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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: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jul 19 03:13:34 EDT 2002
  
  Correction:
  Kannanaal Naan Imayaven has some thogayara (not charanam) that is not available in records.
  
  
• From: kik (@ 207.0.105.214) on: Sat Jul 20 01:33:28 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran: Thanks - ungaLidam vishayathai karappathil expertise develop paNNikkondirukkiREn:-) On the LP records/tapes, this is HMV butchering the songs to fit the songs into the allowed space (e.g. paarthEn siriththEn has another stanza after ini thEn illaathapadi kathai mudiththEn). Sometimes, there are changes to the soundtrack after the album has been released, but before the movie comes out (e.g. maharaajan ulagai aaLuvaan is not in the movie).
  
  Enga kudumbam perisu (I think that's right), also by KVM? also has a folk song with Nadaswaram and thavil - it's performed at a village festival watched by Balaji, Pandaribai, and Mynavathi.
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 213.42.1.166) on: Sat Jul 20 01:55:28 EDT 2002
  
  Kik, Engal Kudumbam Perisu was by TG Lingappa. I don't remember the song you are mentioning, though I remember "Radha madhava'-TMS-PS and 'Athimadhudha- AMR-JR.
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 213.42.1.167) on: Sat Jul 20 02:45:45 EDT 2002
  
  Sorry, read it as 'Athimadhura'
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.78.83) on: Sat Jul 20 07:23:47 EDT 2002
  
  kik,
  
  Maha Rajan Ulagai Aaaluvaan plus many others are not in the movies:
  
  Thendral Varum Thoothu Varum in Paazhum Pazhamum
  
  Theertha Karaithanile in Madurai Veeran
  
  Ulagam Sutrum valibanodu Payanam Vanthaval Naan in U.SU valiban
  
  Ninaiikum Pothe Thanakkul Sirikkum Maathey in U.SU Valiban.
  
  
  Songs in films have never come out in discs:
  
  Kalai Arasi by KVM
  
  Sithoor Raani Padmini by G. Ramanathan
  
  and many many more..
  
  Songs taken for one film used in another:
  
  Mayakkum Malai recorded by KVM for Koondukili but used in Kulebagavli
  
  Nerungi Nerungi recorded by KVM for some other movie but used by MSV in Netru Inru Nalai.
  
  Padinar Kavingar paadinaar recorded for Nichaya Thamboolam but nused in Thendral Veesum.
  
  
  and many many more which I have mentioned some time ago in some other thread.
  
  
  There are a few variations in cutting discs.
  
  1. Taking in toto all the entire song into 78rpm records if the songs do not exceed 3.5 minutes( a general rule). Should the song exceed, then the thogayara,charanams and interludeas may be removed to fit into the required time. So there is a differencee in what we see in the film and what we listen from records.
  
  2.Should the song be more than 7 mintues, then the song is cut into both sides of the 78rpm records, again with some edition. So there is a differencee in what we see in the film and what we listen from records.
  
  3.Recording the song all over again, and that comes different from the songs in the films. Will give details when I discuss on Thaikku Pin Tharam(have mentioned several times in some other threads) En Kelvikkenna Bathil song in Uyarntha Manithan has hno Ha aha Ah aha....in the film but hs this in the record.
  
  4. When 78rpm records are reproduced as LPs of 45 rpm or 16 rpm (no more available these days) they retain the song in full. But when the 78rpm records are cut again into EPs (Estended plays) which are about the size of aappam, there is fading at the end of the song where the pallavi is just lost. This is what you have mentioned.
  
  5. Re-recording a song for fear- mainly of censorship. Here the song does not syncronise with lip movements. Either the song is recorded first or the scene is re-shot with changes in wording. Just two examples:
  Vantha Naal Muthal Intha Naal varai in Pava Mannippu.
  
