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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: Saravanan (@ 213.42.1.247) on: Wed Jun 26 08:02:37 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, you are right. Please carry on, concentrating on KVM alone. No more digressions from me- Sathiyam, ithu sathiyam!
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ 195.188.191.69) on: Wed Jun 26 09:15:53 EDT 2002
  
  Mani, great work!!! Please be assured that lots of us are in the 'read only' mode and enjoy your postings thoroughly. I do really wish I could get enough time to contribute to this thread. This is probably the only worthwhile thread active.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 202.188.88.3) on: Wed Jun 26 22:53:09 EDT 2002
  
  Dear Saravanan and Sriram Lakshman,
  
  I am happy you have taken my dilemna in the right spirit. I also know that both of you are knowledgeable, and remain an asset to the TFM and this discussion. I appreciate that we have corrected each other with maturity of expression. It was a learning experience from me.
  
  From our discusions so far I have found that there are so many gaps to be filled.Admittedly I have learned so much from the digressions and distractions, but that sometimes becomes a quicksand from which we may not emerge at all. So it is daybright clear that there is no authority on cine matters. I am yet to come across one who is real authority. Perhaps, we could put our heads together to reconstruct details so as to document the real history. That would be our greatest contribution to TFM page. Ultimately, I would desire to see TFM page as the only authority on cine matters. This would be my personal commitment to TFM page.
  
  We can rope in more knowledgeable people to make the cine news more authoritative. We will discuss with TFM team for that.
  
  I have taken emegency leave today and will continue posting tomorrow. Please continue the discussions.
  
  Thank you again.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
  
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.25.241) on: Thu Jun 27 00:11:55 EDT 2002
  
  Ultimately, I would desire to see TFM page as the only authority on cine matters
  
  Our dream exactly ! I am thankful to you for feeling the same way. I have already discussed about revamping DF with the admin (bb and RR). Probably when things ease out a little bit on our professions, we will sit for a week or to ensure that unwanted fruitless threads and discussions would be terminated and informative threads re-organized into proper channels. Please continue putting your stuff in here. We will be more than happy to have write-ups on not just KVM but also greats like GR, SMS etc..
  
  SK (apart from SL, Ramki) is another person I am counting on. Seems like more new DFers (saravaNan) are into the fray too. Good and feeling great !
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Thu Jun 27 22:37:42 EDT 2002
  
  PART 18
  
  SANGEETHA SOWBAGIYAME
  ENDRUM KUNDRATHA PERUM BAGYAMEY…
  
  From the title readers ought to know what I am arriving at. Yes it was Samboorna Ramayanam. Following the resoundiong success of Town Bus, MA Venu was contemplating on the next movie. This time he decided to take a great risk by going for a daring theme. He wanted to produce a movie based on the epic Ramayanam. But Ramayanam has already been produced several times by others either in full or in parts.
  Shadows of doubts were cast on the viability of this effort. Will such a film run?
  
  This was the time when people were moving away from the stereotype movies and opting for modern themes, and would Ramayanam strike well? But a few plus and minus positions were carefully taken into consideration and studied. They could not risk at all, as the subject was too big and many leading stars were thrown in. APN guaranteed good dialogue based on wide research; KVM was there to give his best music; K.Somu was readily available for ably directing the movie. Then they worked out a range of great stars who would suit the characters. Sivaji Genesan came as Bharathan; NT Ramarao as Raman; Pathmini as Seetha: TK Bhagavathgy as Ravanan; Santhya (Honourable CM Jayalalitha’s mother) as Mandothiri; MN Raajam as super Soorpanagai. Narasimma Bharathi, and V.K Ramasamy were there to add strength. With the songs and music thrown in Samboorna Ramayanam created history and became one more milestone in cine field. Following the resounding success, a special souvenir book was released in which leading figures of the then Tamilnadu gave congratulatory messages. Even MR Radha, the hardcore hater or Ramayanam gave a congratulatory message, very ably and carefully worded..
  
  Now what about the songs? It was said that until the coming of Ramayanam there was no one single film that carried so many Raagas in one film. It is said that this film had the most number of Raagaas. Ramayana is a long story that cannot be summarised. After so much adaptation and accommodation the film was cut down to just 4 hours. This was achieved after summarising certain portions of Ramayanam by means of songs. KVM very marvellously composed for the songs. This was a yardstick to measure the ability of KVM, and true enough turned out to be a crowning glory for Isai Thilakam. Let me mention only the hits among the hits.
  
