Jathi malligaiye - Mannukul vairam

Saravanan Natarajan writes:

Can we let go uncelebrated here the birth anniversary of the greatest actor of all times? The annals of

Tamil cinema are filled with glorious chapters bespeaking the greatness of the thespian. The 50s and the 60s and even part of the 70s had the actor enact roles that are enshrined forever in the memories of generations of Tamils- I have seen people from all walks of life recall with awe some minute nuance of his in some movie- a stare, a sneer, a chortle, a cough, a swagger, a twinkle, a frown, a shrug, a groan, a reproach, a smirk, a glint… an eyebrow raised in disapproval, a shoulder slumped in disappointment, an eye cringed in amusement, a head lowered in discomfiture, an arm stretched in supplication, a moan muffled in mortification, an upper lip pursed in steely determination….. It might have appeared for a fleeting second on the screen…but oh, the impact! It is but natural that the glorious memories of the Nadigar Thilagam fill our memories and the facebook walls of like-minded friends today.

Taking advantage of having a day off with Arvind away at school, we went to Citi Center and watched ‘Chekka Chivantha Vaanam’. In a particular sequence, one of the characters mocks at another thus ‘Edhukku Sivaji maathiri scene podara?’ (With the English subtitle showing ‘Why this high melodrama?’) I was left ruing at the callous contempt for a Colossus- would he be recognized as such by the current generation?

The astute performer knew the pulse of his audience and played his parts to perfection. It was only towards the late 70s and 80s that filmmakers could not come up with roles that befitted his age and stature and he was panned by merciless critics for most of his movies of the time. Movies such as Bharatiraja’s ‘Muthal Mariyathai’, Mukta Srinivasan’s ‘Pareekshaikku Neramaachu’ and Durai’s ‘Thunai’ were silver linings amidst these dark clouds of the 80s.

But there is one another movie from the 80s, a movie that is seldom remembered by even most die-hard Sivaji fans- strangely so, for it was a movie in which the Sivaji Ganesan gave a riveting performance- eschewing his famed histrionics, he appeared mellowed and restrained and lit the screen with subtle touches, grace and a dignity that was heartwarming. A diamond that remains buried in the remorseless sands of time….

* * * * * * *

Kovai Thambi (he of Motherland Pictures fame) was a name to reckon with in Tamil cinema of the 80s. Powered by the genius of Ilaiyaraja, his movies rocketed to success. Despite being a staunch MGR devotee and a member of the AIADMK, KT was filled with a desire to make a movie with Sivaji, sometime in the mid-80s. It was then that Bharatiraja recommended to him his brother-in-law Manoj Kumar who had an interesting script with an appropriate role for Sivaji. Sivaji was in Hyderabad at the time. KT flew there with the script and narrated the story to Sivaji. Sivaji was impressed with the story, but asked KT if MGR was aware of this project. It was only after KT assured him that MGR was happy about this project that Sivaji agreed to come on-board.

The movie was titled ‘Mannukkul Vairam’. Along with the thespian, actors such as Sujatha, Rajesh, Murali, Ranjini, Pandian, Vinu Chakravarthi, Goundamani and Vani Vishwanath offered credible support to the engrossing screenplay. Playing the village headman with an endearing majesty, Sivaji filled the frames with brilliant understatements- the forgiving glance to a repentant villager, the fury and shame in his eyes when he knows of his nephew’s misbehavior with a girl, the love with which he pampers his unfortunate granddaughter, his relief and happiness when he is able to secure a life of marital joy for her, his anguish when things move to a gruesome tragedy…. Emotional highpoints tempered with muted shades, the King stood tall and proud in the dusk of his illustrious career…

* * * * * * *

Kovai Thambi, who had struck gold repeatedly with Ilaiyaraja (Payanangal Mudivathillai, Ilamai Kaalangal, Naan Paadum Paadal, Unnai Naan Sandhithen, Udhayageetham), fell out with the Maestro after Idhayakoyil and brought in V.S. Narasimhan for Aayiram Pookal Malarattum and Laxmikant- Pyarelal for Uyire Unakkaga. His next experiment was with the new composer Devendran for Mannukkul Vairam.

And Devendran worked painstakingly to come up with a stellar album. SPB and S. Janaki, the reigning monarchs of Tamil film music, honoured the humble debutant composer by rendering the songs. And it is to Devendran’s credit that at a time when the Maestro had the Tamil populace under the spell of his magic and when his songs monopolized the airwaves night and day, Devendran’s compositions for Mannukkul vairam such as ‘Idhazhodu idazh serum neram’ and ‘Pongiyadhe kaadhal vellam’ managed to sneak into the popularity charts and remained ensconced therein for a while. However, much like other contenders, after the spark of brilliance in initial albums such as Vedham Puthithu and Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye, Devendran could not sustain this streak of success, and after a few mediocre efforts, disappeared soon in the relentless mists of time…

Penned by Vairamuthu and composed by Devendran, this poignant song is sung so feelingly by SPB for Sivaji Ganesan- The richest man in the village, and alas, also the saddest- for his granddaughter, the apple of his eye, is a child-widow.

He brings for her rich and varied delicacies to taste, exquisite dolls to play with, but, in keeping with the cruel customs of the village –only austere white clothes to wear. 'Thatha, why cannot I wear colourful clothes like other girls? ' she wails. He is heartbroken at her grievance. Unable to give her an appropriate answer, guilt-ridden at his own helplessness and hiding his angst at her wretched state, he pacifies her gently and pats her to sleep, singing this soft, caressing lullaby…She sleeps, he remains awake...a long night ahead; his heart wrecked by torment...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIFF3QFAv0o

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/2203358479695866/