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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: a.a. (@ 64.229.211.7) on: Sun Oct 20 23:36:05 EDT 2002
  
  Mani,
  Are you sure `Vasantha maaligai' was screened for 41 weeks in Sri Lanka. I cannot recall any movies running that long in one theatre in Sri Lanka. I may be wrong though.
  I remember one titbit about the movie. There used to be 3 different companies in Sri Lanka imports Tamil movies. A company by the name `Cinemas limited' was the most successful in this business, books most number of movies beyond the capacity of the theatres they own, as a result Sri lankans wait for a long time after a particular movie is screened in India. In case of `Vasantha Maaligai' it was screened simultaneously in India and in Sri Lanka. The rumour was there was a special deal made by the producers and the Sri Lankan distributers to this effect so that the commercials about this movie in SLBC would not be stale but effective for the listeners in India too. I am not sure about the validity of this story.
  Sorry for the digression.
  
  
• From: outsider (@ 202.125.140.162) on: Mon Oct 21 00:27:59 EDT 2002
  
  Sorry, Subbu and SK,
  Read KV Mahaadevan instead of MSV.
  The point, however, is that Vaani was preferred
  over P S for such songs.
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 216.52.49.5) on: Mon Oct 21 00:33:17 EDT 2002
  
  Mani Sir, I doubt about 100 days of VaaNi RaaNi. It was very average.
  
  Thiruvarutchelvar is missing in 100 days list, which was a hit.
  
  Of course, Thirumal Perumai was not a hit and it failed because of a scene where in Padmini changing her dresses behind a curtain, which was treated as a "non-accepted" scene in a dvotional movie those days.
  
  
• From: Subbu (@ 216.52.49.5) on: Mon Oct 21 00:39:11 EDT 2002
  
  Outsider, may be for the songs planned for a child artist?
  
  We may agree on this. But the same KVM has used PS singing for child artists. In "Gnana Kuzhandhai", she sang "Thodudaya seviyan" and "Osai kodutha nayagiye" for a child artist. Also in one of "Omsakthi Jagadeesan' movies"... PS sung a song for child artist "Gnana kaNNai thirandhu vitten.. paar magane paar".
  
  So, may be director KV also would have insisted that, may be so?
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Oct 21 00:46:55 EDT 2002
  
  a.a. The book "SIVAJI ORU SAKAPTHAM" of Ramnath Publications of Pesum Padam says Vasantha Maligai ran for 250 days in India and 41 weeks in Sri Lanka.
  
  There was a separte write up in some other paper that in the Tamilnadu version Sivaji dies in the end whiule in the Sri Lankan version Sivaji does not die.
  
  Thanks
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Oct 21 01:05:54 EDT 2002
  
  
  Subbu
  
  A record that I have says that in 1973, Vani Rani ran for 100 days along with En Magan, Gouravam, Rajpart Rangadurai, Netru Indru Naalai, Deerga Sumangali, VEllikizhamai Viratham and Pookkari. I have not seen Vaani Rani. I too doubt it really ran for 100 days anyway.
  
  Thiruvarut Chelvar was good in its own way, but was not a 100 days hit, just like Thiurumaal Perumai.
  
  But Thiruvarut Chelvar has one credit. When Meera was released, the KALKI Weekly published the picture of MS Subbulachumy in the front cover. Following that when Thiruvarut Chelvar was released, Sivaji Ganesan's (APPAR) picture was published.
  
  
  Thiruvilayadal also received the FILMFARE Award.
  
  Thanks
  
  manisegaran
  
  
  
  
  Thanks,
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
  
• From: Kupps (@ 156.153.255.126) on: Mon Oct 21 01:39:12 EDT 2002
  
  mani sir...
  
  In Firsts list I would like you to add ThiruviLayaadal. I think it is the first film where great singers (KBS, TRM, TMS and MBK) sang and the songs were heavily debated for which to be the top among them.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Oct 21 01:58:44 EDT 2002
  
  Kupps,
  
  Suggestion accepted.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: sk (@ 137.132.3.10) on: Mon Oct 21 02:33:15 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran:
  
  One correction regarding vasantha mALigai...
  
  There were two versions: one version used for the Kerala audience where Sivaji dies at the end (mallus love tragedies, I believe) and all the other (TN, SriLanka) versions had Sivaji back alive and singing 'mayakkamenna' with Vanisree again on Thottabhetta so that the audience could go home and sleep peacefully.
  
  
• From: sk (@ 137.132.3.10) on: Mon Oct 21 02:35:26 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran:
  
  I agree with Kupps. You also shd mention arasa kattaLai.. the Saroja Devi to JJ transition for MGR movies.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Oct 21 03:02:33 EDT 2002
  
  Sk,
  
  Thanks. The information I have is that Sivaji Ganesan does not die in the Sri Lankan version of Vasantha Maaligai. I am not aware of the Kerala Version.
  
  I have already mentioned about Saro exiting and JJ entering in the film Arasa Kattalai.
  
  Manisegaran
  
  
• From: bb (@ 12.234.176.52) on: Mon Oct 21 03:33:20 EDT 2002
  
  Was the Kerala market that big for them to change the climax of a movie?
  
