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Showing posts with label Ilaiyaraaja. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ilaiyaraaja. Show all posts

Friday, August 24, 2018

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 36

Saravanan Natarajan writes:
மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 36

ஏதேதோ கனவு கண்டேனோ.....

Last weekend when OISG, Narayanan, Sivakumar Sir and I met, we talked, among other things, of Ilaiyaraja reusing his tunes in other languages.

My thoughts, this week, were on many such instances, and at the irony of some of the tunes funding their way back to Tamil! Like for instance, ‘சங்கத்தில் பாடாத கவிதை’ (which itself was the Tamil version of the scintillating Malayalam number ‘Thumbi vaa’), enjoying a Telugu sojourn in ‘Aakasham enatido’ and returning to Tamil as ‘நீர்வீழ்ச்சி தீ மூட்டுதே’ when Nireekshana was dubbed into Tamil as கண்ணே கலைமானே. And each of the versions, in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu featured the vocals of Raja’s Prima Donna. The Hindi version that came much later, was a fun-filled Mano- Preeti Uttam Singh duet, though.

However, there came to memory an instance where a tune sung by Janaki returned to Tamil in the vocals of Vani…serendipity happens when we listen to the same tune in the vocals of the two talented Divas….

Janaki, as we know, was at most times an afterthought in the Tamil albums of the 60s. MSV would send for Janaki only in the rare cases when he wished for a change from his trusted Susheela or protégé Easwari. In a decade that was dominated by these two hugely talented singers, Janaki had to be content with the stray opportunities that came her way. That she gave her best to each one of her songs, few that they may be, revealed why she was celebrated in Malayalam and Kannada.

The 70s, however, was a decade of renaissance. The number of composers, lyricists and singers who found exciting avenues ensured an abundance of variety. MSV was first to acknowledge this change, and along with the young SPB, Yesudas and Jayachandran, a delighted Janaki found frequent summons from the Master coming her way. With the advent of Vani, MSV found a singer who was in perfect sync with his thoughts. Album of album came from the Master with dazzling permutations and combinations of singers.

If Vani was an inevitable presence in the ensembles of MSV, Shankar-Ganesh and Vijayabhaskar, Janaki found her moorings in the music of Ilaiyaraja. The late 70s and the early 80s were the time when the careers of both the singers peaked and most albums featured their vocals.

Janaki and Vani had only a handful of duets, though. It was MSV who brought them together for the first time in the beautifully composed ‘இந்தப் பெண்ணோடு பிறந்தது நடனம்’ (சமையல்காரன்/ 1974). The divas shared the mike four years later when Shyam composed the eternally alluring ‘பொன்னே பூமியடி’ (மனிதரில் இத்தனை நிறங்களா/1978). Ilaiyaraja gave them the jaunty ‘மச்சானை பாரடி’ (தங்கமகன்/1983), and also made them join Malaysia Vasudevan to render the haunting ‘சின்னப்பொண்ணு சின்னப்பொண்ணு’ (அறுவடை நாள்/ 1986). Chandrabose pulled a coup of sorts when he brought together Susheela, Janaki and Vani to sing ‘வந்தாளே தெற்க்குச் சீமையிலே’ ( பொண்டாட்டி சொன்னா கேட்டுக்கணும்/ 1991).

And in the 1978 movie காற்றினிலே வரும் கீதம், Raja sent for Janaki and Vani to render the two versions of the title song. If Janaki’s ‘கண்டேன் எங்கும்’ was the gentle zephyr that caresses one with its pleasant allure, Vani’s was the wild tempest that tantalizes one with eerie enticement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl1IbJwXVro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqDkmF1dLds

* * * * * * *

Jwala, a 1985 Telugu movie, was a potboiler in the standard template of the time. In a movie which
Chiranjeevi essayed a double role, Ilaiyaraja came up with some feet-tapping songs that became popular. Even overshadowing the fast-paced dance numbers, it was the soulful Janaki solo ‘Evevo Kalalu’ that topped the charts.

The tune was so appealing that Raja had to reuse it in Tamil in the following year. ‘மரகத வீணை’, a story revolving around a primary school in a southern village and the love that blossoms between the music teacher Kokila (Revathy) and the sports coach Kannan (Suresh), had a magnificent album. And ‘Evevo Kalalu’ was heard as ‘கண்ணா வா’, again in the voice of Janaki.

Two years later, a production company called ‘Vijay Gowri’ films embarked upon dubbing ‘Jawala’ in Tamil as ‘துடிக்கும் நெஞ்சம்’ and the songs were recorded in Tamil. I doubt if the movie ever made it to the halls, but Vani’s fervent ‘ஏதேதோ கனவு கண்டேனோ’ did feature in the salubrious ‘Mandha marutham’ parade of Radio Ceylon.

Here then are the two songs, the same tune in the voice of the two divas:

Kanna Vaa from Maragatha Veenai (1986)
Sung by S. Janaki
Lyrics by Vairamuthu
Music by Ilaiyaraja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ifFkNbJt4&feature=youtu.be

Ethetho from Thudikkum Nenjam (unreleased)
Sung by Vani Jairam
Lyrics by Vaali
Music by Ilaiyaraja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0w-ulzvJCk&feature=youtu.be

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/2154102721288109/

Saturday, June 2, 2018

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 31

Saravanan Natarajan writes:

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 31:

உயிரே உனக்காக....

Two wondrous wedges from a vibrant rainbow, a magnificent rainbow that made a fleeting appearance before being hidden forever behind the swirling clouds of time……I was among the blessed to have savoured the delectable wedges…. These are two songs from ‘உயிரே உனக்காக’. Sung by SPB and S.Janaki. Lyrics by Vairamuthu. Music by Ilaiyaraja.

And before anyone starts wondering if Raja composed two songs in an album that had music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, let me hasten to clarify that this film is not the Mohan-Nadiya starrer உயிரே உனக்காக (1986/ Motherland Pictures).

This was an earlier venture commenced with the same name. Sri Manickam Films’ உயிரே உனக்காக is destined to lie hidden in the cans forever. It had Prabhu and Sulakshana playing the lead roles. It was produced by Kallakkudi Manickam and directed by S. Kumar.

* * * *

I go back again to the summer of 1983 when all schools were shut down for an extended period to express solidarity with the Srilankan Tamils. Having nothing else to do apart from reading the books borrowed from Easwari Lending Library in the afternoons and playing with friends out in the street for a while in the evening, I fell back upon my old ally- Radio Ceylon. My day started with பொங்கும் பூம்புனல் and ended with இரவின் மடியில்.

