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Titles Given To MDs

Topic started by WhyNot (@ 203.24.100.132) on Wed Mar 13 08:36:13 EST 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I'd like to discuss about (and get more info on) the titles that are conferred to various MDs.
eg. Maestro, Isai Gnani, Isai Puyal, etc etc.
What titles do all the significant MDs of tfm have? Who gives them these titles? What do they mean in the career of these MDs? How far do the MDs go in acknowledging (and using) these titles and accepting them, and how much of these are used for merely marketing?
And finally the issue I'm rather interested in. How far are these titles used by the fans of these MDs and what this usage signifies.
Of course this topic can also be extended for singers as well as other artistes. However, my first priority is to discuss about the MDs' titles.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: magix (@ 203.199.248.39) on: Fri Mar 29 12:46:13 EST 2002
  
  ada en ya!
  
  
• From: OISG (@ 213.150.174.152) on: Fri Mar 29 12:50:48 EST 2002
  
  Naaz
  
  In another thread i have mentioned about Indra parthsarathys "Sudhanthira Bhumi" which elaborates on the Tamils fascination for titles.
  
  Kaviyarasu .. moving on ..Kavipperarasu..Kavichakravarthy...next what Prabanjak kavi/Andasarasarap Pavanar ...Palveedhip Pulavar.. for Vairamuthu!
  
  There is a person by name "Vizha vendan" Muthu-who has specialised in conferring all those obnoxious titles!Prob the title "Vizha Vendan" was a consolation for his hard work!
  
  Adithyan-India s Yanni.. God..!It would be apt if someone confer Yanni the title WCM s Adithyan!
  
  
  
  
  
• From: magix (@ 203.199.248.39) on: Fri Mar 29 12:54:03 EST 2002
  
  That was based on looks..
  if u listen to his music(??)..
  naah i'm tempted to use another rhymin word!!
  
  am a good human. wont do! :)
  
  
• From: bharath (@ 156.153.255.126) on: Fri Mar 29 13:15:21 EST 2002
  
  eden,
  
  //"(Padmashree - I think SPB, KJY, ARR all have this. Bharath- I think `singer' Kamal can claim to have this:-)"//
  
  why should kamalhaasan have my name.. naan periya aalu haan.. athukaaga yen per'la pattam ellam venam...:-)
  
  
• From: OISG (@ 213.150.174.248) on: Fri Mar 29 13:15:42 EST 2002
  
  chinna payyan pesara pecha ithu?I shall confer you the title "Ketta varthai Kuzhanthai"!You can use it in your visitng cards!
  
  
• From: s0 (@ 128.119.85.50) on: Fri Mar 29 13:23:49 EST 2002
  
  how about this, magix.:
  That was based on looks..
  if u listen to his music, it sucks.
  
  
• From: s0 (@ 128.119.85.50) on: Fri Mar 29 13:24:18 EST 2002
  
  more..
  stick to your books!
  
  
• From: OISG (@ 213.150.174.248) on: Fri Mar 29 13:27:26 EST 2002
  
  then only you can make bucks!!
  
  
• From: :-(( (@ 166.44.186.20) on: Fri Mar 29 15:37:35 EST 2002
  
  /--
  From: isaiosai (@ 165.122.128.173) on: Fri Mar 15 16:05:23 EST 2002
  
  
  While responding to the 2nd Q in Chutti KELvigaL IR says "nAnAga yArayum ippadiththAn kooppida vEndum endru chollavE illai"
  
  http://www.vikatan.com/chutti/2002/01032002/chutti0801.shtml
  --/
  
  u can believe that ur idol (other than IR) is modesty personified bcos he/she says so or is said/projected to be so but u should not believe IR bcos it is IR. i'm sure some will not change their opinion knowing their grudge and hatred for IR...
  
  no other MD has been given that many titles probably bcos no other MD has achieved and has had the kind of impact he had on TFM. so, while some gave those titles (or called him so) out of respect, regard and gratitude or whatever, few who were/are money minded just made/make use of it (not to dismiss few others who use it purely as a mark of respect).
  
  and yes, for most people like us here, all those are a mouthful of ego either to shower praises or express utter contempt, hatred and disrespect.
  
