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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 (@ 213.42.1.172) on: Wed Jul 17 01:41:21 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, Welcome Back! We all were missing you.
  
  Some points:
  
  1. The song 'Thai pirandhaal vazhi prakkum thangamey thangam', as I remember, was by TMS, P Leela and chorus. I don't think Jikki had any song in the film.
  
  2.Was there a lyricist called PK Krishnamoorthi?
  I remember there being a lyricist called Ku Sa Krishnamoorthi.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 17 02:28:50 EDT 2002
  
  Saravanan,
  
  Overlooked. Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum was by TMS, P.Leela and chorus, with song written by Maruthakazi. Jikki is certainly out.
  
  
  Yes, there is a lyricist called PK Krishnamurthi, though we are more familiar with Ku Sa Krishnamurthi.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: nagarajan (@ 216.104.205.20) on: Wed Jul 17 16:56:46 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir,
  Welcome back
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 17 20:46:03 EDT 2002
  
  Saravanan,
  
  The lyricist is PK Muthusamy, not PK Krishnamurthy. I will discuss his songs when the films Ponni Thirunaal and Kaveriyin Kanavan are mentioned.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 17 20:56:10 EDT 2002
  
  
  PART 28
  
  PILLAI KANI AMUTHU (1958)
  
  Pillai Kani Amuthu is the first film of PS Veerappa, and he used KVM as the MD. His next movie was Veerakkanal where he had again used KVM. AS for the films made after that he used Visvanathan-Ramamurthy, and Veda.
  
  P.S.Veerappa, S.S.R. and E.V. Saroja are the main stars. This is a film based on village settings, and was a low budget production. It was an average movie that did not really burn the fingers of PSV. All the songs in this movie were composed to suit the village environment.
  
  
  Seergazhi Govindarajan and P. Suseela give a song that goes:
  
  ODUGIRA THANNIYILE
  ORASI VITTEN SANTHANATHAI
  
  This was based on an old folk song of Tamilnadu, and very aptly modified for this film.
  
  The same pair give this song:
  SEEVI MUDICHIKKITTU
  SINGARAM PANNIKKITTU
  THEROTTAM PAARKA POREN VARIYA?
  
  
  The same pair again sing this song:
  
  PILLA KANI AMUTHU ONNU PIANTHIDAVENDUM-ATHAI
  ALLI KAIYAAL ANAITHU INBAM ADAINTHIDA VENDUM
  
  There is also a sad version of this song
  
  TMS comes with a typical village song that pays glowing tribute to the agricultural occupation:
  
  YER MUNAIKKU NER
  INGU ETHUVUMEYILLAI
  ENDRUM NAMMA VAAZHVILEY
  THUNBAMEYILLAI
  
  
  
  BOMMAI KALYANAM (1958)
  In the 1950s there were only three movies starred by Sivaji Ganesan where KVM composed music- Koondukkili (1954-half MGR)-Samboorna Ramayanam (1958-Sivaji not main role)and Bommai Kalyanam (1958)
  
  Bommai Kalyanam is an average movie acted by Sivaji Ganesan and Jamuna. There are four famous songs:
  
  A song by AM Rajah and Jikki:
  
  ANBEY NEE ANGEY
  NAAN INGEY VAAZHNTHAAL
  INBAM KAANBATHU ENGEY
  
  The same pair sing this song:
  INBAMEY PONGUME
  INBAME PONGUME
  
  P. Suseela and chorus give this wonderful group song:
  
  
  NILLU NILLU MEGAMEY
  NILAVAI MOODI MARAIKKATHEY
  ULLAM MAGIZHUM MANGAYAR VARUNTHA
  ULAGIL IRULAI MARAIKKATHEY
  NILAVAI MOODI MARAIKKATHEY
  
  
  The above is about the best song in the film (a personal opinion.)
  
  
  Seergazhji Govindarajan sings:
  
  ENNAM POLE PENNUMN VAAITHAAL
  INBAM VERUNDO
  
  
  MANAMULLA MARUTHAARAM (1958)
  We have spoken in passing of Manamulla Marutharam that has some good songs. K.Balaji, Gemini Chandra and Saroja Devi act in this movie.
  
