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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: Subbu (@ 216.52.49.5) on: Fri Oct 18 00:34:35 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, it was gr8 to read your posting on Shankarabharanam.
  
  One more info which I want to share.
  
  The title card are moving with background of a river, boat with many people, one young boy sings some humming... u know that tender young voice was of S P Shailaja. She later mentioned in an interview that though her name was not shown in the title card but she was happy that she particpated in a world-wide mega hit movie.
  
  
• From: kik (@ 207.0.105.136) on: Fri Oct 18 00:41:25 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran: Couple interesting observations. Starting with Adimai penn KVM seems to have given at least 1 song to S Janaki (whether at MGR's instance is unclear). This would have been after konjum salangai, ullaasa payanam, etc.
  
  Bhanumathy also acted in Raja Desingu and Kalaiarasi after Naadodi mannan - but I think all three were long-delayed movies that started production before Naadodi mannan?
  
  Sankarabharanam - ae theeruga nannu has just been translated in the Vani Jairam thread if anyone wants to know the meaning of this song. SPB's ambition in recent years is to perform a full length carnatic kutchery - he has been learning and practicing carnatic music for this purpose. The long term impact of sankaraabharanam!
  
  sk: I can comment on the 2 songs I've heard rendered in carnatic concerts - brochevaarevaruraa and maanasa sancharare. The raagam and taalam are the same, but the bhaavam is totally different. The carnatic rendering is serene without the drama present in the movie situation. After the movie came out, there was a tendency (nipped in the bud) of singing these songs imitating the rendering in the movie - this the critics took as a serious issue and discouraged artistes.
  
  If anything, brochevaarevaruraa is sung at a faster pace so that the sa ni tha pa part towards the end is sung really fast. The other carnatic song performed sometimes is dorakuna ituvanti seva. ae theeruga nannu is sung rarely, if at all. The others were composed specially for the movie.
  
  Manickka veenaaam is really the first two verses of Shyaamalaa dandakam attributed to Kaalidaasa (he is supposed to have sung it upon being gifted with knowledge by Saraswathi - situation used in saraswathi sabatham and referred to in kalaimagaL enakkoru aaNaiyittaaL. And so back to KVM:-)
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Oct 18 02:36:03 EDT 2002
  
  Subbu, Thanks for the info on Sailaja. I did not know.
  
  Kik
  
  In Nadodi Mannan MGR had clash with Banumathy and so he killed Banumathy and brought in Saroja Devi. MGR was very particular of physical features. banumathy was already evolving into Bamblimas. In so far as Kanji Thalaivan is concerned, it was on iniistenc of Annadurai who had a "liking" for Banumathy. When asked about this liking Anna said " Bhanumathy Onrum Padi Thaanda Pathini Alla. Naanum Mutrum Thurantha Munivanum Alla. Naadi Povathillai, Thedi Vanthaal Viduvathumillai" It is clear now. Kanji Thalaivan was taken to boost Anna very subtly, so Bhanumathy came in, along with Mu Ka for dialogue. No info on Kalai Arasi.
  
  Raja Desingu was the film in which MGR took serious revenge on Lena Chettiyar of Krishna pictures. Lene took Madurai Veeeran as a great hit. Then there was a misunderstanding where Lena threw a challenge upon MGR. MGR delayed the film by delaying the arrival at the studio. Even upon arrival he ordered the change of the settings and refused to wear the dresses. This delayed the film by years.
  
  S. Janaki matter. Konjum Salangai is by SMSUbbiah Naidu. She has sung in Sengamala Theevu(1962) Kungumam (1963) Thulasi Madam (1963)Thozhilaali (1964) Ullasa payanam (1964) IDhaya Kamalam (1965) Thiruvilayadal (1965) Pesum Deivam (1967). So it has been sporadically spread out.
  
  In so far as the comments on the carnatic songs are concerned, I am that beast of burden which does not know Katpoora vasam. I really miss knowledge on Carnatic music. Good you are around.
  
  
  I am sure there are many more comments on Sankarabaranam.
  
