Saravanan Natarajan writes:
The Celestial Nightingale
Part 3
When A.P. Nagarajan embarked upon திருவிளையாடல் (1965/ Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures), a magnificent celluloid adaptation of the stage play ‘சிவலீலா’, he invited KBS to once again essay the role of Avvaiyaar who tries to pacify the petulant child Murugan. In a grand album composed by K.V. Mahadevan with an awe-inspiring galaxy of singers that included T.R. Mahalingam, M. Balamuralikrishna, Seergazhi Govindarajan, TMS, PBS, P. Susheela and S. Janaki, KBS glittered as the dazzling jewel in the crown with her songs such as ஞானப்பழத்தை பிழிந்து, பழம் நீயப்பா and வாசி வாசி என்று that flows into ஒன்றானவன்.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDNSM0RyUa8
She sang again for KVM in her next screen appearance the following year- மஹாகவி காளிதாஸ் (1966/ Kalpana Kalamandir) had KBS singing popular numbers like சென்று வா மகனே and காலத்தால் அழியாத காவியம்.
https://youtu.be/gaFdXWeUpZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1kYJFo-uBU
An intriguing movie – ஞாயிறும் திங்களும் embarked upon at around this time with an ensemble cast of KBS, Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, Devika and K.R. Vijaya sadly remains unreleased. It is the only album by M.S.Viswanathan in which KBS has sung. Luckily, the record was released and we are thus fortunate to listen to the scintillating KBS/MSV collaborations like வீறு தமிழ் பாலுண்டு, வகுத்தான் வகுத்த பகை அல்லார் and கேட்ட வரம் கொடுக்கும்.
KBS created a record of sorts by playing Avvaiyaar for the third time, this time in APN’s கந்தன் கருணை (1967/ ALS Productions), singing in KVM’s music, அரியது கேட்கின்ற and முருகா முருகா.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-zgx1UuvN0
In the same year came the only social theme starring KBS to be released- உயிர் மேல் ஆசை (1967/Ayyappan Productions). KBS played the role of an affluent old woman facing imminent danger to her life by unscrupulous rascals who wish to usurp her wealth. Veteran S.M. Subbiah Naidu tuned some devotional numbers for KBS such as தும்பிக்கை நாதன் துணை and ஐயப்பா பொன் ஐயப்பா; however, the more popular song from the movie was கேளு பாப்பா, கேள்விகள் ஆயிரம் கேளு பாப்பா.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRFWODmfaIw
Devar’s துணைவன் (Dandayudhapani Films) followed in 1969 in KVM’s music. KBS played the role of an ardent devotee of Lord Murugan and gives solace to a young couple whose infant is a living corpse. Besides KBS gems like ஞானமும் கள்வியும் and கொண்டாடும் திருச்செந்தூர், it had the magnificent பழனி மலை மீதினிலே (ஜெயமுண்டு பயமில்லை)’ which fetched KBS the National Award for Best Playback Singer of 1969.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XWX6W_haBw
T.R.Ramanna’s சக்தி லீலை (1972/ Raman Pictures) had KBS singing in T.K.Ramamoorthi’s music- songs such as அம்மா...சக்தியெனும் தெய்வம் கொண்ட படைவீடு and எங்கேயும் சக்தி உண்டு were popular in their time.
KBS played with characteristic dignity and fervour the title role in காரைக்கால் அம்மையார் (1973/ Eveeyaar Films). Lakshmi essayed the role of Punithavathi before the transformation. Muthuraman, Sivakumar & Srividya were the others in the cast. Era. Pazhanisami drafted the screenplay, and A.P.Nagarajan directed the movie. Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan composed songs for KBS such as ஓடுங்கால் ஓடி உள்ளம் உருகி ( தகதகதகவென ஆடவா) and இறைவா உன் புகழ் பாடுவேன். The fast-paced தகதகதகவென ஆடவா with KBS soaring nonchalantly in breathtaking octaves left listeners in a delirious daze…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1mYqaa6ek8
And KBS sang again in Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan’s music the same year for திருமலை தெய்வம் (1973/ Shanthi Combines) which was the only instance where she played a devotee of Vishnu. She appeared as Narayanamma who lives in a beautiful cottage on the hills leading to the temple of the Lord. Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan composed for her 2 unforgettable songs. One is the famous ஏழுமலை இருக்க நமக்கென்ன மனக்கவலை written by Ulundurpettai Shanmugam that narrates the beatitude of the Lord's grace.
