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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: Librarian (@ 161.142.100.86) on: Tue Jun 25 21:25:31 EDT 2002
  
  Vamanan, a journalist-turned-Tamil film music historian, has chipped in with his formidable two-volume work Thirai Isai Alaigal.
  
  It is a treasure for any aspiring Tamil film music student. ''In our past lies our future. Knowing the past will help the younger generation build the future constructively,'' says Vamanan. He is not one to turn up his nose and frown upon the filmi kitsch as he believes no other music encompasses all aspects of human life. ''In fact, it is Tamil film music that kindled my interest in Carnatic music. You see I was able to appreciate the (film) music better since the lyrics were couched in words I could understand unlike in the case of Carnatic music,'' says Vamanan whose biography on singer T M Soundar Rajan is to be released soon.
  
  Known as K N Krishnasamy to his friends, Vamanan had taken to a thorough study of Tamil film music even when working as a full-time journalist. ''While listening to Tamil film music, he is able to hark back to a similar keerthana of Thayayya or some other composer. His commendable knowledge of both the worlds comes in handy in this regard. I'm also impressed with his sobriety. While paying tributes to music directors or singers, he does not break into hallelujahs. His praise is always measured,'' says writer Chinnakuthoosi.
  
  Though he has essentially sought to delineate pen-portraits of singers and music directors, both known and obscure, the book has actually turned out to be a veritable history of Tamil cinema itself.
  
  The research that has gone into his work is amazing. The journalist in him has enabled him to correlate incidents in such a way that detail after detail unfolds before our eyes in one seamless whole. How many of us know that Patathpara Parameswara, the famous vachaspathi raaga keerthana popularised by M S Subbulakshmi, was actually a film song written by Papanasam Sivan?
  
  Or that Papanasam Sivan neither hails from Papanasam nor is Sivan his name? Or that an atheist DMK president M Karunanidhi has written a devotional song? Or that P Susheela was first rejected by T R Papa on the grounds that her Tamil pronunciation was not good?
  
  
• From: a.a. (@ 64.229.209.213) on: Tue Jun 25 22:31:16 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran (Arumai Thambi),
  There is another duet by TL+MSR in `Pennarasi' which slips out of my memory. Do you remember?
  Thanks.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jun 25 23:20:43 EDT 2002
  
  Saravanan,
  
  I can think of the following songs by Radha Jayalechumy in KVM's music:
  
  1.Ninaithaaley Inbam Tharum- Mangalyam
  2.Ottumiru Ullanthanai VEttuvathu- Mangalyam (good song)
  3.Mangalam-Valliyin Selvan
  
  Since you like her songs, let me give you some more of her songs from my immediate memory:
  
  1.Be Happy- Kaithi-S. Balachander
  2.Poochendu Nee Ponvandu Naan with TA MOti and Ganasaraswathy in ThayullamMD V. Nagaiyah)
  3. Etham Pottu- Kanchana
  4. Jagam Yaavum- Manithanum MIrugamum-TGovindarajulu Naidu
  5. Kathal Kondaadugiraar- manohara-SVV
  
  6. Aanantham Tharuvathu Sangeethemey- Samaya Sanjeevi- GR
  
  7. Gangatharaney- Poologa Rambai- CN Pandurangan
  
  8. Vaazhiya Needoozhi- Arivali SVV
  9. Aaraaro Aaraaro- INdira En Selvam SR Pathmanaba Sastiri
  
  10.Kanni Paruvam Aval Manathi Enna Ninaithaalo with PBS- Indira En Selvam
  
  11.Anaiya Jothi with AM Raqja-Solaimalai Raani-CN Pandurangan
  12. PAchai Kuzhandayadi Kannil Paavaiyandro Chandramathi- with SG -Odi Vilyadu Pappa- by KRishnamurthy
  13. Nadanamaadinaar with Leela- Manamaalai-GR
  14. Ethukkithanai Modi - Sarangadara- GR
  