I can never forget the songs that were aired regularly during that unexpected vacation, and along with songs like ‘தென்னங்கீற்றும் தென்றல் காற்றும்', ‘நினைவிலே மனைவி என்று’, ‘யாரது சொல்லாமல்’, ‘சிரிச்சா கொல்லிமலைக் குயிலு’, ‘ஓ வெண்ணிலாவே வா ஓடி வா’, ‘தென்றல் என்னை முத்தமிட்டது’; there were these two songs that would found place unfailingly in பொங்கும் பூம்புனல்.

The songs were never aired after that summer, as album after album of Raja filled with new delights kept coming up week after week. I could not let go of them however, and clutched on to them in a precious nook of memory. Many years later, these two songs from உயிரே உனக்காக were on my wish-list each time I discovered a new recording center. But when after days of delicious anticipation, I brought back the cassette home, I would be dismayed to find 'I want to be a rich man' or 'கவிதைகள் விரியும் விழியிலே' from LP’s உயிரே உனக்காக recorded in the place of my requests! All my protests elicited was a flat denial of the existence of another movie by the same name for which Ilaiyaraja had composed the songs ….


After many years, I found a Srilankan friend who had the record with him ( Yes, with Prabhu in a white uniform on the record jacket), and got the precious songs from him.

The dream ensemble of Ilaiyaraja, Vairamuthu, SPB & Janaki collaborate here to put together an exquisite duet. Janaki’s enticing humming is invitation enough, and SPB’s pallavi hints at lusty longings hiding behind the air of laid-back romance. ‘மார்கழி பார்வை'…. What a mataphor… a glance that sends delicious shivers down the spine, a look that brings a refreshing zephyr to a heart parched for love? Janaki makes a sly entry into the charanam - hark at her irresistible exclamation of pleasure at his ‘உள்ளங்கையில் தேனிருக்க’ --And just when you expect SPB to bring back the pallavi after Janaki’s surging end to the charanam, like an unexpected cascade of summer showers, Raja takes you on a mesmerizing musical odyssey….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO-62OrrP7g&feature=youtu.be

The other enchanting duet from this film, ‘பூ என்பதா பொன் என்பதா’ (lyrics again by Vairamuthu) was another favourite among Radio Ceylon listeners. Serenaded by female chorus voices, a bashful Janaki lifts the curtains to a ballad of an unhurried courtship, a romance whose languorous lilt is festooned by SPB’s impassioned wooing. Gorgeous arrangements by the Maestro…listen to how he commissions his lead singers to commence the second interlude…. Rapture!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMy69H7iECc&feature=youtu.be

Happy Birthday, Sir! Our lives are richer with your music.
And, SPB Sir, our advance wishes!

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/2013711081993941/

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

நாதம் என் ஜீவனே #2

நாதம் என் ஜீவனே #2


The whole of the 60s saw Janaki struggle for recognition in Tamil Film Music. Though she enriched each song that came her way with dainty touches and inventive improvisations that showed her class, save some rare exceptions, she had to be content to remain in the sidelines. It was only in the 70s, that she found the doors of Tamil cinema opening grudgingly....

As we all know, 1976 was a defining year for Tamil Film Music, for it marked the arrival of Ilaiyaraja. Tamil Film Music would never be the same again. In fact, many tend to view Tamil Film Music in two distinct timeframes - Pre-Ilaiyaraja and Post-Ilaiyaraja. The arrival of Ilaiyaraja had far reaching consequences.

MSV found himself suddenly removed from centre stage (though he would continue to give many excellent songs for some more years). Vijayabhaskar, who had 6 films in 1975, had only 2 in 1976 and the numbers dwindled as the years went by. V.Kumar, who had much left in him, found his career abruptly cut short. K.V. Mahadevan would continue to show flashes of his former self in a few films here and there, but then he had plenty of films in Telugu. Shankar-Ganesh were the only ones not really affected - they never had any pretensions to greatness - they were all along working for small-budget/B-grade films (with some excellent exceptions, of course) – and these films continued to fall on their lot in greater numbers.

So, steadily and surely, Ilaiyaraja became "The Name Above The Title". No composer had wielded so much clout before. Most of the big banners, big films, new-wave directors, and many of the veteran ones too, latched on to him. The sheer numbers of his films speak volumes of how his popularity increased multifold in those early years- 4 in 1976, 12 in 1977, 21 in 1978 and 25 in 1979! In the coming years, these numbers would only increase more and more.

And with Ilaiyaraja, came S. Janaki with an emphatic bang. She had waited in the sidelines for too long and this was the moment she was waiting for. Ilaiyaraja was her messiah to glory, fame and critical acclaim. With "Machanai Paartheengala" and "Annakili Unnai Theduthey", she secured overnight the adulation and recognition that had eluded her for 20 years- (Her first song was released in 1957). Janaki had arrived, finally. And she would only grow from strength to strength, and would firmly hang on to the numero uno position for at least the next decade. After 20 years of being in the industry, she won her first National award in 1977 for her "Sendhoora poovey". She bagged the TN State Government award too for 1977. The Janaki juggernaut, with Illayaraja in the driver's seat, had started on its historic journey.

During his years under the tutelage of G.K. Venkatesh, Ilaiyaraja had witnessed firsthand the astute comprehension skills, remarkable range and versatility of Janaki. Janaki was GKV’s favorite singer and Ilaiyaraja had always found his interactions with Janaki highly enriching, for she was totally devoid of airs and delivered the desired nuances with disarming ease. During those years, Raja was playing the guitar and combo-organ regularly for many Malayalam composers as well, and observed the high regard that even revered stalwarts like Dakshinamoorthi Swami held for Janaki. During the recording sessions with Swami, Raja had opportunities aplenty to observe the effortlessness with which Janaki got the intricacies of Swami’s compositions right and the wholesome praise that came from the venerable Guru.

Janaki too found a kindred soul in Ilaiyaraja, for even as an assistant to G.K. Venkatesh, Ilaiyaraja had impressed her with the meticulous manner in which he would explain to her the notes and nuances. The rapport that developed thus between Ilaiyaraja and Janaki paved the way for a magnificent alliance when IR arrived with ‘Annakkili’, the album that rewrote history. Those momentous years saw Ilaiyaraja reserving his choicest creations for Janaki, and the gifted singer struck gold every time she brought alive with iridescent hues Raja’s captivating canvas. And over the decades, Janaki has quite understandably remained the singer to have rendered the most number of Raja’s compositions. Simply put, if Raja was the muse, Janaki was the voice.

