Topic started by easwaran Hariharan (@ amex.proxy.lucent.com) on Fri Aug 15 11:43:59 EDT 1997.
All times in EDT +9:30 for IST.
Responses:
- Old responses
- From: bb (@ schubert.crhc.uiuc.edu)
on: Sat Mar 20 00:56:15 EST 1999
ananthan, nallaa ennineengalaa? something tells me that 25% of 27 is 6.75. ippadi mukkaal aaLunga irukkAngaLA?
:-))
- From: reminiscee (@ lab7.theatrium.net)
on: Sat Mar 20 01:26:01 EST 1999
kaNNungaLa...summa voottukkE pOyaandha nenappu vandhudchi naina...appO pudchi namma kaNla orE pola polannu thaNNi kaNNu...inna cheiyrdhu sollu?
- From: bb (@ schubert.crhc.uiuc.edu)
on: Sat Mar 20 19:13:45 EST 1999
karthi: stop cutting onions from now on:-)))
- From: karthi (@ lab3.theatrium.net)
on: Sun Mar 21 00:19:10 EST 1999
eppavumE veLiya saaptukkalaamna namma oor Indian RestaurantsOda azhagudhaan unakku theriyumE bb! So I have no other go unless someone like you can help me out by cutting onions for me!
- From: ananthan (@ 24.64.182.9.on.wave.home.com)
on: Sun Mar 21 01:16:48 EST 1999
bb sir,
The percentages were rounded to the nearest integer.
AnA neenga kEddathu pOla arai mukkAl Alunga irukkavE irukkAnga!
- From: Geetha (@ 202.54.80.137)
on: Sun Mar 21 04:50:41 EST 1999
Hello,
My vote always goes to Chitra.. That thullum wave of her voice, the modesty of the person and a general ability to be part of the gang than being alone ( like lot of other female singers are..)..
Chitra, neengal vazhga!!
- From: karthi (@ lab2.theatrium.net)
on: Sun Mar 21 16:00:15 EST 1999
Geetha, oru doubt, ChitravE ippO illama oru 30-40 years munnaala field-kku vandhirundhaanganna neenga sonna 'general ability to be part of the gang than being alone' veLiya therinjirukkumaa?
- From: chandy (@ 209.125.83.228)
on: Mon Mar 22 17:07:23 EST 1999
We need to evaluate singers on the basis of their talent and not on the basis of how well they jell with the crowd or any other personal traits.
Geetha, chitra fares well even without her jelling ability!
- From: Srinath (@ ss05.nc.us.ibm.com)
on: Thu Mar 25 16:09:12 EST 1999
The results are OUT !
25 candidates were nominated by our esteemed panel of judges as eligible to participate in this election. Since each voter was allowed to vote for more than one participant, but in different positions (not the voter's position, but the singers' position in the list ;-)), a special scoring system was adopted which allotted 10 points for a 1st ranking, 5 points for a second ranking, 3 points for a third ranking and 1 point for positions 4 and below ! And the results are -
The columns are Ranking - Candidate - No. of points.
1. Chitra - 65 pts
2. S.Janaki - 61 pts
3. P.Suseela - 52 pts
4. Vani Jayaram - 22 pts
5. Kollangudi Karuppayi* - 11 pts
6. 3 candidates - 10 pts each
- K.B.Sundarambal
- Jamuna Rani
- A.P.Komala
7. L.R.Easwari - 6 pts
8. Bangalore Ramani Ammal - 5 pts
9. 2 candidates - 3 pts each
- Usha Uthup
- N.C.Vasanthakokilam
10. 5 candidates - 2 pts each
- Anupama
- Malgudi Subha
- M.S.Rajeswari
- Sujatha
- Manorama
11. 8 candidates - 1 pt each
- Bhanumathi
- Jikki
- ...**
- Soolamangalam Sisters
- Harini
- Sindhu
- Swarnalatha
- T.A.Mathuram
* - the votes of the following persons were invalidated as it has been discovered that they are not registered voters.
muniaandi, mookandi, biscothu-goyindan, elumalai, Arumuvam, raakayi, kAthAyE, kAnamma, chinnama, muneema, kaneema, sinAthayee
E.C's Note: If these had been valid votes, Kollangudi Karuppayi would have won with a whopping 131 pts.
