ஏழை நின் கோயிலை நாடினேன்...
Down Memory Lane with G.K. Venkatesh- Part 1
-Saravanan Natarajan
Today is the birth anniversary of the great composer G.K. Venkatesh, sadly forgotten in the swirling mists of time. Let us make amends by reminiscing on the life and times of GKV and recalling some of his glittering works.
Gurjada Krishnadas Venkatesh was born in Hyderabad on 21st September 1927. His father Krishnadas Naidu dabbled in amateur theatre and was a good singer. The family moved to Bangalore when GKV was a child. GKV was a born talent- his musical talents were discovered at a very young age—even as a child it is said he was appreciated by the Raja of Bobbili. His elder brother GKS Pathi taught him the Veenai. Along with his brother Raghu, GKV sang in concerts as well.
They moved to Madras and sought opportunities to work in the music troupes of the great composers of the time. As an enthusiastic teenager, GKV played the Veenai for giants like S.V. Venkataraman, S.M. Subbiah Naidu and C.R. Subburaman.
GKV became a close friend of M.S. Viswanathan when they were both part of Subbiah Naidu’s troupe in the late 40s. Later they stayed in the same room in Jupiter Lodge in Madras. And when N.S.Krishnan offered an opportunity to MSV and TKR to compose music for Panam-1952, it was inevitable that GKV became an integral part of their troupe.
MSV gave GKV an opportunity to sing in their very first film பணம். The song was a lovely waltz number ஏழை நின் கோயிலை நாடினேன். Unfazed by the formidable stature of his co-singer- the mighty M.L.Vasanthakumari, GKV rendered his lines with fetching nonchalance.
Listen to this languorous number of breezy romance sung by GKV and MLV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR4ypZX1U_k
Singing was nothing new to GKV--after all, he began his career as a singer in Bangalore All India Radio even before entering films, and is also said to have lent his voice to some chorus songs in Meera when he was in SV. Venkataraman’s troupe. GKV went on to sing a few songs in later years, and always did justice to them. His voice had the flexibility to adapt to the varied moods that the situation demanded—the boisterous revelry in கண்ணோடு வின் பேசும் ஜாடை from கவலையில்லாத மனிதன், the gloomy intensity in the pathos version of வந்த நாள் முதல் in பாவ மன்னிப்பு, the comic nuances in காலம் செய்த கோமாளித்தனத்தில் from படித்தால் மட்டும் போதுமா, the palpable dejection in கனவே காதல் வாழ்வே from செந்தாமரை, the impish romance of ஏன் மாமா கோபமா (தென்றல் வீசும், with L.R.Eswari), the irreverent shrug at life in சொந்தமும்மில்லை ஒரு பந்தமும்மில்லை (Hello Mr. Zamindar), the ebullience of romance in பன்னீர் பூவே ( ஞாயிறும் திங்களும், with L.R.Eswari), the rustic uncouthness in the மானத்திலே மீனிருக்க prelude to S.Janaki’s உதயம் வருகின்றதே (கவிக்குயில்)- these are some unforgettable instances where GKV startles you with the breathtaking range of his voice.
Listen to GKV the singer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul_-rndft6g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5QyPh8EMP8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAFQI5rd_Ck
GKV thus become a permanent fixture in the troupe of MSV-TKR from their very first film. He was given due credit as their assistant in the titles in their films in those early years. His undeniable talents could not be hidden under wraps for long. Even as early as 1950, GKV composed music
independently for the Malayalam film Chechi. The number ‘Kalitha Kalamaya Kailasavasa ‘, sung by Kaviyoor Revamma, with its beautiful classical flourishes was an early indication of GKV’s prodigious talents. The film was later dubbed in Tamil in 1951 as Nadigai.
And though Tamil filmmakers were not yet prepared to entrust him with independent music composition, Kannada filmdom was quick to discover the spark in him, and eagerly harnessed his talents. The titles of the 1955 film Sodari starring Rajkumar (his second film) and Pandaribai had the credit for music being shared by HR Padmanabha Shastry & GKV. The following year saw GKV enjoying a stupendous success with the music of Viswakala Chitra’s Ohileshwara (stg. Rajkumar & Sriranjini). GKV also gave P.B.Srinivas a marvellous break in Kannada. (“GKV was the person who launched me as a successful singer in Kannada”, acknowledged a grateful PBS in many an interview).
