Home   Forum   Wiki   Notes   Register   FAQ   Sitemap   About Us   Contact Us  

KAVIYARASU KANNADASAN

Topic started by On behalf of Sankar (@ 210.186.51.129) on Mon Dec 30 07:11:34 EST 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Kaaviyathayin Illaya magan
Kadhal Pengalin Perun thalaivan
Paamara jaadiyil thani manidan – naan
Padaippadhanal yen per Iraivan

Naan Manida jaadiyai aati vaipen – avar
Maandu vital adhai paadi vaipen
NAAN NIRANDARAM AANAVAN AZHIVADILAI
ENDA NILAYILUM ENAKKU MARANAM ILLAI

These are the great lines of Kaviyarasu Kannadasan in the movie Ratha Thilakam where he acts in the movie singing these lines. ( Song.. Oru Koopayilae yen kudiyiruppu)

What a visionary he was ? Indeed, he is NIRANDARAMAANAVAN.

I share some of my observations about Kavingyar. I want all the fans of HIM to join this discussion and add more quality material in praise of his great works.

This is the only way we pay tributes to this GENIUS.

a) Raga Gyanam of Kavingyar

In the file ‘ Thiruvarutchelvar’, no one can forget the great song ‘ Mannan Vandhanadi’. This song was penned by Kannadasan and music by legendary KVM and sung by P.Suseela. I do not think we can ever get a better song in the Raga Kalyani in our tamil movies when compared to this song . This song has all the nuances of Kalyani in a capsule form.

In the Charanam, look at these lines,

Viraivinil Nee… Ni
Mana malar Tha .. tha
Thiru Marbaa… Pa
Thamadhama… Ma
Mayil ennai Ka… Ga

Ni.. tha.. Pa.. Ma.. Ga….
The words end in the avorahanam of Kalyani ( descending order of the musical notes)

Similarly, there is one stanza which will have the first letters in the arohanam ( ascending order).. I do not recollect the exact lines..

Sa…
Ri.. ri ga ma pa da ni sa..
Ka.. karunaiyin Thalaiva
Ma.. Madhi migu Mudhalva..

Do we have any such poet today ?

b) Kannadasan’s command over Language

Also, can any one forget the ‘Then’ song in Veera Abhimanu.. This duet is again a KVM song in Raga Sahana by PBS and PS.

Paarthen Rasithen pakkam vara thudithen
Unai then ena naan ninethen – andha
Malai then idhu ena malaithen

What about the ‘voor’ song in the file Oorkkaval.. PBS is the singer

Endha voor endravanae
Irundha voorai chollava
Andha voor neeyum kooda
Arindha voor allava

The great ‘ Kai’ Song ‘ Athhikkai Kaai kaai’ in Balae Paandiya.—About this song, I will dwell in detail subsequently.

c) Kannadasan’s knowledge of Litreature:

(i) There is one tamil poem in ‘Pura Nanooru’, the old tamil literature.

To know the meaning of this poem, you also need to know about the philanthrophist tamil King Paari. He was so noble and kind hearted that on one occasion, when he found a jasmine creeper without a support, he let his chariot as the support for the creeper so that it could grow. His fame and wealth was an eyesore to cheera , choola and Paandya kings and they waged a war against him and killed him. They also want to marry his daughters who were too young and the marriage proposal was stopped by Tamil Sage Avvaiyar.

The poem is written to a situation where, the daughters of Paari, on a full moon day, recalls that their father was with them on the last full moon day and he is now more now and they were grieving for his death.

The poem in chaste tamil starts as

Attrai thingal Auv Vennilavil…

Kannadasan has taken this incidence to write his song

‘Androru Naal Idhe Nilavil
Avar irundar en arugil’ in the film ‘Nadodi ‘ ( wagabond)

(ii) In Kamba Ramayanam, the poem which describes Kaiykeye seeking two boons from Dasaratha starts as

‘Aazhi sooz ulagelam Bharathanae Aaala’ and ends as ‘ Theeyavai yaavinum Sirandha Teeyal’
whereby kambar describes Kaiykeye as the worst of the worst for her act .

