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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.
WILL WE EVER GET BACK A KAVINGYAR LIKE KANNADASAN ??

Read the complete opening post here.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: bb (@ 12.234.176.52) on: Fri Apr 4 20:59:11 EST 2003
  
  Manisegaran and Mahendra Raj, thanks a lot for your insights. It is great to read your comments.
  
  A followup: What about TKR? We've heard a lot about Kannadasan and MSV, but nothing much about TKR. The only stories that I can recall are his willingness to let MSV's name in front of his in the titles, and murky stories of how he split with MSV. Can you guys write more on TKR and how he played out in this scenario?
  
  
• From: geeth (@ 195.39.134.84) on: Sat Apr 5 01:55:02 EST 2003
  
  manisekaran and mahendraraj - excellent postings on the rivalry period of 1968. looks like tfm benefitted immensly during this period with all these stalwarts trying to give their best. very interesting to read all this stuff and one thing needs to be appreciated - the magnanimity of MGR in appointing Kavinjar as Aasthana kavinjar (or arsavai kavinjar). A due recognition.
  
  btw, can someone tell who is the present aasthana kavinjar ?
  
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.49.130) on: Sat Apr 5 10:01:55 EST 2003
  
  Hi! folks am back again. Thanks bb and Geeth for your comments.
  
  Re-TKR. According to what I understood is that during the formative years he was disciplined in his work but towards the mid-sixties he was too occupied with 'other interests' much to the annoyance of MSV. Although being senior in age, TKR agreed to have his name relegated after MSV in the credits. This was because, NSKrishnan, the man behind the unification of both MSV and TKR from the days of 'Panam' (1955)insisted so. At that time NSK had a say in the running of cinematic affairs in the industry due to his popularity and charisma. There were some who quitely assumed that NSK being a Malayalee wanted to give prominence to MSV a fellow Malayalee.
  
  It was also a well known fact in the industry that MSV did all the hard work of composing and TKR was left handling the violin which instrument is a slave to his upper limbs! When MSV confided to kaviarasar of his intention to break away from TKR the latter gave him the blessings. There was also a school of thoughts that KVM was behind the whole separation but the latter was definitely not involved at all.
  
  When TKR broke away from MSV he did compose for films but except for a few like 'Saadhu Mirandaal' (1966), 'Naan' (1967) and 'Moondraezhuthu' (1968) the others did not click. It is sad that this violin maestro's contributions thereafter to the Tamil film music became negligible.
  
  Around this time Vedha, the 'recon' specialist, some or rather filled the vaccuum created by TKR. Producers booked him instead of TKR because the latter operated with limited instruments and players and nearly all of the songs were monotypes. The producers would rather settle for reconditioned tunes from Hindi rather than having TKR for their films.
  
  It is pertinent to state here that both MSV and TKR retained their respective titles of 'mellisai mannar' even after they had seperated. Probably this duo were the only mds in the Tamil film music industry to share the the same title, although this time after separation it was in the singular ('mellisai mannar').
  
  On the other hand, MSV went on to create hits after hits although some prophets of doom predicted that the former had had dug is own grave through the separation.
  
  For your information folks, the title of "Mellisai Mannargal" was coined by kaviarasar and conferred on them at a function. One late night (probably during the heat of consuming 'beverages') kaviarasar telephoned MSV in the latter's house and told him that he wanted to honour him. MSV, visibly irritated by this unexpected call for disturbing his sleep, told off kaviarasar. But kaviarasar kept his words and honoured the duo.
  
  When TKR came with his troupe along with TMS, ALRaghavan, SC Krishnan etc. for a concert performance in Kuala Lumpur in 1966 (just fresh from the separation) the question of the split was posed to him. He avoided giving a direct reply.
  
  Again when this duo patched up in 1994 for the film 'Engirintho Vanthan' it appeared that they were all set to re-enter with a renewed vigour. Alas, their type of music was out of fashion with a different generation.
  
  Both of them came to Malaysia in 1997 for a road show and this question was again put forward. Both denied having had any differences at all and that the so-called split was inevitable for some other reasons!
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.49.130) on: Sat Apr 5 10:12:29 EST 2003
  
  As narrated earlier kaviarasar did write some songs about himself. We can compile that later but here is one with a difference.
  