GKV soon became a prolific composer in Kannada, and along with T.G. Lingappa and Vijayabhaskar, set new standards of film music therein. His works in Haribhaktha-1956, Anna Thangi-1958, Jagajyothi Basaveshwara, Dharma Vijaya, Mahishasura Mardini-all 1959, Ranadhira Kanteerava, Dasavathara, Sree Shaila Mahatme-all 1960, Kanntheredu Nodu (he appeared on screen to render the song ‘Kannnadada makkallella’), Kaivaara Mahaatme-both 1961, Bhoodaana, Karuneye Kudumbada Kannu - both 1962, Kanya Ratna, Gowri, Kulavadhu, Malli Madhuve, Kalitaaru Henne- all 1963, won acclaim.
GKV got an opening in Tamil in 1964 to compose music for Thirumagal Films’ மகளே உன் சமத்து. Though the film starring Anandan & Rajasri was sent back to the cans without much ado, GKV’s songs showed the stuff he was made of. While it was the delightful duet அன்பில் ஆடுதே by P.B. Srinivas & P.Susheela that became popular, my pick is the appealing கதை ஒன்று நான் சொல்லவா, where Susheela’s dulcet tones paint vivid hues on GKV’s beautiful canvas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owhnvP56jDE
The same year, Anandan himself produced a film under the banner Anandan Movies called நானும் மனிதன் தான் with Chandrakantha playing his pair. GKV came up with some lingering numbers like வா வா வா என் தலைவா by TA Mothi & S. Janaki and காற்று வரும் காலமொன்று by PBS & S.Janaki.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EppwXbpdHzM
The following year saw a solitary Tamil film coming GKV’s way, and that too was because it was produced and directed by the renowned GV Iyer, with whom GKV was working in a number of Kannada films. GV Iyer Productions’ தாயின் கருணை starred Kalyankumar and Vandana and was a remake of Iyer’s 1962 Kannada movie Thaayi Karulu. Listen to பூந்தென்றல் இசைப்பாட sung by PBS, where Mayavanathan’s poetic lines extolling the greatness of Tamil are strung together so enticingly by GKV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgoxSlDf_so
- To be continued...
Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1332975003400889/
Down Memory Lane with G.K. Venkatesh- Part 1
-Saravanan Natarajan
Today is the birth anniversary of the great composer G.K. Venkatesh, sadly forgotten in the swirling mists of time. Let us make amends by reminiscing on the life and times of GKV and recalling some of his glittering works.
Gurjada Krishnadas Venkatesh was born in Hyderabad on 21st September 1927. His father Krishnadas Naidu dabbled in amateur theatre and was a good singer. The family moved to Bangalore when GKV was a child. GKV was a born talent- his musical talents were discovered at a very young age—even as a child it is said he was appreciated by the Raja of Bobbili. His elder brother GKS Pathi taught him the Veenai. Along with his brother Raghu, GKV sang in concerts as well.
They moved to Madras and sought opportunities to work in the music troupes of the great composers of the time. As an enthusiastic teenager, GKV played the Veenai for giants like S.V. Venkataraman, S.M. Subbiah Naidu and C.R. Subburaman.
GKV became a close friend of M.S. Viswanathan when they were both part of Subbiah Naidu’s troupe in the late 40s. Later they stayed in the same room in Jupiter Lodge in Madras. And when N.S.Krishnan offered an opportunity to MSV and TKR to compose music for Panam-1952, it was inevitable that GKV became an integral part of their troupe.
MSV gave GKV an opportunity to sing in their very first film பணம். The song was a lovely waltz number ஏழை நின் கோயிலை நாடினேன். Unfazed by the formidable stature of his co-singer- the mighty M.L.Vasanthakumari, GKV rendered his lines with fetching nonchalance.
