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Gems of K S Chitra

Topic started by AVR (@ 143.127.3.10) on Mon Jun 10 09:36:14 EDT 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Off late, K S Chitra has become one of my hot favourites amongst female singers. Her voice has a unique and rich timbre which I really enjoy. lets take this opportunity to discuss songs by her in Tamil and various other languages - Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. Her songs sung under the tutelage of Ilayaraja, AR Rehman, Ravindran et al are really excellent, moreover she has a delightful classical touch as is seen in her rendition of "alaipayuthe" and the Sindhubhairavi songs. She has done a great deal of Hindu and Christian devotional albums in Southern languages...lets discuss those. My favourite Chitra song so far remains "gopika vasantham" and her duet with SPB in the Telugu
movie Swathikiranam. What a voice and that sharpness!

So please, lets discuss her songs!! :-)
(If this topic has been discussed in full detail - similar to the Vani Jairam thread - please post a link to it). Otherwise lets make this an encyclopedia of KSC songs.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: isaiosai (@ 68.13.248.203) on: Sat Jun 29 13:10:38 EDT 2002
  
  MS,
  
  Thanks a lot for all the info. And special thanks for all those links. Shivakara damaruga is one song that I never get tired of listening to. And what a way to end the song with those mridangam beats at odd places (can't say it better, sorry:-)) These links are enough for me to experience ecstasy this weekend:)
  
  I personally would certainly consider KSC to be the best amongst current singers in southern FM. How I wish I could give you such links in turn but...:-((
  
  
• From: avr (@ 143.127.3.10) on: Mon Jul 1 00:03:57 EDT 2002
  
  isaiosai:
  
  then why not post the links :-)
  
  
• From: AVR (@ 143.127.3.10) on: Mon Jul 1 05:55:05 EDT 2002
  
  MS:
  
  Thanks for all those links you have posted here. I am really grateful!
  
  Have a look at http://www.chithra.com - the site has been updated!
  
  
• From: AVR (@ 143.127.3.10) on: Mon Jul 1 05:58:08 EDT 2002
  
  About Bombay Ravi - he was a successful HFM composer till early 80s when he quit HFM because he wanted songs with meaningful lyrics and classical tunes. So he decided to venture into MFM. He has won many awards in Kerala and KSC is one of his favourite singers. SARGAM songs are an example of his talents as an MD.
  
  
• From: isaiosai (@ 165.122.129.69) on: Mon Jul 1 10:51:31 EDT 2002
  
  avr, that "How I wish......but...:-((" obviously means lack of knowledge/expertise. This should make you happy I guess:-)
  
  
• From: AVR (@ 143.127.3.10) on: Tue Jul 2 08:31:13 EDT 2002
  
  RajaG and MS:
  
  I heard Madhuram Gayathi which you(RajaG) had uploaded on your site. This one song alone is sufficient to give one an idea of Chitra's calibre. It showcases some fantastic breath control, variations and vocal acrobatics, and remarkable transitions from very high to very low notes. Its that wonderful blend of melody and surprising twists and turns being handled masterfully by a singer. Who is the composer?
  
  Chaliye kunjanamo is an equally alluring song. Is Chitra trained in Hundustani classical music too?
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ 195.188.191.69) on: Tue Jul 2 12:43:57 EDT 2002
  
  AVR, the composer is Sharath, a talent to watch out for.
  
  MS, 'pAlappovE','manjal prasAdavum' are examples of awesome singing.
  
  
• From: s0 (@ 128.119.85.50) on: Tue Jul 2 15:40:26 EDT 2002
  
  rajaG, please give a link to your website. thanx in advance.
  
  
• From: aruvi (@ 64.228.117.163) on: Tue Jul 2 22:40:42 EDT 2002
  
  MS,
  Nice:-)
  
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.25.241) on: Wed Jul 3 01:30:11 EDT 2002
  
  AVR:
  
  There is no web-site that rajaG hosts. We just happened to exchange the mp3s of the album Chaitra geethangaL in which this song finds its place. Yes Madhuram gaayathi is probably the toughest song that chitra has delivered though I would not consider it melodious.
  
