மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 19:
துளிர்விடும் காலம்… பிறந்தது ராகம்...
As we continue to celebrate with joy the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ being conferred on the Maestro, let us unearth a diamond of rare vintage that remains cunningly hidden in a little explored crevice, beneath a multitude of magnificent gems in his casket of priceless treasures…
The early 80s had Ilaiyaraja the monarch of all he surveyed in Tamil film music. Friday after Friday, movies were released with his music...How did he manage such a prolific output, even while maintaining the highest standards that he had set for himself... SPB and Janaki barely went home for a few hours’ rest... Vaali, Vairamuthu & Gangaiamaran had work around the clock... magical collaborations that filled the listeners with delirious joy, even when the sheer volume of output defied imagination...
While most of them elicited the popularity they doubtless deserved, some of them slipped away unobtrusively in the swirling mists of time. Blame it on the Maestro, for there was such a cornucopia of his compositions that adorned every new film that was released week after week, that one simply did not get the time to savor and sigh at each marvel at leisure…
In this edition of மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை, let us pick an obscure number from an unreleased movie, featuring an unlikely singer….in the music of Ilaiyaraja!
* * * * * *
While writing the requiem for Ceylon Manoharan, my thoughts went to few other actors who came to tinsel town with hopes of making it big, but ended up appearing as mere props in the villain’s den…. Playing the villain’s henchmen, showcasing their stunning physiques and muttering ‘Yes Boss!’ Though he did get more noticeable roles, a person I thought of in this connection was R.N. Sudarshan… Let me refresh your memories with this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvI1L_xZq3c
Of course, you remember him! The tall, muscular actor who appeared mostly as an associate of the main villain, making a mark even in insignificant appearances, his eyes glowering with menace as he taunted the hero or the heroine.
Sudarshan passed away recently. His demise on 8 September 2017 in Bengaluru went largely unnoticed, at least in Tamil Nadu. He was 78 years old and was, like Ceylon Manohar, suffering from kidney related ailments. He is survived by his wife, Kannada actress Shailashri, who had also acted in Tamil movies such as தரிசனம் (‘இது மாலை நேரத்து மயக்கம்’) and திருமலை தென்குமரி (‘Krishnaa.. daasi naa karaiyuve baa’).
However, his death was widely reported in Karnataka; there was even a condolence tweet by Chief Minister Siddharamiah, for Sudarshan was a very popular actor and film producer in Kannada.
Ratihalli Nagendra Sudarshan was the fourth son of pioneering Kannada director/actor R. Nagendra Rao (Remember the wily Marthandan in Gemini’s Apoorva Sagotharargal?) Sudarshan’s elder brothers were the legendary writer/ lyricist R. N. Jayagopal and the acclaimed cinematographer R.N. Krishnaprasad. (All 3 of them appeared in Maniratnam’s Nayagan as the villainous Reddy Brothers.)
Sudarshan had made a dashing debut at the age of 21 as the hero in the 1961 Kannada movie ‘Vijayanagarada Veeraputra’ directed by his father. Old-timers would recall with pleasure the song sequence ‘Apara keerthi galisi merava’, composed by MSV-TKR and sung by P.B. Srinivas filmed on a dashing Sudarshan on a horse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB9mLUy570E
Sudarshan went on act in few movies as the hero, however he gained more recognition in supporting/ villainous roles, acting alongside Rajkumar, Udayakumar and Kalyankumar. His performance in movies such as ‘Ananda Bashpa’, ‘Pathiye Deiva’, ‘Nava Jeevana’, ‘Mangala Muhurta’, ‘Chandrahasa’, ‘Immadi Pulikeshi’, ‘Ellelu Naane’, ‘Swarna Bhoomi’, ‘Mathrubhoomi’, ‘Kadina Rahasya’, ‘Vaagdaana’, ‘Prathikara’, ‘Nadina Bhagya’, ‘Karulina Kare’, etc. won critical appreciation and he had a part to play in many of the Kannada movies of the late 60s and 70s. It was during this time that acting together in many movies, Sudarshan and Shailashri found themselves falling in love and got married. Sudarshan produced and acted in the 1971 movie ‘Naguva Hoovu’ (Sri Sudarshan Chitralaya) in which Shailashri was the heroine. The movie, directed by his brother R.N. Krishnaprasad went on to win The National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada for the year.
