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Malaysian Deepavali Show - RAJANNA RAJA THAAN - From Annakkili to Azhagi

Topic started by Manisekaran (@ 202.156.2.8) on Sun Nov 7 05:23:27 EST 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Last year I did a show on Ilayaraja for Deepavali. IT was so great a hit that the ASTRO Private TV Station is repeating on 9 NOvember at 4.00 pm Malaysian time. This is called RAJANNA RAJATHAAN- covering 25 years of Raja's music contribution. From Annakkili to Azhagi. A great hit. If you can, pls do catch it. You can post your comments on the show here, and I'll respond to them.
Thanks.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: eden (@ 136.1.1.154) on: Wed Nov 10 14:58:57 EST 2004
  
  `annakkiLi onnaththEdudhE' - the first few lines of the song is for sure from a nAttuppurappAdal...(probably the rest were added by Panju or Raja)...Sometime around the release of annakkiLi, there was a program in AIR where an old lady sang the (original) nAttupurappAdal starting with `annakkiLi onnaththEdudhE' followed by some other verses...
  
  Even the melody was very similar though more rustic and not as polished as the SJ version:-)
  
  There cannot be any question or dispute that all or most of the initial folk songs of IR had lot of village-song inspirations and not 100% exclusive from his creative brain cells...however, we (especially those of village roots) can be extremely thankful that IR made those so popular through the movie media, decorated with layers and layers of brilliant instrumental music and using sweeeeeeet voices like that of SJ...
  
  
• From: eden (@ 136.1.1.154) on: Wed Nov 10 15:08:13 EST 2004
  
  Thanks Manisekaran for the excellent write-up!
  
  
• From: e (@ 136.1.1.154) on: Wed Nov 10 15:16:13 EST 2004
  
  sondhamillai, bandhamillai was sung by PS:-) (and not SJ)..I think this song was added later on to the movie. I remember seeing posters of the film featuring this song as an addition...
  
  
• From: e (@ 136.1.1.154) on: Wed Nov 10 17:05:07 EST 2004
  
  I read during the annakkiLi days that the sale of the gramaphone disk had broken the record of the erstwhile topper `elanthappazham...chekka chevantha pazham'...is it correct? Was it HMV that released the disk? With no possibility of piracy, there must be authentic numbers of those sales...can someone close to the industry give the till-1976 sales figures of `elanthappazham' and the ultimate numbers for `machAna pAtheengaLA'?
  
  
• From: RR (@ 202.156.2.8) on: Wed Nov 10 17:19:33 EST 2004
  
  vijay: that song also, but the fact is 'annakkili unnaitheduthe' (or a version of it) was already there in Padma's camp, before IR became an MD.
  
  
• From: SK (@ 66.57.14.197) on: Wed Nov 10 19:09:23 EST 2004
  
  Great job you are doing here Mr.manisekaran!
  Very impressive! I am very eager to get this going! Thanks.
  Happy deepAvaLi!!!
  
  
• From: k (@ 192.138.150.249) on: Wed Nov 10 21:18:39 EST 2004
  
  Mani sir, a good song to start of your list. By picking the right representative sample you are proving that you have the hallmarks of a good historian.
  
  I just heard the song online and by todays IR's standards, the orchestration in this song may not be much. But the confidence and the direction he wants to go shows through in this song. From annakkiLi to todays ThiruvAsagam ..what a career !!!
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 61.6.39.138) on: Tue Nov 16 19:01:40 EST 2004
  
  Just back after a week's leave.
  
  Gyan, I shall ask IR if I see him.
  
  Annakkili UNnai Theduthe is certainly a folk song. Radio malaysia, in 1979 aired a program in which Malaysai Vasudevan who bmade a brief visit to Malaysia sang a few lines of the song. Of course he did not sing in the film. In that program, it was mentioned that Annakkili was lifted from folk song. But the song was well decorated by IR's music.
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 61.6.39.138) on: Tue Nov 16 19:01:52 EST 2004
  
  Just back after a week's leave.
  
  Gyan, I shall ask IR if I see him.
  
  Annakkili Unnai Theduthe is certainly a folk song. Radio malaysia, in 1979 aired a program in which Malaysai Vasudevan who bmade a brief visit to Malaysia sang a few lines of the song. Of course he did not sing in the film. In that program, it was mentioned that Annakkili was lifted from folk song. But the song was well decorated by IR's music.
  
  
• From: raj (@ 61.246.255.3) on: Tue Nov 16 23:12:06 EST 2004
  
  mani sir,
  
  Sondhamillai bandhamillai was by PS
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 61.6.39.138) on: Tue Nov 16 23:26:01 EST 2004
  
  Raj,
  
  I am coming to Sonthamilli banthamillai later in an appropriate slot. I may not be following a chronologial order. I prefer topical approach.
  
