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Melody Queen of South Indian Film MUsic - Is it Janaki or Susheela or Vani or Chitra?

Topic started by Pranav (@ 202.142.68.94) on Thu Feb 13 22:51:42 EST 2003.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Who can be conferred as the Melody Queen of South Indian FIlm Music .
Is it S.Janaki or P.Susheela or Chitra or Vani Jayram..?
I think Janaki is the best of all and she should be conferred as the Melody Queen of South Indian Music

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: vengayam (@ 203.200.84.67) on: Tue Feb 25 02:50:34 EST 2003
  
  PS PS & only PS. But make a correction.she is melody queen of India!
  
  
• From: Kaumudi (@ 136.142.153.250) on: Tue Feb 25 16:48:56 EST 2003
  
  Meerakrishna
  You are most welcome. Now it's my turn to ask you a favor. Can you list atleast a few Kannada songs that SJ sang after say, 1995?
  
  
• From: av (@ 132.206.72.96) on: Tue Feb 25 18:29:58 EST 2003
  
  Kaumudi:
  
  Is the tune of "meghama dehama" the same as "meghame meghame"? So now we have three versions of the same song (inclusive of "tum nahin gham nahin..." by Jagjit Singh)!
  
  I find it very interesting to listen to the same song (tune) sung by different singers, either in the same or in different languages. It is a treat to listen to different singers, each giving their own unique touch to each song. I am sure SJ must have taken this song as a challenge (especially if the same tune were used) since Vani has poured her heart into the Tamil version!
  
  
• From: Meerakrishna (@ 148.87.1.171) on: Tue Feb 25 19:45:20 EST 2003
  
  Kaumudi, here we go..
  Chitapata antha hidakonta Maleyu(Rasika)
  Yammo Yaako (do)
  Gaaliyoo Galyyoo
  All the songs of Kindari jogi
  Avasara purada Aaturadavane(Sangrama, with SPB)
  Appa Appa Nange Neenu Bekappa(Mane Devru, with SPB)
  Neene Nanna(Mane Devru, with SPB)
  Sundari Sundari(---do---, with SPB)
  Mallige Mallige(rear song, dont know the movie)
  Bhagyada Lakshmi Bandaytu(MD R-N)
  Halunda Tavaru(title song solo)
  Malligeye Chandanave(---do---with SPB)
  All the above songs MD Hamsalekha
  Priye Ninna Neeli Kannali(Ganga Yamuna,MD Vidyasagar)
  Bantu Bantu Maina(---do---)
  Olave Mounave(same movie, dubbed song of Malare Mounama)
  Sringara Soubhagy Eee Kunkuma(do)
  Ello Adu Ello(SJ solo)
  Koti Pallavi(do) MD S.A.Rajkumar
  Latest songs are all songs of "Kalarava"(2002)
  Recently she has sung one more song under Hamsalekha movie 'Nanjundi'(2002)
  She has sung lot of songs under Hamsalekha in 1090-1997. And I heard one solo song of SJ I forgot that movie some Devi(Soundarya as a Devi).
  If I remember some more I let you know.
  
  regards
  Meera
  
  
• From: pranav (@ 202.142.68.94) on: Tue Feb 25 22:48:39 EST 2003
  
  Ms. Meera Krishna,
  Koti Pallavi and Ello Adu Ello from the movie Kanasugara are sung by K.S.Chitra and not by S.Janaki.
  THe Soundarya film is Nagadevathe - "Jagadalli Nee" an full emotional fast pace song.
  
  She has also sung in the movie - Sipayi - Heale Bedagi(SPB and SJ)
  Gaaliyo Gaaliyo was from Shanti Kranti, but that movie cam before 1995.
  She has sung in a Ravichandran, Roja starrer "Kalavida" - Savirake Obba Kalavida. superb song.
  
  
• From: kalai (@ 203.124.221.149) on: Wed Feb 26 01:35:05 EST 2003
  
  Till 1982, PS was the leading singer in TFM. Of course, SJ and VJ were the competitors after 1976. From 1960-1976, PS was ruling TFM without any competition. LRE had a separate entity and she had her own style of singing. This kind of opportunity or fame, no one got in the industry. Speaking about SJ, she was number one in TFM from 1982-1987, not monopoly. PS,VJ and SPS were singing considerably good numbers. Once chitra become a hit singer, even SJ’s chances become narrow. The best case, we can say that, she was no:1 for max. of ten years. But Think about PS, she was the one and only for long time which is considered to be the Golden Era of TFM.
  Considering TeFM, PS was monopoly, till 1980, and maintained her no:1 position till 1992. SJ never been no:1 in TeFM.
  Considering KFM, PS was part of major projects and worked majorly with big MD’s like VijayaBhaskar, TG lingappa . ( many hits in Puttanna kanagals movies also ). She couldn’t spare much time of KFM, because she was very busy with TFM and TeFM. But, she was very selective. The reasons may be,
  1. Budget : KFM was producing many low budgeted movies and few high budgeted movies. After ‘1960 PS was charging more compared with others, and the amount she charges for one song, will be sufficient to record all the songs in the movie with other singer. ( proof: Sridhar wanted to find an alternate for PS, because she increased her rate- Thanks-mr.Vamanam-Cinema Express. )
  2. Reach : Usually KFM movies or Songs wont reach beyond Karnataka. Dubbing movies also not allowed and Production of movies also comparatively less. But in case of TFM and TeFM they dub most of the movies to TFM to TeFM and vice versa. So, as a singer, it is possible for them to get more songs with more money. Then, TFM movies will be running in other states, Kerala, Karnataka, Andra, Bombay, and Delhi. Moreover it reaches foreign countries Singapore, Malaysia, sri lanka, Canada and US. So, TFM and TeFM will be first choice of any professional singer, because of the market and the wide acceptance. TFM was base for southern languages till 1980 and all singers were staying at chennai.
  3. As U told, PS was given less number, but quality songs in KFM . The percentage of quality songs will be more.
  4. When U look back from your level, You may think that SJ was singing from 1957. But, till 1970, her songs count is very less. Can U say 500 songs of SJ before 1970 in KFM? It will be difficult. And if she is number:1 in KFM why her name is always next to PS?( I am speaking about pre-1975 movies). If it is because of seniority, why PL’s name is after her?. It shows PS was considered as the no:1 in KFM. Isn’t it ?
  5. You are speaking about KFM to a big level, but with such great songs of SJ, why she was not awarded in KFM?. Why she didn’t get any national awards thru kannada movies? It is applicable to PS also.
  