  In the film the song goes "Ethanai Kandaan Panamthanai Padaithaan" and Sivaji moves his lips accordingly, but in the record it is "Ethanai Kandan mathamthanai padaithaan"
  
  In Nalla Nalla Pilaigalai Nambi from Petralthaan Pillaya, the last line goes
  
  Medayil Muzhangu Aringar Annaa Pol, but MGR's lip movements go:
  Medayil Muzhangu Thiru Vi Kaa Pol..
  
  and many many more....
  
  
  There are far too many songs of this nature and there is no end to quoting such songs. There are many many more gaps which cannot be explained. Some matters documented BLACK and WHITE are not the truth too. Cine industry is utter confusion, conflict and inconsistency.
  
  In a radio interview in Malaysia KVM told us how songs are made and how they are edited.It was quite detailed, encompassing some of the trends mentioned here. Will elaborate later.
  
  Interesting, but let us avoid this path of no return and stick to issue at hand.
  
  
• From: kik (@ 207.0.105.156) on: Tue Jul 23 01:17:42 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran: Agree with you, let's stick to KVM. Only want to note in passing that some Seerkazhi songs in Kalai Arasi and Sithoor Raani Padmini have been released in Seerkazhi collections (cassettes, not sure if LPs were ever released). I have OhO nilaa raaNi and paarthu kondirunthaalE pothum from the latter and a SG & PB duet from the former together with a solo praising tamilnadu (listing various cities similar to maduraiyil parantha meenkodiyai, if I remember right).
  
  
• From: TFM Fan (@ 172.171.9.166) on: Tue Jul 23 01:54:52 EDT 2002
  
  Mr. Manisegaran: Frankly, I want to suggest one thing. I want a book written by you in both English and Tamil. I want to own this very interesting documentary. This will surely be a bestseller. If you can cover all MDs, that will be a blessing too for fans here and many who don't have the internet.
  
  Likewise, some coverage on geniuses like G Devarajan, V Datchinamurthy (Mal FM composers originally from TN) will make my days bright n worthwhile.
  
  Thanks.
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 203.197.177.51) on: Tue Jul 23 03:50:45 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir,
  
  Who sang these songs from U.Su.Vaaliban
  
  1. Ulagam Sutrum valibanodu Payanam Vanthaval Naan
  2. Ninaiikum Pothe Thanakkul Sirikkum Maathey
  
  
  
• From: kiru (@ 192.138.150.249) on: Tue Jul 23 04:20:00 EDT 2002
  
  amuthum thEnum - wow wow ..what a song.. as I read the lyrics I could hear the whole song echoing in my mind..with all the glory of the gamakkams..
  ManisEkaran sir, is it possible to trace how KVMs orchestration kept chaning over a period of time or how he responded to competition ? I am curious to see how the genre of film music evolved.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jul 23 20:40:26 EDT 2002
  
  kik,
  
  It is news to me that songs of Kalai Arasi and Sithoor Raani Padmini have come out in record forms. When I was invited for evenming tea in his house in Mathaivelipakkam, he had requested for song from these films. I have all these songs in my cassette, recorded direct from the video sound track. Really excellent songs. But if they have come out in record form, it is a gift for the fans of old songs.
  
  TFM Fan,
  
  I dont think I am in a position to write books on MDs. My knowledge on MDs and their contribution is still superficial.
  
  Subbu.
  Ulagam Sutrum Valibanodu Payanam Vanthavalknaan by TMS and PS. A very good song, starts "Oh My Darling"
  
  Ninaikkum Pothe is by P.S. Also a good song.
  
  Kiru,
  
  I have tocuhed, though not exlicitly, some aspects of KVMs changing his orchestration. I may elaborate.
  
  Thanks
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jul 23 20:42:22 EDT 2002
  
  Clarification:
  
  I was invited by Seergazhi Govinderajan for tea in house in Manthaivelipakkam, near Santhome. That was in 1985.
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Tue Jul 23 20:42:42 EDT 2002
  
  Clarification:
  
  I was invited by Seergazhi Govinderajan for tea in his house in Manthaivelipakkam, near Santhome. That was in 1985.
  
