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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:

• From: MS (@ 129.252.25.241) on: Fri Jun 14 02:02:41 EDT 2002
  
  SL - where are you ??
  
  
• From: Kupps (@ 156.153.255.126) on: Fri Jun 14 02:28:48 EDT 2002
  
  aaahaa..very good attempt Manisekaran sir. on behalf of my father who is a fan of KVM I thank u.
  
  eagerly expecting contributions from senior citizens(not necessarily in terms age) of this forum.
  
  
• From: OISG (@ 193.188.97.152) on: Fri Jun 14 02:33:04 EDT 2002
  
  Idhya kamalam is my favourite.
  
  IMHO KVM should have done better on the interludes which many a time spoilt his great tunes.Mayakamenna from Vasantha Maligai,Poonthenil from Enippadigal for eg.
  
  ennadhan ragasiyamo
  Oruthi oruvanai
  Malargal nanaithana
  Mannavan vandhanadi
  
  PS at her best.the above songs are as good s any PS songs for VR.
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 14 02:41:04 EDT 2002
  
  PART ONE
  
  The Tamil film industry has produced many genius artistes, including in the filed of music. The late KVM is certainly one of those great souls whose contributions generations yet to be born would appreciate, should they have some inclination, involvement or at least some taste for Karnatic based music. The Tamil Film music world has lost several maestros of rare talents, and some of these losses are irreparable. The passing of KVM last year is certainly a loss that no pen could adequately describe.
  
  Those who had created some form of permanent impact in the hearts of the Tamil Film fans have been affectionately branded by some names or given some titles. While many of those were self given titles, some were in true recognition of their contribution or telents exhibited by them. We have had four renowned "Thilagams"-Makkal Thilagam MGR, Nadikayar Thilagam Savithri, Nadikar Thilakam Sivaji Ganesan and Thamizh Thirai Isai Thilakam KV Mahadevan. These are titles fully endorsed by the fans. All these thilagams have left us, and it is very much doubted if the vacuum created by their ascension would ever be filled. My personal feeling is many more endeavour to rise to the occassion. THey may rival these deceased heroes, but they would never replace them.
  
  
  Tamil Film Music Directors have been given several titles, such as Mellisai Mannar, Mellisai Mannarkal, Isai Methai, Isai Gnani, Isai Puyal, Innisai Venthar, Innisai Thialagam, etc etc etc... many of the titles, which I do not wish to mention here have been "fly by night" titles. But a sincere soul searching effort would establish beyond a shadow of doubt that the title "Thamizh Thirai Isai Thilagam" is not only most appropriate, but very much befitting to KVM. He worked hard to earn the deserving title laboured to live to the expectations of the fans. It is most unfortunate that one more mediocre composer of today is also carrying the title of "Isai Thilagam" but it is for the fans to differentiate between gold and bronze.
  
  KVM's journey in cine music goes back to the year 1942, when the World War II had already surfaced its ugly head. (Most of the readers here, including me were not yet born)He had composed actively for 40 over years and left for posterity music that would be cherished for generations after generations. Many of the Singers, MDs, Producers, Directors and even and Actors used to affectionately call KVM "MAAMAA" The great peot Kannadasan described KVM as the "MAAMAANGATHU MAA MANNAR" There is a song in Thiruvilayaadal- Isaithamizh Nee Seitha Arum Saathanai- Nee Irukkayile Enakku Perum Sothanai" by TR Mahalingam. Kannadasan has on many private conversations with KVM changed the lines and praised KVM as "Isaithamizhukku Nee Seithatu Arum Saathanai- Nee Irukkayile Enakku YEthu Sothanai?" (Details would follow later in the series.
  
  In a society that is greedy for publicity, KVM avoided blowing his own trumpet following successful hits. He was never, throughout his career and life a seeker of publicity. He limited press interviews.When invited to speak during film celebrations, he spoke nothing more than a few lines. All the praise, appreciation and glorification of KVM were given by the fans and critics. Again that brings to my mind an immortal song of Kannadasan which goes "Vilambarathaaley Uyarnthavan Vaazhkai Nirantharamaagaathu" This applies to KVM too.
  
  There is also a saying in Tamil-"Muthal KOnal, Mutrilum KOnal" Therefore the first efffort or the first impression of KVM to a large extent was decisive in so far as the film music is concerned.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 14 02:51:25 EDT 2002
  
  MS.
  
  I am from Malaysia.
  
  Kupps,
  Thanks for the support.
  
  OISG
  
  The songs you ahve mentioned would be discussed in this series that is expected to run for many days. Mayakkamenna, Oruthi Oruvanai, Malarkal Nanainthana and Mannavan Vanthaanadi have their own unique stories to be related-not now, but at the appropriate section in this article.
  
  Hope the querries are, for the moment based on my postings.
  