  Melody is a difficult term to define. Melody, in my jargon, is the element of a song which makes me listen to the song over and over generating little or minimal monotony, without forcinf me to put my brains to dissect it into musical details. A melodious composition need not, in my opinion, be a tough one and vice-versa. One classic example of a melodious uncomplicated song is 'manjaL prasaadhavum'. To me it appears as if the composer Bombay Ravi, has in him, the ability to create soulful tunes from simple ragas, which make any listener, learned or lay, listen to them over and over without any trace of tireness. I have been listening to the songs from panchaagni -aah raathri maanju pOyi ( http://www.malayalavedhi.com/Music/Music/music/Music/Film___Songs____/A__/Aa_Raathri_Maanju_Poyi_PANCHAGNi___KSC.ra ) - an excellent melody by chitra for almost 6 yrs and still have not been bored by it. Another song from the same movie but delivered by KJY is SaagarangaLE ( http://www.malayalavedhi.com/Music/Music/music/Music/Film___Songs____/S__/SaagarangaLe_Paadi_PANCHAGNi__kjy.ra ).
  
  the song by Chitra under Sharath's baton is Madhuram gaayathi mama hrudhyam is a complicated song displaying chitra's vocal vibrance and dexterity. But woudl it qualify as a great melody in my dictionary ? Certainly not. At the same time, the melody churned out by Sharath in the movie named 'Sindhoora rekha' is a stunner. The song ente sindhoora rekhai uNarnnu ( http://www.malayalavedhi.com/Music/Music/music/Music/Film___Songs____/En__to__J__/Ente_Sindhoora_Rekha.ra ) oozes melody in every note. Delivered by KJY and Chitra, it imparts a good night sleep. Wonderfully composed and rendered.
  
  Are there musicians who can give soul stirring melodies with a touch of classical superiority ? I mean, are there composers who can churn out melodies even though they impart strong classical flavour to them ? Yes - Ravindran, MSV and KVM. Ravindran's songs are immortal assets to MFM. He sits with MGS to derive an out and out classical like naadharopiNi ( http://www.malayalavedhi.com/Music/Music/music/Music/Film___Songs____/N__/Naadha_Roopini_Shankari_HiS_HiGHNESS_ABDULLA____MGS.ra ), and also infuses melody into raga shaNmukhapriya in gOpika vasantham ( http://www.malayalavedhi.com/Music/Music/music/Music/Film___Songs____/En__to__J__/Gopikaa_Vasantham_HiS_HiGHNESS_ABDULLA__KJY_-_KSC.ra ) through KJY and Chitra. Listen to the following line - 'nooRu jenmam nOnbu nOttoru thirvaadhiraiyaaNe raadhaa' - she captures the spirit of longing in block faced letters beautifully. I mean, how can one not fall in love..with her voice ? :-)
  
  I hardly know any song of KSC under MSV's baton or under KVM. But there is one song in telugu -'aakaasham mEghaalu' which is a must hear for all chitra fans.
  
  Who has used chitra more aptly than IR ? I bet there is none. Though sindhubhairavi had come to be known as a KJY album, it won the national award for her. Under IR's baton it would be difficult to list those innumerable melodies that she has sung. One awesome song is Devanin kOvil moodiya nEram (Aruvadai naaL). In a recent interview at musicurry.com she mentions this as her favorite song. This song once agian has a typical IRish simple tune with a great feel and mind pleasing orchestration. Anybody who like kaadhal Oviyam paadum kaaviyam would just put this song in his/ her collection. There are many songs which are quite popular like ninnukori which I shall try to exclude from this discussion.
  
  Some awesome IR-KSC songs are:
  
  (1) Ullaasa poonkaatre (kOlangaL) - beautifully rendered copupled with a pacific orchesration by IR
  
  (2) iLamai radhadhil iyarkai sugathil (ninaikka therindha maname) - a typical college girl song - http://www.kumudam.com/music/mohan/60.mp3
  
  (3) kuzaloodhum kaNNanukku - A dynamic combo of MSV's tune, IR's orchestration and Chitra's voice - http://www.kumudam.com/music/mohan/36.mp3
  
  (4) sondham vandhadhu vandhadhu - This song is a pleasing folk tune. Has a soothing flute interlude and a better voice of Chitra. If u like pachchamala poovu, u would love this one.
  