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 216.52.49.5) on: Wed Jul 24 00:40:16 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, Thanks for the info.
  
  Can any1 post the links for the songs of U.Su.Vaaliban
  
  1. Ulagam Sutrum valibanodu Payanam Vanthaval Naan
  2. Ninaiikum Pothe Thanakkul Sirikkum Maathey
  
  I am really curious to listen to at least the second song... (which I have heard for the first time from Mani Sir)
  
  
  
  
• From: Ragapravaham Sundar (@ 61.11.81.36) on: Wed Jul 24 07:03:05 EDT 2002
  
  Dear Manisekaran,
  You have started a page for the genius of KVM and I see lot of digressions had crept in which of no relevance. Dr Balamuralikrishna has sung for KVM for many movies. Particularly this Odhuvar un peyar odhuvar(Kannmalar) in raga Khamas with Sool.Rajalakshmi is soul-stirring. I believe the last song which Dr.M.BMK sang for KVM was from the film Mahasakthi Mariyamma and the song goes like this...Magarantham kathoothum aravintham un paadham .... in Sindhu Bhairavi is superb. The movie was released in 1988 but the song is totally anachronistic to that period of film music and reminds us of one of early sixties. Anyone who has got that song can help me.Incidentally both the songs were penned by Vaali and wonderful indeed.
  
  
• From: Ragapravaham Sundar (@ 61.11.81.36) on: Wed Jul 24 07:03:41 EDT 2002
  
  Dear Manisekaran,
  You have started a page for the genius of KVM and I see lot of digressions had crept in which of no relevance. Dr Balamuralikrishna has sung for KVM for many movies. Particularly this Odhuvar un peyar odhuvar(Kannmalar) in raga Khamas with Sool.Rajalakshmi is soul-stirring. I believe the last song which Dr.M.BMK sang for KVM was from the film Mahasakthi Mariyamma and the song goes like this...Magarantham kathoothum aravintham un paadham .... in Sindhu Bhairavi is superb. The movie was released in 1988 but the song is totally anachronistic to that period of film music and reminds us of one of early sixties. Anyone who has got that song can help me.Incidentally both the songs were penned by Vaali and wonderful indeed.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 24 19:43:11 EDT 2002
  
  Dear Ragapravagham Sunder,
  
  Thanks for your comments. Please go to the introduction to the article where I have mentioned that " I am aslo taking the liberty of discussing the background of the films where KVM had comsposed- with the intention of adding spice"
  
  KVM cannot be discussed in isolation, and many things that I feel are relevant to me, and probably irrelevant to you, will continue to be brought in. That is my style of presenting the subject matter.
  
  Again please look at the irrelevant querries posted by many, for which I cannot be blamed.
  
  Why are you jumping the gun and coming to Kanmalar and Mahasakthi Mariamma. I may not be touching them at all. Again go back to the intro where I have made it clear in no uncertain terms that "This is an effort, in a modest way, to trace the great contributions of KVM to the Tamil Film Music"
  
  Please be reminded that I will continue to present the subject matter in a style that I have set for myself, as promised from the beginning. Anyway what is releveant for you may be irrelevant to me. That is the basis of criticism. I appreciate your frankness.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Thu Jul 25 04:53:51 EDT 2002
  
  
  SECTION III
  
  PART 30
  
  As we are discussing KVM’s music along various headings and tastes, it is just inevitable that we go back and forth in time. Let us now once again go back to 1956.
  