** - the candidate "..." was found to be the artist formerly known as "so on and so forth" and hence the nomination was accepted.
Congrats to the winners and the "not-winners" as well :-)
- From: bb (@ schubert.crhc.uiuc.edu)
on: Thu Mar 25 16:28:42 EST 1999
vettiness to the extreme!
- From: lottu (@ globalb25.citicorp.com)
on: Thu Mar 25 17:00:39 EST 1999
Srinath: Now we know why you are turning down all the music shows.....:))
- From: Srinath (@ 98a89504.ipt.aol.com)
on: Thu Mar 25 19:10:46 EST 1999
bb:
Idha ezhudhina naan vettina, idha padikkaravanga ? :-)) Idhula vote potavanga ???
Atleast Velayeththavan will be impressed ;-)
- From: karthi (@ lab3.theatrium.net)
on: Thu Mar 25 19:46:16 EST 1999
Ellam Nilamai Vera Onnumilla, PS-kku 3rd position! PEsama indha topic-larundhu PS-a edithuttE irukkalaam!
- From: Srinath (@ 98acc92e.ipt.aol.com)
on: Thu Mar 25 19:53:23 EST 1999
Romba sorry Karthi :-( Makkal theerpu Magesan theerpu !
- From: karthi (@ lab3.theatrium.net)
on: Sun Mar 28 21:28:20 EST 1999
PPPppppppppppppppppppp................
- From: archive edhiri (@ icon2066.iconnet.com)
on: Thu Apr 1 14:42:55 EST 1999
stay here ( not to go).
Had a hearty laugh re-reading muniyandi & family's posts - continue the good work..
- From: RaGa (@ 202.185.131.2)
on: Mon Apr 5 04:19:25 EDT 1999
Can we have a re-elction please?
- From: aruvi (@ spc-isp-tor-uas-82-57.sprint.ca)
on: Mon Apr 5 15:14:38 EDT 1999
Isn't that upto Vajpayee. Where are you, o great one?:-))
- From: karthi (@ lab3.theatrium.net)
on: Tue Apr 6 19:59:46 EDT 1999
Who's this Vajpayee? (Oh...!)
- From: Velaiyaththavan (@ 129.252.22.112)
on: Tue Apr 6 22:21:04 EDT 1999
Vajpayee know , poet know ? Singer or what ? :-))
- From: RaGa (@ 202.185.130.35)
on: Wed Apr 7 03:14:44 EDT 1999
hey hey ...I did not mean that election. Imeant this rakkayee kuppaaayee electon open to TFM DF members. Any suggestions
- From: cycle chain sangili (@ 209.125.83.228)
on: Wed Apr 7 10:47:58 EDT 1999
Yov, InnAya ninachukinu keerenga neenga? votu poda pona enga sanam allarayum lissshhtulu peru illainu solli throthittango! Electionla fraud panni enga kollangudi Athavai kelika vudaama pannitaango. Enga cheri, kuppathula la enga Kollangudi Aatha dhaan BESSSSHHHHTTTT paadagi.
Inimetu vera election, vote-nu vandeenganna, keesiduven keessi..
(Deeiii govalu, aruvAlai seevi vai da...)
- From: RaGa (@ 202.185.129.27)
on: Thu Apr 8 00:24:48 EDT 1999
I think my quote fo the re-election is not of that interest. Adhai vayilae sonna pathadha. Aruva seevidhan sollanuma. Me jooot.
- From: pOkkathavan (@ lab5.theatrium.net)
on: Thu Apr 8 01:05:11 EDT 1999
Evanaavachi inna nadakkdhu paakkalannuttu ullaara varraannu vaiyee, ing nadakkardha paathuttu dhibu dhibunnu OdiyE pooduvaan, aama!
- From: Thomas (@ access-isdn1-13.oz.psu.edu)
on: Wed May 12 14:18:26 EDT 1999
Article that appeared in the Malayala Manorama on July 9, 1995:
Chithra is still a little crazy girl who does not realize the height she is standing on. She only knows how to sing. Doesn't know how to act at all. As the smiling girl next door Chithra always struck a chird with Malayalees. With all honesty Chithra says--"Other than a little music, I don't know of anything else in this world."