  The song "Kalyanaman kalyanamam arubaatham kalyanam" ('Dharisanam' 1970) has this line "..anthan ettavathu pillai kooda meythai aagalam". This line was a stark reference to himself as being the eigth in the family. Incidentally, Lord Kannan (kaviarasar's aasan) was also the eigth in the family!
  
  The song "Ithu maalai nerathin mayakkam" in this film ('Dharisanam') also won the best song at state level for the ubiquitous statement line "...ithu
  ottai veedu onbathu vasaal...".
  
  See you all again folks on kaviarasar's humour.
  
  
• From: raja m (@ 24.44.133.72) on: Sat Apr 5 11:47:07 EST 2003
  
  Mahendra Raj:
  
  Was TKR's problems related to drinking and was this the reason MSV and TKR split (or due to MSV/LRE connections?).. this request is based not on gossip value - just clarifications to long standing questions :-)
  
  
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.49.199) on: Sun Apr 6 06:53:08 EDT 2003
  
  Raja, although there were some rumours to that effect LRE continued to sing for both MSV and TKR. So it could not be true. The three of them were here in Malaysia for the 1997 concert.
  
  You would have observed that the raison de' etre of certain issues in the Tamil film industry had remained unanswered till tdate. This can be traced back to the case of the infamous murder of Lakshmigantham, the editor of Hindu Nesan in the fourties. MK Thiagaraja Bhagavathar, NS Krishnan, to name a few were implicated but the actual reason remains a mystery till todate. Of course, various theories and reasons surfaced during the passage of time but till todate no one knows the truth as to what actually transpired.
  
  There were and are other such incidents and its origins have never been revealed - the most famous amongst them being the MR Radha/MGR shooting incident in January 1967.
  
  Lets confine ourselves to the main issue of this thread and distance ourselves from things too personal as the affected personalities and their descendants are still around with their children and grandchildren. Just think of the havoc it will cause should the grandchild points a finger at grandpa for his past 'naughtiness' after reading this posting!!
  
  No malice meant to you folks but this is my humble request - lets refrain from being too inquisitive about the artistes' very very private lives.
  
  At the 100th day celebrations function of 'Poova Thalaiya?' (1969) Rama Arangal the producer had invited the then Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and a host of VIPS to this function. In the guest list was kaviarasar who was seated next to KBalachander, the director of this movie in the front second row right behind the CM.
  
  When it was kaviarasar's turn to address the invited guests he quipped that this film ('Poova Thalaiya') had posed a question in that title itself. His answer was that it was the 'head' ('thalai'). Before the invited guests could discern this remark kaviarasar continued that as he was seated right behind Karunanidhi he could not see the goings-on on the stage as the balding patch of the latter's crown was dazzling under the hall's spot lights, hence the statement! Of course, everyone was taken aback because of the protocol accorded to Karunanidhi as CM and that the statement could be regarded as improper. But when Karunanidhi burst out laughing the audience too got into this mode and had a hearty laugh!.
  
  I could not remember reading any incident about an ordinary citizen having the courage to crack a joke about the CM's appearance face-to-face and that too at a public function.
  
  Incidentally the songwriter for this film is Vaali.
  
  More on kaviarasar's humour next folks!
  
  
• From: raja m (@ 24.44.133.72) on: Sun Apr 6 08:28:17 EDT 2003
  
  Mahendra Raj:
  
  I understand.. no more distractions from me:-)
  
  
• From: LP (@ 61.6.38.132) on: Mon Apr 7 02:54:03 EDT 2003
  
  Mahendra Raj/Manisekaran
  
  Can you confirm where the Kannadasan Vizha will be held this year. I hope that Pandithurai is NOT going to be the organiser again.
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 216.52.49.9) on: Mon Apr 7 03:25:41 EDT 2003
  
  Mr.Raj,
  
  Would throw some light on the "Kaviyarasar Silai thirappu vizha" sometime in 1991 or 92 at near Panagal Park, T.Nagar, Chennai. I guess JJ also particpated in that function.
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.0.94) on: Mon Apr 7 06:10:33 EDT 2003
  
  LP, I am given to understand that the 'Kannadhasan' function is to be held on May 21, 2003 at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Puchong. Yes, Paandithurai is the organiser again. I wonder whether it will a repetition of last year's affair. I hope it is not. For your information folks, the invited artistes were paid to the tune of Rs 1 lakh each excluding the cost of flight, boarding and incidentals. It seemed they (especially MSV and TMS) refused to come here unless they were paid in advance by cash in Chennai!.
  