  Jikki sing this song:
  
  NELLUKKULLE ARISI
  IRUPPATHU AASIYAM AASIYAM AVASIYAM
  
  
  Jikki gives one more song that used to echo in many homes:
  
  THIRUVILAKKU VEETTUKKU
  ALANGARAM
  THIRUMANGALYAM PENGALUKKU
  JEEVATHARAM
  
  
  Seergazhi Govinderajan sings a song that would remain one of our favourites of all time. The music is simply enchanting:
  
  INBAM ENGE
  INBAM ENGEY ENRU THEDU-ATHU
  ENGIRUNTHA POTHUM ATHAI NADI ODU
  
  
  
  AM Raja and Jikki sing the last song under KVM in this movie:
  
  KAYILE INPIPPATHENNA
  KANIYAANAL KASAPPATHENNA
  VAYADI VAMBU PESUM MANEY
  BATHIL SOLLU
  
  
  There is also a song by Jikki and chorus:
  
  AASAI KANAVUGALE
  
  Jikki and Seegrgazhi Govindarajan sing this comedy song:
  
  AADATHA AATTAMELLAAM
  ADURANGA PAADURANGA
  ANIYAAYAM PANNURAANGA
  PANATHAI ALLI ALLI VEESURAANGA
  
  
  K. Jamunarani sings this song:
  
  THOONDIL MEENUM SIKKIDUCHI
  
  
  
  THIRUDARKAL JAAKIRATHAI (1958)
  This is a very bad movie for everybody. S.S. R and G. Varalaechumy are the main stars. G. Varalaechumy appears in mask as a thief. To my knowledge the film has only two good songs. One is Meiya Naina by SC Krishnan and the other is Kangal by Jikki
  
  PERIYA KOVIL (1958)
  
  This is an average movie starred by Prem Nasir, M.N. Rajam and Kannamba.
  
  P. Leela gives a happy and sad version of this song:
  
  KANNE KAMALAPPO
  KAATHIRANDUM VELLARIPPO
  
  There is a village dance song by Seergazhi Govindarajan and P. Suseela
  
  VALAI VEESAMMA VALAI VEESU
  VAARAI MEENUKKU VALAI VEESU
  
  There is a song by Seergazhi Govinderajan and P. Suseela picturised on Ramani Salam and Chandrakantha:
  
  KOLLAI KOLLUM AZHAGINILE
  
  
  NAALU VELI NILAM (1959)
  
  This is a movie based on T. Janaki Raman’s novel, which was first acted on stage by Seva stage of Sahasranamam and later made into a movie under the banner of Sevascreens. There are two MDs for this movie- KVM and Athmanathan. They have given songs with excellent tunes.
  
  
  First let us see the songs composed by KVM. There is one song by P. Suseela:
  
  IRUPPAVARKAL ANUBAVIKKA
  
  
  There is a song by SC Krishnan:
  
  NADAI PODU VEERA NADAI PODU
  NALLATHAYUM KETTATHAYUM EDAI PODU
  
  SC Krishnan sings a duet with Jamunarani:
  
  UNNAI THEDI VANTHEN
  
  SC Krishnan and Jamunarani have one more song to give us:
  
  KULIPPEN PANNERILEY
  
  Trichy Loganathan and LR Eswary have given this nice folk tuned song:
  
  OORAAR URANGAYILE
  UTRAARUM THOONGAYILE
  NALLA PAAMBU VEDAM KONDU
  NAAN VARUVEN SAAMATHILE
  
  
  Now we come to the songs composed by Athmanathan:
  
  
  A Bharathiyar song sung by Seergazhi Govindarajan:
  
  SEIYUM THOZHIL UN THGOZHILE KAAN
  
  
  Thillai R. Jayaraman and S. Janagi have given a very wonderful song with fast beat:
  
  INBA KAVITHAI PAADUTHU
  ANBU KATHAIKAL PESUTHU
  KONJUM PARUVA KILIKAL
  ARUVIK KARAYIL INIMAI THEDUTHU
  
  
  Soolamangalam Rajalechumy sings another Bharthi song- only a few lines:
  
  KANI NILAM VENDUM-PARASAKTHY
  KAANI NILAM VENDUM
  
  She also gives another excellent song of Vallalaar:
  
  UNAKKUM ENAKKUM ISAINTHA PORUTHAM
  ENNA PURUTHAMO
  INTHA PORUTHAM ULAKIL
  PIRARUK KEITHUM PORUTHAMO..
  