  Thanks,
  
  manisegaran
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Oct 18 02:40:24 EDT 2002
  
  Kik,
  
  Yes, from Adimai Penn, KVM had used S. janaki more. Vilayaattu Pillai, En Annan,Aathi Parasakthy, Puthiya Vazkhkai (Kaalan Ennodu ???)are some examples
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 203.197.177.20) on: Fri Oct 18 11:46:41 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir... can you throw some light as why P Susheela was totally cut-off in ShankarabharaNam? But in next K.Vishwanath/KVM combinations namely Thiagayya, Subhalekha, Siri vennila etc, most of the songs were by P. Susheela only. Any idea?
  
  
• From: raj (@ 202.54.66.109) on: Fri Oct 18 23:55:22 EDT 2002
  
  in Adimaipenn Only Kaalathai Vendravan nee Was by SJ &PS
  but Aayiram nilave was BY PS
  Nothing more For SJ
  because Another Female Solo amma yendral Anbu was Jayalalitha herself
  
  
• From: rk (@ 203.124.2.55) on: Sun Oct 20 06:59:37 EDT 2002
  
  who are the directors for the movies ellam unakkaga and valarpirai
  
  
• From: outsider (@ 202.125.140.162) on: Sun Oct 20 11:10:57 EDT 2002
  
  Subbu, it was so because there was Vaani Jaeraam available, who was much trusted by M S Vishwanaathan for such songs.
  
  
• From: manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Sun Oct 20 20:05:17 EDT 2002
  
  SUBBU,
  
  Responding to your posting dated 17 October. What a strange coincidence. Yesterday the local ASTRO satellite tv broadcast an old interview with S.P.Bala and Jesudas. S.P.Bala mentioned the circusmtances leading to the recording of Aayriam Nilave Vaa.
  
  MGR booked SP Bala for singing the song. SP bala told his friends in colege that he was going to sing for MGR. But four days before the recording date he caught typhoid and was bedridden. SP bala was under the impression that MGR had used someone else for recording the song. 10 days later SP Bala recovered, and MGR came looking for SPBala with a bottle of medicine in his hand. MGR gave his promise and honoured it. SP Bala feels that apart from luck, the cine stars for whom the playback singers sing would also determine the success of the singers. In this case singing for MGR made all the difference.
  
  Just to share with you.
  
  Thanks
  
  manisegaran
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Sun Oct 20 20:27:57 EDT 2002
  
  Part 49
  MILESTONES
  
  There are many films that had good songs and yet did not run well. Again there are those, which made it at the box office. The concept of 100 days came in from the year 1960 onwards. Let me give, to the best of my memory those films that created milestones in many ways.
  
  
  
  First film where KVM composed –Anandan (1942)
  
  The first film to introduce AM Raja- Kumari (1952)
  
  The film where KVM became an acclaimed singer- Madana Mohini (1953)
  
  The only film where MGR and Sivaji Ganesan Acted together and where TMS sang for Sivaji under KVM,s music- Koondukkili (1954)
  
  The first hit movieof KVM-Town Bus (1955)
  The first Cowboy form of movie in Tamil- Mullai Vanam- (1955)
  
  The full potential of Pugazhendhi came to light-Pennarasi (1955)
  
  The first Devar Movie- Thaaikku Pin Tharam (1956)
  
  The film that ran well with good songs, though with poor stars –Mudalali (1957)
  
  The most popular village based film with folk tunes- Makkalai Petra Maharasi (1957)
  
  The film where AM Raja sang last under KVM- Manamulla Maruthaaram (1958)
  
  LR Eswary became a full fledged singer –Nalla Idathu Sambantham (1958)
  
  The film that took Tamilnadu by tempest for Carnatic music, and for which a special souvenir magazine was produced- Samboorna Ramayanam (1958)
  
  The film where G. Ramanathan sang under KVM’s music- Alli Petra Pillai (1959)
  
  The film where a diverse range of famous singers were used- Padikkatha Methai (1960)
  
  The last film of MKT-Sivakami- (1960)
  
  The film where a song was banned in All India Radio –Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum (1963)
  