  We shall move on to the next landmark song.
  
  
• From: Maniseakran (@ 61.6.39.138) on: Tue Nov 16 23:27:12 EST 2004
  
  2. ORU NAAL UNNODU ARU NAAL
  
  
  Sri Vishnupriya Creations URAVAADUM NENJAM is an important film for Ilayaraja. The film itself happened to be an utter failure. But there was a landmark that Ilayaraja had left for us. The song Oru Naal Unnodu Oru Naal was earmarked for success of the movie. The song was an instant hit alright, but the movie had nothing to boast of.
  
  This was the third film for Raja, after Palooti Valartha Kili. However, S.P. Bala’s first song under Ilayaraja was recorded for URAVAADUM NENJAM movie, and that is Oru Naal Unnodu Oru Naal. Ilayaraja had assisted other MDs, such as GK Vengatesh, who had used Bala.But those were not to be attributed to Raja.
  
  When Ilayaraja was composing under various MDs in the late 1960s Bala was already a playback singer following the film Shanthi Nilayam, under MS Visvanathan. Bala’s first ever-Tamil song was a duet with LR Eswary in the film Hotel Ramba. The song is “Athanukku Eppadi Irukku Mansukkulle.” Both the song and the film were never released. The Shanthi Nilayam song was the first to be released. But it was the song Ayiram Nilave Vaa in ADIMAI PENN that boosted Bala to new heights.
  
  
  While looking for cine chances, Bala was first singing under the Paavalar Brothers. Later Raja played harmonium and guitar under the band that Bala initiated.
  
  Raja was invited to compose for a film called UYIR. Bala and a few others sang and recorded 4 songs under Raja’s composition. The film never materialised. Then came Annakili. Bala and Raja were among the thickest of friends. However, when Annakili came by, Raja could not impose on using Bala. It was Raja’s debut and Panju had all the say. Raja was interested in breaking through. But when URAVADUM NENJAM was in the making, Raja made sure Bala was in. In an attempt to honour his close friend, Raja wanted to make sure he composed a song that would be cherished by both the composer and the singer. Remember the title of the film is also URAVADUM NENJAM. So Ilayaraja centered all his energy, effort and imagination to compose what would ever remain as one of the best songs for a best friend of his. Likewise, SP Bala too made sure he sang with much feeling. S. Janaki too followed suit. The lyrics were by Panju Arunasalam.
  
  The song, especially the orchestration was something unknown to many fans of Tamil film music. It was simply rich orchestration. Ilayaraja told Bala that the film would run for 100 days on the strength of the song. Raja proposed, but the moviegoers disposed. The film became an utter failure- commercially. However, the song became immortalised, and is one of my best.
  
  The story did not end there. It was on the lips of Bala for a long time. Every time Bala entered the recording studio, he used to sing to himself or hum this song. And Raja used to immediately respond, “ Naama Ennnumo Nenachom, Padam Odalaiye daa” (These two friends called each other “vaada poda.”)
  
  
  However, Raja’s first song for his closest friend shall always be on our lips too.
  
  Over to dear Raja fans for further details and discussions.
  
  
• From: sudalai (@ 203.101.73.165) on: Wed Nov 17 04:44:37 EST 2004
  
  Great work, Mani...!
  Thanks a lot.
  
  
• From: Kiran (@ 202.73.40.67) on: Wed Nov 17 05:12:44 EST 2004
  
  
  In singapore and malaysia , we got singapore symphony orchestra and malaysian philharmonic orchestra respectively....conducting concerts .....how nice it would be if IR starts something like
  "THE GRAND ILAYARAJA ORCHESTRA" ...that conducts symphonies and other concerts...in chennai......
  
  
• From: eden (@ 136.1.1.154) on: Wed Nov 17 10:57:03 EST 2004
  
  'oru nAL' -whenever I listen to this song, I'm filled with nostalgia of school days...this is one of those songs that used to give goose bumps those days...esp the interludes...
  
