVM. KVM saw that the cinema chances were neither constant nor regular. He clearly saw some form of uncertainty and instability in composing music for films. Again, the payment was not that lucrative either. Therefore he had to look for greener pastures elsewhere. He left Salem where Modern Theatres Studio was situated and came to Madras in pursuit of livelihood. There he had the contact of Violin Mahadevan. With his contact and association KVM joined the His Master’s Voice (HMV) Gramophone Company. At this time KVM was away from cinema field and concentrated in cutting vinyl discs for HMV.
  
  While with the HMV Company, one more cine personality of great reputation and fame came to see KVM for a chance. That great person was T.M. Sounderajan. Around this time TMS from the Chourashtra community was also desperately looking for a chance to go into the cine field as a singer. In fact TMS had just sung a few songs for cinema, but those songs did not take off. With a depressed spirit TMS came to see KVM for a singing chance in HMV. KVM had the habit of not turning away anyone who came in search of aid and assistance. So KVM made TMS sing two songs and got them recorded. After the recording was over, KVM gave TMS 80 rupees for pocket expenses.(That is to say 40 rupees per song. In the 1950s when the market of TMS shot sky high, he determined and demanded the rate. In fact among his contemporary singers in the 1950s it was TMS who demanded and determined the highest rate.He did this even with MGR, and MGR had to give in. In the 1980s when TMS lost all chances, Singapore fans invited him to sing in a Singapore show at a discounted rate. TMS did not reduce his rate at all. When they told him “after you are sitting idle in your house” to which TMS retorted “Gold may be lying idle in a goldsmith’s shops, but that does not mean the price has gone down. Gold is always gold and TMS is always like gold. The rate of TMS never drops.” Here we are able to see beginning days of struggle and the end days of arrogance of TMS. Talented people seem to build up some ego and arrogance. This is a well-deserved arrogance for such a talented singer.)
  
  Before dismissing TMS, KVM gave the information that AVM was seriously hunting for new singers and new voices. Then TMS went over to AVM studio for singing chances. When KVM shot into prominence, it was the same KVM and TMS combination that gave some of the very best gems for us.
  
  
  
  Meendum Santhippom...
  
  
  

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