Saravanan writes:
Presenting a forgotten MSV gem for Vaikasi Visakam today:
Every morning while driving to work, at a particular interchange I observe a flock of white birds that come flying towards the North, but change their course abruptly and veer towards the East. And noticing this unfailing sight day after day, I often wonder what makes them do this at that particular point of their flight—are they obeying a summons that only they could perceive? And it is but inevitable that the poetic title of this Tamil movie comes to mind....
P.S.V. Pictures’ Thisai Maariya Paravaigal had Saratbabu and Sumalata (debut) essaying the lead roles. It was an engrossing tale that raised caste-related issues in a heartwarming narration. When Ganga (Sumalata) and Rangamani (Saratbabu) are about to get married, the truth comes out that Ganga is not the daughter of the Unchaviruthi Brahmin as supposed, but the child of a low-caste convict.
The subsequent pandemonium that erupts in the orthodox village, Ganga’s voluntary conversion to Christianity and becoming Sister Mary, and how she saves Rangamani’s life in the end while making the supreme sacrifice herself were all told in a befitting manner. The sensitive caste and religious issues needed tight rope walking, and director S. Jagadeesan pulled it off successfully.
Master M.S.Viswanathan’s score was an important ingredient in the film’s success recipe.
Kannadasan narrates the twists and turns in the story in a single song ‘Kizhakku paravai merkku parakkuthu’ and TMS is ideally placed in the role of the raconteur. The wonderful Jayachandran- Janaki (with some kids joining the fun) song ‘Raja vaada singakkutti’ (also by Kannadasan) was a Radio Ceylon favorite. Listening to Abhayambika’s short Sanskrit verse, followed by Balamuralikrishna’s soulful rendition of Vallalaar’s ‘Arutjothi deivam ennai aandukkonda deivam’ is a moving experience. Pulamaipithan’s ‘Adra melathai raja’ (Kovai Soundararajan/LRE) is a bold attempt to expose some of society’s hypocrisies.
The song I choose to present here is the soulful ‘Ullam urugaatha’. The situation of the song presents an arresting irony. The old grandmother of Rangamani, Kaasi Paati (superb cameo by veteran T.V.Kumudini), who had valiantly waged a doomed war for society’s acceptance of Ganga, is now on her deathbed. She expresses her dying wish to her grandson Rangamani – as in earlier, happier times, she wants to listen to Ganga play the Veena and sing a devotional song. Rangamani hesitates, for Ganga is not Ganga of yore, she is now Sister Mary. But when the old woman herself entreats Mary (‘Karthar melae paada vendiyavala, Kandan melae paada solrennu thappa ninaikkadhe’), Mary cannot refuse this request of the beloved Paati.
And so we get to see the remarkable sight of a sister of the seminary singing an emotional paean to Lord Muruga. The maadha koyil mezhuguvarthi goes back to glitter as an agrahaarathu agal vilakku, albeit for a few transitory minutes—and who else but Vani Jairam to enact this definitive moment, investing the lines penned by Kannadasan with the heart and soul that they demand…
The swift movements on the Veena merging so seamlessly into the somber church music bring forth the paradox...and this juxtaposition is interspersed throughout the song.
What a fervent appeal to the Lord—Vani scintillates in this stirring song surcharged with emotion. ‘Kanda…azhagu thirukkumara…Senthil…amudha vadivazhaga’ – what a moving rendition!
Exquisite!
The distant tolling of the Church bells is heard, even as Mary plays the Veena at the ailing matriarch’s bedside. And as she bends over the Veena, the shadow of the cross that hangs from her chain falls on the framed picture of Muruga. The old woman’s eyes brim with tears of serene bliss and as the song ends, her soul is freed from the shackles of human bondage and passes on…her last wish fulfilled. Mary prays for her soul to repose in peace and leaves the house. Love and affection know no restraints of religion or caste…
Song: Ullam Urugaatha
Film: Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979)
Singer: Vani Jairam
Lyrics: Kannadasan
Music: M.S. Viswanathan
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1237507036281020/
Presenting a forgotten MSV gem for Vaikasi Visakam today:
Every morning while driving to work, at a particular interchange I observe a flock of white birds that come flying towards the North, but change their course abruptly and veer towards the East. And noticing this unfailing sight day after day, I often wonder what makes them do this at that particular point of their flight—are they obeying a summons that only they could perceive? And it is but inevitable that the poetic title of this Tamil movie comes to mind....