  
  AL Ragavan and Aandaal give a lovely song by Vallalaar:
  
  NAMBINAAR KEDUVATHILLAI
  NAANGU MARAI THEERPU
  AMBIGAIYAI SARAN PUGUNTHAAL
  ATHIGA VARAM PERALAAM
  
  
  
  ABALAI ANJUGAM (1959)
  
  This was a song that came to TR Mahalingam following his great success in Malayitta Mangai. KVM and MS Nyanamani had composed two very good songs respectively for TR Mahalingam
  
  
  T.R. Mahalingam and P. Suseela sing this song for us:
  
  VENNILA KUDAI PIDIKKA
  
  TR Mahalingam and S. Janaki sing this song composed by Nyanamani:
  
  ILAYA KANNIYIN AZHAGIYA VATHANAM
  MALARNTHATHEVVITHAMO-ATHU
  ILAI ILLAMAL KODI ILLAMAL
  VALARNTHATHEVITHAM0
  
  
  These are the two songs that are worth mentionng in Abalai Anjugam. There are other songs, but are not that popular.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Wed Jul 17 21:49:56 EDT 2002
  
  In 1950s there were four movies of Sivaji Ganesan in which KVM composed. Add makkalai Petra Maharasi.
  
  
• From: kik (@ 207.0.105.141) on: Thu Jul 18 01:12:29 EDT 2002
  
  NAMBINAAR KEDUVATHILLAI
  NAANGU MARAI THEERPU
  AMBIGAIYAI SARAN PUGUNTHAAL
  ATHIGA VARAM PERALAAM
  
  Isn't this by bharathiyaar? Unless he was reusing vaLLalaar's words.
  
  Manisegaran: Going back to KVM's preference for PS, at least 'til '59 he doesn't seem to have made up his mind to do this based on singer choice - a variety of female singers including PS in previous movies. Of course, I'm going by release date vs. composition/recording date which are more relevant. There is an erosion of Jikki songs.
  
  
• From: Saravanan (@ 213.42.1.173) on: Thu Jul 18 02:03:09 EDT 2002
  
  KiK, I too feel that only from the 60s, KVM followed MSV-TKR's lead in having only PS sing nearly all the songs in each film. Otherwise till 1960, KVM seems to have used a wide range of singers like MS Rajeswari, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, Jamunarani, P Leela, TV Ratnam, (Radha) Jayalakshmi and Jikki, along with PS. Even 'Padikkatha Medhai' (1960) had such a wonderful variety of voices like P Leela, MSR, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, PS and Jamunarani.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Thu Jul 18 03:11:26 EDT 2002
  
  kik,
  
  You are absolutely right. Nambinar Keduvathillai is by Bharathiyar. Unakkum Enakkum is by Vallalaar.
  Good you queried. Overlooked again.
  
  The full song is:
  
  Nambinaar Kedvathillai Naangu Marai Theerpu
  Ambigaiyai Charan pugunthaal Athiga Varam peralaam
  
  Thunbamey Iyatkaiyennum Sollai maranthiduvom
  Inbamey Vendi Nitpom Yavumaval Tharuvaal
  Aathaaram Sakthy Ennum Arumaraikal Koorum
  
  Yaathaanum Thozhil Purivoam Yaathu maval Thozhilaam
  Paadiyunnai Charan Adainthen Pasamellam Kalaivaai
  Kodi Nalancheithiduvaai Kuraigalellaam Theerppai
  
  
  Nambinaar....
  