  1. Vaazhita Ulakam Enre Vaazhthidum by TMS
  2. Thavamuni Visvamithiran Pinnaaley by CS Jayaraman
  3. Sree Ramachandiran Magudabishega Thirukkolam Kaanbathatkey by Seergazhio Goveinderajan, SC Krishnan, Ratnamala,AP Komala, K Rani, Sarojini and Udutha
  4. Uthaman Poginraan Uruguthey Makkal Ullam- Gandasala
  5. Mannellaam Ponnaagum Raaman Varavaaley-SC Krsihnan, Ratnamala, AP Komala,, K. Rani, Sarojini and Pathma
  6. Annayum Pithaavum Arivoottum Aasanaagi- by TMS and Thangappan
  7. Paathugaiyai Thunaiyaagum Ennaalum-TMS
  8. Anthiri Munivar Rama Lakshmanarai- Seergazhi Govinderajan
  9. Pakkraan Summa Paakraan by MS Rajeswary
  10. Pogathey Athgaan Pogathey by MS Rajeswary
  11. Thennadudaiya Sivaney Potri- SC Jayaraaman
  12. Veenai Kodiyudaiya Venthaney- Trichy Loganathan
  13. Sangeetha Sowbagyamey by SC Jayaraman
  14. Irukkum Idathai Paarthu-Jikki
  15. Sabarikku Raman Than Nilai Kulainthey- Seergazhi Govinderajan
  16. Penkalil Ennai Pol {erum Paavi Undo- R. Balasaraswathy Devi
  17. Azhagiya Ilangai Nagarai Anuman by Seergazhi Govinderajan
  18. Inru Poi Naalai vaaraai- SC jayaraman
  
  Therefore, many of the leading singers of the later part of the 1950s were utilised to add richness to the music. Other than the premier screening, not all the songs were screened by the theatre operators owing to time.
  
  
  Sangeetha Sowbagyamey
  Sangeetha Sowbagyamey is a song that gives basic tuition to a beginner of Karnatic music. There is a dialogue in this song seeking clarification of the different ragas that are used for different parts of the day, different moods, and different events, and Raavanan gives explanation through the ragas accordingly. This was precedence again. Morning raga is Poobaalam; Raaga for noon is Saaranga; Raaga for evening time is Vasanthaa; Raaga for mercy is Neeelambari; Raaga for declaring war is Kambeera Naatai; Raaga for happiness is Danyaasi; Raaga for composing Venbaa is Sangarabharanam; Raaga for agaval paa is Thodi; Raga that is most appropriate for Tamil music is Kalyani; thus replies raavanan bys singing these ragas out in songs. Finally Mandothiri asks “Swamy, Kailainaathanai Thaangal Gaanathaal Mayakkiya Raagam Ethuvo?” to which Raavanan sings with beautiful surangal. What a gift of KVM in Raagamaalika?
  
  Let me mention a song of Ramayanam mentioned in the introduction to this series. There was a song where the sound engineer forgot to switch off the recorder after the song was over. And that song comes from Sampoorna Ramaayanam. The song composed in beautiful Thilang raga is:
  
  Inru Poi Naalaai Varrai, Yena
  Yenai oru manithanum Pugazhuvatho?
  Manmagal Mugam Kandey-Manam
  Kalangidum Nilai IndruEn Koduthaai Eesaa
  Endisai Vendrene-Andru
  Innnisai Pozhinthunai Kandeney…..
  
  
  The tail end of the song is a is truly mesmerising to listerners. The sound engineer was listening to the enchanting singing of C.S.Jayaraman. Once the song was completed every other technician had switched off his machines, but the sound engineer was just oblivious to surroundings. After many seconds, somebody patted him on the back and brought him down to earth.(Souvenir book of Samboorna Ramayanam)
  
  
  Maruthakazi composed the songs and considered the contribution his all time privilege and achievement. This was the talk of those days and even this day. The film was is and would continue to be a feather in the cap for Mahadevan. All the lovers of carnatic music had nice things to say about KVM.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 28 00:12:16 EDT 2002
  
  PART 19
  
  THE BOND CONTINUED
  
  Although APN was using KVM all along it was after Samboorna Raamayanam that their bond became stronger to last for one full decade, and APN did not go for any other MD during this time. KVM and APN had already made their marks in Naalvar, Aasai Annaa Arumai Thambi, Maangalyam, Pennarasi, Town Bus and Samboorna Raamaayanam. Following Samboorna Ramaayanam, APN wrote dialogue for Neelavukku Nerainja Manasu and Nalla Idathu Sambantham, both released in 1958. In Neelavukku Nirainja Manasu was starred by Sriram, KA Thangavelu, Pandari Bai, MN Rajam, PS Veerappa, Ragini VK Ramasamy etc. The only good song here is “Otruaiye Namakku Uyir Naadi” by Jikki and Soolamangalam Raajalechumy. The other sons are not that popular.
  
  The next film of 1958 was Nalla Idathu Sambantham. MR Radha, Sowkar Janaki, Prem Nasir, MN Rajam, VK Ramasamy and K. Sarangapani were main stars. This is another good movie for KVM. It was in this film that Lurthumary Rajeswary (LR Eswary) became a full scale and independent singer. It was APN who changed her name to LR Eswary. This was not LR Eswary’s first attempt. She started off as a chorus singer in earlier films by other MDs. In the Sorgavasal song Aagum Neri Ethu Aagaa Neri Ethu, she sang chorus, where the MD was SV Vengatraman. Then she sang chorus for the song “Inbanaalithey” in Manohara, under the same MD. Following that she was used by MSV and TKR in the RR pictures Gulebagavali. There is a song by Jamunarani –Aasaiyum Nesamum Ratha Paasathinaal Enguvathai Paaraiyada” In between we here hiccups. The vickal is the voice of Eswary. Then in 1958 KVM used her fully and independently.
  
