Saravanan Natarajan writes:
Ramya Cine Arts’ ‘Oru Oothappoo Kan Simmitugirathu’ (1976) produced by S.Sankaran and directed by SP. Muthuraman was the next Tamil movie that had songs composed by Swami. Based on a story by Pushpa Thangadurai, the film starring Kamalhasan, Sujatha & Vijayakumar had some memorable songs. Lyrics were by Kannadasan, Kovai Kumaradevan & Ira Pazhanichami. Though ‘Nalla manam vaazhga’ sung by Yesudas, with its rich orchestration, was the most popular song from the film, the brooding ‘Aandavan illa ulagamedhu’ is my pick…with Swami at the helm and TMS & Vani Jairam as the crooners for the fisherfolk, the salt-laden breeze acquires a dreamy mystique…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm6E-iMNor4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzJYMGZ1pfU
The next year, the Vijayakumar-Sumitra starrer 'Nanda En Nila' came out with Swami’s music. Produced again by S.Sankaran under the same Ramya Cine Arts Banner and directed by A.Jaganathan, the movie had some outstanding songs composed by Swami. While ‘Oru Kaathal samrajyam kannil varainthaal’ sung by Jayachandran & T.K.Kala brings to pulsating life the vibrant verses of Na.Kamarasan, the title song ‘Nanda nee en nila’ is the jewel in the crown, where Ira.Pazhanichami’s lines marry the iridescent hues of Madhuvanthi on Swami’s canvas.. S.P. Balasubramaniam croons and cajoles, woos and wins… Swami’s most popular Tamil composition, a timeless treasure…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5v7mSRNgls
What a song! Even if this were the only song that Swami had composed in Tamil, he would merit a magnificent mention in the annals of Tamil film music on the strength of this exquisite wonder alone…
Oru Kaadhal Samrajyam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzcsEYq6TMs
The story of Aadi Shankarar was told with arresting detail on celluloid as ‘Jagat Guru Aadi Shankarar’ in Malayalam directed by P.Bhaskaran. The movie was dubbed and released in Tamil in 1977 under the banner Sri Kaladevi Art Films. Muralimohan played the role of Shankarar. Kannadasan wrote the lyrics for the songs, going the extra mile to translate Baja Govindam into Tamil. Swami’s outstanding compositions such as ‘Baja Govindam’, ‘Aatmagyana devan’ “Tripurasundari’- all sung by Yesudas & ‘Kumudathin malar thannai’ sung by Janaki added immense value to the well crafted movie. Listen to a short clip of the eternally uplifting Baja Govindam..
http://youtu.be/YctsNyIu3Ik
Swami’s next Tamil album was ‘Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal’ produced by S.Sankaran under the banner Lalithapriya and released in 1979. Directed by SP. Muthuraman, the film had new faces Sundar, LIC Narasimhan and Saroja in its cast. The film sank without a trace, but Swami’s songs such the mischief-filled ‘Muthu Muthu punnagaye’ by S.P. Balasubramaniam & P. Susheela and the philosophical ‘Endha paathai enege payanam’ by Yesudas found fleeting air time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmPz1ASlfEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dmsZtlEBfc
The last Tamil movie to come out with Swami’s music was ‘Bhaktha Hanuman’ , dubbed from Malayalam and released in 1980. Swami had filled the album with brilliant compostions soaked in piety such as ‘Rama Rama Rama’ and ‘Rama Jayam Sri Rama Jayam’ by Yesudas, ‘Inge idhayam paadidum ragam’ by Vani Jairam, and ‘Sarithira Nayaga’ by P. Susheela.
To sing the rare Thyagaraja Krithi ‘Sudha Madhurya’ along with Janaki set in Sindhuramakriya for the 1986 film 'Maragatha Veenai', Ilaiyaraja requested his beloved Swami to do the honours and the benevolent patriarch willingly obliged.
http://youtu.be/MfCQP0LNbss
The Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor heralds the dawn with Melpathur Narayana Bhatathiri’s Narayaneeyam, set to music by Swami and sung by P.Leela. Swami has written numerous devotional songs as well; he has even written a book of Tamil devotional songs titled ‘Aathma Deepam’. And as an acclaimed teacher, Swami’s list of celebrity disciples includes names ranging from N.C.Vasantakokilam and P.Leela to Ilaiyaraja and Bhavatharini.
