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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: sk (@ 137.132.3.7) on: Fri Oct 11 21:12:01 EDT 2002
  
  vANi rANi has another SPB-PS duet:
  mullaip poo pallakku pOvadhengE
  There is also a PS solo at the end where Vanisree
  sings as if she is drunk, just to cause a bad
  impression to everyone.
  
  Sathyam has another SPB-PS duet:
  azhagAm kodi siridhu
  
  
• From: kik (@ 207.0.105.173) on: Fri Oct 11 23:16:29 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran:
  padagu padagu is by SPB & PS (uththaman) and not TMS. Incidentally, do you recall if kungumam had the scenes with sivaji dressed up as a woman? Apparently, the censor board in chennai asked that a lot of the 2nd part be cut which had these scenes. As a result, padathil logic konjam thattiyathu and it did not fare well at the box office in Tamilnadu. These scenes are supposed to be hilarious - the story has something to do with espionage/india-pak troubles etc. I've not seen it.
  
  Sivaji himself is supposesd to have said that if the uncut portions had been shown the film would have been a super hit.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Oct 11 23:25:36 EDT 2002
  
  SK
  
  Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthaal is one of my very best as well. Only Kannadasan could write situation songs this well and only TMS could sing with that much emotion while only Sivaji Ganesan could express and bring live to the silver screen. Perhaps KVM has to be given the credit for having used the right instruments and the appropriate mood tune.
  
  The padmini -Sivaji combinations have always produced good results. Anbu,Pudayal,Illara Jothi, Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachaari, Ethirpaaraathathu, Raja Rani, Deivappiravi, PunarJanmam, Uthamaputhiran, Thanga Padumai,Thillanaa Mohanambaal etc. But Vietnam Veedu is a speciality by itself. Padmini has stated in an interview that she really enjoyed acting with Sivaji in Vietnaam Veedu. (G.Sakuntala was very uset when she was side stepped. She was acting in the stage drama version) Some of you must be aware that Sivaji would have married Padmini (puppy) if not for objections from Sivaji's mother.
  
  
  The Vani Rani song you mention is:
  
  Kathai UNdu- Oru Kathai Undu
  Ithan Pinne Oru Kathai Undu
  Sollathaan ninaithathu Anru
  Manam Ennavo Mayanguthu Inru..
  
  There is one more duet by TMS and Suseela:
  
  Kalamellam Paarthathundu
  Kathaikalile Kettathundu
  Kandathunda Ippadi Ore Pombalai
  
  
  NOTE
  I am slightly confused about the song Kattilidavaa. I it in vani Rani or Kulama Kunama?
  
  Thanks for your comments on Vietnam Veedu. It is a Saturday. I am going to see it again. I miss Sivaji, Kannadasan and TMS
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Oct 11 23:30:39 EDT 2002
  
  kik
  
  Thanks for the Padagu padagu. Good readers are observing sharply.
  
  When I saw Kungumam, Sivaji appearing as a woman was there. Somehow does not fit him. I was disgusted. I accept that Sivaji is very good in acting as well as over acting. In my opinion that scene never added value to the film in any way. I beg to differ with Sivaji that the movie would have been a hit had that scene be allowed.
  
  But the songs! Great. Songs were success, though film did not fare well.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Sat Oct 12 00:36:32 EDT 2002
  
  PART 46
  
  MGR STARRED MOVIES (APART FROM DEVAR FILMS)
  Vathiyar movies had always been a pleasure to see. They were mainly entertainment movies, with good songs retaining supremacy. I had listed all the Devar films in one category. Now I will touch on the non-Devar movies.
  
  
  
  RAJA RAJAN (1957)
  
  Neela Productions RAJA RAJAN, acted by MGR, PS Veerappa, Padmini, Lalitha, MN Nambiyaar, MG Chakrabani, Friend Ramasamy, G Sakuntala. Story and dialogue was by Kannagi fame Ilango.There are some melodious songs here.
  
