Subject: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Author: Manisekaran (manisekr@tm.net.my)
PART I MKT and G. Ramanathan are the products of stage drama popularly called special dramas later. In those days the drama actors had to act as well as sing without the assistance of PA system. They had to sing loud, and in high pitch so as to reach the last person in the hall. This is how T R Mahalingam, MKTB and a few others trained their voices. G. Ramanathan was a harmoniuam artiste in the dramas where MKTB acted. MKTB was more popular for his songs rather than acting. From there MKTB got involved in Special Dramas. The guru of MKTB was Alathoor Sahodararkal who were called "Isai MethaikaL". MKTB's first film was Pavalakkodi. MKTB was acting in several dramas, including Chintamani. Later when Chintamani was made into a film he acted in it. The MDs are Alathoor SahodararkaL. Chintamani was shown by Mathurai Murugan Talkies. The film generated so much collection that after the run of the film was over, a new cinema Theater was built with the collection and it was called "Chintamani Talkies". CRAZE AND TREND The moment MKTB's songs picked up momentum, there was a craze for his songs, and MDs were tempted (and forced) to compose songs in the style of MKTB. 1. In Chintamani there is a song called "Rathey Unakku Kobam Agathadee" TMS used that as a pallavi for his song in "Krishna Vijayam". Until Thookku Thooki TMS followed MKTB. Annam itta veetiley in Manthiri Kumari, Kulir Thamarai poigai and Kulingidum poovilellaam in Valayapathy are of this nature. The craze for MKTB songs never died in soul of TMS. When Akilan's novel Vaazhvu Engey was produced in the name of "Kulamakal Rathai" TMS requested KVM to give him a chance to sing in the style of MKTB. The Chintamani song "Rathey Unakku kobam agathedee" was appropriately sung by TMS in Kulamakal Rathai as the heroine's name was Ratha. There is another song of MKTB called "Siva perumaan kirubai Vendum" In a thanippaadal TMS sang this song as "mangalamaai vazha veNdum, vERenna veNDum" 2. In the old Ambikapathy (MKTB) there is a song called "Chandrasooriyar pOngathi mARinum veezhinum nmakkenna" . When the new Ambikapathy (Sivaji) was produced, G Ramanathan wanted to make the new Ambikapathy popular among the fans of the old Ambikapathy. So he used the above tune for the new Ambikapathy as follows: "Maasila nilavE nam kAthalai magizhvOdu manilam koNdAduthe" 3. In the old Ambikapathy there is a song called "pajanai seivAi manamey". In the new Ambikapathy G. Ramanathan used that old song's style as follows: Sinthanai sei manamey 4. "Sivaperumaan kirubai veNDum" is the song sung by MKTB. In the film Sarangathara G Ramanathan used the same style to compose a song as follows: Innum enna Vendum-TMS 5. "Deena karuna karaney Nadaraja neelakaNdane" is the song of MKTB. In the film Madurai Veeran, G. Ramanathan used the same tune as follows: Echi pizhaikkum thozhilE sarithAna eNNI pArunga aiyya eNNI pArunga. nachiyappa sangaili karuppa poochi kAttum pokkiri suppA moottai adicha unnaiyE viduvAna eNNI parnga - TMS/Jikki A UNIQUE PERSONALITY The unique personality of MKTB is largely responsible for his boost. He was extremely fair looking, with a unique, and innocent look often described as "kanivAna, parithAba pArvai". Of course his greatest asset was the golden voice that God endowed him. UNIT WORK MKTB was highly successful as there was a unit work. (It was a mutual gain anyway) Music was composed mainly by G Ramanathan, KVM and later others like C. N. Pandurangan (with GR in Puthu Vazhvu), C R Subbaraman (Rajamukthi) joined in. In fact S.M. Subbiah Naidu composed the song "vAzhvilEy oru nAL" in Haridass. The other plus point was the contribution of Paabanasam Sivan. He composed lyrics to suit Karnatic Music. CONTRIBUTION OF MKTB It is a forgone conclusion that MKTB was a "INAIPPU PAALAM" between the Karnatic Music and the Semi Classic music. At the time when the Tamil cinema was delivering carnatic songs, there were some hardcore Karnatic music lovers who claimed and clamoured that Tamil film songs can never contribute to the development of Karnatic music. One such person was the Sithoor Subramaniam Pillai who is the guru of Madurai Somu. When Haridas was playing, someone forced him to see the film for the excellent songs. Subramaniyam Pillai saw the movie and was very much impressed by the way GR rendered the delicate and difficult Sarukesi raga song Manmatha Leelaiyai veNRAr uNdo in a Janaranjaga way. From the theatre he went straight to the homes of GR and MKTB to express his overwhelming appreciation. Therafter MKTB's songs came to be accepted(openly) as promoting karnatic music. ------------------------------------------------------------- MKTB Part II JAIL TERM Chintamani ran for one year in Gaiety theatre. But Haridass ran in the Madras Broadway theatre for 3 consecutive Deepavalis. Around this time there was a yellow magazine called Hindu Nesan which was notorious in publishing the "Arputha LeelaikaL" of those involved in the cine field. The articles also mademention of NSK and MKTB. The editor Lachumikanthan was murdered. MKTB and NSK were implicated and arrested. This caused traumatic shock waves to run in Tamilnadu. This was the time when MKTB was at the height of his glory and fame. As he was passing the days in prison Haridas gained popularity. The irony is that the person of MKTB lost out in popularity. In those days those linked with murderer incidents used to be excommunicated in society. Haridas was so popular that it was the first film to be re-released in colour tint. In those days portions of the films used to be given single colours called tints. This was the beginning of the advent of colour films. Portions of Haridas were given colour tints. In the second release the entire film