There is an example to that, says Chithra. Years ago when the soldiers entered the Golden Temple in Punjab. A prominent English newspaper selected five important women from Kerala, and one of them was Chithra. The paper asked questions to all five women. The question that Chithra was faced to answer was, what she thought about the problems in Punjab. With all innocence Chithra asked back, "What are the problems in Punjab?"
Chithra has sung over 7,000 songs in seven differnt languages. However, at concerts Chithra will never begin the show with one of her own songs. There are many who wish that if they have another life that they would like to be Chithra. But if Chithra had another life she wishes to be S.Janaki. Chithra has always begun her concerts with one of Janaki's songs. Always.
As if in a dream, that Janaki came to see Chithra one day. In Madras for a Gangai Amaran program. Chithra was there to sing. Chithra was petrified when she saw Janaki sitting in the front row. After her performance when Janaki came backstage to see her, Chithra was shocked! Jankai came, and held her hand. And in her ear whispered in a sweeter than music voice, "You should have born in my womb." The tears came to Chithra's eyes then still exists.
Recently, Janaki came to Chithra's Madras home. She presented Chithra with a cassette that Janaki herself tuned and sang in. Chithra's mind once again raced. Another trasure in her collection.
With adoration in her heart a little girl arrived at Trivandrum Central Stadium to attend an Yesudas concert. She was a speck in the crowd, but that gril named K.S.Chithra at the age of 16 sang with Yesudas for a film--'Njan Ekanannu' was the film and the song was 'Pranayavasantham.'
Chithra received her first Kerala State Award for best female playback singer in 1986. No one else has received this honor since. Since then, awards have been flowing in like music. Within this time she also received the three National Awards, two TamilNadu State Awards, four awards in Telugu, and one for her efforts in singing Oriya. Besides these languages, Chithra has also sang in Hindi, Kannada, and Bengali and has proved that music really doesn't have a language.
However, Chithra still says that she hasn't lost the eagerness and excitement that goes with getting awards. At 32, who knows how many honors Chithra has in store for her.
The unfamiliar face on MTV, the voice on the tape called Ragga Ragga--Yes, Chithra has arrived on the pop music scene too. Chithra explains that it was a unique experience. "I did the recording because MagnaSound asked me to. They told me it was some good rap group. The face of the guy that sang with me was all covered up. I didn't know who that was. No one knew. He danced. I just stood there. There was about 10 inches of make-up on me. And a head band too. I couldn't stand looking at myself in the mirror after the make-up."
Chithra's sister-in-law Janaki, who was listening to the story added, "The next time we saw TV we were surpised to find that she was named the best pop singer."
This time Chithra's smile included some embarrasment.
Chithra who sang a lot of hit songs for MagnaSound, has started her own cassette company--Audio Tracks. Now for a voice of Chithra's that you won't hear on tape:
Q: Chithra, you sing for movies and get rewarded for it. Beyond that how much is music a part of your life?
A: I didn't learn music to become a playback singer. I didn't have an interest in anything else. I was an average student. Now when I wake up, the first thing I do is turn the music on. Ghazals, devotional songs. Janaki's, Lataji's and Mira Bhajan's.
Q: What kind of sacrifices and controls do you have in your life because of the singing?
A: Oil, puli, cold water are all avoided. When I got to programs people bring vadais and things. I love them but I don't eat them. It is said that you have to sleep 8 hours. But that doesn't happen everyday. A lot of talking is also bad for the voice. But there is no way I can stop talking. I just constantly talk. I've been a big mouth then and now. Look at my dimples. That is a sign of talkativeness they say.
Q: Prayers? Pooja?
A: It doesn't happen everyday. If I get a chance I light the lamp and sing keerthanams. At our Madras home, there is an embroidery store next to us. There they play songs 24 hours a day. So even if we don't have music playing in our house, we don't have any scarcity for music.
Q: What is your favorite raaga?