I had halted yesterday at the threshold of the Raja-Janaki era, as reams have already been written here and elsewhere on the famed Raja-Janaki collaborations. At the request of some friends here, presenting today a bouquet of some vivid blooms…..some marvels from the Raja-Janaki treasuries that beckoned to me as I sat to write this morning…..

* * * * * *

The sequence is this: She is working as a governess in a rich Christian household, taking care of a mentally unstable boy who had lost his mother. The boy had always suffered from behavioral issues, with an uncontrollable temper. Added to that, he is now carrying the guilt of causing his mother’s demise. She finds the going tough, as he remains brooding, taciturn and spurns her affectionate overtures. She is heartbroken at her failure, and weeps for the helpless boy. She finally breaks into an emotional plea to Mother Mary to show them the way forward, and give succor to the wretched child…

Those were the early years of Ilaiyaraja. He had captured the imagination of the Tamil populace with his refreshing scores, amazing amalgam of folk and western classical music and orchestration of a hitherto unheard scale of intricate grandeur. Each album was eagerly awaited and celebrated with great fanfare.

For the song that I am now talking of, Vaali wrote the lyrics and Ilaiyaraja set the tune. As always, the notation sheets were distributed, rehearsals done. Janaki came and was given the lines. She went in for the ‘take’. What followed next was narrated by a bemused Maestro in an interview several years later…

Janaki rendered the Pallavi, the first interlude was played and she thereafter sang the first line of the first Charanam, and stopped. A pin- drop silence ensued. A bewildered Ilaiyaraja peeped in and stopped, aghast. The instrumentalists watched, not knowing what to do. Janaki was seen wiping away the tears that were flowing from her eyes! Seeing Ilaiyaraja, she managed a sheepish smile. ‘Sorry!’ she stammered, ‘I was so overwhelmed by the lines and sheer beauty of the composition; my emotions must have got the better of me… I couldn’t sing any further’.

After ensuring that she had regained her composure, Ilaiyaraja signaled for the recording to recommence. What happened this time was another unprecedented interruption. As Janaki was singing the Charanam, an amazed Ilaiyaraja noted that some of the instrumentalists had simply stopped playing! This time, his irate enquiries yielded another unexpected explanation- the musicians, many of them, veterans in their field, said in unison that they were so enchanted by Janaki’s singing that they missed their cue, and could only listen on, spellbound….

Third time lucky, the song was recorded.

The movie, as among many of those that Ilaiyaraja wasted his prodigious talents on, bombed at the box office. Yet this song remains enshrined in the annals of Tamil film history as one of the finest collaborations of the maestro and his prima donna. Set in a haunting Revati, with the Veena and Violin playing in tantalizing tandem, Janaki, who once famously said that playback singing is more playback emoting, makes us ashamed for all the years when she was inexplicably sidelined in Tamil cinema.

Music such as this has its moorings in emotions and feelings!

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

* * * * * *

Now for a diamond of rare vintage that remains cunningly hidden in a little explored crevice, beneath a multitude of magnificent gems...

A song where a mischievous Raja taunts and teases, toying with Mohanam, Hamsanandham, Amirthavarshini, egging them on in the hide and seek that they play with us at the wave of his wand….. the violins, flute, bass guitar, even the sudden delightful movements on the veena coat resplendent hues on to this black & white number….Raja the dream-weaver- the sublime space that he seems to touch at will remains annoyingly elusive for most of us…

And yes, I cannot be pardoned if I do not mention the Diva… the second interlude that opens with her Kuhukku humming-both the beckoning and answering calls by that cornucopia of talent - followed by that immortal string portion can never be erased from memory… A song. A soiree. A sepia- toned signature of the sorcerer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1thQz0vpjp4

* * * * * *

Even before being besotted by Tamil Film Music, there was one music that I already knew and liked, and it was ABBA. As a child, I used to watch wonderingly while my elder cousins played ABBA albums all day long. They learned the lyrics by-heart and sang along, and discussed the songs animatedly. More surprising was that even my father was drawn by the magic- I still have with me the TDK cassette in which he had got recorded the ABBA songs that he liked- on the sleeve he had jotted down in his distinct writing the list of tracks. I remember reading ‘Voulez vous’ and puzzling over its pronunciation. I was too young to follow the lyrics, but was mesmerized by the music. Even now when I happen to catch ‘I have a dream’ or ‘Fernando’ or ‘Chiquitita’ on the local FM’s late night requests, I go back to those days when Björn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid had the world in their trance.
And one such timeless number of ABBA is ‘Money Money Money’.

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world

Written jointly by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the song was released as a single on 1 November 1976, as the follow-up to "Dancing Queen" (both from the album Arrival). Needless to say, it was an instant chart-buster.

When I, much like the multitudes of my generation, came under the spell of Ilaiyaraja’s magic, I commenced combing the music shops in Madras for the Maestro’s albums. All the sparse money that came my way went in getting cassettes recorded with Ilaiyaraja’s songs and playing them over and over again, night and day. It was in an obscure little shop hidden in the labyrinth of the ancient streets of North Madras that I came across the vinyl record of a forgotten 1980 Tamil movie called Thaipongal. I lost no time in getting the songs recorded.

Coming after the two equally alluring versions (Yesudas & Jency) of ‘Theertha karaithanile’ and the caressing Vasu- Shailaja number ‘Pani vizhum poo nilavil’, I was pleasurably surprised to find a dazzling duet whose opening lines bore a startling resemblance to ABBA’a ‘Money Money Money’. Only the opening, though. Ilaiyaraja clutches on to ABBA’s opening notes and then charts a majestic course of his own…With a Baroque style violin/cello start, the delightful tune and the opulent arrangements mesmerize at every turn, every twist.

I am not a great fan of Ilaiyaraja the singer and am steadfast in my view that he ought not to have rendered many of the songs that he did. Yet, I am coaxed to believe that he has acquitted himself rather well here. Perhaps it was the salubrious presence of his prima donna that brought out the best in him…With Janaki at the other end, the co-singer has little to do, for the song is already a winner.

Aah...the value that the blessed chanteuse bestows upon the composition! The wily Ilaiyaraja keeps her presence a secret until the Charanam, and when she does appear, it like a Vanilla ice cream topping over piping hot Jamuns! She is at her seductive best here, her lines soaked in lust and longing...and stamps her class on every note, every nauance…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNzC10Lztl4

* * * * * *

A forgotten song from a forgotten Tamil movie from the early 80s- Archanai Pookkal. I remember catching the movie on one of the myriad cable channels sometime in the 90s. It was a sensitively crafted tale of the family of the temple priest and the young doctor who sets up practice in the same village.