  The first film showing journey to the moon and of which the discs were never released- Kalai Arasi (1963)
  
  The film where Vali first wrote for KVM- Neengatha Ninaivu- (1963)
  
  The film where Kannadasan appears and sings for the first time, depicting his life and mission- Ratha Thilakam (1963)
  
  The 100th film of Sivaji Ganesan where KVM is introduced as Thirai Isai Thilakam– Navarathiri- (1964)
  
  First Tamil film to be shown in Saffire Theatre- Kannithaai (1965)
  
  Film taken in just 13 days and ran for 100 days- Mugaraasi (1965)
  
  The only film where Balaji used KVM - Annaavin Aasai (1965)
  
  Taraburam Sunderarajan created an impact- Selvam (1966)
  
  MGR appears as Lord Muruga and created a controversy -Thanippiravi- (1966)
  
  Won the first national Award for a south Indian MD-Kanthan Karunai-(1967)
  
  The film where Vali wrote all the songs under KVM- Pesum Deivam (1967)
  
  First film after MGR was shot-Vivasayee (1967)
  
  Saroja Devi made a comeback after a short period of absence and where a vinly record was sold in black market for Rs 30- Panama Pasama (1968)
  
  A song where MGR appears as a female –Kathal Vaganam (1968)
  
  Jayalalitha sings for the first time- Adimai Penn (1969)
  
  Last Black and white movie of MGR- Annamitta Kai (1972)
  
  Ran for 41 weeks in Sri Lanka- Vasantha Maaligai (1972)
  
  Last film for MGR under KVM’s music -Pallandu Vaazhga (1975)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  100 DAYS RUN MOVIES
  
  1960
  
  Padikkatha Methai
  
  1961
  Kaithi Kannayiram
  Kumudam
  Thaayilla Pillai
  
  1962
  
  Thaai Sollai Thattathey
  
  Thayai Kaatha Thanayan
  
  Saratha
  
  
  1963
  Iruvar Ullam
  Neethikku Pin Paasam
  
  1964
  Annai Illam
  Vettaikkaran
  
  1965
  
  Navarathiri
  Idaya Kamalam
  
  
  
  1966
  
  Mugaraasi
  
  Saraswathy Sabatham
  
  1967
  Kanthan Karunai
  Thanippiravi
  Vivasayee
  
  1968
  Panamaa Paasamaa
  
  1969
  Thunaivan
  
  1970
  Vietnaam Veedu
  En Annan
  
  1971
  Kulamaa Gunamaa
  
  1972
  
  Nalla Neram
  
  1973
  
  Vaani Raani
  
  1975
  Pallandu Vaazhga
  
  1976
  Uthaman
  
  SILVER JUBILEE RUN
  
  1966
  
  Thiruvilayadal (20 weeks)
  
  
  
  1969
  Adimai Penn
  
  1970
  Maattukkara Velan
  
  Aathi Parasakthy
  
  1972
  Vasantha Maaligai (41 weeks in Sri Lanka)
  
  
  
  AWARDS
  
  REGIONAL AWARDS FOR BEST PICTURES
  
  1968
  
  Thillaaana Mohanambaal (also received the Silver Medal Award from the Indian Government)
  
  CERTIFICATE FOR BEST FILMS
  
  1957
  Mudalaali
  
  1965
  
  Thiruvilayaadal
  
  CERTIFICATE FOR SECOND BEST FILMS
  
  1961
  Kumudam
  
  CERTIFICATE FOR THIRD BEST FILMS
  
  1962
  Saratha
  
  BEST SINGERS AWARD
  
  1969
  K.B. Sundrambaal for Thunaivan
  
  BEST PHOTOGRAPHY
  
  1968
  
  Thillanna Mohanambaal- K.S. Prasad (The 20th Century Fox got the TV rights for this movie. Was recommended for Oscar Award, but was substituted with Enga Veettu Pillai on ruling party stand)
  
  
• From: sk (@ 137.132.3.8) on: Sun Oct 20 20:29:17 EDT 2002
  
  outsider:
  
  How is MSV related to the question that Subbu asked? :)
  
  

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