Besides Kannada, Sudarshan had also appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi movies. I recall his roles in movies such as ‘Neethipathi’, ‘Sandhippu’, ‘Pagadai Pannirendu’, ‘Paayum Puli’, ‘Thiruppam', 'Velaikkaran’. He gave an arresting performance as Rekha’s father in ‘Punnagai Mannan.’
He had also appeared in several TV serials such as Velan, Maya Machindra and Maragatha Veenai.
* * * * * *
By now you must be wondering what has Sudarshan got to do with this music-oriented thread! Well, you are in for a revelation- Sudarshan was also a good singer, and had sung a few popular numbers in Kannada.
Sample this one- ‘Irabeku irabeku’ from Naguva Hoovu, composed by G.K. Venkatesh. His sonorous voice bringing in the melancholy that the sequence required, Sudarshan gives an unforgettable rendition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouUZlPru9N8
Sudarshan sang playback for actor Srinath in Puttana Kanagal’s 1975 movie ‘Shubhamangala.’ Listen to this song composed by Vijayabhaskar- Sudarshan paints the song with the caressing, romantic hues that it demands…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc-4gwqdSeY
* * * * * *
Ilaiyaraja had known Sudarshan since ‘Naguva Hoovu’ when he was assisting GKV. Ilaiyaraja had been assigned the responsibility to coach Sudarshan the notes and nuances of the 'Irabeku', and was delighted when Sudarshan came out with an impeccable performance.
After many years, Ilaiyaraja invited Sudarshan to sing a Tamil song under his baton. The movie was titled ‘ஊமை உள்ளங்கள்’ (Sri Muthiyalamman Creations) and launched in 1981. However, it was perhaps never even completed and remained unreleased.
Listen to this dazzling duet sung by Janaki and Sudarshan. The blossoming of love…the young hearts filled with an inexplicable happiness...they find all the elements of nature joining them in their rapture…The maestro fills the composition with his magic… The blessed Janaki commences the enticement and Sudarshan joins her, giving the song an added appeal… I recall listening to this lovely song even in 1983 in Radio Ceylon…It then disappeared from the airwaves forever….
Song: Thulirvidum Kaalam
Movie: Oomai Ullangal (Unreleased)
Vocals: S. Janaki & R.N. Sudarshan
Lyrics: Panju Arunachalam
Music: Ilaiyaraja
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnq5XZhxYw4&feature=youtu.be
Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1866742700024114/
துளிர்விடும் காலம்… பிறந்தது ராகம்...
As we continue to celebrate with joy the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ being conferred on the Maestro, let us unearth a diamond of rare vintage that remains cunningly hidden in a little explored crevice, beneath a multitude of magnificent gems in his casket of priceless treasures…
The early 80s had Ilaiyaraja the monarch of all he surveyed in Tamil film music. Friday after Friday, movies were released with his music...How did he manage such a prolific output, even while maintaining the highest standards that he had set for himself... SPB and Janaki barely went home for a few hours’ rest... Vaali, Vairamuthu & Gangaiamaran had work around the clock... magical collaborations that filled the listeners with delirious joy, even when the sheer volume of output defied imagination...
While most of them elicited the popularity they doubtless deserved, some of them slipped away unobtrusively in the swirling mists of time. Blame it on the Maestro, for there was such a cornucopia of his compositions that adorned every new film that was released week after week, that one simply did not get the time to savor and sigh at each marvel at leisure…
In this edition of மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை, let us pick an obscure number from an unreleased movie, featuring an unlikely singer….in the music of Ilaiyaraja!
* * * * * *
While writing the requiem for Ceylon Manoharan, my thoughts went to few other actors who came to tinsel town with hopes of making it big, but ended up appearing as mere props in the villain’s den…. Playing the villain’s henchmen, showcasing their stunning physiques and muttering ‘Yes Boss!’ Though he did get more noticeable roles, a person I thought of in this connection was R.N. Sudarshan… Let me refresh your memories with this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvI1L_xZq3c
Of course, you remember him! The tall, muscular actor who appeared mostly as an associate of the main villain, making a mark even in insignificant appearances, his eyes glowering with menace as he taunted the hero or the heroine.
Sudarshan passed away recently. His demise on 8 September 2017 in Bengaluru went largely unnoticed, at least in Tamil Nadu. He was 78 years old and was, like Ceylon Manohar, suffering from kidney related ailments. He is survived by his wife, Kannada actress Shailashri, who had also acted in Tamil movies such as தரிசனம் (‘இது மாலை நேரத்து மயக்கம்’) and திருமலை தென்குமரி (‘Krishnaa.. daasi naa karaiyuve baa’).