Awards and accolades, though meriting no significance in the spiritual realm that Swami dwelt in, are too many to enumerate. The ‘Ganarcharya’ title (conferred by the renowned Sanskrit scholar Dr. K.P .Narayana Pisharady), the ‘Gayakaratna’ title (given by His Highness Padmanabha Dasa Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma, under the auspices of the illustrious Sri Swati Thirunal Sangita Sabha), the Kamukkara Award, the Abhayadev Award, the ‘Sangeetha Saraswathi’ title are the ones that readily come to mind. A musician, musicologist and a music director, Swami’s accomplishments are indeed varied and numerous.
Despite living and working in Madras and ruling the Malayalam film music world, only 13 Tamil films spread over 4 decades came Swami’s way. However, he breathed his life and soul into his works, which sing a song of eternal melody.
* * * * * *
In the late 80s, I used to frequent a video library called ‘Harini Videos’ in V.M.Street near my house. They had a decent collection of movies from the 70s, which I used to rent for their memorable songs. Once I asked for Nanda En Nila, and when the owner said that they didn’t have it, I asked for Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal. The owner, as was his wont, grumbled good naturedly on the never-heard-of movies that I seemed to want (Till the last I saw of him in 1990-91, he wouldn’t believe that there was a movie called Thunai Iruppaal Meenakshi!) and as I was leaving the library, a person who was sitting and chatting with the owner asked me why I wanted those two movies in particular. I explained to him about their common factor- Dakshinamoorthi’s wonderful music, and then spoke at length about Dakshinamoorthi’s works in Tamil. Imagine my embarrassment when at the end, the gentleman who had been listening to me so far with an indulgent smile introduced himself amusedly as Dakshinamoorthi’s son!
Another experience was thrilling, to say the least. In the late 90s, a journalist/writer was tracing the life and times of Tamil Film Music greats as a series in a magazine. Though much elder to me, he had become a good friend, bound as we were by a common passion for film music. We used to spend hours discussing the artistes and their works, and listening to their songs. One Saturday, I was listening to ‘Aandavan illa ulagamedhu’ and it struck me that my friend hadn’t written about Dakshinamoorthi yet. I gathered my collection of Dakshinamoorthi’s songs and hurried to his house. When I told him my desire, his eyes widened in amazement- for he had just returned from meeting Dakshinamoorthi Swami and was intending to write about him!
And a few years later, I caught a glimpse of the venerable Swami. Slight in build, spartan and simple in his attire, and though he seemed feeble due to his advanced years, he was erect in his bearing and majestic in his gait. I saw him from a distance at the inner sanctum of the Kapaleeswarar temple one evening, and gazed at him with wonder. As the lights from the lamps danced on his face, Swami, with his eyes closed in prayer, reflected an inner glow and serenity that reposed as a halo over his person.
Imagine my excitement, when good friend Ragapravaham Sundar (who else!) suggested that we go meet Swami in November 2010! I jumped with joy at the prospect and we visited Swami at his residence in Mylapore. Swami greeted us with old-world courtesy, treated us with utmost kindness and spoke to us animatedly at length on his various and varied experiences. A wry sense of humour that peeped in at unexpected intervals revealed his fun loving side. His eyes lit up when I helped him with some lines of a song that he was trying to recall. He sang some lines from few of his songs in the course of the conversation.... what a fine, stately voice he had, even at that age! His wife Smt. Kalyani and daughter Smt. Gomathishri joined the conversation... they ensured that we felt at home and were gracious in their hospitality. I can never forget his response when we urged him to take care of his health. He said, “I am trying to become thinner, so that I may not be a burden to my pall-bearers when they carry my body!” Avatarapurushan! As we parted, we took the blessings of Swami. By a happy coincidence, it happened to be my birthday that day, and I felt an inexplicable rapture settle on me as we took leave of that divine soul.Swami passed away on 2 August 2013 at the ripe age of 92. Co-incidentally it was on that very morning that a detailed article on him was published in The Hindu.. a quirky twist of fate indeed!
In August 2014, Sundar wished to celebrate the 25th year of Ragapravaham by presenting a special program. He wanted to present some not so frequently heard composers. He took three composers for himself, and allotted me three. And in my lot fell Swami.
Swami’s wife Smt. Kalyani, his daughter Gomathishri and their family attended the program. After I completed my presentation on Swami, Smt. Gomathishri came on stage and spoke few kind words in appreciation. She said that she was deeply moved that her father and his works were presented in such detail.
I was in the corridor outside the hall as Swami’s family was leaving. His grandson thanked me for the segment on Swami. Smt. Kalyani then held out her hands and as I clasped them, her moist eyes spoke the volumes that her lips left unsaid.... I was overwhelmed by emotion… Swami was smiling from above…
- Concluded.
Part 1 here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1421261891238866/
No comments:
Post a Comment