  
• From: outsider (@ 202.125.140.162) on: Mon Oct 21 06:24:49 EDT 2002
  
  A record should be set straight.
  
  In some of the topics in this forum it has been stated that K V Mahaadevan had directed music mainly in Taamil movies. This, however, is not correct. From 1975 onwards K V M had almost exclusively gone for Telgoo music. In the 60's and before, however, he was more busy in Taamil. His Telgu films must have been much more than his Taamil pictures.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Oct 21 19:41:54 EDT 2002
  
  PART 50
  
  SUMMING UP
  Briefly, his has been a continuous work for half a century, and KVM has certainly left a great legacy behind. The Tamil film industry has produced many genius in the field of music and KVM is certainly one of those great souls whose contributions generations yet to be born would appreciate. The passing of KVM last year is certainly a loss that no pen could adequately describe. KVM has earned the most appropriate title of “THAMIZH THIRAI ISAI THILAKAM” The great poet Kannadasan described KVM as the "MAAMAANGATHU MAAMANNAR" The song in Thiruvilayaadal- “Isaithamizh Nee Seitha Arum Saathanai" in many ways stand to suit KVM too.
  
  There is a speciality in KVM’s music. KVM goes for originality. Unless pressurised by producers, he seldom uses foreign tunes. He had the ability of composing songs for all forms of lyrics, and was able to compose tunes even without removing or adding a single coma in the lyrics. Almost all his famous tunes were novelties, new altogether and unique in presentation. KVM had created many singers and made them win awards after awards. Many singers owed their gratitude to KVM for having built them up. There were producers and directors who insisted on KVM’s music for their films. He has worked for almost all studios, producers and composed songs of all active lyricists of his time. Almost all famous stars of KVM's time gave lip movements to the songs composed by KVM.
  
  KVM had the rare and special ability to compose for even the difficult carnatic tunes. The most difficult carnatic songs, usually avoided by his contemporaries went to KVM. Three MDS are acclaimed as the very best and often referred to as “Mummoorthikal”. They are G.Ramanathan, CR Subbaraman and S.V. Vengatraman. Many are of the opinion that KVM ranks next to these three. When a question rose as who would be the most appropriate to compose for MKT songs, KVM became the natural choice. The last film of the great MKT-Sivakami, was composed my KVM, and that itself is an acknowledgment of his talents and capacity.
  
  KVM was about the best for composing folk tunes. He was the first South Indian Music Director to have received national award in 1967, and again in 1981. Films had run for 100 days or even more on account of his music. Even the many films that did not fare well at the box office did win a soft spot in the hearts of many fans on account of the good songs. KVM and his music would always occupy a special place in the history of the Tamil film music. It is mot unfortunate that KVM had not left behind an heir from among his family members. For the present moment all we could do is just praise his works in astonishment.
  
  
  GOOD BYE TO ALL
  
  Dear Readers,
  I have completed with great difficulty, what I originally planned as a small article-just to trace the salient aspects of KVM’s contribution. Once the article snowballed, I was caught in my own trap, and I was forced to cover wider than what I had planned. I would never call this article a complete survey of the contributions of KVM. This should be considered as only one angle to KVM’s music. I must admit that more could have been written on the songs. It is most unfortunate that I could not devote more time to this discussion. Anyway I have kept my promise of 50 postings.
  
  I wish to thank all the silent readers and active contributors to the discussion. While contributing this series, I myself learnt a few new things from the contributors. This was a learning experience for me. I thought I would be the one taking the lead, but amazingly the readers were actively involved. Let me say in all humility that if at all this series had been a success, it was because of the active involvement of the readers. What I admired most was their frankness in pointing out the mistakes I had made.
  
  
  TO THE TFM TEAM
  
  Thank you so much for giving me the freedom and the prominence. Please give me some time. I will edit the whole article and send to you in a separate text file.
  
  TO THE LATE KVM
  One word in conclusion! There were moments when I shed tears while typing some lines from some great songs. KVM, you have moved me to the core of my heart.
  
  THAMIZH NAATTIN KALAI ULAGIN THILAGAME
  
  May your soul rest in peace!
  
  VANAKKAM
  
  Yendrum Anbudan
  Manisegaran
  
  
  
• From: isaiosai (@ 68.97.168.128) on: Mon Oct 21 22:54:57 EDT 2002
  
  Manisegaran sir,
  
  Hats off to you for bringing to us the contributions of KVM in a gracious and telling manner. And it is rare indeed to find knowledgeable people like you to be humility personified in today's world.
  
  I'm sure many of us will look forward to more such magical musical journeys along with you in future. Yours has been an invaluable contribution to newtfmpage.com. I wish you all the very best in all your future endeavors.
  
  
• From: Manisegaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Mon Oct 21 23:20:57 EDT 2002
  
  isaiosai,
  
  Thanks for the nice words. Please look at all the postings by so many. I have to admit in all humility that mine was nothing more than a coordinating work. I could only take pride in considering this a team effort. Please accept the articles in that light. It is unfair for me not to give credit to those "auditors" who kept me on my toes.
  
  Thanks again
  
  Manisegaran
  
  

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