My favourite is the other KBS number நாள்ளெல்லாம் உந்தன் திருநாளே written by Kannadasan. In most of her songs KBS whips up a fierce storm of religious fervour, soaring with the highest octaves in breakneck speed as one possessed. But as a refreshing change, in this song, she is the gentle, salubrious zephyr that cools and calms a troubled mind with its solicitous serenity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv3HQgsvZbY
Thus ended Tamil cinema’s tryst with KBS. Of course in between her film projects and for long after திருமலை தெய்வம், KBS continued her stage concerts and recording devotional albums. Her concerts in numerous temples in all corners of Tamilnadu had devotees spellbound in the rapturous shower of piety. I have heard relatives recall with nostalgia that Panguni Utharam in Pazhani and Soorasamharam at Tiruchendoor would not be complete without the concerts of KBS. And KBS obliged everyone, from the most prestigious Sabha to the humblest group of workmen- the annual Ayudha Poojai of Taxi Driver associations in towns like Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai had the celebrations embellished by KBS singing for them.
Though in the early years KBS sang classical Telugu compositions in her concerts, she later concentrated almost wholly on Tamil songs steeped in devotion. Much after she was acclaimed as a great singer and stage actress, KBS formally learned classical music for 8 years under Namakkal Seshaiyengar. Learning of an erudite singer called Tiruchendoor Shanmugavadivu, KBS approached the reclusive artiste and coaxed her into imparting the ancient Pillai Tamizh ArutpaaKavadichindhu verses set in musical Ragamalika.
The devotional albums of KBS continue to be best-sellers to this day. Songs such as மனக்குறை ஏது முருகா, ஏறு மயில் ஏறி விளையாடும் முகமொன்றே, சரண கமலாலயத்தில், பாரோடு பதினாலு லோகமும், முத்து தமிழ் மாலை, தரணிதனில் அறுபத்தாறு தீர்த்தமும் all are enshrined in the hearts of devout Tamils the world over.
KBS was an ardent admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals. Her songs extolling the virtues of the Mahatma- நம்பிக்கை கொண்டெல்லோரும் கை ராட்டை சுற்றுவோம் and காந்தி ஓர் பரம ஏழை were a mandatory listen at Congress meetings. Heartbroken at the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, KBS sang the poignant அடிமையெனும் விலங்ககற்றி written by Karaikkudi Raya Chokkalingam. The song உத்தமராம் காந்தி written by the great Namakkal Kavingnar, when heard in the emotion-choked resonant voice of KBS would move even the most staid listener to tears.
She resumed her stage dramas after continued persuasion by well-wishers. At a trade fair held in Salem in 1956, KBS played the role of Velan in an adaptation of Valli Thirumanam in which S. D. Subbulakshmi appeared as Valli and T. R. Mahalingam appeared as Narada.
Several awards and honours, including the ‘Isai Peraringnar’ conferred by the Tamil Isai Sangam and the ‘Padmashri’ conferred by the Government of India have come her way. KBS became a member of Legislative Council of Madras State in 1951, thus becoming the first film artist to enter an Indian legislature.
She was generous and gave away liberally to charitable causes. Seeing the great leader Satyamurthy languishing in a dilapidated rented house, KBS gave away a plot of 4.5 grounds that she owned in T-Nagar to his family and ensured that a house was built therein. The family of the leader named the house ‘Sundara’ in expression of their gratitude. KBS built a cinema theter in Kodumadi, the opening of which was attended by, among others, Karunanidhi, MGR and Jayalalitha.
KBS loved children and ensured that the families of her siblings lived with her in her palatial house in Kodumudi. She would pluck flowers from her garden, cull them into garlands and decorate the hair of her little nieces every evening. She would stand for hours at the stove and prepare delicacies for the children and watch on with loving indulgence as they consumed the snacks. Every full moon night, she would take all the children to the terrace or to her farm lands and have an enjoyable time regaling them with songs, riddles and jokes, followed by a sumptuous spread. If any of the children fell sick, she would stand vigil by their bedside, fasting and chanting the Lord' s name until they recovered.
However, in her last years, KBS perceived the avarice and deceit of her relatives. Disheartened at their treacherous deeds, she moved to her house in Alwarpet, Madras where she lived all alone. Film Producer Kalaignanam, who was her tenant in the first floor of the same house, recalls in his memoirs the depressed state of KBS. She had even reduced her food intake to only one meal a day. She regained some of her zest for life when Kalaignanam approached her with a movie project, but before that could materialize, KBS fell ill.
The Kodumudi Kokilam attained the feet of the Almighty on 19 September 1980. Chief Minister MGR ordered a funeral with state honours, and led the mourners who played their last respects to her body that was brought to the Nadigar Sangam. Karunanidhi and Sivaji Ganesan paid moving eulogies to the departed soul.
After long years of separation, she must have reunited with her lover in the heavenly realm; the two of them must be enthralling the Gods with their celestial music…
On her birth anniversary today, we salute the memory of the celestial nightingale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYUvKowSF7A
https://youtu.be/o4dcdeB0zyM?list=PLFF16BE436306B407
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9p1nK_3fo4
Concluded.
Discussion at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1351635404868182/
Part 1 here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1349726998392356/
Part 2 here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1350578841640505/
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