  Devar Films would remain an important part of KVM’s music. Sando MM Devar started his film career as a stunt actor and acted in small roles. In 1956 he produced Thaaikku Pin Thaaram and after that became a very successful producer. MGR was the main hero in most of Devar films. MGR had acted in 16 movies under Devar film banner and music of all MGR acted movies was composed by KVM. There were also some movies where Devar Films used other MDs like Divakar in Kaattu Rani (Asohan), Deivathrirumagal (Muthuraman), Deiva Cheyal (Muthuraman) and Ner Vazhi (Jaishankar). Maharasi was given to Shanker Ganesh under the recommendation of Kannadasan.
  
  
  The last of Devar film was Nalla Neram (1972) which happened to be the only colour movie. I am not bringing in the movies of the subsidiary company Dandayuthapani Films.
  
  
  But we are going to stick to Devar films where KVM composed music. Before that a few words have to be said about Devar films. Devar achieved something that no one else achieved in the cine movie industry. He would perform pooja for his films and start off his shooting his movie. As the movie is about to finish its 100 days run in any theatre, Devar would release his next movie. He was the only one who would determine and announce the date of release of his next movie as soon as the first movie is released. Again, Devar movies were mainly produced within studios and jungle settings with least budget. Most of Devar movies of were directed by Devar’s brother M.M. Thirumugam who did a good job. Devar made it a point to appear in small roles.
  
  The second aspect is the songs. Almost all songs from Devar movies were excellent, as KVM used a team that he managed to maintain so long as MGR was active in his movies. TMS was permanent all along but within his first few films, P.Suseela was added to TMS as a permanent pair. Starting initially with Maruthakazi, Devar retained Kannadasan as his permanent songwriter. When MGR and Kannadasan had misunderstanding, Devar used Maruthakazi, but quietly sent money to Kannadasan – an amount he would have given Kannadasan had Kannadasan agreed to write. The bond between Devar and Kannadasan had been that strong. Kannadasan called Devar his own “Sadayappa Vallal” as Devar had assisted Kannadasan in times of financial trouble. Devar felt that songs of his films became great hits because of the work of Kannadasan. Some of the best works of Kannadasan are found in Devar movies.
  
  Devar film in stages developed some form of a permanent formula:
  
  1. A song describing nature-mainly by female voice;
  2. A philosophical song, mainly by TMS;
  3. A few duets; and
  4. A comedy song
  
  Unlike APN movies there was no emphasis on strong carnatic music in Devar movies except some exceptions here and there. Most of them were light music.
  
  Where MGR acted, songs were written to boost him. Most of the films acted by MGR had no strong storylines. MGR movies had to compete with Sivaji Ganesan movies directed by Bhim Singh- movies which had titles starting with “PA” Devar produced MGR movies with titles starting with “THA” with a few exceptions. In the absence of strong storylines, MGR movies of Devar production had to rely heavily on other aspects- entertainment features with excellent songs, glamour features with Saroja Devi and late Jayalalitha, and majestic personality of MGR. Of all these songs were the greatest asset. Therefore the Devar movies where Makkal Thilakam acted became hits on account of the songs.
  
  
  THAIKKU PIN THAARAM (1956)
  Devar had no original intention of KVM to compose music in his first film. At that time both KVM and V.R. were more or less equally doing well, and it would have made no difference whoever was signed up. But Devar approached MSV and made it a point that he had to compose music within a given time. But MSV declined saying that he could not be subjected to any condition of that nature. Immediately Devar went to KVM and KVM agreed to compose on time. So the first movie went to KVM and many more followed. Devar never went to MSV at all after that. Likewise he never used Sivaji Ganesan.
  