  
• From: raj (@ 198.151.230.253) on: Fri Jun 14 03:14:51 EDT 2002
  
  KVM-These 3 Letters will have an Important Place in TFM history..
  The Man Who Created Magic With his Classical tunes..
  He was the “Aasthana Music Dir “ for AP.Nagarajan,Devar Movies & so on..
  No one will foget the Devotional Tunes Composed by KVM
  Familiarly known as “MAMA” in the TFM industry He Brought the Hidden Talent Of many Singers
  Particlularly Psusheela..
  
  Who Can Foget “Mannavan Vandhanadi Thozhi”, “Maraindhirundhu Paarkum”
  “Poo Urangudhu,Pozhudhum Urangudhu” etc..
  
  KVM is a Genius & Also Credit goes to his assistant Mr.Pughazendi who was with KVM till his end
  Which is a Great Thing when nowadays After 2 or 3 films asst become MD’s ..
  
  Pugazhendi Used to Train the Singers & tell them how to Sing..
  Spb has high regards to KVM who gave him many songs..
  
  & Similarly K.Vishwanath (a Veteran Director in Telegu)’s “Aasthana” MD was KVM
  Sankarabaranam, Sirivennila etc had Ultimate Music by KVM
  
  His Death is a Great Loss to The Entire Music Industry..
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 14 04:06:52 EDT 2002
  
  PART 2
  
  In 1942 KVM was invited to compose for the film "Manonmani" starred by P.U. Chinnappa Bagavathar. That was not only a great honour but also a challenge for KVM. It is quite unusual for beginners to be given the Herculean task of composing for very great singers. KVM was requested to compose for PU Chinnappa Bagavathar who was an uncrowned king among his contemporaries. One may also call to mind MKT who was also causing pleasant ripples in the souls of many fans, but critics of music are of the strong opinion that PUC was an abler singer than MKT. MKT was a more charismatic singer with mass support. So KVM made his debut by composing for a greater and abler singer of his time. (Of course KVM did compose for Sivakami-MKT's last film in 1960) Now to compose for such a great and majestic personality like PUC requires tremendous capacity, ability and confidence, which KVM never lacked. At this time there were great MDs like SV Vengatraman, G. Ramanathan, and C. Paandurangan,and yet the chance went for an untested MD-KVM. That only shows that KVM had proven his ability to rise against all competitors and odds in the cine field.
  
  The old song fans, now in their fifites would still remember the song "Moganaanga Vathani" sung by PU Chinnapa in Manoinmani of 1942. That song became an instant and sensational hit, and drew the attention of many fans and producers towards KVM. The beginning itself had been decisive, became a milestone in KVM's journey in the cine music field.
  
  Every MD has his own style of rendering music.KVM, right from the beginning had cut a name and fame for his own style of music. He was very particular in composing music. He believed that music is devotional, and ensured justice by adhering as far as possible, within limitations set by producers, to the basics of karnatic music. He excelled both in Karnatic and semi classic music so much so that for the 40 odd years he was active, there was a saying that "If you want good quality karnatic and semi classical music you must seek KVM" This was the trade mark that he had until the end of his career. Perhaps that was the reason that many knowledgeable fans and critics of music used to comment that one could feel the "Dheiveegam" in KVM's music. It is for that reason that most of the Purana and Ithikasa films went to KVM. In an effort to add quality and richness to music, KVM also made full use of the more popular South Indian musical instruments such as narambu karuvi-Veeenai; Oothum Karuvi- Nadhaswaran and Thol Karuvi- Miruthangam in his carnatic compositions.
  
  His effort paid off handsomely. It was in 1967 that a South Indian MD received a national award for being the best MD in India, and that was KVM for "Kanthan Karunai" which had excellent semi classical songs. After a period of 14 years KVM once again received a national award in 1981-this time for immortalising carnatic songs in Sangarabharanam. The only South Indian MD who received national award twice- at least unil his active involvement was KVM- a fame that could not be overshadowed easily.
  
  
  There was also another style that he had cut for himself- and that was popularising the folk songs. Before the coming of the genius Ilayaraja, it was KVM who was excelling in composing some of the best folk tunes. Other MDs also composed folk tunes, but KVM was exceptionally good where all his folk songs were instant hits that remained echoing in the ears of the fans for decades. Therefore two things were set straight. KVM was more or less a great composer of semi classical songs and folk tunes. The moment story lines were created and sufficient green light was obtained for making of village-based and purana films KVM was a natural choice.
  
  Continues........
  
  
  
  
  He had also made use of western and North Indian musical instruments.
  
  
  
  Let us be clear and honest that he had not adopted modern and western music as much as MSV had done. There are two reasons for this-firstly he was seldom approached for such western and modern music, and secondly MS was already excelling at it. But the fact is, only MDs who are all rounded could succeed in the cine field. KVM had good knoweledge of modern music, but the only unfortunate thing was that he seldom had to compose.There would be a discussion on the modern hits of KVM later in the series.
  
  
  
  
• From: Manisekaran (@ 161.142.2.11) on: Fri Jun 14 04:08:16 EDT 2002
  
  Contiunues....
  
  

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