  Udutha Sarojini and company sing this song of Bharathiyar:
  
  Senthamizh naadennum Pothinile
  Inba The Vanthu Paayuthu Kaathinile
  
  There is another song by nSeenivasan and Company, that was enjoyed those days:
  
  Payirai Nambi Uyirirukkuthu
  Palathai Nambi Tholirukkuthu
  Uyirai Nambi Ethu Irukkuthu Thangame Thilale
  
  S.C. Krishnan sings a very long song. And it is unusually for MGR. This song starts as follows:
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajanand AP Komala sing this song that has been immortalised. It has been well written by Maruthakazi:
  
  APK:
  Ithayam Thannaiye Enathu Ithayam naaduthe
  Puthiya Unarvalaikal Pongi Isai Paaduthe
  SG:
  Ithayam Thannaiye Enathu Ithayam naaduthey
  Puthiya Unarvcalaikal Pongi Isai paaduthey
  
  The same pair sing one more wonderful song, written by Ku Sa Krishnamurthy:
  
  
  Nolavodu vaan Mugil Vilayaduthe-Antha
  Nilai kandu Enathullam Thunai Theduthe
  
  
  Trichy Loganathan and SC Krishnan bring this melodious song:
  
  Sami Saami Enru Oorai Eikkindra
  Aasaami Romba Intha Naattile
  
  P.Leela and Soolamangalam Rajalechumy sing this song written by Pugazhendhi:
  
  Aadum Azhage Azhagu-Asainthu
  Sontha Naadum Kalaikal Panpaadum Uyara Nadamaadum
  
  
  R. Balasaraswathy Devi sings this song for Lalitha:
  
  Kaliayatha Aasai Kanave-Enthan
  Karuthai Vittagalaa Nilave
  
  The film was quite popular in those days.
  
  
  
  SABASH MAPPILLAI (1961)
  
  This is an important movie for KVM as there were very good songs. This is the only full comedy film of MGR. MR Radha ads, as usual to the comedy. Malini is the main heroine here.
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan sings this solo:
  
  Jigu Jigu Udaiyile
  Jilu Jilu Nadayile
  Jegame Thannal Mayanguthe
  
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and P. Suseela sing this song:
  
  Yaarukku yaar Sonthamenbathu-Ennai
  Nerukku Ner Ketttaal Naan Enna Solvathu
  
  The above song comes in two versions.
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and P. Suseela sing this comedy song:
  
  Mappillai Mappillai Mappillai Mappillai Varaaru
  
  There is a pichaikkaran song sung by PB Seenivos. One need not see the movie to know thatn it is a train song. KVM gives appropriate tune that make the listeners realise that the song scene is set on a train.
  
  veLLi paNathukkum nalla kuNathukkum vegu thooram
  ithu uLlapadi intha ulakam uNarthum oru paadam
  
  piLlai Enum pantha paasathai thaLLi pirinthOdum
  than uLlathai irumbu pettagamakki thaaL pOdum
  illathavar evaraana pOthilyum eLLi nagayaadum
  iNai illatha annai anbukku kooda
  sollaamal thadai pOdum
  
  veLlathinaal varum paLla mEdupOl
  selvam varum pOgum
  ithai eLLaLavEnum eNNaatha kancharkku
  thunbam varavaagum
  kaLLamillathga anbu chelvamEy enrum nilayaagum
  kashtam theeRum kavalaikal maaRum inbam uRuvaagum
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan sings this very famous song, shot in Bombay setting:
  
  sirippavar sila pEr azhubavar palapEr
  irukkum nilai enRu maaRumo
  
  uzhaippavar vaazhvEy veethiyilEy
  uRanguvatho nadai paathayilEy
  irakkam kaattaththaan naathiyillEy
  
  uyarnthavar thaazhnthida thEvayillai
  uLlathai izhanthida sollavillai
  uzhaippavar uyarnthaal potumaiyaa..
  
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and Soolamangalam Rajalechumy sing this all time famous thaalaattu song:
  
  Muthu Pole Manjal Kothu Pole
  Muzhu Nilave Nee Piranthaai engal Veettile
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and P. Suseela sing this famous love song :
  
  Manathil Irukuthu Onnu
  Athai Kanakka Kaattuthu Kannu
  
  
  MADAPPURA (1962)
  Another movie with great songs. MGR, Vasantha, Saroja Devi, Kuladeivam Rajagopal, M.N. Nambiyar and MR Radha act in this movie. A film where Soolamangal Raajalechumy is given many songs. This is one of the movies where KVM has made all songs popular.
  
