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Melody Queen of South Indian Film MUsic - Is it Janaki or Susheela or Vani or Chitra?

Topic started by Pranav (@ 202.142.68.94) on Thu Feb 13 22:51:42 EST 2003.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Who can be conferred as the Melody Queen of South Indian FIlm Music .
Is it S.Janaki or P.Susheela or Chitra or Vani Jayram..?
I think Janaki is the best of all and she should be conferred as the Melody Queen of South Indian Music

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: K.G.V.DOSS (@ 210.210.32.67) on: Thu Dec 9 09:32:04 EST 2004
  
  Of course it is S.JANAKI till date. S. Janaki is versatile.
  S. Janaki is the only singer till date who has sang songs to suit all age groups. Illayaraja used S.JANAKI's talents beautifully from the Annakilli movie in Tamil. S.Janaki's song "singaravelane deva" song from Konjum Salangai movie is still a super hit all over India.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: K (@ 69.132.90.167) on: Mon Dec 13 23:59:23 EST 2004
  
  S Janaki's versatile...no doubt...but her voice is not resounding - meaning one can't hear her voice for a long time. Her singing style lacks something which P Susheela brings intuitively and that is layam. No doubt S Janaki has given many awesome renditions. But like I said one can't compare her with P Susheela. P Susheela's singing style, modest expression (by which I mean she'll never overdo a song) her beautiful pronunciation and voice modulation are incomparable. And ofcourse, who can deny the sweetness of that voice!
  
  As for Janaki: I am not even considering her songs of the 60's because they are not worth mentioning at all except a handful since they all sound the same to me like a child's recital. Her voice became better as she grew old especially in the mid-70's to early 80's. And it was perfect timing that IR's fresh entry in the industry matched Janaki's readiness for better performance. And IR used her comfortable scale to produce many light hearted melodies. And his composing style suited her voice very easily where his interludes and BGM always took precedence over the singer's voice. I am not putting down Janaki - infact there are songs which she alone can do justice to. But she doesn't pass the test in all counts. She's versatile no doubt - but versatility is not what music is all about.
  
  Before finishing I have to say this why P Susheela was a favorite over Janaki using one of the many such instances: Listen to a bhakthi song sung by P Susheela for a movie and a devotional album. You will see a lot of difference in the rendition. Listen to a bhakthi song sung by Janaki for a movie and a devotional album - you won't find much difference.
  
  
• From: Ravi (@ 192.147.57.6) on: Tue Dec 14 01:41:42 EST 2004
  
  K, you put your views in a very nice and 'un-controversial' way :-) Yes, I do agree with your thoughts esp the last point was quite though provoking.
  
  
• From: kumarr (@ 195.229.241.181) on: Tue Dec 14 03:58:11 EST 2004
  
  Listen to
  
  "Gokulathu Pasukkal Ellam Gopaalam Kuzhalai Kaettu Naalu Padi Paal Karakkudhu Raamaari; Andha Moganin Peyarai Cholli Moodi Vaitha Paathirathil Moondru Padi Nei Edukkudhu Krishnaari
  
  Raamaari Hare Krishnaari Hara Hare Ramaari Hare Krishnaari"
  
  and
  
  "Nandha Kumaara Navaneedha Joraa; Thaamarai Kannaa Sri Hari..."
  
  By SJ.
  
  You will reverse your views. You would not say they happen to be from some movie. You would only say that it is a devotional song available in the "Krishna Gaanam" Album.
  
  You will get lost in the song very much. Appadiyae Urugi she would have become one with "Krishna"
  
  "Mei Marakka Seidhu Vidum".
  
  PS also has sung
  
  "Guruvayurukku Vaarungal Oru Kuzhandhai Sirippadhai Paarungal..." and
  
  "Gokulathil Oru Naal Raadhai Kobathil Aazhnthirundhaal Aenadi Raadha Endru Ennadi Dhevi Endru SriRanga Baalan Vandhaan"
  
  in the same "Krishna Gaanam" devotional album.
  
  Even though, they are good songs, they stand no where near Janaki's rendition in the two songs mentioned and present in the same Album.
  
  In fact, to me, I will pick the following as the best in that album
  
  1. Pullaanguzhal Kodutha Moongilgale; Engal Purushothaman Pugazh Paadungale by TMS
  
  2. Aayar Paadi Maaligayil Thaai Madiyil Kandrinai Pol Maaya Kannan Thoongugindraan Thaalelo by SPB
  
  3. Gokulathu Pasukkal Ellaam Gopaalan Kuralai Kaettu Naalu Padi Paal Karakkudhu Raamaari by SJ
  
  4. Nandha Kumaara Navaneedha Joraa; Thaamarai Kannaa Sri Hari by SJ.
  
  SJ makes a difference and justice to whatever song she sings. She leaves a mark; She very much creates and leaves an impact on the listener of the song.
  