  Can you imagine someone 12 yrs old, a village boy with absolutely no training or exposure to music other than AIR / IOKS, who doesn't watch even movies, start appreciating the violin-rich interludes and start trying to mimic the sound with vocal chords all the time? That was the kind of effect this song had on me...music's power...and Raja raising the standards of the listeners...
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 61.6.39.138) on: Wed Nov 17 19:08:53 EST 2004
  
  Eden,
  
  You are adding spice towards the enrichment of our discussions. Thanks
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 61.6.39.139) on: Thu Nov 18 04:02:33 EST 2004
  
  KETTELE ANGEY –first controversy song
  Talking of Badrakali, one’s mind is sure to capture the all time famous hit "Kannan Oru kai Kuzhanthai." Much has been discussed and reported of that song. However, I would like to bring to the fore a song that stirred so much controversy in Tamilnadu, of course for no fault of Ilayaraja. The song itself and the MD have no involvement in this controversy. The only reason I am quoting this song “in passing” is because this was the first of Ilayaraja’s songs to have faced an unprecedented tempest in his career, all because of the picturisation. But the controversies that Raja directly in music are to follow soon.
  
  Maharishi’s novel was adapted as Badrakali, in which Ilayaraja composed music.
  
  The songs of Badrakali are:
  
  1. Aanantha Bairavi by MR Vijaya
  2. Kettele Angey by P. Suseela
  3. Kannan oru kai Kuzhanthai by KJ Jesudass and P. Suseela
  4. Odukiraal Urugugiraal by Seergazhi Gvovindarajan
  5. Ottha Ruba Unakku Taharen by S. Janaki and Malaysia Vasudevan
  
  The song that I have selected for discussion is Kettele Angey. Even while the movie was in the making, there was already an air of excitement, mainly following the unexpected and untimely passing of the heroine Rani Chandra. The film had then to be carefully completed, using another female actress. However, as soon as the film was released, it drew new opposition from the Brahmin community. In the story the hero wanted to go for a disco dance. The wife, having read the intention of the husband decides to perform the record dance at home to entertain the husband. Unfortunately she was wearing the graceful madisaru pudavai often used in the Brahmin community. The Brahmin community took offence to a Brahmin girl performing record dance wearing the madisaru pudavai. This controversy itself gave undue publicity for the movie and many rushed to the theatre. The controversy workled in favour of the movie. I remember seeing the movie at the Diamond Talkies at Pondy Bazar area (today it is no more there). The song was well written by Vali, following his great success in Aduthathu Ambujathai Paathela song in Ethirneechal.
  
  Kettele Angey is very beautifully set to folk tune, in which Raja simply excelled.
  
  Kettele Ange
  Adhai Parthela Inge
  Ethaiyo Nenechel Athaiye Nenachen -Naan
  Ambalaiyaan manusu Pole nadappen
  Intha Aathukkari Verethukku Irukken?
  Vangonnaa! Ada Vangonna!
  
  Madisaru Pudavaikku Illatha Azhaga?
  Veraaru Yennattam Nadai Pottu Varuvaa?
  Theriyathannaa Puriyathanaa
  Vayasillaiya Nekkum?
  Vasiyam Pannatuma?
  
  
  Tanjavoor kadamapathai Mozham pottu Vangi
  Thalaimele vaVachundu Ninneene Engi
  Manakkalaiyo mayakkalaiyio
  Kothikalaiyo Udambu
  Pakka nanillaiyo?
  Vangonna Ada Vangonna
  
  
  Pollathe Aasaikku Yenintha Alaichal?
  Kallattam Irukene Nekkena Kuaichal?
  Mookirukku Muzhi Irukku Aazhakillaiyo Nekku
  Aadi Kattattuma?
  Vangonna Ada Vangonna
  
  
  
  This was the Fourth Film for Ilayaraja that ran for 175 days. It turned out to be another feather in his cap.
  
  When I went for tea in Seergazhi Govindarajan, I enquired him on the song that he had sung in Badrakali- Odugiraal,Urugugiraal. Seergazhiyar told me that the song was of average score and that Ilayaraja was still at infant stage. But he believed then, that Ilayaraja still had a long way to go before he could prove himself. True enough, very soon, Ilayaraja scaled new heights in the world of Tamil film music.
  
  In my discussion with PB Sreenivas, he told me that Ilayaraja had some unique capabilities, yet to be well understood by any average listener.
  
  I conversed with these two immediately after the success of Badrakali.
  
  
  To cut the story short, the song that I had cited is just the beginning of many other direct controversies yet to be created by Raja. “Narathar Sandai Nallathil Mudiyum” So were the meaningful controversies created by Ilayaraja in the later years.
  
  Over to the fans for further comments and details.
  
  
• From: keerthanarambham (@ 156.153.255.126) on: Thu Nov 18 05:12:56 EST 2004
  
  Dear Mani, as usual a great write up and recap of golden yesteryears. Though "kannan oru kai kuzhandhai" is still my personal favourite, "kettele ange" cannot be dismissed that lightly. It revived the dappanguthu after quite a long lull period after the "elandhapazham" craze. I was under the impression for a long time that Bhadrakali was by MSV.
  
  

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