It was the most prolific period of the Maestro, almost every Friday saw the release of one (at times even more than one) new movie bedecked with Raja’s songs. In this surfeit of aural extravaganza, it was but natural that some of the Maestro’s marvels never made it the marquee of attention and lie buried deep in the sands of time.

Take this song as case in point. The doctor and the daughter of the priest find themselves falling in love. The shy, reticent girl struggles to express her feelings. A past tragedy in the family and the fear of hurting her conservative father restrain her …she longs for the man to take the initiative….this is the sequence for the song….

‘I wait with expectant eyes, pray darken my threshold, oh cloud! Drench me with a downpour of bliss and let the exultation widen my sky!’ writes lyricist Vaali. The lines go on to describe her dreams of her love finding acceptance and the dawn of the joyous day of their marriage… and the days of the marital bliss that are to follow.

Raja sees that the opening lines refer to the cloud and rain, and sets them astutely to Raga Amritavarshini traversing beautifully to Bhoopalam and settling to a magnificent Panthuvarali. Listen to how the Chendai, Mirudangam and Tabla work in tandem to bring a euphonic experience of drops of falling rain…

Who else but the blessed Janaki to portray the tremulous yearning, the hope laced with a tinge of despair, the hastening speed of her lines trying to draw nearer the dreams of a distant joy….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQkmp-8Tfkw

* * * * * *

At times, words fail me when I wonder about Janaki the singer, and the person...what a hugely talented singer she was... and what a nice person she was/is! This song is a standing testimony to both....

Thoongaathey Thambi Thoongaathey was a 1983 Diwali release from the AVM stable. An eminently forgettable 'masala' movie with Kamalhasan playing a double role....One of the roles was of a foreign-returned youth trying to take charge of his vast properties in India.. the unscupulous manager and staff of his estates who had been making merry in his absence want to ensure that he does not interfere in their illegal activities...hence when he suffers a minor injury, they get him hooked to drugs to get over the pain.. and he gradually turns a drug addict...

For a song sequence depicting the drug induced psychedelic hallucinations of this youth, Ilaiyaraja came up with a superbly-orchestrated composition, and Vaali wrote the song 'Vaanam keezhe vandhaal enna'

S.P.Balasubramaniam arrived and the recording commenced... Ilayaraja shook his head in dissatisfaction...something was amiss...the chorus humming by a group of females did not bring out the effect that Ilaiyaraja wanted... Succeeding retakes only added to the maestro's frustration...

Our lady had just entered the studio as she had been engaged to sing two duets with SPB for the movie...it took her a glance to understand the tension filled atmosphere, and a listen to understand the underlying cause... 'Shall I try?' she asked with a smile.. Ilaiyaraja's brow cleared, SPB gave a knowing grin...Janaki rendered the humming in different pitches...the master synchronized them all and inserted them all over the song... and viola....wasn't this the magical effect he had dreamed of.... And of course, when the producers offered to pay her for this song as well, our lady refused with a gleeful chuckle...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOQ00hr-jUE

* * * * * *

At the height of his magnificent career, Ilaiyaraja was persuaded by his well-wishers that he needed a break. Initially reluctant, the maestro agreed, but on the condition that it would be a pilgrimage to Europe to visit the places where revered masters such as Bach, Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven lived and composed.

As part of that unforgettable 1983 tour, he requested his friends - ‘Air India’ Gopal and Professor Jamal to arrange for him to meet with the famous French composer and conductor, Paul Mauriat.

Mauriat would not condescend to see anyone so easily, they were told. Gopal forwarded to Jamal a resume of our Maestro and after several phone calls, Jamal succeeded in getting Mauriat agree to meet Ilaiyaraja one afternoon for ‘just 5 minutes’. Ilaiyaraja entered Mauriat’s composing chamber, laden with gifts- a statuette of Lord Krishna, a sandalwood garland and a few cassettes of his songs. As Ilaiyaraja and Mauriat started conversing on the greatness of Carnatic Music, they dwelt deep into technicalities such as micro tones and Indian rhythm patterns. Afternoon gave way to evening and the two were still engrossed in enriching exchange of ideas… Mauriat took Ilaiyaraja to his ‘Listening Room’ downstairs, and as Ilaiyaraja played cassettes of his compositions, Mauriat closed his eyes in blissful enjoyment and declared that ‘he had never heard anything like this earlier!’….

And the song that had elicited excited words of wholesome praise from Paul Mauriat- ‘Edho Moham’ from the 1983 Tamil movie Kozhi Koovuthu.

The song is a ballad of love, lust and longing, of dreams and desires, of guilt and redemption… the newly-arrived young postman and the guileless rustic lass find themselves strongly attracted to each other… they cannot fathom the inexplicable torrent of emotions and yearnings that are remorseless in their assault…the song is a raconteur of this restless torment, a voyeur into this village rhapsody…

I have my friends, many of them who have partaken deep of the nectar of Western Classical Music, stumble for words while describing the structure of the intricate composition- chord changes, harmonic progression, arpeggio movements, Ostinati and String stabs during flute calls, Congo rhythm, sheer silence. … all these and more, they say in awed tones, have gone into this marvel, this miracle…Memories flood in of nights when we used to listen to treasures such as these in repeat mode and discuss each note, each nuance with wonder...

Janaki, as usual, is the voice for the maestro’s muse…. all through her remarkable rendition, she reflects the urgency of the pining, the surreptitious thoughts that come unbidden, the helpless despair, the piquant perplexity…

And yes, there is this Piccolo that plays the opening tune to set the stage for the drama that unfolds, and Janaki croons, in hushed whispers, the opening lines in the same tune...as she sings the lines of bewildered anguish, the chorus voices (all of them Janaki!) respond in reassuring empathy…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX3m9XC7ZWA

* * * * * *

In the 1984 movie Vaidehi Kaathirunthaal, Revathy played the title role of a widowed danseuse with rare empathy. Being a trained dancer herself, she brought to heartrending life the anguish of Vaidehi..

Ilaiyaraja was the natural choice for composing the music. Those were the years when any film producer worth his salt would first book Ilaiyaraja and then search for a director (any director) with a story (any story).. It was sufficient if the film's titles had Ilaiyaraja’s name… the producer/financier would laugh all the way to the bank….

Ilaiyaraja would listen to the story, suggest appropriate situations for songs, compose the tunes, get his usual lyricists pen the lines, send for SPB and S. Janaki, and it was all in a day’s work!