A: Panthuvaraali, Kalyani. Both have a special attraction. Any song sung in these raagas will be successfull.
Q: Does your husband like music?
A: A lot!
Q: Do you sing your husband to sleep?
A: No, that stuff only happens in the movies.
Q: It can happen in real life too right?
A: Well......he tells me to sing what I like. If I'm free, I will sing.
Q: Does he like Panthuvaraali and Kalyaani too?
A: He doesn't like Panthuvaraali that much. But he loves all songs in Kalyaani and Mohanam.
Q: In a marriage that has lasted 8 years, are there any problems?
A: There are no problems between us. But just don't go make any. (Vijayasanker is an engineer at the Transmatic company in Madras.)
Q: Your favorite MD's?
A: Don't ask questions that will get me in trouble with my job. Even if you ask me who I'm obligated to, I'll feel uncomfortable. Omanakutty teacher, M.G.Raadhakrishnan.....I can't forget anybody.
Q: Then let's talk about your rates. How much do you get for one song?
A: Poor Chiranjeevi had people raiding his house after he talked about his rates.
Q: You always seem to be smiling, especially at concerts and other public places. Do you smile even when you get angry?
A: I don't get angry very much. Only if someone irritates me, that is if they talk in a certain way. They can have a little dance in the back. But if they start whistling, it ruins my mood to sing. I'm still not that sophisticated. Dasettan (Yesudas) tells me that's because I was never beaten as a child.
Q: Is the fact that the singer is gaining weight good for the songs?
A: People say that if you gain too much weight you can't hold your breath. But I haven't experienced that. I haven't eaten any sweets for 2 months. Then I stopped snacking. It was a crash diet. I lost weight. But still when I wear saris I look like I gained weight.
Q: Do you eat the hot and spicy foods from the hotels?
A: I don't eat anything from outside. I don't usually have the time to eat on time. Sometimes I eat lunch around 4PM. Sometimes I eat in the car.
Q: Do you only know how to sing? What about in the kitchen...?
A: It won't work if you just walk into the kitchen unprepared. I do some experiments with recipe books. If there is no one home, I know enough to survive without starving. But the heat of the kitchen isn't good for singing either.
Q: What gives you the most pleasure? Concerts or recordings?
A: Think of it as cinemas vs. plays. When at a concert you can sing as you watch your fans. I'll be glad if it's a good venue. But recording a good song also gives satisfaction. But concerts in the summertime is a bit hectic.
Q: Why is that so?
A: My voice goes if the back of my head gets sweaty. Once it was terribly hot at a concert in Cochin....as I was singing 'Maunasarovaram' my voice was lost after the humming part. What can we do if the voice doesn't come up?
Q: Chithra's weaknesses?
A: My tongue is a weakness, says my husband. The only time I don't talk is during my sleep. Then I have the weaknesses of normal women. That is with saris and jewelery.
Q: Do you read the papers?
A: I read the accident reports.
Q: Is that all?
A: I'm the simplest of simple women.
Q: You don't read anything else?
A: I flip through some magazines. I read everything written about me. Some publications write that I sang people to death. I get those immediately in the post. But I don't get anything good written about me in the mail.
Q: So are you scared to talk to reporters now?
A: To tell you the truth, yes I'm scared. A while ago a reporter asked me a simple question. How many songs have I sung, he asked. I said 5,000. In the magazine the title read '5,000 Songs To My Credit.' And a photo of me showing some attitude. Isn't that enough?
Q: Do fans become annoying?
A: TamilNadu has the best fans, with love. There are kids walking around with my name etched on themselves. Perhaps, my greatest fan is Valarmathy, a student in London. She even has my name on her chain. She calls me occasionally; sends me gifts. She always makes the first call on my birthday.
Q: Any problems with fans?
A: Yes, yes. I get proposals. Some tell me they have a house with car parking facilities. I wonder if they know I'm married or not. Anyway, my husband is the one that reads these letters now.
Q: Yesudas once said that he didn't want awards. Since you've gotten a lot of awards, would you say that too?
A: My craze towards awards haven't left me yet. I have the excitement of my first award everytime.