  Considering MFM, the above reasons are applicable, other than awards( she got many awards from MFM), but now they have a wider reach in other states and different counties, because of the quality of the movies. PS was given many hit songs in MFM under Devarajan, Vayalar combination, that combo was considered as the best in MFM . There also, she was maintaining her market. SJ was singing many songs in MFM. But, in MFM other drawback for female singer is, they keep very less number of songs and most of the songs in the movie will be sung by KJY. In 1980’s even if the sorrow of women was sung by KJY.( she will be silent and background will be of KJY’s voice-many movies only two or three female songs). Before 75’ PS, PL, madhuri were sharing the songs with SJ. After 76, VJ and madhuri was sharing the songs with SJ and after Chitra’s arrival all lost the chances. In KFM also, U can see SJ’s name after PS even though she was introduced in MFM before PS. (PS entered in MFM at 1960, and SJ in 1958 ).
  Considering the last fifty years, who was ruling the SFM for the maximum period? Who has sung more number of songs? Who got more national awards? Who got the first national award for singing? Who has sung more songs for a single actress?
  It is the one and only PS.
  I will say few incidents which shows the importance of PS in SFM which already came in books.
  1. “Neer kumizhi” movie was remade in telugu and a song was reproduced by SPB. (may be equivalent aadi adangum vaazhkayada). When PS listened that song in recording, just like that she asked the producer “Naaku ledha ?” ( not for me ?) and went. Immediatley he created situation for a female version and made PS to sing. Is it possible for anybody now?
  2. First time when she came in screen for the movie :”Bommai”, people given the respect, normally the heroes like MGR or shivaji.
  3. when she got the first national award , she was felicitated in Chennai and Lata flied from Bombay to wish her.
  4. MGR felicitated her in a separate event.
  
  No one in the Industry complained against her like “she suppressed me” or “ she spoiled my carrier”. This is applicable to all SFM singers. She was withstanding only on her wonderful voice and talent. She had given number of hits before joining to MSV group like “manalane mangayin Bhagyam”, “Uthama puthiran”, “Thangamalai ragasyam”,“kanavanae kankanda deivam”, “vanangamudi”, ”missiamma”, “vannakili” like many movies. So, the allegation on MSV,PS combo is wrong. MSV extracted the best out of her. But, in TFM and TeFM, SJ was one among others before IR. Now and then she was singing in KFM and MFM just because of the low salary and non-availability of PS and of course, few songs were made for SJ. This may be bitter, but it is truth.
  In TFM , between 1976-82 , number of singers were introduced and PS,SJ and VJ were giving equal hits. MD’s side IR,MSV and SG were competing each other. I remember in 1981’ deepavali all the three hit movies were by MSV. Suddenly, a wave of IR came after sakhalakala vallavan. The songs were super hit including “nila kaayuthe” and “nethu rathiri”. Before also, there were so many vulgar meaning songs, club dance songs were made in SFM. But this was too much and too awkward. But it was superhit. “Ponmeni Uruguthe” followed it. So, The trend followed for few years and even a lullaby is made with “mukkal munagal”. SJ was part of that victory and she could reach the top from then. Not only that, she was part of best songs of that period. This is the History of TFM and even though it is bitter, it is truth.
  
  Next about “Melody Queen “
  I think All the three singers are thorough professionals. The difference in quality will depends upon, as I told earlier, “Voice quality, sweetness and clarity”, then expressions and versatility. All three can sing any types of songs, only the voice range differs. SJ may sing high octaves and PS and VJ can sing middle octaves. But, it is possible for them to sing all kinds of songs. So, all the three are equally versatile. But, when voice related things, PS is much ahead of others. If U counts the melodies in all languages, PS got more opportunity than others because she was the main singer of the Golden Era and she proved it. When U want to speak about melody, don’t comment depends upon few hits of tamil and the knowledge in kannada. Go to the route level and listen all the songs without any partiality and then come for discussion. PS contribution in SFM is unimaginable and she is beyond comparison like Lata in north.
  “PS is the Melody Queen of South India”.
  
  
• From: Kutty (@ 212.138.47.13) on: Wed Feb 26 04:42:33 EST 2003
  
  Kalai,
  I may have diffrences about who is a melody queen. But your writing is very impressive. Looks like a research paper. A posting where you have taken your effort very well to provide many objective evidences!
  Congratulations!
  
  
• From: kalai (@ 203.124.221.149) on: Wed Feb 26 08:18:26 EST 2003
  
  Kutty!
  Thank U. I used to listen lots of old songs along with new songs in all languages. So I could find lots of great songs of PS, SJ and VJ. Keep that as reference, I have written about it.
  Ur name shows U are a malayalee. Why cant write an article about contribution of these singers in malayalam. So, we can also discuss and debate. That way we can extract good songs of all. This is a rquest.
  
  

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