P.S.V. Pictures’ Thisai Maariya Paravaigal had Saratbabu and Sumalata (debut) essaying the lead roles. It was an engrossing tale that raised caste-related issues in a heartwarming narration. When Ganga (Sumalata) and Rangamani (Saratbabu) are about to get married, the truth comes out that Ganga is not the daughter of the Unchaviruthi Brahmin as supposed, but the child of a low-caste convict.
The subsequent pandemonium that erupts in the orthodox village, Ganga’s voluntary conversion to Christianity and becoming Sister Mary, and how she saves Rangamani’s life in the end while making the supreme sacrifice herself were all told in a befitting manner. The sensitive caste and religious issues needed tight rope walking, and director S. Jagadeesan pulled it off successfully.Master M.S.Viswanathan’s score was an important ingredient in the film’s success recipe.
Kannadasan narrates the twists and turns in the story in a single song ‘Kizhakku paravai merkku parakkuthu’ and TMS is ideally placed in the role of the raconteur. The wonderful Jayachandran- Janaki (with some kids joining the fun) song ‘Raja vaada singakkutti’ (also by Kannadasan) was a Radio Ceylon favorite. Listening to Abhayambika’s short Sanskrit verse, followed by Balamuralikrishna’s soulful rendition of Vallalaar’s ‘Arutjothi deivam ennai aandukkonda deivam’ is a moving experience. Pulamaipithan’s ‘Adra melathai raja’ (Kovai Soundararajan/LRE) is a bold attempt to expose some of society’s hypocrisies.
The song I choose to present here is the soulful ‘Ullam urugaatha’. The situation of the song presents an arresting irony. The old grandmother of Rangamani, Kaasi Paati (superb cameo by veteran T.V.Kumudini), who had valiantly waged a doomed war for society’s acceptance of Ganga, is now on her deathbed. She expresses her dying wish to her grandson Rangamani – as in earlier, happier times, she wants to listen to Ganga play the Veena and sing a devotional song. Rangamani hesitates, for Ganga is not Ganga of yore, she is now Sister Mary. But when the old woman herself entreats Mary (‘Karthar melae paada vendiyavala, Kandan melae paada solrennu thappa ninaikkadhe’), Mary cannot refuse this request of the beloved Paati.
And so we get to see the remarkable sight of a sister of the seminary singing an emotional paean to Lord Muruga. The maadha koyil mezhuguvarthi goes back to glitter as an agrahaarathu agal vilakku, albeit for a few transitory minutes—and who else but Vani Jairam to enact this definitive moment, investing the lines penned by Kannadasan with the heart and soul that they demand…
The swift movements on the Veena merging so seamlessly into the somber church music bring forth the paradox...and this juxtaposition is interspersed throughout the song.
What a fervent appeal to the Lord—Vani scintillates in this stirring song surcharged with emotion. ‘Kanda…azhagu thirukkumara…Senthil…amudha vadivazhaga’ – what a moving rendition!
Exquisite!
The distant tolling of the Church bells is heard, even as Mary plays the Veena at the ailing matriarch’s bedside. And as she bends over the Veena, the shadow of the cross that hangs from her chain falls on the framed picture of Muruga. The old woman’s eyes brim with tears of serene bliss and as the song ends, her soul is freed from the shackles of human bondage and passes on…her last wish fulfilled. Mary prays for her soul to repose in peace and leaves the house. Love and affection know no restraints of religion or caste…
Song: Ullam Urugaatha
Film: Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979)
Singer: Vani Jairam
Lyrics: Kannadasan
Music: M.S. Viswanathan
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1237507036281020/
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