Who knows what went on in the mind of the Maestro, for Vaidehi Kathirunthaal, he decided to do away with his favourite singing pair…. he roped in the talented Jayachandran to sing for the male characters, Ilaiyaraja himself sang a chorus song, P. Susheela, Vani Jairam & Uma Raman sang for the female characters… each song was a jewel, crafted with care and polished to perfection…and became hugely popular in their time.

There was one song remaining. For a sequence depicting Vaidehi’s inner turmoil, mental agony and physical longings, lyricist Vaali wrote lovely evocative lines…
Azhagu Malar Aada Abhinayangal Kooda
Silamboliyum Pulambuvathai Kael

Lines filled with poetic flourishes depicting a forlorn, fragile life, bereft of any hope... she bemoans her loneliness and curses her youth, for the untold longings that torture her... her life is a night that has no dawn...

Ilaiyaraja read the lines, sang them softly to himself, shook his head with a bemused smile, resigned himself to the inevitable and told his assistants, 'Go, call her!' … After all, he knew that none other than his prima donna could do even a semblance of justice to the poignant lines or the challenging tune…he could not visualize any one else singing this song... Our lady came with a twinkling smile, read the lines, listened to the tune, heard out the orchestration and…. this miracle was delivered in a single take… Janaki was Vaidehi and Vaidehi was Janaki... Ilaiyaraja forgot his peeve when his pet performed, and joined the rest of his troupe wholeheartedly when the singer was given a rousing applause when it was all over… All was well that ended well..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DugnsdbFZ7w

* * * * * *

Here is ‘Raghuvara nannu’ the Pantuvarali Kruti of Tyagaraja, set to music by Ilaiyaraja for the 1986 Tamil movie Isai Paadum Thendral. The movie itself was a remake of Bhadran’s 1982 Malayalam movie Ente Mohangal Poovaninju. The same Kruti found place in the Malayalam original as well, sung by the same singers, set to music by the revered V. Dakshinamurthy.

The two male singers- Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna and K. J. Yesudas have had years of formal training in classical music under great masters and have earned world-wide acclaim in the concert circle. Hence it is no surprise that they handle the swift, intricate passages with nonchalant ease. What is of surprise, and a breathtaking one at that, is the stupendous performance of S. Janaki. With negligible training in classical music, how on earth does this blessed singer match the two redoubtable stalwarts, note to note, nuance to nuance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQaH2scgqNA

* * * * * *

Yet another of the many Janaki-Ilaiyaraja collaborations that never got their due... a song where the remarkable songstress tries a few lines of German, with marked assurance, as always...

ich liebe dich ( German)- Pudhu Pattu (1990)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHyy3u4VllM

* * * * * *

Avatharam (1995) was one of the most popular albums of Ilaiyaraja after the advent of A.R. Rahman. The maestro bequeathed the movie with a BGM that elevated the frames to soul-searching, scintillating heights; and as for the songs, each one was an essay in enchantment.

Here a duet that finds place in the earlier, happier part of the proceedings. The vision-impaired Ponnamma and Kuppuswami find themselves falling in love... The song ushers in their new-found joys…. He explains the colours that this world is made of, and sums it up telling that in the end the real colours are not those one sees, but what one feels from the heart…. Vaali’s simple lines evoke vistas of vibrant hues…and Ilaiyaraja crafts a tune that captures this wonderment, of a window that had been shut for ages being thrown open with a suddenness that startles and spellbinds…

It was the time when Janaki had started to move away from the limelight. She had even remarked in an interview that there were many talented young singers who deserved more opportunities and admitted with endearing honesty that her voice had aged…. Yet she couldn’t refuse when the maestro summoned her for some of his compositions that he knew only she could do justice to. Like in this case, only his Januma could bring in the innocence and the vulnerability, the reticence and the exhilaration that the sequence demanded….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpEJnnPYe-w

* * * * * *

So much so, for Janaki the supreme artiste….

Yet another Janaki vies for a special place in my heart, and she is Janaki the human being….

*** Veteran singer Jikki was walking along GN Chetty Road with her daughter, in search of an auto to take her to the hospital…A car passed them by and then reversed…A distressed Janaki came running out and helped Jikki and her daughter into her car…’Never again will you step out like this, Akka!’ Janaki admonished her venerable senior with tears in her eyes. ‘You will call me every time you need to go to the doctor!’. And this was when Janaki was still a busy singer in the early 90s and Jikki was all but forgotten…

*** Every time she is complimented for the scintillating ‘Singara velane deva’, Janaki expresses her unreserved gratitude to veteran P. Leela. For when the makers of ‘Konjum Salangai’ had all but given up the idea of the song after hunting in vain for a singer who could match the pitch of the Nadaswaram, it was P.Leela who suggested the name of Janaki. In this age of blasé thanklessness and convenient memory loss, to find such a transparent heart is rare….

*** “Can you ever find a voice sweeter than hers?’’ exclaimed Janaki when asked about her contemporary P. Susheela. Such large-heartedness, complete lack of rancor or envy is another heartwarming attribute that sparkles on Janaki’s persona.

*** As for the two female singers who were part of the Shankarabharanam album, both Janaki and Vani Jairam had given their very best for the album. Vani’s classical training helped her bring out delightful nuances in each note. Janaki, bereft of any formal training, relied as always on her innate intuitive skills and embellished her songs with the artistry that only she was capable of. And both were equal contenders for the coveted National Award.

In the course of a leisurely conversation I had with Vani ji some years back, I asked her about the National Award for the Best Female Playback Singer that she won for Shankarabharanam. Vani ji said that both she and Janaki had vied with each other in giving their best for the album. She said she was in a recording when a messenger came to her telling her that she was wanted on the telephone. “It was Janakima on the line. ‘Vani, I am so happy… you have won the National Award for Shankarabharanam!’ she said excitedly. That’s Janakima…. she is goodness itself!”

*** Much before he even dreamed of a career in playback singing, when he was still a student, SPB took part in a singing competition. Janaki, who was one of the judges, gave him the highest scores. And when the verdict of the other judges didn't match hers, she was forthright in stating her dissent. Not content with that, the clairvoyant chanteuse prophesized that he would become a singer of repute one day, and urged him to try his hand in playback singing. It was thus Janaki who sowed in the mind of the youngster the seed of an ambition that would one day take him to dizzying heights of fame and fortune. "My mentor, my teacher, my guide" claims SPB of Janaki.