  15.Jagam Yaavumey- Ratha Pasam
  16. Vazhvatho Mathu-Manohara-SVV
  17. Aasai Mounamaai- Inspector -GR
  18.Madhuvai parugum Vandu-Jameenthaar- GR
  19. Malai Thiritha Magarasi with P.Leela and Ganasaraswathy-Moondru Pillaikal
  20. Oh Alai Mothum-Puratchiveeran
  Pokkiri Payale- Thayullam- Thayullam by V. Nagaiyah.
  21. Vennilaavum Vaanum Pole- kalyanam Pannnium Bachelor-TG Lingappa.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jun 25 23:36:57 EDT 2002
  
  Aasai Anna (a.a),
  Arumai Thamby ezhuthuvathu
  
  I have not seen some of these movies, and that inludes Pennarasi. Let me see if I can recollect the missed songs for the moment. They are:
  
  1.Ulagam Sezhippathgu- by P.Leela
  2.Santhegam Ethukku by Sc. Krishan and Kanaga
  3.Thodathey-SC KRsihnan and Kanaga
  4Ezhuthi CHellum- SC Krishnan
  5. Aadhiyaai- SC Krishnan
  6.Vendrathu Soolchi by TMS
  7.Seer Valara by TMS
  8. Konjam Kooda Kuri Thavaraatha by Jikki
  
  I am not able to think of the song you mentioned. May be you can post when you recollect.
  
  In this article, I would want to mention only the famous and hit songs.
  
  Sorry I am not giving all the songs from the films I am listing. I am trying to move fast and complete the series, while I still have the time. We have not even covered the tip of the iceberg so far.
  
  
  Thanks,
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 213.42.1.247) on: Wed Jun 26 01:14:17 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, thank you for listing some of RJ's songs. I didn't include them earlier, as I was only listing her songs from the 60s. I am happy to say that I have all the songs you have listed, except the ones from Rathapasam and Moondru Pillaigal. Some other memorable songs by RJ in the 50s, which I can think of off-hand are:
  
  The 4 great songs from Maragatham- Maalai mayangugira neram, Punnagai thavazhum (with TMS), Kanukkulle unnai paaru (with TMS) and Aadinaal nadanam aadinaal- SMS
  Singara painkiliye pesu (with AMR)- Manohara- SVV
  3 more from Bhoologa Rambai-Kannalar ingu varuvaar, Amba Arul purivaai and Aasai nenjame (with AMR)-CNP
  Pazhaniappa nin patham- Kanchana- SMS
  Manam pola- Manam pola Mangalyam- A RamaRao
  Andru ododi vandhu- Manam pola Mangalyam
  Madhumalar ellam- Kalyanam panniyum Brahmachari- TGL
  Jegam ezhum neeye-Ethirapaarathathu- CNP
  Manam pola ini- Menaka -with KRR- CNP& Veda
  Kanavu ninaivaagume- Menaka
  Kaya pazhama sollu Raja- Anbu Engey -Veda
  Kannodu kanninai nokki- Minnal Veeran- with Seergazhi- Veda
  Muthu pugazh-Sivagangai seemai-with S Varalakshmi-MSV-TKR
  
  Thank you for telling me about the song from Valliyin Selvan- I didn't know it before.
  
  Some small Corrections- Kanni Paruvam Aval (Indira en selvam) was by PBS and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi.
  
  Manamaalai had music by Veda.
  
  Thanks.
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jun 26 02:50:51 EDT 2002
  
  Saravanan,
  
  Thanks for the correction. You may want to add these songs too:
  
  1.Manathai Kavarntha- with SG in Manimegalai (GR)
  
  2. Vidhiyin Vilaivaal (not vidhiyin vilayadal) in Ezhai padum paadu
  
  3.Aanantham Puthgu Aanantham with Jikki in Thanga Malai Raghaisyam (TGL)
  
  4. Vallkuvan VEtham Maravathey with Soolamangalam Rajalechumy in Nagananthini (R. Sudarsanam) GR is a joint MD for this.
  5. Jeya Jeya Aiyame with K Rani in Magathala Naatttu Mary.
  
