Devan Thiruchabai Malargale - Avar Enakke Sondham

Saravanan Natarajan writes:

Devan Thiruchabai Malargale…

Another favourite from the magnificent 70s…

Sung by Poorani & Indira.
Lyrics by Panju Arunachalam. Music by Ilayaraja.

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Avar Enakke Sondham (1977/ P.A. Art Productions) starred Jaishankar, Srividya, Fadafat Jayalakshmi, Thengai Srinivasan and others. It was the time when Panju Arunachalam had begun to don many hats besides lyrics writing; Avar Enakke Sondham was among those early films for which he wrote the screenplay, dialogues and lyrics, besides being the producer.

The story revolved around Anand (Jai) and his wife Kavitha (Srividya), who are at constant loggerheads. Kavitha rules the household with an iron hand and the children resent her stringent disciplinary measures. Both Anand and the children find comfort in the affection and care that they get from Elizabeth (Fadafat Jayalakshmi) who is a typist in Anand's office. Kavitha misunderstands this relationship; but gradually realizes the error of her own ways. All is well that ends well. This song has Elizabeth singing to the children, and praying for their well-being.

* * * *

It was 'Annakkili' Selvaraj who introduced Ilaiyaraja to Panju Arunachalam. Selavaraj, who had earlier been highly impressed by Ilaiyaraja's talents when Ilaiyaraja had composed music for his stage plays, took him to Panju Arunachalam with high words of commendation. And thus was born the prolific Panju- Ilaiyaraja association that saw so many landmark collaborations in the coming years.

From 4 films in 1976, Ilaiyaraja had progressed admirably to 12 films in 1977. And most of those 12 would not merit even a dusty rear corner in memory had it not been for his wonderful songs. The year would also remain special to Ilaiyaraja for the reason that it was in 1977 that he bagged the Tamil Nadu State Award for his outstanding work in 16 Vayathinile.

Avar Enakke Sondham had 6 songs, and Devan Thiruchabai Malargale is the sparkling jewel in the iridescent crown. The song has a Yesudas version as well, one that goes ‘Devan thiruchabai malar idhu’. P.Suseela's alluring 'Thenil aadum roja' is the other bewitching creation that bestows upon the album the boon of immortality. The jaunty baila 'Suraangani' (Malaysia Vasudevan/Renuka) found instant favor with the youth of the time, and Radio Ceylon, quite understandably went to town with it. TMS too found place in the album- while the melancholic and meditative 'Kuthirayile naan amarndhen' was perhaps a characteristic TMS number, the uproarious 'Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein' captures TMS at his mischievous best- he makes merry in the swift classical passages culminating in a delightful dappankuthu! SPB's wry 'Oru veedu iru ullam' was another top draw in this unforgettable album.

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Poorani and Indira were regular singers in IR's troupe. In 1975, a year before Annakkili, Ilaiyaraja, along with his brothers, had come up with an album called 'Pop Hits of 1975'. Gangai Amaran had penned the songs. Along with TMS, SPB, Malaysia Vasudevan and R.D.Baskar, Poorani was the only female singer to feature in the album. After 'Devan thiruchabai malargaLe', it was GA who gave Poorani a few opportunities like 'Adi ennoda vaadi' (Oru Vidukathai Oru Thodarkathai), 'Vaanam poo sindhattum' (Malargalile Aval Malligai) and
'Vellam pole thullum ullangale' (KanavugaL KarpanaigaL). As for Indira, prior to 'Devan thiruchabai malargale' she had sung 'Dear uncle' in Uravaadum Nenjam. Poorani and Indira continued in Ilaiayaraja's troupe as chorus singers, and sang in his live concerts as well. Perhaps they are still part of Ilaiyaraja's chorus singers; 'Devan thiruchabai malargale' being their fleeting tryst with Tamil Film Music history.

* * * *

As a small boy in the late 70s, I was creating a racket at home when my parents had left me for a few days in the care of my grandmother and uncle. To give some respite to my paatti and to put a temporary end to my tantrums, my uncle, who had got in his medical college two tickets for Ilaiyaraja's show, took me to the Music Academy. I admit I didn't go too willingly and was fidgeting restlessly in my seat. But when the curtains were raised, and as the strumming of the guitars began in the dim light, I remember falling silent and sitting transfixed as the entire hall
listened in rapturous silence to 'Devan thiruchabai malargale'. As the violins faded in the end, the lights came on and the entire hall rose to give a standing ovation to Ilaiyaraja, Poorani and Indira. (This was the song that Ilaiyarja featured as the invocation in all his shows till 1982; he
switched over to 'Janani Janani' thereafter).

Whenever my craze for Tamil Film Music is the topic under discussion in the family circle, my uncle invariably recalls this incident! Looking back, I don't wonder at it, for the sheer magic of the song is such. The guitar which forms the mesmerizing mainstay of the song, the flute which beguiles at every note, the accordion which teases and tantalizes playing hide and seek, and the violins which seem to go berserk, albeit methodically in the postlude. What a masterpiece! And the church bells toll approvingly in divine benediction, lending the song an aura of heavenly intervention.

As a child I could not have surely appreciated the intricacies of this composition (not that I know much now!), but this song was probably my initiation to the enchantment of Tamil Film Music, and I have been hooked ever since!

Even now my fingers falter when I attempt to describe the excellence of the song. Mere sober words and meager labels are inadequate to the task; pompous terms, jeweled exotic phrases rise to the excited fancy. The song has the vivacious vagueness of art and the sharp precision of science. It quickens the blood and clears the head; it fills the soul with blissful well-being….

Male version by K.J.Yesudoss