  (and just in case it matters, IR is a man who has also got a much somber, humble, egoless, joyful, happy, innocent child-like heart and a much deeper spiritual life than most of us here can even imagine, and believe me, with quite some striking similarities to the teachings of Bhagavad Gita (understand the concept of karma yoga, gyana yoga and even as to why Arjuna fought the battle without fleeing, etc). i'm saying this at the risk of being dismissed as being insane in future (if not already:-))...and certainly not to glorify IR. so, if u want to hurt and insult somebody, spare IR...choose me. Had to speak about the person IR bcos the comments were targeted at him and not his music)
  
  
• From: (@ 166.44.186.20) on: Fri Mar 29 15:41:20 EST 2002
  
  in Bhagavad Gita - add "intuitive knowledge"
  
  
• From: Radhai (@ 66.122.62.71) on: Fri Mar 29 16:41:27 EST 2002
  
  KJY is often referred to as 'Gaana Gandharvan' in Mallu Film world
  
  
• From: Naaz (@ 24.76.127.63) on: Fri Mar 29 16:47:25 EST 2002
  
  The thread is about TITLES (particularly conferred on MDs)and the purpose they serve. Consider this:You may have a showcase full of trophies for excellence, but you don't go around everywhere with them in bags do you, presenting them to all and sundry as a measure of your worth?
  
  Pointing this out is apparently a sign of hatred or utter contempt... How? Really, I am genuinely interesting in knowing how this shift takes place?
  
  The point is this: Titles are a way of honouring someone who has achieved something spectacular, and it is an acknowledgement - primarily - by peers and the government (if they are national honours). This notion of honouring (say, something along the lines of Knighthood or Awards/Honours for Bravery/Courage) is a reward of appreciation, and great people accept it with grace.
  
  Is this how the arithmetic works? The more titles you have the greater your stature? Is this some sort of race to be the first among all title-holders?
  
  Pandit, Widhwan, Ustad - these are titles as well. Those who have been honoured with the above have retained it as a prefix throughout their career. It is not as if other (and greater) accolades have not come their way after they were so honoured. They have not traded it for a recent, more pompous sounding one that might have come their way. This applies to titles like Sir and Lord as well.
  
  The problem seems to be the true "value" of the assorted titles that are showered on people, which ends up seeming ingratiating and empty. Why bother with it?
  
  Kaviarasu Kannadasan. I don't think he will be remembered any other way. Or Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi. Or Puratchi Thalivar MGR. Or Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan. Were they not revered, respected, celebrated and considered treasures of the land?
  
  Consistency and Ego are not as incompatible as they may seem.
  
  
• From: magix (@ 203.199.248.242) on: Fri Mar 29 21:13:14 EST 2002
  
  ayyayyo!!!!!!!
  naan adhu onnum mean pannalai!
  naan nalla payan thaan..
  i was looking for a rhymin word w/ Yanni, which i've seen many ppl post..
  if i wanted i cud have posted...
  it's just that i dont talk bad words! :)
  
  btw,
  not u 2 s0!!!
  Rotfl thaan enna padi padi na thorathinaan, neengaluma??
  
  
• From: :-(( (@ 166.44.185.182) on: Fri Mar 29 23:27:06 EST 2002
  
  u don?t want to understand, do u? read the chutti vikatan article and understand that others have been calling him all kinds of names (with respect and love, or hatred, as we do here) and he had not initiated anyone to do so. Then, "assuming" that u have "understood" this, ur mention of phrases like "mouthful of ego", "as though these things were rolling down some assembly line conveyor belt", "but you don't go around everywhere with them in bags do you, presenting them to all and sundry as a measure of your worth?" and "traded it for a recent, more pompous sounding one" sounds and expresses a very wrong idea/mentality of urs (in which u believe in) projecting a very wrong and low impression about IR - of all that he is not (atleast, to that degree!). Pl understand and realize the "power of the words" u have used ? it matters a lot in this medium (i.e., web df). You may have to come down and think at our level.
  