*** When Chithra was offered songs such as ‘Othayil ninnathenna’ (Vanaja Girija) and ‘Maarugo Maarugo’ (Sathi Leelavathi), she demurred initially, not sure if she could bring in the effect required. It was Janaki who gave her useful tips, motivated her and instilled in her the confidence to experiment with her voice. Chithra turns emotional when speaking of S. Janaki. “Janakiamma means a lot to me. I am very close to her. She is a living legend and I have learned a lot from her.” In another interview, Chithra recalled how in her initial years, Ilaiyaraja urged her to listen to Janaki’s songs to understand better the fine art of playback singing.

*** Singers such as Vasantha, the late Swarnalatha, Sujatha and Minmini have spoken warmly of Janaki’s counsel and encouragement. Vasantha has recalled in many an interview that Janaki used to visit her house in the 60s, just to motivate her and urge her not to give up even when the going was tough…

*** When speaking of Janaki, composer Shyam was effusive in his words of praise. He recalled that even when Janaki was singing round the clock for Ilaiyaraja in the early 80s, she would squeeze in time even in the wee hours of the morning if summoned by Shyam. And if she found that it was a low budget project of some humble producer, she would not insist on her usual rate and accept a mere pittance as a token payment without any hesitation.

*** In a magnificent felicitation by Tamil film music artistes for AR Rahman on winning the Oscar, it was Janaki who recalled the role played by the forgotten R.K. Shekhar (ARR’s father). Her heartfelt tributes had ARR in tears….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlyH2GQYz_8

Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art….

- P.B. Shelley (To A Skylark)

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1969476883084028/

Saturday, April 14, 2018

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 29

Saravanan Natarajan writes:
மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 29

நெஞ்சிலாடும் பூ ஒன்று....

அனைவருக்கும் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்!

Selva Vinayaga Films’ நெஞ்சிலாடும் பூ ஒன்று is yet another film that sleeps undisturbed in the cans, never destined to reach the silver screen. The film’s album, thankfully, was released- the record cover proclaims the year of its manufacture as 1979. And displays pictures of Saratbabu and Vijayakumar with Radha Saluja.

‘Thankfully’ I said, because the elusive album cunningly secrets within its seldom explored confines, some bewitching compositions of IR- compositions that surely warranted a happier destiny, grander commercial and critical acclaim. Lyrics were by Vaali.

‘கோடி இன்பம்’ is a magnificent masterpiece in Malayamarutham. Janaki's cuddlesome humming that establishes the enchanted mood for a joyous revelry of romance, and the fantasy-laden pallavi that opens up such spectacular vistas of an unabashed celebration of love, SPB who makes an unheralded welcome entry as the delirious man’s voice, to engulf his beloved Preethi with his winsome edicts, the violin that showers bushels of fragrant flowers upon the lovers, the lilting charanams that are interwoven seamlessly into the magic…surely dreams are made of such precious stuff….Million pleasures indeed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeQ38lgcaos&feature=youtu.be

‘மருத மஞ்சக்கிழங்கே' offers an equally tempting, but a contrasting folksy fare—Vani beckons with a summons that is irresistible, and a mesmerizing flute escorts us right into the midst of a torpid evening in a rustic milieu, where the slanting rays of the setting sun fall upon a pair of lovers rapturously capering across the carpet of greenery. The bashfully uttered lines of the Pallavi, SPB’s honeyed humming that follows, the interludes that blend in so masterfully with the rural ambience, the meandering Charanams that flow so alluringly into the Pallavi—all come together to ensure a delightfully refreshing treatment for the hackneyed plot of the man’s amorous advances being checked by the virtuous woman imposing a restraint on proceeding further until the formal sanctification of the union.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPhZwUVLddE&feature=youtu.be

‘வானம் எங்கே’ is the third duet from the film, and an unforgettable song it is by Jayachandran & Janaki…. Listen to a languorous Janaki hovering ever so bewitchingly over the dreamy chorus voices; let the flittering flute fill you with pleasurable anticipation, for the mellifluous Jayachandran is soon to make an arresting entrance….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTeafZHBNOA&feature=youtu.be

‘ஒரு மூடன் கதை சொன்னால்’, the fourth song in the album captures Malaysia Vasudevan in his ruminative, melancholic mood, and his earthy tones bring in a hue of wry resignation to a love which is destined to go unrequited. The song was a great favorite in the listeners’ requests sections of Radio Ceylon…all from disillusioned young men!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln_XShQVJD4&feature=youtu.be

So let the timeless magic of vintage Raja entrance us with these forgotten numbers...

‘Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on….’

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1959108770787506/

Saturday, January 27, 2018

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 19

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/

Friday, December 29, 2017

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 13

Saravanan Natarajan writes:
மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 13

உதய காலமே/ மார்கழி மாதம் முன் பனி வேளையிலே....

A Tamil youth comes to Kerala in search of employment. There he finds livelihood, and then finds love in the form of a lively local lass. Communication between them is limited to looks, smiles and gestures, until she learns Tamil. (A forerunner to Cheran's Autograph?) In his 'என் ஜன்னலின் வழியே' Vairamuthu reveals this much of the story of பஞ்சமி. In a chapter titled 'உறங்கி கிடக்கும் மொட்டுக்கள்', Vairamuthu lists down few songs that he wrote for movies that were never released. And it is in this context that he mentions the movie பஞ்சமி and the song உதய காலமே which the girl sings soon after mastering the language of her lover, exulting in the lines 'மொழியின் கதவு திறந்தது...' Laments Vairamuthu, 'பஞ்சமி படத்திலும் கூட நான் சேமித்து வைத்த கற்பனை செலவழிக்கபடாமலே இருக்கிறது'.

If Vairamuthu can be filled with regret that a single song written by him was frittered away for this பஞ்சமி that was never released, then one can imagine the dismay of Ilaiyaraja, for he had lovingly crafted 4 exquisite songs for பஞ்சமி only to see them squandered, his painstaking work falling prey to the financial tangles of a wretched producer who could not find funds to complete what he had commenced.

Wait, Ilaiyaraja's labour was not wholly lost... for fortunately for us, we had with us in those times 'தமிழ் சேவை இரண்டு', and by fetching for the songs of பஞ்சமி repeated airtime, the good old radio station was the soothing salve to Ilaiyaraja's disenchantment. And from the tea gardens of Nuwaraeliya to the concrete mazes of Madras, the songs were requested for and listened to with great pleasure, till time took them away in its merciless stride.