  Thanks.
  
  manisegaran
  
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 195.229.240.243) on: Wed Jun 26 04:06:23 EDT 2002
  
  Mani sir,
  
  Thanks for the additional listing. Yes, Vidhiyin vilaiyvaal anaadhaiyaanen, veethi thannil nindru paadida is a sob song from Ezhai padum paadu- perhaps RJ's first film song?
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jun 26 06:30:16 EDT 2002
  
  
  DEAR READERS,
  
  I HAVE A HUMBLE REQUEST FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION.
  
  I need your guidance. Please look at the trends in the postings from the beginnig. I have organised thoughts on KVM and every time I post on KVM, matters are picked up from there and querries are shot into different directions. These querries are answered and supplementary questions are raised. Then the querries branch out into many more sub areas and finally go out of tangent. Finally I am thrown out of the playing field, and takes a long time to be admitted again. It is like tooth paste going outside the tube, and it is really so difficlut to come back in its entirety.
  
  This trend does not allow the smooth flow of my thoughts and the article. I was posting two articles per day. Now reduced to one as I am given more work with supplementary questions.
  
  We are all hungry for information. That is fine. But if we can be focussed we will reach our destination, otherwise this article will be uncompleted.
  
  Is it OK if we can stick to KVM alone and accommodation for some digression could be accommodated.
  
  I am still in the first few films of KVM. I am leaving this dilemna in the hand of the readers.
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jun 26 06:48:03 EDT 2002
  
  PART 17
  
  METEORIC RISE
  
  Now we come to Town Bus a film that is still being spoke of and one that was very much loved by KVM himself. Before this KVM had composed music for a few movies and they may or may not have run well. In the case of Town Bus, it had good story line to capture the cine goers, and at the same time there were wonderful songs as well. In my interview with KVM I asked KVM which was his first film, and to my shock he said "Town Bus" I said couldn’t be. He then qualified and stressed that he could have composed for so many films, but Town Bus was his "first super hit movie" and so he decided to remember that movie as his first. Very much true! It was Town Bus that popularised KVM further and immortalised his name and fame.
  
  This was another production of M.A.V Pictures of MA Venu, with story and dialogue scripted by APN and directed by K. Somu. N.N. Kannappa was the hero with Anjali Devi as heroine. Other stars were TK Ramachandran, VK Ramasamy, MN Rajam, Thamabram Lalitha etc, which clearly indicate that this was not a great star-rated movie. But then this film ran on the strength of songs comnpsed by KVM. There is a hit song here that is still hinges somewhere in our inner m,ind, and with the slightest effort, comes to our mind. Years, nay decades and even close to half a century has passed since tghis song was noised in Tamilnadu and abroad. But it continues to ring in our ears,without losing the sweetness. That immortal song by M.S. Rajeswary is:
  
  Chittu Kuruvi Chittu Kuruvi Seithi Theriyuma?
  Ennai Vittu Pirinji Pona KanavanVeedu Thirumbala.
  Pattu methai Virichu Vachen Summa Kedakkuthu
  Pasum paalai Kaaichi Eduthu vachen Aari Kidakkuthu.
  
  Thalaiyai Vaari Poo Mudichen Vaadi Vathanguthu
  Sathaa Theruvil Vanthu nNinru Ninru Kaalum Kadukkuthu
  
  Vazhiyai Vazhiyai Paarthu Paarthu
  Kannum Noguthu-Avar
  Vanthaal Pesa Niraya Sethi
  Nenjil Irukkuthu
  
  There is also a sad version of this song. This song had some specialities, and the credit goes to KVM. It was meant for the heroin, but was compsoed in such a way that it could be enjoyed by elders and youngsters alike. That was the motive of the whole song, said Ka Mu Sheriff to a few of us when he came to attend the Tamil Writers Association in Kuala Lumpur in 1984.
  He said that the song will always be part of our daily lives. Whenever we see chittukuruvi in our compound this song comes to our mind. The song has a sweetness that is eternal.
  