Q: Your opinion on Yesudas' request telling Lata Mangeshkar to stop singing?
A: Am I big enough to talk on that subject? Dasettan said that in a good way. Whatever the case, I love Lataji's songs. Doesn't she still manage to sing at this age? Who knows what we will be like at that age? Besides, doesn't Lataji sing because people call her? She doesn't go to them saying I'll sing for you.
Q: PremNazir was great in song scenes. His voice was a match to Yesudas' singing. Does any song that Chithra has sang so far match well with any actresses?
A: Recently I sang with my voice changed a bit in the Tamil movie 'Vanaja Girija.' One of Illayaraja's experiments. Oorvasi is the lead actress. That scene went well everyone said. I don't know if it's because of my singing or Oorvasi's acting? Anyway it went well.
Q: Aren't there other female singers as capable as you in the industry?
A: Sure there are. Swarnalatha, Minmini and all.....
Q: Are they all jealous of Chithra?
A: There is no reason to be. Everyone has their chances. Can one person sing all the songs?
Q: Chithra's favorite male singer?
A: It's Dasettan (Yesudas). That voice is blessed by God. There is a cassette that Dasettan sang called 'Thulasitheertham.' I won't be satisfied after a thousand listenings. I like Mohammed Rafi's voice too.
Q: Baby Sujatha used to sing with Yesudas at concerts. Did you feel jealous towards Sujatha at that time?
A: Not jealousy, but adoration.
Q: Are you close with Sujatha now?
A: I don't have time to gossip with anyone. I don't even have time to take care of myself, let alone gossip. But I see Sujatha sometimes; we sing together.
Q: Chithra's sister (K.S. Beena) used to sing well. Why then did she disappear from the scene?
A: She didn't have a lot of ambiton. She was really scared. I have fear too, but I don't show it on my face. I learned singing by listening in on my sister's music lessons. I used to compell her a lot. At least to sing together on a cassette. But no luck. She said she won't come to my house if I keep telling her those things.
Q: When you hear old Malayalam songs do you feel like they could have been sung better?
A: Oh no. But I only wish I could have sung them.
Q: Any songs that have challenged you?
A: I've struggled with a lot of classical songs. I'll have a feeling of tension until the recording is over. The songs of 'Sindhu Bhairavi' can be in this category.
Q: Do you want to make your presence known in Hindi?
A: I don't want to live in Bombay to sing. I'm scared. First of all a Hindustani feel, it's not our language. I'm not that strong. I've gotten a call from Bombay for an Anu Malik picture. I've sang for a couple Hindi songs. Anyway I'm not one for late recordings. I go to Bombay early and come back at night.
Q: What do you feel about the Malayalee's musical tastes?
A: Malayalees love melodies. All music lovers love melodies. But nowadays, even in Kerala, during concerts, I get requests for Muqabla. Not that I don't like that. If everything was slow wouldn't we go to sleep? You need a few fast numbers in between.
Q: Some people say old songs are good while others say that the new songs are good. What is the difference in this?
A: After listening to old songs over and over again you might love it more. Back then the number of movies made were smaller too. There are many new good songs. Also back then we recorded songs after many, many rehearsals. Nowadays, one song takes one hour. So we can sing about 7-8 songs a day.
Q: You seem to be so excited about Janaki's voice. What is special about Chithra's voice?
A: That I don't know. The audience must talk about that. The feeling of Janaki's voice is a gift from God. Every pitch has a different expression.
Q: Chithra, how many songs do you know by heart?
A: I know old songs. I know songs that I usually sing for concerts. But I'm still not confident enough. I only sing with the book. Before my father wouldn't let me look at book.
Q: When you sing a song and hear it later do you ever get a feeling that it was sung bad?
A: That happens with most songs, that part didn't go well, this part was bad, etc.
(There is no point in saying that with every answer there was Chithra's smile. Because Chithra doesn't know how to stop smiling.)
- From: Srinath (@ ss05.nc.us.ibm.com)
on: Wed May 12 14:54:54 EDT 1999
Chitra says it best about SJ - "Every pitch has a different expression" ! Chitra must be the female equivalent of SPB when it comes to humility in TFM :-)
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