  T.M.S. and Soolamangalam Rajalechumy sing two famous duets. One is a dream scene where:
  
  Sirikatherinthaal pothum
  Thuyar nerungaathu nammai oru pothum
  
  vanathukku azhagu?
  Pasumai!
  vaarthaikku azhagu?
  Inimai!
  kulathukku azhagu?
  Thamarai!
  nam mugathukku azhgu punnagai!
  
  Manithan Maaruvathillai
  Avan Maarinum Manithanumillai
  Vanthidum Avanaal Thollai
  Sinthithu Par En Sollai
  
  Iravum Pagalum Undu
  Vaazhvil Ilamayum Muthumayum Undu…
  
  
  
  The other is:
  
  Oorukkum theiryathu
  Yaarukkum puriyaathu
  Unnai enni kanavu kandu
  Ullam yenguvathu
  
  unnudane naanirukkum
  ennudane nee irukkum
  unmaiyai Ulakam ariyaathu
  Unaiyanri Vaazhkayum Yethu
  (OORUKKUM)
  
  kaanbathellam un uruvam
  ketpathellam unathu kural
  kankalai urkkam thazhuvaathu
  anbullam thavithidumpothu
  (oorukkum)
  
  Soolamangalam Raajalechumy sings a sad version of:
  
  Oorukkum theiryathu
  Yaarukkum puriyaathu
  Unnai enni kanavu kandu
  Ullam yenguvathu.
  
  Soolamangalam Raajalechumy sings a great solo for Saro who appears as a tribal lady:
  
  Kannirandum thevai illai kaanbatharku
  Kaathirandum thevai illai ketpatharku
  Unmai anbu irunthuvittaal pothatha
  Naam ullamathai unarnthukkolla mudiyatha?
  
  
  Soolamangalam Raajalechumy and P.Suseela sing this soul lifting sad song:
  
  Manathil Konda Aasaikalai Maranthupoividu
  Iniya Kaathal Ninaive Pothum Pirinthupoividu
  
  
  RANI SAMYUKTHA (1962)
  
  This is an important movie for MGR as well as Kannadasan who wrote the story, dialogue and songs. Some of the best songs of Kannadasan and great music by KVM could be found in this film. MGR, Sagasranamam, Padmini, M.N Nambiyar and Thangavelu appear in this film.
  
  The first song is a patriotic song by AP Komala for the dancing Ragini:
  
  Mullai Malarkkadu
  Engal Mannavan Thennadu
  
  
  There is a great song by TMS and P. Suseela:
  
  TMS
  Oh Vennilaa Oh Vennila
  Vanna Po Chooda Vaa Vennjilaa
  
  PS
  Oh Mannavaa Oh Mannavaa
  Vanna Poo Chooda vaa Manna Vaaa
  
  TMS
  Netru Kanavaaga naan Kanda Indbam INdru Nanavaahga
  Nee Ingu Vanthaai
  
  PS
  Aalilai pani Pole Naan Vaazntha Velai
  Alliya Kaikal Ungal Kaiyallavaa
  
  
  Another duet by the same pair:
  
  TMS
  NIlavenna Pesum Kuyilenna Paadum
  Malarennum Sollum Manathile
  Kathai Pesuma Inba Kavi Paaduma
  Ingu Kannodu Kan Sollum Mozhiyiley
  
  A good solo by P. Suseela:
  
  Paavai Unakku Seithi Theriyumaa-Alai Kadalpol
  Paadum Enathu Ullam Theirumaa
  
  TMS and PSuseela (AP Komala?) sing this sad song:
  
  Ithazhirandum Paadattum
  Imayirandum Moodattum
  
  K. Jamunarani sings what has been accepted as one of her very best:
  
  Sithirathil Pennn Ezhutyhi
  Seerpaduthum Maanilamey
  Jeevanulla Pen Inathai
  Vazhavida Maattaya
  
  PSuseela sing another great song for Padmini
  Nenjirukkaum varaikkum Ninaivirrukkum
  Antha Ninaivinil Avar Mugam NIrainthirukkum
  Konjum Ilamai Kudiyirukkum- Paarvai
  Kurukurukkum Meni Paraparakkum
  
  
  
  
  KALAI ARASI (1963)
  Some words have to be said about Sarodi Pictures Kalai Arasi. this film which shows flight into space. mgr appears in double role. M.N. Nambiyar, P.S Veerappa, P.Banumathy, Rajshree. G. Sakuntala are among the main stars. The fact is that this film did not run well and the records were never released. I had to record songs direct from the sound track for Seergazhi Govindarajan, who had great liking for the songs of this film.
  