  Well, everything seems to have been commercialised and materialistic. Dead for more than two decades but still kaviarasar's name sells like hot cakes but it is a pity that when he was alive he did'nt enjoy such monetary benefits for his own shows in person. Can we call this fate?
  
  Judging from the crowd attendance last year it was apparent that kaviarasar still lived in the hearts of millions even in this millennium. I only hope that the organisers will not take advantage of the crowd turnout and utilise it for their own agenda.
  
  Subbu, re - statue of kaviarasar.
  
  Somewhere around 1992/3 MSV dropped a bombshell that kaviarasar had appeared in his dream and appealed to him to have a statue erected after him. His justification was that there were too many statues of even unknown personalities in town and therefore he urged MSV to do something about this.
  
  Consequently MSV teamed up with, of all the persons, Ilayaraja and went on a road show to solicit funds for this 'dream' project (literally!). They managed to collect a substantial sum and thence approached Jayalalitha Jayaram, the then CM to assist them in this quest. The latter alloted a government piece of land in busy T.Nagar and also gave some financial contributions. In 1994 she officiated the unveiling of this majestic statue with the media in attendance. The statue is located a few metres away from NS Krishnan's statue and in the vicinity of kaviarasar's house in T.Nagar. If I am not mistaken it is within the area of the road where kaviarasar's house is located which was re-named 'Kannadhasan Saalai'at this function too.
  
  Folks, there were some who were sceptical about this so-called dream and opined that MSV, who was financially down, teamed up with Ilayaraja whose market was sagging, to help re-boost their respective images through this roadshow. And also to tide them over with their financial position as the mere mention of kaviarasar's branded name for any function was a sure money-spinner.
  
  Jayalalitha Jayaram had all along maintained a very good relationship with kaviarasar which is why she came forward to assist in this project. Whatever, the reason may be we must thank MSV for his efforts.
  
  
• From: R.Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.0.94) on: Mon Apr 7 06:42:26 EDT 2003
  
  In his life-time the late Kamraj saw only one movie and that too upon the insistence of kaviarasar.
  
  In 1962 kaviarasar had a special screening of his film 'Raktha Thilagam' (1962)for Kamraj's viewing as it had some elements of patriotism in it (based on the Indo-China war theme at that time). The first reaction by Kamraj after seeing this film was to urge kaviarasar to shorten the film's length by half! He did not know that it was the norm of Tamil films to run for 3 hours!.
  
  Talking of patriotism the other film by kaviarasar was 'Thaaye Unakkaaga' (1966)based on the Indo-Pakistan war. Of course this time around he did not invite Kamaraj!
  
  In 1964 when he produced 'Karuppu Panam' he had a tough time sourcing for a hero. Initially, he had booked MR Radha for this film but it seemed the latter stealthily whispered to MGR that the theme of this film was to attack him (MGR). MR Radha was withdrawn and due to MGR's influence others did not dare to come forward to act in that role lest it incurs the wrath of 'sinnavar'.
  
  Finally, left with no choice kaviarasar himself had to act out as the gentleman crook. Although the film flopped but nevertheless it had a very strong social theme like the present day 'Gentleman' (1994). Kaviarasar did justice to his role.
  
  Speaking of acting it was 'Parasakthi' (1952) where kaviarasar made his debut in a minor role as the presiding judge of the infamous court room drama. Of course, VC Ganesan stole the lime light and went on to become 'nadigar thilagam' later. It was SS Rajendran's first movie too. Basically it was a DMK movie.
  
  I have seen some rare photographs of kaviarasar acting in dramas both in Tamil as well as in English. The photos gives kaviarasar a caucasian appearance because of the suit and hat and above all his towering height.
  
  And talking about dressing I have some piece on kaviarasar's attire but it will be deemed too personal to post here but neverthelss it will draw a good guffaw!!
  
  
  
  
  

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