I think Kannadesan must have been inspired by these lines and in the movie ‘ Karnan’, there is a song by SG, Tirchy Lokanathan, PBS, TMS which is penned to the situation of Karnan performing pooja to his father Suryan ( the Sun God). There the stanza

Mannavar porulgalai Kai kondu…. Ends with ‘ VARUMAIKKU VARUMAIYAI VAITHTHOR MAAMANNAN VAZHGAVE…VAZGHA VAZGHA.

Here, he used two negatives ‘ Varumaikku Varumai’ to elate Karnan’s noble charity that there was no poverty because of his abundant charity.

Also, I feel vairamuthu must have been inspired by Kannadasan’s lines that he had sai ‘ maanatthin Maanathai vaangi vittan’ in the song ‘Poo Malai Vaangi Vanthan’ in Sindhu Bhairavi.

(iii) In one of the Sirappu Then Kinnam ( remember the yester years in Radio… Chennai Vaanoli Nilayam !!), Kannadasan himself had said that he wrote the song

Thookkamum Kankalai Thazuvattume
Amaithiyum Nenjinil Nilavattume

Since he was inspired by the lines of shakesphere in ‘Macbeth’

(iii) The famous song in ‘Vaazhkai Padagu’

‘ Neetru varai nee yaroo naan yaroo
Indru mudhal nee vaero naan vaero’

Is based on the ‘Pura Naanooru’ padal

‘ Yanum neeyum yaaraa giyaro
yendaiym numadiyum evan kollo
Sembulap peyar neer pola
Anbudai Nenjangal Tham Kalandaduvae’

(iv).. One Sanga kaala illakkiya padal was the inspiration for Kavingyar to write the famous song in “Balae Paandiya’ – ‘ Atthikkai Kai Kai’

One newly wed bride is separated from her husband since he need to be in the battle field shortly after the wedding. On the full moon day, the lady, is thinking about her husband and feeling lonely without him on a romantic night. She requests moon ‘ I am always remembering him but not sure about how he feels.. Already I am sore without him… you also do not add to my suffering with your full radiance.. instead of glowing here, you shower your moon light on the direction where my husband is so that he also gets romantic mood and gets back to me’

This is what the song

‘Athikkaai kaai kaai
Aalangai Vennilavae’

Athikkai is fig. Also it means glow in that direction ( thikku in tamil means direction / side).

What a great song.. full of name of various vegetables. At the same time, has got a different meaning in chaste tamil.



d) Ability to convey his message through his songs.

(i) Kavingyar came out of Congress but had great admiration for Kamaraj. He wanted to convey his respect and desire for an ever lasting association with Kamaraj. Hence

‘Andha sivagami maganidam sedhi solladi – yennai
serum naal parka solladi’

came in the movie ‘Pattanathil Bhoodam’. In the movie , the song was set as it to praise Lord Muruga..

Kamaraj’s Mother’s name is Sivagami !!

(ii) Similarly

Nalandana … Nalandana…
Udalum Ullamum Nalandana..

Nalam Pera vendum nee Yendru
Naalum Yen Nenjil Ninaivundu
Ilai marai kaai pol porul kondu
Yevarum ariyaamal sol indru….

Was written in ‘Thillana Moganaambal’ for as the meeting song between Sivaji and Padmini after sivaji’s injury.

But, this song is actually written with C.N. Annadurai in mind when he was ailing in the hospital and kavingyar was away from him .

One more great song by KVM in the raag Sivaranjani.


WILL WE EVER GET BACK A KAVINGYAR LIKE KANNADASAN ??

---

Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 203.106.163.81) on: Fri Feb 14 05:13:22 EST 2003
  
  Thanks a lot Sankar and Mani. Looks like this thread has become alive with the great Kaviarasar's spirit in this technoligal era! That reminds of the line "varum naalai manithan ezhu ulagai aazha pogiraan" from the great social song "Ondru Engal Jaathiye Ondru Engal Neethiye" (Panakkara Kudumbam -1964). With internet, sms and the likes we are virtually in contact with each other from all corners of the globe. Was'nt it apt for Kannadhasan to forsee the present nearly 40 years ago in this song?
  