  There is also a challenge song-challenge between ancient Tamil tradition and modernisation, sung by SC Krishnan and Seergazhi Govindarajan. This was one of the early entries of Seergazhi into the music of KVM. It is
  
  Lady lady..lady Lady
  Aasai lady Aruginil Vaadi
  Aadi paadalamm.
  
  This also became a popular hit. A sad song by Trichy Loganathan, MS Rajeswary and Radha Jayalechumy
  “Ponnaana vaazhvey Mannagi Pomo?
  Thuyaram nilaithaana? Ulagam Ithuthaanaa?”
  
  This is a song with beautiful tune, melody and voicing. Still remains one of the all time favourites. Then comes a beautiful song by Radha Jayalechumy:
  
  Nenjam Virumbuthey-sathaa
  Ninainthu Magizhuthey
  Konji Pesi Uravaada
  Kuzhanthai Ullam Konda Avarai……
  
  A real super song!
  Town Bus cemented the relationship between APN, MAVenu and KVM and created a bond that lasted many years. This was one of the first films to retain supremacy in pulling the crowd even in the second and subsequent releases. Town Bus ferried Mahadevan throughout Tamilnadu, South India, Ceylon, Singapore and Malaysia, including Burma. (the last film the Tamils in Burma saw was Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum screened there towards end 1963. Hope to cover on Devar films if the article flows without interruption)
  
  By 1957 APN and KR Ramasamy had already become very close friends. They started a film company called Sri Lakshmi Pictures and made a few movies together. The very famous Makkalai Petra Maharasi which had star value-Sivaji Ganesan, MN Nambiyar, Kannaamba, K. Banumathy, K Sarangapani, VK Ramasamy, MN Rajam etc. Story and dialogue by APN. The famous songs here were:
  
  1. Manappaarai Maadu Katti by TMS. Maruthakazi told me in 1988 that this song was a true patriotic song as it made mention of many areas of Tamilnadu, and was sung in every remote village of Tamilnadu by people of all walks in life.
  2. Sonna Pechai Kekkanum Munnum Pinnum Paakkanum by K.Banumathy. This was another hit song
  3. Vanthathu Yaarunnu Unakku Theriyumaa by K Banumathy- also a good song
  4. O Malliyakka- a famous dance song
  5. Adi Tharaburam Tambaram Un Thalaiyiley Kanagamabaram- by SC Krishnan and Ratnamala
  6. Poravaley Poravaley Ponnurangam by TMS and Banumathy
  7. Makkalai Petra Maharasi by Jikki
  8. Onru Serntha Anbu Maarumaa by PB Sreenivos and Sarojini. This is the first song of PB Sreenivas under KVM.
  
  This film was another big hit. KVM proved that he could compose excellent folk music too. It was following this film in 1957 that many approached KVM for village based songs.
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jun 26 06:49:11 EDT 2002
  
  DEAR READERS,
  
  I HAVE A HUMBLE REQUEST FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION.
  
  I need your guidance. Please look at the trends in the postings from the beginnig. I have organised thoughts on KVM and every time I post on KVM, matters are picked up from there and querries are shot into different directions. These querries are answered and supplementary questions are raised. Then the querries branch out into many more sub areas and finally go out of tangent. Finally I am thrown out of the playing field, and takes a long time to be admitted again. It is like tooth paste going outside the tube, and it is really so difficlut to come back in its entirety.
  
  This trend does not allow the smooth flow of my thoughts and the article. I was posting two articles per day. Now reduced to one as I am given more work with supplementary questions.
  
  We are all hungry for information. That is fine. But if we can be focussed we will reach our destination, otherwise this article will be uncompleted.
  
  Is it OK if we can stick to KVM alone and accommodation for some digression could be accommodated.
  
  I am still in the first few films of KVM. I am leaving this dilemna in the hand of the readers.
  
  

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