Incidentally, way back in 1976, there came a Malayalam movie titled 'Panchami' starring Prem Nazeer & Jayabharathi, and it had some wonderful songs composed by our Mellisai Mannar MSV.

From the EP record of the Tamil பஞ்சமி (Omega Movies), we come to know that that the songs were recorded in 1981. The songs were:

1. உதய காலமே written by Vairamuthu and sung by P. Susheela
2. மாலை வெய்யில் written by M.G. Vallaban and sung by Malaysia Vasudevan
3. பனிக்காற்றின் குளுமை written by Gangaiamaran and sung by S. Janaki
4. மார்கழி மாதம் written by Gangaiamaran and sung by S. Janaki & T.V. Gopalakrishnan

'உதய காலமே' is a song with a delightful prelude and heavenly interludes sculpted around the ever dulcet tones of the one and only Susheela. The Kerala girl has learned Tamil and sings in the exultation of having discovered another language; It is a joyous dawn for her, the dawn of communication with her lover…she gambols along the picturesque pastures, and exclaims in sheer happiness. Susheela caresses each syllable with the love it deserves, polishes each nuance to perfection….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqNBeI22q_U

'பனிக்காற்றின் குளுமை' has Janaki weaving a wondrous warp on Ilaiyaraja's psychedelic tapestry.
Malaysia Vasudevan brings to life in his idiosyncratic levity the lines of M.G. Vallaban in that jaunty 'மாலை வெய்யில் பாடும் சிந்து சிந்து'.

That leaves us with this sumptuous spread in Kamas 'மார்கழி மாதம் முன் பனி வேளையிலே'. Kamas, they say, is the raga that is best suited to portray Sringaara Rasa, the aesthetic emotion that conveys love tinged with sensual longings, the enthralling amalgam of the ecstasy and agony. Is it then any surprise that Raja laid Kamas as the silken carpet to tread this sensuous journey on? The song appears to be a composition for a dance recital, with Sringara Rasa as the motif of the piece. The danseuse recalls with a wistful pang a winter tryst with her lover, and sighs over the current spasm of separation even as she yearns for those joyous intimate moments to cross her threshold once again..

The sprightly anklets, the Mridangam, Veenai, Violin, Flute. Ilaiyaraja ushers in the ethos and ambience of a dance stage. Surprises never cease when Sishtla Janaki is around. For a singer with negligible training in classical music, she serenades the intricate nuances of Kamas here like a seasoned stalwart. And understanding the mood of the composition, she cajoles into her rendition the entire realm of Sringara- wicked coquetry, secretive exchanges, sighs of delirious joy, whimpers of pangs of separation- they all find surreptitious space in her song. Ilaiyaraja invites his Guru to sing along with his prima donna, and the revered Tirupunithura Viswanatha Gopalakrishnan fits in with finesse, his trained tones resonating with casual confidence.

The sensual thus soars to become the sublime in the chambers of the Maestro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15VGgjhW-zY&feature=youtu.be

* * * * * *

'மாதங்களில் நான் மார்கழி' Lord Krishna is said to have declared. It may well suit our Singaara Chennai, for the staid city rouses itself to pulsating life this month. I have many lovely memories of Chennai in this time of the year…..A pleasant, almost cold climate fills the denizens with joy. One gets up to 'புல்லாங்குழல் கொடுத்த மூங்கில்களே' and 'கீதை சொன்ன கண்ணன்' drifting from some neighbourhood temple, and comes out to see attractive Kolams bedecking the gateways of most houses, even apartments. The appetizing whiff of delicious Pongal wafts from the kitchen. The pages of the December 1st edition of 'The Hindu' are filled with the mind-boggling itineraries of the myriad Sabhas. The city is treated to a month long sumptuous feast of music and dance. Magazines vie with each other in reviewing the concerts, the crowd, and more importantly, the fare offered in the canteens….Shankara Hall and Chettiar Hall across the road used to put up their famed annual sale of CDs. Christmas, New Year….The associated holidays and revelries, followed soon by Pongal. Movie releases of our favourite stars, family get-togethers, the test matches at Chepauk, the All India Tourist Trade Fair in the Island Grounds.

"Oh, to be in England now that April's there!' exclaimed a wistful Robert Browning in his 'Home Thoughts from Abroad'. Chennai and Margazhi would hold just as good…….

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1834355319929519/

Friday, December 15, 2017

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 9

Saravanan Natarajan writes:

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 9

கண்ணா...வா..வா....

* * * *

‘மலர்கள் நனைகின்றன’, was the artistically printed legend on the record sleeve, with the silhouette of a woman sketched below and some bright petals with the dew dripping from them covering rest of the sheath. I had never heard of such a movie, and the garish jacket put me off. (Thanks to my college friend Sathya, I was at an audio center tucked cunningly in a busy junction of a labyrinth of alleys in the 7 Wells area of North Madras.) But as I was returning the EP record so that it could resume its interrupted hibernation, a small caption on the bottom made me pull it back abruptly “இசை: இளையராஜா”.


I was truly intrigued now, for I had never heard of such an IR album, and added it excitedly to the steadily growing pile of EPs that I had already chosen. And I am, to this day, truly grateful for that last-minute observation.

For the songs of மலர்கள் நனைகின்றன (Laxmichitra Movies; Produced & Directed by S. Chidambaram) brought back so many truant glimpses of a bygone age; as I listened to the songs, I remembered listening to them on Radio Ceylon long back, and was besieged with myriad memories of another day…

‘ஆசை இதழோசை’ is a tender P.Susheela solo, with Muthulingam’s lines caressingly seductive. 'இன்று காதல் மீறுது’ is an attractive rustic duet, filled with early Vairamuthu’s inspired musings- Sung by Malaysia Vausdevan & S.P.Shailaja, the song was another was another Radio Ceylon favorite. 'ஆசை மனசு ஒண்ணு கூடட்டும்’ has Gangaiamaran penning some unconventional radical thoughts, rendered with élan by Deepan Chakravarthi & Ramesh.

‘கண்ணா வா வா’ by Jayachandran & Janaki ( Lyrics: Gangaiamaran) was the song that the fastidious listeners of Radio Ceylon fell in love with though. The song takes me back to faraway evenings, of coming back from play and sighing and sitting down to homework, while மந்த மாருதம் wafted from தமிழ்ச்சேவை இரண்டு.