However, his death was widely reported in Karnataka; there was even a condolence tweet by Chief Minister Siddharamiah, for Sudarshan was a very popular actor and film producer in Kannada.
Ratihalli Nagendra Sudarshan was the fourth son of pioneering Kannada director/actor R. Nagendra Rao (Remember the wily Marthandan in Gemini’s Apoorva Sagotharargal?) Sudarshan’s elder brothers were the legendary writer/ lyricist R. N. Jayagopal and the acclaimed cinematographer R.N. Krishnaprasad. (All 3 of them appeared in Maniratnam’s Nayagan as the villainous Reddy Brothers.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB9mLUy570E
Sudarshan went on act in few movies as the hero, however he gained more recognition in supporting/ villainous roles, acting alongside Rajkumar, Udayakumar and Kalyankumar. His performance in movies such as ‘Ananda Bashpa’, ‘Pathiye Deiva’, ‘Nava Jeevana’, ‘Mangala Muhurta’, ‘Chandrahasa’, ‘Immadi Pulikeshi’, ‘Ellelu Naane’, ‘Swarna Bhoomi’, ‘Mathrubhoomi’, ‘Kadina Rahasya’, ‘Vaagdaana’, ‘Prathikara’, ‘Nadina Bhagya’, ‘Karulina Kare’, etc. won critical appreciation and he had a part to play in many of the Kannada movies of the late 60s and 70s. It was during this time that acting together in many movies, Sudarshan and Shailashri found themselves falling in love and got married. Sudarshan produced and acted in the 1971 movie ‘Naguva Hoovu’ (Sri Sudarshan Chitralaya) in which Shailashri was the heroine. The movie, directed by his brother R.N. Krishnaprasad went on to win The National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada for the year.
Besides Kannada, Sudarshan had also appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi movies. I recall his roles in movies such as ‘Neethipathi’, ‘Sandhippu’, ‘Pagadai Pannirendu’, ‘Paayum Puli’, ‘Thiruppam', 'Velaikkaran’. He gave an arresting performance as Rekha’s father in ‘Punnagai Mannan.’
He had also appeared in several TV serials such as Velan, Maya Machindra and Maragatha Veenai.
* * * * * *
By now you must be wondering what has Sudarshan got to do with this music-oriented thread! Well, you are in for a revelation- Sudarshan was also a good singer, and had sung a few popular numbers in Kannada.
Sample this one- ‘Irabeku irabeku’ from Naguva Hoovu, composed by G.K. Venkatesh. His sonorous voice bringing in the melancholy that the sequence required, Sudarshan gives an unforgettable rendition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouUZlPru9N8
Sudarshan sang playback for actor Srinath in Puttana Kanagal’s 1975 movie ‘Shubhamangala.’ Listen to this song composed by Vijayabhaskar- Sudarshan paints the song with the caressing, romantic hues that it demands…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc-4gwqdSeY
* * * * * *
Ilaiyaraja had known Sudarshan since ‘Naguva Hoovu’ when he was assisting GKV. Ilaiyaraja had been assigned the responsibility to coach Sudarshan the notes and nuances of the 'Irabeku', and was delighted when Sudarshan came out with an impeccable performance.
After many years, Ilaiyaraja invited Sudarshan to sing a Tamil song under his baton. The movie was titled ‘ஊமை உள்ளங்கள்’ (Sri Muthiyalamman Creations) and launched in 1981. However, it was perhaps never even completed and remained unreleased.
Listen to this dazzling duet sung by Janaki and Sudarshan. The blossoming of love…the young hearts filled with an inexplicable happiness...they find all the elements of nature joining them in their rapture…The maestro fills the composition with his magic… The blessed Janaki commences the enticement and Sudarshan joins her, giving the song an added appeal… I recall listening to this lovely song even in 1983 in Radio Ceylon…It then disappeared from the airwaves forever….
Song: Thulirvidum Kaalam
Movie: Oomai Ullangal (Unreleased)
Vocals: S. Janaki & R.N. Sudarshan
Lyrics: Panju Arunachalam
Music: Ilaiyaraja
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnq5XZhxYw4&feature=youtu.be
Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1866742700024114/
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