  TMS sings this wonderful song by Aalangudi Somu
  
  Neelavaana Panthalin Keezhe
  Nilamadanthai Madiyinmele
  Kaalathevan Arasaangam Nadakkuthada
  Aan kattalayil Ivvulagam Kidakkuthada
  
  
  P.Banumathy and Jikki sing this song:
  
  Aasai Vaiikira Idam Theriyaanum Maranthuvidaathey
  
  Banumathy sings a song by Pattukkotttai Kalyanasundaram:
  
  Ninaikkumbothu Nenjum Kannum Thudippathum Yeno
  
  Banumathy sings one more solo:
  
  Singara Vaa Vaa Thiruchendoora Velaa
  
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and Banumathy sing this song:
  
  Kalaiye Un Ezhil Meni Kaniyaavathen
  Kaathal Kana Neram Pirinthaalum Kanal Aavathen
  
  Ratnamala sings this comedy song:
  
  Kettalum Kettuthu Ippadi Kettudakkoodaathu
  
  
  P.Leela sings a song by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram:
  
  Enrum Illamal Onrum Sollamal
  Inbam Undaavatheno
  
  
  There is a comedy song for mgr, written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram and sung by Seergazhi Govindarajan:
  
  Athisayam Paarthen Mannile-Athu
  Appadiye Nikkuthu eng Kannnile
  
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and P.Suseela sing this lovely song:
  
  Nee Iruppathu Inge
  Un Ninaiviruppathu Engey
  
  The above are about some of the best from KVM. it is most unfortunate that the records are not available.
  
  
  
  KANJI THALAIVAN (1963)
  
  A movie in which MGR, SSR, Banumathy, Vijayakumari MR Radha and Manorama act in leading roles. There are some good songs, but the film was commercially a flop.
  
  KD Sahnthanam has written a song sung by TMS for MGR:
  
  Kankavarum Silaiye
  Kanji Tyharum Kalaiye
  Kavi Piravaa Mun Pirantha
  Thamizhagathin Nithiye
  
  
  
  Alangudi Somu wrote a song sung by TMS:
  
  Makkaloru Thavaru Seithaal
  Mannavar Theerppalippar
  Mannavane Thavaru Seithaal
  Maanilathil Yaar Poruppaar
  
  
  Mu Ka wrote a song and was sung as a background song sung by C.S. Jayaraman
  
  Velka Naadu Velka Naadu Velka Velkave
  
  Mu Karunanithi wrote a song and was sung by AL Ragavan for MRRAdha:
  
  Ulagam Suthuthu Ethanaale?
  Namma Udambu Suthuthu Athanaale
  
  P. Banumathy sings
  
  Mayangaathga manam yaavum mayangum
  
  TMS and Suseela sing this sad song:
  
  Oru Kodiyil Iru Malarkal
  Malarnthathamma Malarnthathamma
  Annan Thangai Uravu Murai
  Malarnthathamma Malarnthathamma
  
  Alangudi Somu wrote a song, sung by TMS and Suseela for SSR and Vijayakumari:
  
  Vaanathil Varuvathu Oru Nilavu-Ilam
  Manathinil Varuvathu Ore Ninaivu
  
  
  
  
  KODUTHU VAITHAVAL (1963)
  
  
  An average movie acted by MGR, L. Vijayalachumy, and EV Saroja. There are some good songs.
  
  There is an enchanting song by Suseela sung for EV Saroja. This happens to be one of the best works of KVM:
  
  Minnal Varum Velayile Mazhai Pozhiyum-En
  Mannan Varum Velayile Manam Kulirum
  
  
  TMS and P. Suseela sing this famous duet:
  
  TMS
  Ennamma Sowkkiyama?
  Eppadi Irukkuthu Manasu?
  
  PS
  Etho Unthan Nyabagathaale
  Pozhachi Kidakkuthu Usuru
  
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and LR Eswary sing a song. This was quite unusual as by this time MGR slowed down on using him as his playback singer. This was a phasing off song.
  
  Paalaatril Selaaduthgu
  Irandu Velaaduthu
  Idayil Noolaaduthu.
  
  TMS sings an average solo:
  
  Naan Yaar Theriyuma?
  En Nilamai Enna Puriyuma?
  
