தேன் சிந்துதே வானம்..
Down Memory Lane with G.K.Venkatesh- Part 2
Saravanan Natarajan
Unfortunately for GKV, these films were not commercial successes, and the merciless gates of Tamil Cinema were closed once again for this gifted composer. However, he continued creating immortal melodies in Kannada films, where he was much sought after by the top banners of the day. Thumbida Koda, Nanna Kartavya-both 1964, Sarvagyanamoorthi, Sati Savitri-both 1965, Killadi Ranga, Madhumaalathi-both 1966, Parvathi Kalyana, Rajshekhara, Rajadurgada Rahasya, Immadi Pulikeshi-all 1967, Jedare Bale, Manasakshi, Goa Dalli CID 999- all 1968, Operation Jackpot Nalli CID 999- 1969 are all noteworthy albums, each one of which has songs that are repeatedly listened to with pleasure to this day.
For the 1964 Kannada movie Kalavathi, GKV fetched the venerable Manna Dey to render the caressing 'Kuhu kuhu':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JnkjUey8CA
And in 1966, GKV pulled off a coup of sorts when he roped in none other than the revered Pandit Bhimsen Joshi to sing for the Kannada film Sandhya Raga.
Listen to the 3 lovely versions of ‘Nambide ninna naada devathe’, the first sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the second one by Balamuralikrishna and the last version by Janaki, each one a tantalizing treat for connoisseurs.. Wondrous compositions that will bespeak of the gifted GKV for times to come…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkBca8f7q5Q
Despite these successes and the critical acclaim, in Tamil all that GKV secured was an opportunity to compose for the Malaysian Tamil venture ரத்தப்பேய், in which he gave an enthusiastic youngster called Malaysia Vasudevan a much awaited break in playback singing.
It was only after a long wait in 1971 that Deivanayagi Films’ சபதம் brought GKV back into reckoning in Tamil. The film starring KR Vijaya & Ravichandran was directed by P Madhavan. Listen to தொடுவதென்ன தென்றலோ மலர்களோ sung by SPB. The song showcases GKV in his elements— the riveting prelude consisting of those dainty string bits that are repeated throughout the song, the masterful way in they are seamlessly interwoven into the fascinating interludes, while the interludes themselves are so unpredictable and enticing in their progression…..And SPB brings such a cajoling mood to the lines, that you just have to fall in love with the song- listen to his voice beam in the end, and the longing that he expresses, almost akin to a wistful sigh, in the short humming that leads back to the Pallavi. Class!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAlryz7Jl2Q
By the early 70s, GKV had acquired a cult following in Kannada. Each album of his was awaited with impatience, and every song hastened to capture the airwaves. His works in films like Devara Makkalu, Kasturi Nivasa, Naguva Hoovu- all 1970, Bala Bandhana, Taayi Devaru, Pratidhwani, Thandhe Makkalu- all 1971, Bangarada Manushya, Karmika Kallanalla – both 1972, Doorada Betta, Sampathige Savaal, Bhakta Kumbhara-all 1973, elicited rave reviews.
It was towards the last years of the 60s that GKV took under his patronage a young talented musician called Raja. (Originally Rasiah, later to blossom into Ilaiyaraja) Raja, whose soul was soaked in music, had his skills polished and trained by Dhanraj Master, an acknowledged genius. GKV recognized the innate talents in him, and admitted him in his troupe, where Raja quickly justified the trust that GKV placed in him. Another gifted musician who was assisting GKV during the same period was L. Vaidhiyanathan.
In spite of the popularity of the songs of சபதம், GKV was not flooded with offers in Tamil. His next opportunity in Tamil came again from P. Madhavan, who had been impressed with GKV’s work in Sabatham. When P. Madhavan turned producer under his banner ‘Arun Prasad Movies’, he called GKV to compose music for his film பொண்ணுக்கு தங்க மனசு -1973. (Directed by Devaraj-Mohan under P Madhavan’s supervision).
The captivating creation தேன் சிந்துதே வானம் from this movie written by Kannadasan & sung by SP Balasubramaniam & S.Janaki (may she live long!) is a song that ensures forever that GKV will be saluted with awe in the chronicles of Tamil film music. He repeated the tune that he had composed earlier in Kannada- ‘Haayagide ee dhina mana’ from Thaayi Devaru and he reused in again in Telugu as ‘Mrogindi Veena’ in the movie Zamindarugari Ammayi. Every bit, every note, every moment of the song is spellbinding.