  SJ alone can provide variety in TFM.
  
  She has demonstrated her this ability and capability in many number of songs.
  
  
• From: K (@ 69.132.90.167) on: Sun Dec 19 21:47:07 EST 2004
  
  Kumar, just because a song happens to be in a Devotional album it doesn't mean one should render it in a way that will melt you. The singer must elicit the bhavam in the lyrics and tune of the song. I haven't much heard of that SJ song you have quoted, but PS' rendition of "Guruvaayurukku" and "Gokulathil Oru NaaL" feel right to the ears. How can one sing "Gokulathil Oru NaaL" song in a way that one will melt? That song's content was not made for that. And so is "Guruvaayurukku". If you want to melt listen to "Govardhana Giridhara" a telugu song by PS in a collection in Devotional Songs in musicindiaonline.com. But then, opinions are like...well, opinions!
  
  
• From: kumarr (@ 213.42.2.25) on: Mon Dec 20 09:39:01 EST 2004
  
  Dear K,
  
  The samples quoted were just to dispel your wrong notion that PS alone can do justice to devotional songs and also that SJ sings even a devotional song very much like a filmy song.
  
  You also have "Gobiyare Gobiyarae Konjam Nillum Manjiyarae; Govindan Perai Cholli Kummi Kotti Aadungalae" by LR Eswari in that Album.
  
  Eventhough, not as smooth and melodious as the SJ songs in that album, it is my next pick of the album after the other 4 songs mentioned earlier.
  
  See how LR Eswari tranforms that song.
  
  I am not blaming PS for her rendition in her songs in that album. They are good and I have acknowledged this in my earlier posting by saying, "Though Good". I only said that SJ had fared better in the songs given to her in that album.
  
  SJ's voice was reserved for the elite ones - mentioned two songs- of that album.
  
  SJ's voice was found to be suitable for singing those two songs by MSV, I suppose.
  
  As you had said, "Versatility alone is not all about singing", having a flat, clear voice alone does not make a singer fly high; Application of the voice to the given situation to bring about a transformation in the minds of the listeners too is a great qualification.
  
  For instance, singers like KSC, by clarity of their voice and more classical background can replace PS. But they cannot provide the versatility offered by SJ.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From: K (@ 69.132.90.167) on: Mon Dec 20 22:08:21 EST 2004
  
  Kumar, I didn't mean that PS alone could do justice to devotional songs. And you have said that SJ sings devotional songs also like movie songs (you mean the expression). But that was not my point. Infact, PS sings a devotional song like a devotional song and if the same devotional song comes in a move, she would render it differently based on who she's singing for and the situation. But in a way what you said was right: SJ's renditions in both will be the same. She can't bring the variation that PS introduces!
  
  "...having a flat, clear voice alone does not make a singer fly high" - I am not sure if you even have an idea of what flying high is! Ask any lay man in Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh and ask them if P Susheela ever was flying high. Also, do ask them how far below PS was SJ flying. They could give you the answers to both these questions.
  
  FYKI, SJ was never more popular for her voice or rendition style or creating the mood than PS.
  
  
• From: K (@ 69.132.90.167) on: Tue Dec 21 01:44:26 EST 2004
  
  Kumar, Reading your posting again, it looks like you didn't mean that SJ sings devotional songs also like movie songs. But, actually I didn't mean that either, like you wanted to dispel!
  
  What I said was you won't find a big difference when SJ renders a devotional song whether it's a movie or an album. By this I mean that she won't modulate her voice to give the listeners a feeling that she's singing for a heroine.
  
  But again, that's only one area that I have mentioned where PS excels SJ. There's a lot more to say but a lot has already been said. So, I think I would stop here.
  
  In the end, to each his own.
  
  
• From: ariarameshh (@ 61.11.81.35) on: Tue Dec 21 03:17:16 EST 2004
  
  P.Susheela is the Nightingale of South India.It was said by Lata Mangeskar,Nigtingale of India.It would be accepted by all the singers like S.Janaki,Chitra and Vani Jayaram too.
  
  
• From: ariarameshh (@ 61.11.81.35) on: Tue Dec 21 03:20:03 EST 2004
  
  Kumarr I want to argue with u in a positive manner but due to lack of time I am unable.Expecting soon.Till then Bye
  
  
• From: kumarr (@ 195.229.241.181) on: Tue Dec 21 06:57:22 EST 2004
  
  Dear K,
  
  Your views - "By this I mean that she won't modulate her voice to give the listeners a feeling that she's singing for a heroine".
  
  You know how many heroines got introduced in the 70s,80s and 90s too during the IR era and SJ would have sung a song for these heroines in their very first film.
  