  This was another flop movie for MGR. But the songs, especially minnal varum by PSuseela and Ennamma Sowkkiyama were very good hits.
  
  Have a nice weekend.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 213.42.1.174) on: Sat Oct 12 03:36:07 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, could go thru your later posts only now.
  
  Some quick thoughts:
  
  1.The SPB-PS duet from ‘Anbu Sagodarargal’ that I referred to earlier, goes like this: ‘Unnai ethirpaarthen’- A very melodious song.
  
  2.Yaanai Valartha Vanambadi Magan- Besides the songs that I had mentioned earlier, there is a dreamy SPB-SJ duet-‘Kannaal nadathum oru kathai undu sollattuma’.
  
  3.Enipadigal was the remake of a popular Telugu film –‘Seethammalakshmi(?) stg. Talluri Rameswari.It had one more memorable solo by PS ‘Kannizhandha pillaikku deivam thandha darisanam’ sung for a blind boy.
  
  4.Padikkatha Methai and Paaladai were perhaps the only films in the ‘Pa’ series of Bhimsingh-Sivaji ventures to have music by KVM.
  
  5.Annai Illam- ‘Ennirandu pathinaaru vayathu’ is not a TMS solo. It has a haunting humming by LRE as well.Also are you sure that ‘Sivappu vilakku’ is a TMS-PS duet? I thought it is a TMS solo.
  
  6.Iruvar Ullam- ‘Puthisigamani petra pillai’ featured MR Radha and TP Muthulakshmi and not Manorama.
  
  7.Kungumam- Just wanted to add that being a film under the banner ‘Rajamani Pictures’- the title song had the lines ‘Rajamani ennum annai mugathil'
  
  8.I am sure you meant ‘Thoongatha kannendru ondru’ as the song which Prabhu and Rekha sing, and not ‘Mayakkam enathu thaayagam’. The Prabhu film which you referred to is ‘Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye’-1988.
  
  9.Why do you say that Seergazhi Govindarajan sang for Sivaji only on two occasions? What about Chithoor Rani Padmini, Vanangamudi, etc? Even ‘Pazhagu senthamizh azhagu mangai’ –Thaaye Unakka, was for Sivaji, I think.
  
  10.Naan Vanangum Deivam was a modified adaptation of RL Stevenson’s ‘Dr.Jekyll & Mr.Hyde’.
  
  11.Ratha Thilagam’- ‘Pogaathe pogaathe en kanava’ was sung by Manorama, and not LRE. It was a parody of the ‘Veerapaandia kattabomman’ song by Rathnamala.
  
  12.‘Merry go round’- the voice sounds like Usha Uthup- is it possible for her to have sung as early as 1963?
  
  13.Pesum Deivam- ‘Nooraandu kaalam vaazhga’ is by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, Sarala and LRE. SJ had sung ‘Pillai Selvame’ in the oriental style, for Sowcar Janaki.
  
  14.Vietnam Veedu- in ‘Endrum Puthithaaga’, PS is accompanied by AL Raghavan and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, and not LRE.
  
  15.Arunodhayam- There is a SPB-PS duet ‘Engal veetu thangatheril’ , which is a lift from ‘Gun gunaa rahen hain bhavre’ –Aradhana. Wonder why KVM did this!
  
  16.Kulama Gunama- ‘Ulagil Irandu Kiligal’ – the fourth voice is S Janaki and not LRE.
  
  17.Kulama Gunama had two more memorable songs – ‘Muthe maragadhame’ (Pillai kali theera)- Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & PS and ‘Mathooru Ramakka’- PS & SJ
  
  18.Sathiyam- the film starred Sivaji, Devika, Kamal, Jayachitra and Manjula. There is a TMS solo as well.
  
  19.‘Kattiladava’ is definitely from Vani Rani. It starts off with the thogayara- ‘Poonnolirum--’
  
  20.Rani Samyuktha- ‘Idhazhirandum paadattum’ is by TMS and TS Bagavathi.
  
  21.Koduthu Vaithaval- ‘Paalaatril selaaduthu’ is by Seergazhi Govindarajan and Jamunarani, and not LRE.
  
  22.There is another good PS solo in ‘Koduthu vaithaval’-Neeyum naanum ondru, oru nilayil paarthaal indru’.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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