  (5) karpoora mullai ondru kaattatru veLLam endru - This song became of bang hit in mallu. Both versions have been rendered superbly by Chitra. For all Amala admirers (including yours truly :-) ) IMO, the Chitra's voice in playback just gelled in many songs. I know, it is more of an illusory perception, but hey, music is appreciated more by heart :-)
  
  (6) vandhadhe kungumam (Kizakku vaasal) - This song to chitra is what chinna chinna vaNNakkuyil is for S.Janaki. U simply have to love it. though this movie had many beautiful songs, this is the pick of the lot. Set in mohanam, the rolling mrudhangam beats interlaced with soul stirring chorus and flute pieces and expressive rendering of chitra, make it an all time fav.
  
  (7) baahon ki bahaarein / maarikkoodinuLLil / mannan koorai chElai (siraichaalai/ kaalaapaani)- IR's beatific song with the santoor(?)interludes. the same song's all the 3 versions were sung by KSC. None had any less vigour than the other.
  
  Much has been said about IR. How about Gangai Amaran ? He was quite a good composer too. I can atleast recollect two wonderful songs
  
  (1) Ekaanthathe neeyum anuraagiyaaNO ( Anuraagi ) - This mallu movie's MD was GA. This is a fabulous song with beautiful guitar pieces. There are two version - KJY and KSC - both solos. I could not find the version of KSC and hence I am providing a link for KJY's.
  
  http://www.malayalavedhi.com/Music/Music/music/Music/Film___Songs____/B_to_EL__/Ekaanthathe_Neeyum_ANURAAGi____KJY.ra
  
  (2) mazaiyin thuLiyil (chinnathambi periyathambi)- this song was well composed with good piano rolling along with Chitra's voice.
  
  Though the composers like Deva and SAR had been pathetic in their abilities to score good music, when they did, they ensured that it was delivered by Chitra.
  
  (1) Aayiram thirunaaL bhoomiyil varalaam (pudhu vasantham) - Composed by SAR. A very nice song. Has kind of a mallu touch. Donno if it appears so because of Sithara-chitra combo :-)
  
  (2) PoruL thEdum bhoomiyil (Kalki)- A film by balachander which IMO had the worst music except for this song. A high pitched song and a deep composition with a lot of sadness implicitly delivered by Chitra.
  
  Vidhyasagar is one composer who has been kind to chitra and also the music lovers. Some of his awesome composns have been rendered by chitra.
  
  (1) anbe anbe nee en piLLai - With Hariharan - the demigod of ghazals, chitra imparts life to this beautiful melody.
  
  (2) Oru rathri koodi (KJY-Chitra) / Malaikaatru vandhu (VEdham - HH-Mahalakshmi) - It is the same tune used in mallu and tamil by VS. the mallu version stands taller. Mahalakshmi is downright insipid in tamil compared to chitra in mallu version.
  
  Since I had ranted about Amala earlier, I shall pitch in 2 more songs by Chitra for Amala composed by Hamsalekha both from the movie kodi parakkudhu
  
  (1) selai kattum peNNukkoru vaasam uNdu - simply superb song with awesome orchestration.
  
  (2) oh kaadhal ennai kadhalikkavillai - I wont comment on this any more :-)
  
  And Shankar Ganesh gave one of their life-time greatest songs to Chitra -SPB - oru kaadhal dhEvadhai
  
  Whenever Rahman composes a complex tune he depends on chitra. Two examples are (1) KaNNaLane (2) anjali anjali. kaNNaaLane was done by chitra hindi too. IMO, no other singer owuld have done justice to that tune as she did. I was wondering how that escaped a national award.
  
  And so on as we speak the greatness of KSC's singing, we shall also remember that she is a great human being in person. One of the sweetest personalities who the stage artists like to work with and the fastest to grasp and deliver the song with absolutely no ego or improvisation unless she is asked to do so (e.g Deva, ARR). She and SPB are the artists to record fastest and most perfectly, giving the MDs maximum scope for experimentation. This is just a sample set of those innumerable numbers she has sung over these years which have become a part of every southerner's life.
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.51.203.216) on: Wed Jul 3 02:04:03 EDT 2002
  
  "Yes Madhuram gaayathi is probably the toughest song that chitra has delivered though I would not consider it melodious.
  "
  
  MS, appadi vaa vazhikku :-)
  
  

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