  
  THAAIKKU PIN THAARAM was taken at a time when MGR was seeing a meteoric rise in the cine and political fields. MGR was undergoing a speedy growth under the DMK movement’s influence. This was also the time when Kannadasan was coming up as a great poet. Devar wanted Kanndasan to write the dialogues for THAAIKKU PIN THAARAM, and was publicised as such. However Kannadasan was too busy in politics and so the work went over to Aiyapillai. But many still feel that Kannadasan was the one who wrote the dialogue. Maruthakazi wrote songs. THAAIKKU PIN THAARAM was very simple village based story, depicting a typical fight among the same blood. This was one of the rare appearances of MGR in a social theme at a time when he was getting even more chances in movies set along historical themes. The film had some of the best songs. The songs of this move are:
  
  As excellent song by TMS:
  
  MANUSANAI MANUSAN SAAPPIDARANDA THAMBY PAYALE-ATHU
  MAARUVATHEPPO THEERUVATGHEPPO NAMMA KAVALAI
  
  This is a song that is so close to the voice of MGR. This song became a testimony to the ability of TMS to imitate for MGR.
  
  Originally the song was already written and picturised as above. But Devar was so interested in ending the pallavi with not “THAMBY PAYALE” but “ARUMAI THAMBY” This was because CN Annadurai was addressing people that way in his political meetings. In order to pacify Devar, TMS had to sing the same song on record and end up with “Arumai Thamby.” Then the song became:
  
  MANUSANAI MANUSAN SAAPPIDARANDA ARUMAI THAMBY -ATHU
  MAARUVATHEPPO THEERUVATHEPPO YEZHAI THAMBY
  
  
  So we can see there is a difference in what we hear in the film and what we hear in the record (Told to me by Maruthakazi when I visited him in his house in 1988)
  
  
  Another solo song by P. Banumathy:
  
  ASAINTHAADUM THENDRALEY THOOTHO SELLAIYO
  THEN AMUTHANA KAVI PAADI SEITHI SOLLAYO
  
  TMS and Banumathy give this wonderful duet:
  
  AAHA NAM AASAI NIRAIVERUMA?
  KADAL ALAIYAI POLE MARAINTHUPOGA LAAGUMA
  EN ANBEY SANTHEGAM KOLA LAAGUMA?
  KODI ASAINTHAADA PANTHAL INGU VENDUMA
  
  In the prelude to this song there is a beautiful music, but this is only in the record. In the film the song starts abruptly.
  
  There is a sad duet by AM Raja and P. Banumathy
  
  EN KAATHAL INBAM ITHUTHAANA
  SIRAI KAAVAL NILAITHAANA
  
  MLV and group sing this wonderful dance song:
  
  NAADU CHELITHIDA NAAMUM UYARNTHIDA
  NALLA MANAM VENDUM
  
  
  Jikki sings this solo:
  
  KATHAL VYATHI POLLATHATHU-ATHU
  KANNUM KAATHUM ILLATHATHU
  
  
  TMS sings a very touching song and MGR gives one of his best performances:
  
  THANTHAYAI POL ULAGILE DEIVAM UNDO-ORU
  MAGANUKKU DHARAMUM AVARNDRAAL VINDHAI UNDO...
  
  ANNAIYUM PITHAAVUMN MUNNERI DEIVAM
  AVVAIYIN PON MOZHI VEENA?
  AAANDAVAN POLE NEETHIYAI PUGANDRAAL
  ANUBAVAME ITHUTHAANA?
  
  There is also a comedy song by SC Krishnan and Ratnamala
  
  
  ERAVITTTU YENI EDUKKUM AMBALAI JATHI
  UNNAI EPPADITHAAN NAMBIDUVAL POMBALAJATHI
  
  DMK was standing for elections in that year against Congress. The symbol of Congress was bull, and the symbol of DMK was the rising sun. There is a bullfight scene in THAAIKKU PIN THAARAM. Posters of this film where MGR suppressing the bull was pinned up everywhere and that became a perfect election poster for DMK of which MGR was an ardent supporter. DMK swept well in the elections.
  
  This film became an instant hit with good songs and excellent star value. The film ran for so many days and was a money minter for Devar. But surprisingly MGR and Devar had a misunderstanding in the next movie and Devar dropped MGR and went for three other main actors. For the next 4 year MGR did not act in Devar movies. But Devar films continued to produce good movies with good songs even in the absence of MGR.
  
  

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