  And if u feel IR thinks more titles to mean greater stature and is in a race for titles, then it is purely ur problem and lack of understanding (I am not going to answer such silly, intentional, misconstrued Qs of urs in future. If u say u didn't mean this, then, in the first place, why did u ask those Qs?). He obliges/accepts some things, doesn?t care for some and many are beyond his control (like that outburst against current day music, similar to the lines of which, now, u seem to have started complaining about thamizh pronunciation:-)). Actually, not really ur mistake. I think it was u who mentioned about "perceived" differences in treatment/understanding of personalities of Classical and FM medium.
  
  His problem is that he does not know to pretend and expresses (some of) his feelings very candidly. He lacks that sophistication ? a backward, rural person that he is, the sophistication under which, probably, some producers/directors/mds/singers (including ur most preferred) hide their arrogance and ego. It is also bcos of his confidence, conviction and vast knowledge in FM, and music in general.
  
  NOM, but don't u think it is better not to ask Qs or expect to see sense in others' contradicting opinions when you have decided to dismiss their reasons as lame and bogus or want to make bottom line statements like "Consistency and Ego are not as incompatible as they may seem."? You better make statements and leave it there.
  
  And just like some greats u have mentioned, IR will be revered for whatever his contribution is. He knows this and whatever others happen to say, including his fans, he will just try to do his part and add value to TFM. He has enough self-confidence and Athma balam, and as long as he has them intact, he will do what he feels/thinks to be right and good.
  
  (not that it matters, but just wanted to mention that there is a good reason as to why IR referred to Rama and not anyone else, while answering that Q in chutti vikatan:-). and I promise, I will "try" to stop here.)
  
  
• From: AvR (@ 203.197.81.96) on: Sat Mar 30 04:15:17 EST 2002
  
  :-((
  
  >>>>He lacks that sophistication ? a backward, rural person that he is, the sophistication under which, probably, some producers/directors/mds/singers (including ur most preferred) hide their arrogance and ego. <<<<
  
  Since when, or in what way, has Naaz's most preferred singer (i.e. Vani Jairam) HIDDEN her "arrogance" or "ego"?
  
  
• From: Naaz (@ 24.76.127.63) on: Sat Mar 30 09:16:42 EST 2002
  
  This is puzzling. I have always applauded and cherished the genius of IR. There has never been any doubt in my mind regarding his contribution and place in the golden annals of TFM. It will outlive you, me and Time.
  
  A discussion on Titles, Their Value and How they ought to be deployed (or worn) has turned into yet another...oh, never mind.
  
  The point regarding Titles and Identity (the one I raised in my earlier post) and how consistency is important for Image/Recognition - has been completely overlooked...all because I mentioned choosing a title and sticking to it! The Lata Mangeshkar analogy (perhaps India's greatest living musician) has fallen by the wayside...How does one reason with "cult" members? I don't even want to try.
  
  And let me also add this: Ego is healthy, and is essential for any artiste. Ego does not mean arrogance, or hauteur. It simply means one's uttermost belief in one's art and the mastery of it. It is the peak of confidence, in other words, that is within the artiste. It has to be a constant.
  Yes, artistes need an Ego. What they don't need is excess or exaggeration, of "meaningless" titles.
  
  
• From: s0 (@ 128.119.85.50) on: Sat Mar 30 10:49:50 EST 2002
  
  Naaz, I don't think IR is inconsistent with his titles. Though he has some control over what he is called, he has been pretty consistent with "Isaignani" and "Maestro" post-symphony. It is the others (like Parthiban who confers at the rate of 1 per movie) who call him out of their respect. During the 80s, everyone was stampeding to please IR by honoring him and using his photo in the poster, even cut-outs(!!) and by praising him to the sky just so that they might get an awesome song, a chartbuster to fill their wallets. why should IR say no to that? Agreead, that IR's ego is notorious (atleast in this forum), but the fault is not entirely his and he doesn't flaunt his bag of awards. the others do and he doesn't mind.
  
  reg. your Lata analogy, maybe its our culture to give titles. I can think of so many tamil non-entities that have titles (in plural), while truly deserving desering ones in North/Foreign do not. the question is why do we do it?
  
  
  

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