was given colour tint-thereby became the first film to be given tint throughout. (The first full colour film is Ali Baba). Just before going to prison MKTB had been booked for 20 films in a row. He even took advance. While in prison he was most depressed, distressed and dishearted. This is because no producer came to visit him there. His close friends deserted him. Those who used him as a golden goose discarded him. Some did turn up- to request MKTB to return the advance, thinking that he would never be released. This hurt him further. Meanwhile the producers took a different approach. Thinking that MKTB would never be released, they went on to create a substitute for him to act in the films scheduled for MKTB to act. This is how they dragged the Karnataka's Honnappa Bagavathar. They used him to produce Kalidas. It was a flop. Then they tried another film called valmeeki. Also a flop! Now they realised that people could only rival MKTB, but caould never replace him. Fortunately MKTB and NSK got early release through the good office of influential people who were also the fans of MKTB. Luck was in favour of NSK when he became an active member in DMK. The DMK promoted him. But MKTB was not a supporter of the ideologies og of the DMK. So NSK and MKTB who parted. When MKTB was released he was invited for a kachery where he could not see the usual crowd. He was sad to learn that he was no more a crowd puller. By this time the very film producers who never patronised him in jail came forward to use MKTB(based on the success of Haridas) in new films. But MKTB refused totally in anger. He decided to test his strength in the film industry. 1. Rajamukthi He used totally a new comer in the film industry to write dialogue. It was Chirukathai mannan Puthumaippithan who wrote the dialogue. The film was a flop. Puthumaipithan developed acute tuberclosis which lead to his death. But the film with CR Subbaraman as the MD had very good songs like Unnai allal oru thurumbasayumo, manida janmam meendum vanthidumo, ingumangum, enna anantham, piravik kadal, manam nininthu etc. 2. Amarakavi He then tried taking the film Amarakavi, using uvamai kavignar Suratha to write dialogue. Another flop. This film had good songs like ellaam inbamey, sevai seithaaley vaazhalaam. 3. Puthu Vaazhvu The last attempt was the film Puthu Vazhvu. Here both G. Ramanathan and CN Pandurangan were used as MDs. He studied the changing trend in the cine field and took this film. It has a social film with sound social theme. He used the most sizzling glamourous actress of the time-Mathuri Devi. He even introduced a dream scene of Romeo-Juliet style. The song for this scene is the most melodious "thEn Kuyil poley" which he sang with Jikki - probably the only song with Jikki. Somehow this film also did not fare well. Ths wonderful songs in Puthu Vazhvu are like Suttu vizhi chudar thaan Kannamma, thAnam avasiyam, uNmai onRe pEsum nalla uyar guNam veNDum " When he took Thiruneelakandar before going to Jail it was well received. But these three other last movies did not do well. He lost all his property. The films may be commercially failures, but the quality of the songs was not the least compromised. 4. Sivagami Then there was a last attempt to rehabilitate him. The film Sivagami was produced. MKTB sang songs like Atputha Leelaikalai, gnana sabayil, AravAram, and Anantha nadana vinotha. But half way he died and the film was completed with a new actor who did not pick up. TMS had to sing to make up for the loss. Those songs are "vaanil muzhu mathiyai kaNden vanathil oru poeNNai kaNDEn" and the duet with Solamangalam Rajalachumy "andgumingum Attam pOda vaikkuthu AnAlumAnanthamAi irukkuthu". ------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's last movie. Author: Sathiya Keerthi (mpessk@leonis.nus.edu.sg) You are probably right about Rajamukthi being the last movie by MKTB. The MD was CRSubbaraman. An interesting digression... CRS was keen to make MKTB sing in his music and he got this chance first in 1945, in the movie, UdhayaNan-Vaasavadhaththai in which MKTB and Vasundhra Dhevi were chosen as hero-heroine. CRS was so excited, made the tunes, and all was set to record MKTB's voice for the first time under CRS. At that moment MKTB was urgently called outside by a friend and MKTB had to leave in a hurry without recording that song. Half hour later they got the news that MKTB was arrested in connection with Lakshmikanthan murder case. It later turned out that GNB was replaced as the hero for that same movie and CRS was also replaced by CSJeyaraman (yes, the same pokkaivaai pugazh CSJ) as MD! CRS had to wait till 1948 when MKTB was released from prison and when MKTB produced his own movie, Rajamukthi, to record MKTB's voice under his music. There is one more popular song in that movie (apart from maanida janmam that you mentioned above): "unaiyallaamal oru thurumbasaiyumO" It seems this song is in Saramathi raagam. --------------------------------------------------------------- >From Satish. (subraman@cs.umn.edu) Here is a MKT song list. Some details are missing, feel free to fill in. MKT's First movie: Pavalakodi (1934) MKT's double role: Sathayseelan (1936) Most famous movie: Haridas (1944) Audio collections available from EMI 1. Ringing voice of MKT 2. Golden Greats of MKT ---------------------------------------------------------------- Song: Ambaa Manam Kanindhu Unadhu Kadai Kannpaar Film: Sivakavi Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Pantuvaraali Song: Ananda Natana Film: Sivakami Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: K V Mahadevan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Annaiyum Thandhayum Film: Haridas (1944) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Chenchuruthi Song: Arava Maram Film: Sivakami Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: K V Mahadevan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Arputha Leelaikal Film: Sivakami Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: K V Mahadevan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Madhyamavathi Song: Bhoomiyil Maanida Jenmam Film: Ashok Kumar Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Sindhu Bhairavi Song: Chandra Suryar Film: Ambikapathy Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Maand Song: Chidambara Naatha Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Dheena Karuna Karane Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Behag Song: Dhyaname Enadhu Manadhu Niraindhadhu Film: Ashok Kumar Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Kapi Song: En Udal Thanil, Ammaiyappa Ungal Anbai Maranden Film: Haridas (1944) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Kaanda, Atana, Jonpuri Song: Gnana Sabayil Film: Sivakami Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: K V Mahadevan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Saranga Song: Gnanakkan Ondru Film: Chinthamani (1936) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Jonpuri Song: Krishna Mukundaa Murare Film: Haridas (1944) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Navroz Song: Maanida Janmam Meendum Vandhidumo Film: Raja Mukthi (1948) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: C R Subbaraman Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Kamas Song: Unaiyallaamal Oru Thurumbasaiyumo Film: Raja Mukthi (1948) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: C R Subbaraman Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Saramathi Song: Ingumangum Film: Raja Mukthi (1948) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: C R Subbaraman Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Enna Anantham Film: Raja Mukthi (1948) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: C R Subbaraman Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Piravik Kadal Film: Raja Mukthi (1948) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: C R Subbaraman Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Manam Nininthu Film: Raja Mukthi (1948) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: C R Subbaraman Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Maname Nee Eesan Naamathai Film: Ashok Kumar Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Kunthalavaraali Song: Vaazhvil Or ThiruNaal Film: Haridas (1944) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari MD: S N Subbaih Naidu Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Manmatha Leelaiyai Vendraar Undo? Film: Haridas (1944) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Charukesi Song: Maraivai Pudhaitha Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Darbar Song: Nattiya Kalaiye Film: Sivakavi Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Natakurunji Song: Oru Naal Oru Pozhuthu Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Kamas Song: Pavazha Maal Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Bhairavi, Kalyani, Manirangu Song: Radhe Unakku Kovam Aagathadi Film: Chinthamani (1936) Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Chenchuruthi Song: Rajan Maharajan Film: Shyamala Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: G S Roya Sundaram Ragam: Huseini Song: Sara Sarangal Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Sathva Guna Bodhan Film: Ashok Kumar Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Jonpuri Song: Sivaperumaan Krupai Vendum Film: Naveena Sarangatara Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Suruthi Song: Sollupappa Film: Sathya Seelan Star: M K T & M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: ?? Lyric: Janakam Kavikunjaram Ragam: Punnagavarali Song: Soppana Vaazhivil Film: Sivakavi Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Sivaranjani, Vijayanaagari Song: Suttum Vizhichudarthaan Kannamaa Film: Puthuvaazhvu Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Mathuri Devi Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan, C N Pandurangan Lyric: Bharathiyar Ragam: ?? Song: Then Kuyil Poley Film: Puthuvaazhvu Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Mathuri Devi Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Jikki MD: G Ramanathan, C N Pandurangan Lyric: ?? Ragam: ?? Song: Thanam Avasiyam Film: Puthuvaazhvu Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Mathuri Devi Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan, C N Pandurangan Lyric: ?? Ragam: ?? Song: Unmai Onre Pesum Nalla Uyar Gunam Vendum Film: Puthuvaazhvu Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Mathuri Devi Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan, C N Pandurangan Lyric: ?? Ragam: ?? Song: Thillayil Nayakane Film: Sivakami Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: K V Mahadevan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: ?? Song: Un Azhakai Kaana Iru Kangal Pothathe Film: Thiruneelakanter Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Madhyamavathi Song: Unnai Kandu Mayangatha Pergal Undo Film: Ashok Kumar Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar MD: Papanasam Sivan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Bhairavi Song: Vallalai Paadum Vaazhyaal Film: Sivakavi Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Chenchuruti Song: Vasantha Ruthu Mana Mohaname Film: Sivakavi Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar, S Jayalakshmi MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Vasantha, Kunthalavarali, Yadhukula Kambhoji, Suruthi Song: Vathaname Chandra Bimbamo Malarndha Sarojamo Film: Sivakavi Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar MD: G Ramanathan Lyric: Papanasam Sivan Ragam: Sindhu Bhairavi -------------------------------------------------------------