  
  Sachu is a comedy actress. Her sister is Maadilechumy. LRE sang for her a song called Ivarethaan Avaru” As the song came out fairly well, she was commissioned to sing three more songs. One was “Puthu Penney Puthu Penney Nimunthu Paaru” with Kasthoori, Uduthaa and Kejalechumy. The other famous song is “Ponnu Maappillai Onnagum Pothu” which she sang with Kasthoori. The other solo of Eswary is :
  
  Thukkathilum Sirikkanum Thunivudaney Irukkanum
  Thathuvam ithai Unarnthu Neenga Nadakkanum-Mana
  Sanchalathai Adiyodu Marakkanum!
  
  Another famous song of Nalla Idathu Sambantham is by Soolamangalam Jayalechumy, with dialogue in between by MR Radha.
  
  SR :Kuzhanthai Pol Oru Kanam
  Kobithu Chelvathum
  Kunam Maari Maru Kanam
  Kurumbaaka Chirippathum…Sagajamaa?
  Jaalam Seivathum Nyiayamaa?
  
  MR Ratha:.. Aah Ivvalavu Nalla Paaduviya nee?
  Yen stop pannitte? Continue pannu.
  
  SR: Jalam Seivathum Nyayamaa-Neengal
  Jalam Seivathum Niayamaa
  Sagasam Ankalukku Aagumaa?
  Jaalam Seivathum Niayamaa?
  
  MRR: Sweet voice. Ivvalavu Nallaa Paada Therinja Unakku Aadavum Theriyumnu Ninaikkiren.
  
  SR: Aadavum Paadavum Therinthirunthaalum-Penkal
  Avaravar Kanavar Munney Naanamillamale
  Aadippaadavume Mudiyuma? Ithai Maranthu
  Modi Seivathu Aaguma?
  
  (Jaalam)
  
  Ullak Koyililey Ulavum Yen Deivame!
  Ungal Sevai Onre Mangai Yen Bagiyame!
  Ulakin Yen Vaazhkvin Inbamey!
  Oru Kanamum Piriyen Ummai Yendrume
  (Jaalam)
  
  
  
  The other famous song by Soolamangalam Rajalechumy in this film is
  
  Sonnaalum Ketpathillai-Suyamaai
  Chinthitum Paarpathillai
  Pennaga Piranathavalai-Aankal
  Ennaalum Mathippathillai….
  
  
  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Permit Me To Mention A Related Digression
  As Eswary’s songs became very popular especially Puthu Penney and Thukkathilum Sirikkanum, many other MDS started to use Eswary as an independent singer- no more chorus or hiccups. KVM encouraged her to sing with other MDs as well. She sang many songs. Kannadasan has once said that in all family functions of the Tamil world his songs would be used. In Paasa Malar of 1961 release she sang “Vaaraai En Thozhi Vaaraiyo” I dobut there is a wedding where this song is not played, or at the least remembered. When KVM listened to this song for the first time, phoned up LRE and congratulated her and predicated that she had a good future. But then KVM had equal hold on the fame of LRE. In Panamaa Pasamaa where KVM composed she sang a song that Kannadasan had composed in typical Madras Tamil.
  
  Elanthapayam Elanthappayam.
  Ethanaiyo Peru Kitta Elanthapayam Parthiye
  Eduthu Paartha Palangalile
  Immam Persiu parthiya
  Kaikku Adakkamaa-
  Nee Kadichi Paarkka Vaattamma…..
  
  
  This song was an instant hit and in 1968 the vinyl record was sold off and was only available in black market for Rs30. Kannadasan wrote and regretted writing the song, saying that the taste of fans had become very cheap. This film saw silver jubilee and was screened in Russia.
  
  But later LRE sang more with MSV. MSV lifted her in many ways. There is also a lift song in Nilave Nee Saatchi:
  
  Nee Ninaithaal Innerathiley Ethotho Nadakkum
  Nanariven Un Aasai Ellaam Nee Kettalthaan Kidaikkum Oho Ho….
  
  LRE’s car registration number was MSV 7749. When she came to Malaysia we asked her why she was still not married. She pointed to MSV and said she was already married to music.
  
  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  In short Nalla Idathu Sambantham was an important film for KVM and LRE. Of course Soolamangalam Rajalechumy also made clear marks for herself.
  
  
• From: G.Ragavan (@ 202.144.44.226) on: Fri Jun 28 01:20:13 EDT 2002
  
  Very interesting Maniseharan. Waiting for the other parts.
  
  

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