  I agree that facts are sometimes subjective because the authors themselves contradict their own statements from time to time. Maybe memory lapse due to age catching up with them. Whatever it is we can infer the essence and draw our own conclusions subject to corrections later.
  
  In one of the messages in this thread a reference to "avanaku enna thoongi vittan" was made. This again reminds me of an episode when MSV purportedly bad mouthed Kannadhasan which news reached the latter. He was visibly upset to understand his 'other half' in the musical profession had made the disparaging comments.This happened when he was working on the film "Nenjil Oor Aalayam" by Sridhar. Typical of him he exploited his mood to vent his feelings through the song "Sonnathu Nee thaana Sol Sol Sol Ennuyire". MSV understood while composing and they made up after that. Usually Kannadhasan's temper is short-lived. He forgives and forgets. This is what I learnt from the various sources which includes media interviews, publications as well as those who were opportuned to socialise with him. The surprising fact is that none of these sources had never hinted or draw negative comments on Kannadhasan. Perhaps is it due to the fact that he has written his own biography with all those sordid negativities about himself so much so he did not leave room for anyone to comment? He himself had time and again reminded the general public that if one were to learn how to live life then he or she should not read his open book. A well known personality once said that next to Mahatma Gandhi it was Kannadhasan who spoke the truth.
  
  I also agree that Kannadhasan seldom keeps track of his work. There is also an amusing anologue to this situation. One sleazy afternoon when Kaviarasar was taking his nap a child was seen seen making noise thus disturbing his siesta. He called out for his wife and asked her to take the child back to its house. His wife replied that the child was theirs and not the neighbour's! He did'nt even keep track of his own of off-springs! Once he completes a project he seldom performs post-mortem on them. It is best left to critics he used to say. He was always thirsty for something new every instant which is why you can see a myriad of songs on the same topic. He was also humble enough to stand corrected in his works. When someone points out to him he makes the necessary corrections if it is apt. Such was his greatness.
  
  Sometimes back I happened to listen to Vairamuthu's live interview over Radio Singapore where he bragged about himself on the song "Vennilave Vennilave" (Minsara Kanavugal). It seems when this film was remade in Hindi the songwriter (north Indian) was amazed over the lyrics and purportedly said that only a world level poet could come up with such lines. As it is a well known fact that poetry should be read in its original language to enjoy its essence. Once translated it loses its punch. How are we to know whether this Hindi poet knows Tamil? The same also goes for a recent incident wherein Vairamuthu said that Prime Minister Vajpayee, a poet himself, enjoyed every bit of Vairamuthu's works. Only God knows whether this is true or otherwise. But then again the recent award of the title "Padmashree" to Vairamuthu is also a question mark. It is a wonder why Kaviarasar was not honoured, albeit posthumously, for all the literary work he had bestowed to the Tamil audience.
  
  Sometimes back I read in Kumudham of an interesting story about a live session calling the spirits of dead personalities by medium Ravichandran. At one seance Kaviarasar was summoned and this question was posed to him - "what do you think of Vairamuthu affixing the title "kaviarasu" after his name?". Kannadhasan's spirit, as usual was witty even after death (so reported Kumudham) to give this reply - "each author is a king of his own work and therefore there is no harm in Vairamuthu doing so". How humble and witty a reply? The whole session was a serious one for readers information.
  
  At an interview over Television Malaysia when a local media personality, Mydi Sultan who is also a literary figure, asked Vairamuthu as to why he has not been given the golden chair for Tamil seat which is still being held by Kannadhasan. Vairamuthu acknowledged the fact that nobody has ever attained the stature of Kannadhasan to be considered for the same and in the same breath appealed to Mydi Sultan and the whole Tamil literary world to recommend the seat for himself (Vairamuthu) since it is still vacant! Mind you this was aired and witnessed by all and sundry.
  
  Kannadhasan held steadfast to his belief according to the Bhagvad Geeth i.e. 'do your duty and do not expect anything in return'.
  
  See you again (Mani, aren't you happy re - Vairamuthu?)
  