  
  The Vallalaar song in full:
  
  Enakkum Unakkum Isaintha Porutham Enna Poruthamo
  Intha Porutham Ulagil Pirarukkeithum poruthamo
  
  (ENAKKUM)
  
  Enathu Udalum Uyirum Porulum Ninathallavo
  Yenthaayithanai Peruga Ena Naan Indru Sollavo
  Chinna Vayathil Ennai Yaanda Thirathai Ninaikkuthey
  Chinthai Ninaikka Kanneer Perukki Udambai Nanaikkuthey
  
  (ENAKKUM)
  
  
  Regarding use of P. Suseela, she started to sing from Petra Thai of 1953 release, at atime when KVM himself was picking up. KVM, from my observation had no specific preference. He seemed to have used whoever was available with mature voice, and through recomendation from stronger personalities, as we have seen earlier in this series.
  
  
  KVM had started to use P. Suseela in Bommai Kalyanam (Nillu Nillu Megamey) and in Vannakkili (1959) Abalai Anjugam(1959) Panjali (1959) Sollu Thamby Sollu(1959) Alli Petra Pillai (1959)-some of which I will be mentioning later.
  
  Why was P. Suseela picked slowly by many MDs. While P.Suseela was singing at random here and there Athapulli Ramarao gave a good lift to P Suseela in the film Kanavane kankanda Deivam- a release of 1955. In this film the following songs made her fame shoot sky high overnight:
  
  1. Enthan Ullam Thulli Vilayaduvathue Eno
  
  2. Unnai KLan Theduthey
  
  3. Anbil Malarntha Nal Roja
  
  In 1956 P Suseela got a chance to sing under R. Sudarsanam (Kottu Potta Chinna Mchane Kobamaa- Kuladeivam)
  
  Then more MDs went for P. Suseela effective ThangaMalai Ragaisyam of 1957 where P Suseela stole everyone's heart through music direction of TG Lingappa, and the song is:
  
  Amuthai Pozhium Nilavey
  Nee Arugil Varathatheno.
  
  CHANCES IN THE LATE 1950s
  
  In 1957 she was given chance by S. Rajeswara Rao in ALAUDINUM ATPUTHA VILAKKUM
  Seladum neerodai Mele,
  Kanni Penne Vaa
  
  Master Venu in ENGA VEETTU MAHALECHUMY
  Aadi paadi Velai Senja Aluppirukkaathu
  
  Visvanathan Ramamurthi in PUDHAYAL
  Thanga Mohana Thamaraiye,
  Vinnodum Mugilodum
  Aadum oonjalai Pole
  
  MAHADEVI
  Kan Moodumn Velaiyilum Kalai Enna Kaliye
  
  Aathi Narayana Rao in MANALANE MANGAYIN BAGYAM
  
  Thesulaavcuthey Thena malaraale
  
  TR Paappa in MALLIKA
  varuven Naanunathu, Mangamal valarum, Neela Vanna Kannaney etc)
  
  G. Ramanathan in Vanangamudi
  Ennai Pol Pennallavo (PBSeenivas told me this is his favourite song by PSuseela)
  
  Mohana Punnagai Seithidum Nilavey megathile Nee Marayathey
  
  Vaazhvinlie Vaazhvinile Innaal Ini Varumaa
  
  So KVM too started to use PS at random, but following Thanga Malai ragasiyam many, including KVM started to use her more. The year 1960 brought more chances from almost all active MDs, including KVM of course.
  
  In so far as AM Rajah is converned he was completely written off by KVM after Manamulla Marutharam, but gave fewere chances to Jikki and finallay phased her off. She continued to sing in Sollu Thamby Sollu and Alli Petra Pillai in 1959.
  
  Dear Friends,
  
  This is only to give explanation to some very interesting and keen observations expressed by kik. These are random thoughts and I hope I am not kicked out of the playing field this time too.
  
  Thanks in advance.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 216.52.49.5) on: Thu Jul 18 06:46:43 EDT 2002
  
  Manisekaran,
  
  Naan malaihu poiten.. what kind of records you have..? Great sir.. As am new to this thread, would like to know about your background. If you don't mind, please write to me. Thanks.
  
  

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