  When she sings "Senthoora Poove" for Sri Devi, that voice is different - as it is for Sri Devi
  
  When she sings "Poovarasambum Poothachu Ponukkum Seidhiyum Vandhaachu" or "Kovil Mani Osai Kaettu Vandha Dhaaro" for Raadhika, that will be entirely different. This voice you can compare to the voice that shows up in the dialogues delivered by Radhika in the film. That "Mazhalai" touch of Radhika found in her dialogues in the film can be found in the song rendered for her by Janaki.
  
  See "Pothi Vecha Malliga Mottu Poothirukku Vekkatha Vittu" for "Revathi" in "Manvaasanai" - That is a voice for Revathi.
  
  See "Aayiram Thaamarai Mottukkale Vandhu Aanandha Kummigal Kottungale" for "Radha" in "Alaigal Oivadhillai" - That is different.
  
  See "Kavidhai Arangerum Naram" or "Thendraladhu Unnidathil Solli Vaitha Seidhi Ennavo" from "Andha Ezhu Naatkal" - That is a voice for "Ambika"
  
  Take "Thaalaatudhae Vaanam; Thallaadudhae Megam" from "Kadal Meengal" or "Thaalaatu Maari Ponadhae" from "Unnai Naan Sandhithaen" - That is the voice for "Sujaatha"
  
  There is also one more artist "Urvasi", and SJ has sung 90% of her film songs. No other singer's voice matches her suitably than SJ. It all started from "Mundhaanai Mudichu" and the success story continued till "Magalir Mattum" and "Ettupatti Raasa".
  
  Like this list can further go.
  
  K, Please do not bring Telugu Film Music into the discussion. I am not aware of Telugu Film Music.
  
  Yes SJ did fly low and keep a low profile in the 60s, and in the first half of 70s in TFM.
  
  Let's not debate about that. SJ accepted it (Should I say resigned to fate ?) and we have to accept it.
  
  That is Time's will. We need not debate about that.
  
  Came 77 and she took a dramatic "Avatar" and staged a tremendous comeback with the entry of IR into TFM and from there onwards, it was all success stories for her.
  
  Time and fate wished the TFM to be dominated by PS first and then by SJ.
  
  PS came at the top of the chronology and then only was TFM able to see and realise the full potential and talent of SJ.
  
  PS might have come before SJ to TFM. That need not mean that SJ is below PS.
  
  In fact, PS cannot provide the versatility,which SJ had demonstrated in a wide variety of songs which he had sung and mostly under IR's banner.
  
  What is the situation or mood which she has not expressed or demonstrated ?
  
  Very few will be left, which she had not expressed.
  
  
  
  
• From: Babaji (@ 194.223.244.7) on: Tue Dec 21 08:40:49 EST 2004
  
  'Nightingale', did you know how racist she was towards the black community( bought in as slaves from africa)during the war time in England?, why the heck do u always have to bring in an english person or a foreign person to cmapre the greatness of the indian???, in what way are we inferior to the west?
  
  
  Kumar,
  
  'In fact, PS cannot provide the versatility,which SJ had demonstrated in a wide variety of songs which he had sung and mostly under IR's banner.
  '
  
  exatcly, SJ amma is the most versatile singer in India while PS amma had the BEST voice.
  
  but SPB has both of this aspect :-)
  
  
• From: Babaji (@ 194.223.244.7) on: Tue Dec 21 08:59:06 EST 2004
  
  I too love PS amma's Devotioan songs, but no body beats MSS amma, when it comes to Devotional , sad she has left us :(
  
  Till date, I have not heard any SJ amma's devotional songs, can any one suggest any devotional songs by SJ amma, please
  
  
• From: K (@ 69.132.90.167) on: Wed Dec 22 00:59:02 EST 2004
  
  Kumar, I brought up the subject of SJ flying lower than PS just because you mentioned PS cannot fly high. Otherwise, I rate both of them as artistes. And in that respect they gave us all something to cherish for life. I respect both. Infact, as a person I respect SJ more than PS - with due respect to PS, ofcourse.
  
  Whenever it comes to a debate it's better to take a backseat and just watch. You could claim SJ is the best and I could claim PS is the best. But nothing matters in the end if we had not brought out the good qualities of both singers - with respect to music, I mean. If you ask me to argue in favor of SJ, I could do that. Being an ardent fan of PS, I could point out the mistakes in her songs also. So, you see, I always try to argue with fairness to both. It's only when I see one not acknowledging the merits of an artiste and him or her down when discussing in favor of another artiste, that I get aroused a little. You were praising SJ all along but never once you acknowledged her achievements. And that I felt was not fair. May be you didn't intend it in your eagerness to support your favourite artiste. And I can absolutely understand that.
  So, let's carry on. No offense meant.
  
  Take care.
  
  
  
  
• From: K (@ 69.132.90.167) on: Wed Dec 22 01:02:54 EST 2004
  
  Please read 'and him or her down' as 'and putting him or her down' and 'but never once you acknowledged her achievements' as 'but never once you acknowledged PS' achievements'.
  
  

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