With such a bewitching opening line as தேன் சிந்துதே வானம் that summons vistas of a rain-drenched evening…where the showers beckon the lovers…where the monsoon waves its magical wand…where the love-stricken hearts are afire with desire within, whilst all is damp and cold without, where few tremulous words of love are shyly whispered:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wsA2I9qEWo
- To be continued...
Down Memory Lane with G.K.Venkatesh- Part 2
Saravanan Natarajan
For the 1964 Kannada movie Kalavathi, GKV fetched the venerable Manna Dey to render the caressing 'Kuhu kuhu':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JnkjUey8CA
And in 1966, GKV pulled off a coup of sorts when he roped in none other than the revered Pandit Bhimsen Joshi to sing for the Kannada film Sandhya Raga.
Listen to the 3 lovely versions of ‘Nambide ninna naada devathe’, the first sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the second one by Balamuralikrishna and the last version by Janaki, each one a tantalizing treat for connoisseurs.. Wondrous compositions that will bespeak of the gifted GKV for times to come…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkBca8f7q5Q
Despite these successes and the critical acclaim, in Tamil all that GKV secured was an opportunity to compose for the Malaysian Tamil venture ரத்தப்பேய், in which he gave an enthusiastic youngster called Malaysia Vasudevan a much awaited break in playback singing.
It was only after a long wait in 1971 that Deivanayagi Films’ சபதம் brought GKV back into reckoning in Tamil. The film starring KR Vijaya & Ravichandran was directed by P Madhavan. Listen to தொடுவதென்ன தென்றலோ மலர்களோ sung by SPB. The song showcases GKV in his elements— the riveting prelude consisting of those dainty string bits that are repeated throughout the song, the masterful way in they are seamlessly interwoven into the fascinating interludes, while the interludes themselves are so unpredictable and enticing in their progression…..And SPB brings such a cajoling mood to the lines, that you just have to fall in love with the song- listen to his voice beam in the end, and the longing that he expresses, almost akin to a wistful sigh, in the short humming that leads back to the Pallavi. Class!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAlryz7Jl2Q
By the early 70s, GKV had acquired a cult following in Kannada. Each album of his was awaited with impatience, and every song hastened to capture the airwaves. His works in films like Devara Makkalu, Kasturi Nivasa, Naguva Hoovu- all 1970, Bala Bandhana, Taayi Devaru, Pratidhwani, Thandhe Makkalu- all 1971, Bangarada Manushya, Karmika Kallanalla – both 1972, Doorada Betta, Sampathige Savaal, Bhakta Kumbhara-all 1973, elicited rave reviews.
It was towards the last years of the 60s that GKV took under his patronage a young talented musician called Raja. (Originally Rasiah, later to blossom into Ilaiyaraja) Raja, whose soul was soaked in music, had his skills polished and trained by Dhanraj Master, an acknowledged genius. GKV recognized the innate talents in him, and admitted him in his troupe, where Raja quickly justified the trust that GKV placed in him. Another gifted musician who was assisting GKV during the same period was L. Vaidhiyanathan.
In spite of the popularity of the songs of சபதம், GKV was not flooded with offers in Tamil. His next opportunity in Tamil came again from P. Madhavan, who had been impressed with GKV’s work in Sabatham. When P. Madhavan turned producer under his banner ‘Arun Prasad Movies’, he called GKV to compose music for his film பொண்ணுக்கு தங்க மனசு -1973. (Directed by Devaraj-Mohan under P Madhavan’s supervision).
The captivating creation தேன் சிந்துதே வானம் from this movie written by Kannadasan & sung by SP Balasubramaniam & S.Janaki (may she live long!) is a song that ensures forever that GKV will be saluted with awe in the chronicles of Tamil film music. He repeated the tune that he had composed earlier in Kannada- ‘Haayagide ee dhina mana’ from Thaayi Devaru and he reused in again in Telugu as ‘Mrogindi Veena’ in the movie Zamindarugari Ammayi. Every bit, every note, every moment of the song is spellbinding.
With such a bewitching opening line as தேன் சிந்துதே வானம் that summons vistas of a rain-drenched evening…where the showers beckon the lovers…where the monsoon waves its magical wand…where the love-stricken hearts are afire with desire within, whilst all is damp and cold without, where few tremulous words of love are shyly whispered:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wsA2I9qEWo
- To be continued...
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