  
• From: Sankar (@ 203.124.138.34) on: Fri Feb 14 10:37:21 EST 2003
  
  Hello Mr. mahendraraj... thanks for the good inputs.. regarding, SONNADHU NEE THAANA . SOL.. SOL in NENJIL OOR AALAYAM, what I heard in a television interview my MSV is like this.. when MSV had given the tune, Kavingyar gave so many Pallavis ( Starting stanza of Lyrics / songs..), MSV was not impressed about the lyrics and rejected one after other. KD got irritated and upset, he asked MSV in the same tune, SONNADHU NEE DHAANA SOL.. SOL and the song was born !
  
  Similarly, there was a serial in VIJAY TV called NENJAM MARAPPADHILLAI.. the host was Kavingyars' daughter VISALI MANOHARAN.. she gave some good information which I will share..
  
  In Maalayitta Mangai, the own production of Kavingyar & his brother A L Srinivasan, the song SENDHAMIZ THEEN MOZHIYAL was recorded with T R Mahalingam as the play back singer without the THOGAIYARA ( song in an elongated form without rhythm but more of humming).. the entire recording team and who ever listened, conveyed it to kavingyar that this song lacks the usual kick of TR Mahilingam who is known for his high pitch reach and alapanai. KD , in a pensive mood, was holding one end of dhoti in hand and one had folded to his back, was walking in the lawn bare footed.. then, NERUNJI MULLU ( a type of very small thorn) pierced his foot. this gave him a flash and then came the lines
  
  CHILLENDRU POOTHA SIRU nerunji KAATINILAE
  NILLENDRU KOORI NIRUTTHI VAZHI PONNAALAE......
  
  how do you like this !!
  
  
• From: R. Mahendra Raj (@ 210.186.2.197) on: Mon Feb 17 04:58:53 EST 2003
  
  Thanks Shankar for the comments. As mentioned earlier in this page I stand corrected. As long as the essence is there it should suffice for an interesting forum.
  
  I must be candid with you where information from Kannadhasan's immediate relatives are concerned like Visali and Gandhi. I have found that either the facts have been exaggerated or slanted. Although they claim to have a first hand knowledge it is impossible for Kaviarasar to have intimated to them because of the age difference. When Kaviarasar died Visali was around the age of 5 years. So she must have gathered the pieces here and there to pass off as authoratitive. As for Gandhi he is just managing the materials like any other book shop owner. Thats about it. Whatever tidbits he has is revolved around the family circle and nothing more on the film industry. No malice meant and please for once do not misunderstand me as I hold no personal grudges against them. I had the opportunity to interview Gandhi in Chennai, Kaviarasar's first wife in Singapore and Venkat the last of the off-springs by the latter. Venkat told me point blankly that he knows next to nothing about his father and has to rely on outside sources. I really admire this quiet unassuming guy who is around 34 years now and a PR in Singapore. As for his mother, the first wife of Kaviarasar. Ha, what a sweet innocent housewife! I asked her as to whether Kaviarasar has written any song having her in mind to which she straight away replied in the affirmative. That song? "Thaalayam Poo Mudithu" (Bhaga Pirivinai 1960) as the line "Ponnama" was in reference to her name. (The interview with her was broadcast over Radio Malaysia in 1996 when the programme "Kannadhasan Neram" was in the air for nearly 8 months continously. Thanks to the multiple sponsors).Incidentally this was the song which began the start of mass recognition of Kaviarasar in public theatres. Each time the song scene appeared the patrons clapped and gave a standing ovation. No other poet received such applause prior to this.
  
  The other person whom we met was Rama Kannappan. He can, to a certain degree, be regarded as an authority having grown up with Kaviarasar and being his assistant jotted down all the poems and articles which the latter dictated. But when we met him he was not in good health and his interview was barely audible. Nevertheless we recorded and aired it over Radio Malaysia.
  
  To actually write all those excerpts from these sources as well as what I have read about him from the various magazines and publications from time immemorial will mean running into volumes. However, I will try and refresh my memory and accomodate wherever possible.
  
  By the bye, this thread does not seem to be in continuity. Some or appearing elsewhere in this forum. Could anyone help to organise it into one single thread so that readers will be saved the trouble from clicking here and there?
  
  Bye for now!
  
  

---

List all pages of this thread

Post comments