Listen to this languorous number of breezy romance sung by GKV and MLV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR4ypZX1U_k
Singing was nothing new to GKV--after all, he began his career as a singer in Bangalore All India Radio even before entering films, and is also said to have lent his voice to some chorus songs in Meera when he was in SV. Venkataraman’s troupe. GKV went on to sing a few songs in later years, and always did justice to them. His voice had the flexibility to adapt to the varied moods that the situation demanded—the boisterous revelry in கண்ணோடு வின் பேசும் ஜாடை from கவலையில்லாத மனிதன், the gloomy intensity in the pathos version of வந்த நாள் முதல் in பாவ மன்னிப்பு, the comic nuances in காலம் செய்த கோமாளித்தனத்தில் from படித்தால் மட்டும் போதுமா, the palpable dejection in கனவே காதல் வாழ்வே from செந்தாமரை, the impish romance of ஏன் மாமா கோபமா (தென்றல் வீசும், with L.R.Eswari), the irreverent shrug at life in சொந்தமும்மில்லை ஒரு பந்தமும்மில்லை (Hello Mr. Zamindar), the ebullience of romance in பன்னீர் பூவே ( ஞாயிறும் திங்களும், with L.R.Eswari), the rustic uncouthness in the மானத்திலே மீனிருக்க prelude to S.Janaki’s உதயம் வருகின்றதே (கவிக்குயில்)- these are some unforgettable instances where GKV startles you with the breathtaking range of his voice.
Listen to GKV the singer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul_-rndft6g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5QyPh8EMP8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAFQI5rd_Ck
GKV thus become a permanent fixture in the troupe of MSV-TKR from their very first film. He was given due credit as their assistant in the titles in their films in those early years. His undeniable talents could not be hidden under wraps for long. Even as early as 1950, GKV composed music
independently for the Malayalam film Chechi. The number ‘Kalitha Kalamaya Kailasavasa ‘, sung by Kaviyoor Revamma, with its beautiful classical flourishes was an early indication of GKV’s prodigious talents. The film was later dubbed in Tamil in 1951 as Nadigai.
And though Tamil filmmakers were not yet prepared to entrust him with independent music composition, Kannada filmdom was quick to discover the spark in him, and eagerly harnessed his talents. The titles of the 1955 film Sodari starring Rajkumar (his second film) and Pandaribai had the credit for music being shared by HR Padmanabha Shastry & GKV. The following year saw GKV enjoying a stupendous success with the music of Viswakala Chitra’s Ohileshwara (stg. Rajkumar & Sriranjini). GKV also gave P.B.Srinivas a marvellous break in Kannada. (“GKV was the person who launched me as a successful singer in Kannada”, acknowledged a grateful PBS in many an interview).
GKV soon became a prolific composer in Kannada, and along with T.G. Lingappa and Vijayabhaskar, set new standards of film music therein. His works in Haribhaktha-1956, Anna Thangi-1958, Jagajyothi Basaveshwara, Dharma Vijaya, Mahishasura Mardini-all 1959, Ranadhira Kanteerava, Dasavathara, Sree Shaila Mahatme-all 1960, Kanntheredu Nodu (he appeared on screen to render the song ‘Kannnadada makkallella’), Kaivaara Mahaatme-both 1961, Bhoodaana, Karuneye Kudumbada Kannu - both 1962, Kanya Ratna, Gowri, Kulavadhu, Malli Madhuve, Kalitaaru Henne- all 1963, won acclaim.
GKV got an opening in Tamil in 1964 to compose music for Thirumagal Films’ மகளே உன் சமத்து. Though the film starring Anandan & Rajasri was sent back to the cans without much ado, GKV’s songs showed the stuff he was made of. While it was the delightful duet அன்பில் ஆடுதே by P.B. Srinivas & P.Susheela that became popular, my pick is the appealing கதை ஒன்று நான் சொல்லவா, where Susheela’s dulcet tones paint vivid hues on GKV’s beautiful canvas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owhnvP56jDE
The same year, Anandan himself produced a film under the banner Anandan Movies called நானும் மனிதன் தான் with Chandrakantha playing his pair. GKV came up with some lingering numbers like வா வா வா என் தலைவா by TA Mothi & S. Janaki and காற்று வரும் காலமொன்று by PBS & S.Janaki.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EppwXbpdHzM
The following year saw a solitary Tamil film coming GKV’s way, and that too was because it was produced and directed by the renowned GV Iyer, with whom GKV was working in a number of Kannada films. GV Iyer Productions’ தாயின் கருணை starred Kalyankumar and Vandana and was a remake of Iyer’s 1962 Kannada movie Thaayi Karulu. Listen to பூந்தென்றல் இசைப்பாட sung by PBS, where Mayavanathan’s poetic lines extolling the greatness of Tamil are strung together so enticingly by GKV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgoxSlDf_so
- To be continued...
Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1332975003400889/
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