Janaki’s opening humming is enticing invitation enough and we are soon drawn into the dreamy vistas of old-fashioned, leisurely romance that Raja’s baton conjures up. Each of the three interludes is singularly appealing, while Jayachandran & Janaki captivate as customary, contributing in no small measure to the charm of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLG0ZE4GxIQ

Some time back, I was startled to come across of the video of the song. Perhaps the video cassette of movie was released? Sorry to say, the picturization is a big let-down, with director Chidambaram completely unaware of doing even a semblance of justice to the maestro’s alluring composition. Vanithasri finds the going tough with the male actor seeming distinctly uncomfortable. What a colossal waste of the maestro's munificence!

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

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1817821271582924/

Friday, December 8, 2017

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 8

மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 8:

அலைபாயுதே கண்ணா....

In tune with the music season, here is a classical treasure by Ilaiyaraja from an unreleased movie- a celluloid adaptation of a story by none other than the redoubtable Jayakanthan...

* * * * *

‘Who asked you to believe in me? You must first believe in yourself!’

This was JK’s stern rejoinder when the young Ilaiyaraja, his brother Bhaskar and Bharathiraja visited JK in his house, and told him that they have come to Madras trusting that JK would help them find their moorings. IR had known JK well from the days when he used to accompany his brother Pavalar Varadarajan in his concerts featured in meetings of the Communist Party wherein JK was the star speaker. IR was always an ardent fan of JK and his writing. And now when IR, Bhaskar and Gangaiamaran arrived in Madras in search of livelihood, they thought it appropriate to call on JK. In a recent speech, IR said that it was only in jest that they sought the support of JK, but JK took it seriously, and JK’s words inspired IR to develop self-confidence and motivated him to expand his horizons even further.

In later years, as IR became the monarch of all he surveyed in Tamil film music, he continued to admire JK. IR was among the chief speakers when JK was felicitated on being conferred the Jnanpeeth Award in 2006. In his tribute laced with wit, IR recalled the long years of his association with JK and the experiences of accompanying his brother to conclaves of the Communist Party. IR showered encomiums on JK, and said humbly that to speak on JK, one needs to be a greater genius, which he was not. He even read out a verse in wherein he equated JK with Bhararthi.

IR’s speech on JK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxWLc9hZ0wU

When IR constituted a literary forum called "Isaignani Ilakkiya Perumandram" in 2007 to encourage Tamil writers, he invited JK to serve as the president of the forum. IR then produced a celluloid tribute to his friend in 2008. The docufilm titled ‘எல்லைகளை விஸ்தாரித்த எழுத்துக்கலைஞன்' was directed by Ravi Subramanian and the haunting background score was composed by IR. In fact, the movie opens with a soulful song sung by IR, even as JK is shown going on an early morning drive.

* * * * *

However, this was not the only instance of IR composing music for a film associated with JK. In the early 80s, B. Lenin sought to craft JK’s ‘எத்தனை கோணம், எத்தனை பார்வை’ on celluloid, and engaged IR to compose the songs for the movie. It is pertinent to note that Lenin’s father Bhimsingh had made brilliant movie adaptations of JK’s ‘சில நேரங்களில் சில மனிதர்கள்’ (1977), ‘ஒரு நடிகை நாடகம் பார்க்கிறாள்' (1978) and ‘கருணை உள்ளம்’ (1978) which had fetched widespread critical acclaim. ‘எத்தனை கோணம், எத்தனை பார்வை’ is said to have been based on ‘காத்திருக்க ஒருத்தி’, a novel that JK had written in 1980. I have not read the novel, but have vague memories of a friend relating the story to me- it seemed to be woven around a woman who takes the bold step of separating from a wayward, alcoholic husband. Interestingly, way back in 1965, JK had written a short story titled ‘எத்தனை கோணம், எத்தனை பார்வை ’, which showed the startlingly varied angles at which different members of a family, and even the man and woman concerned, view a marriage proposal.

The movie never saw the light of the silver screen, though I believe the video cassette of the movie was released a few years later. I have seen the EP record of the movie. The record sleeve showed images of Thyagarajan, Sripriya, Suresh, Nalini and Charuhasan. I have vague memories of Vadivukkarasi being part of the cast as well. The year of manufacture of the record was 1983. JK drafted the screenplay and scripted the dialogues. Lenin must have been disappointed at the movie finding no takers. But years later, in 2001 to be precise, Lenin was in the news again, and this time it was because he had won the National Award for the Best Director for his work in ‘ஊருக்கு 100 பேர்’, adapted from JK’s eponymous novel.

The person who must have been most saddened with ‘எத்தனை கோணம், எத்தனை பார்வை’ proving to be a non-starter is Ilaiyaraja, for he had composed an outstanding set of songs for the movie. However, his labour was not wholly lost, for as its wont Radio Ceylon went to town with the album, and the songs turned out to become quite popular in their time.

IR inserted some scintillating classical songs in the album. 'பாஹிமாம் ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜேஷ்வரி’ by Yesudas is a veritable feast for learned connoisseurs. Then there are several delectable bits such as ‘கௌரி கல்யாண வைபோகமே’, ‘நிதி சால சுகமா’, ‘கல்லானேயானாலும்’ and soulful bits of aalaaps, all by Yesudas. ‘புகழ் சேர்க்கும் புது வாழ்வு’ accentuates the softer, sentimental side of Malaysia Vasudevan, while ‘நிமிர்ந்த நன்னடை’ has the same Vasu in his usual strident strain. 'என்ன வித்தியாசம்’ is a ditty full of philosophical mischief, rendered by Malaysia Vasudevan & Gangaiamaran. ‘எத்தனை கோணம் எத்தனை பார்வை'’ has Malaysia Vasudevan & Chorus ruminating on the vexatious issues that plague the society and prescribing socialist solutions to the ills. I believe JK had written the lyrics for ‘புகழ் சேர்க்கும்’, ‘என்ன வித்தியாசம்’ and the title song.

Let us listen to the remaining 2 songs from the album. The first is Uthukkaadu Venkata Subbaiyer's
famed ‘அலைபாயுதே கண்ணா’ by Yesudas & S. Janaki set in Kaanada. Shankar-Ganesh had sought inspiration from this ancient composition for setting the tune of the pallavi of ‘ஆசைகளோ கோடி’ by Janaki (அர்த்தங்கள் ஆயிரம்/1981). Years later ARR stuck to the traditional tune when he had to include the hoary composition in ‘அலைபாயுதே’ (2000). The song was sung by Kalyani Menon, Harini and Neyveli Ramalakshmi.

Ilaiyaraja waves his baton, and lo- the violin and flute set the stage for enchantment. The interludes- the first with interesting moments where the Veenai flirts with the Guitar and the second dominated by a bewitching flute are simply ethereal, even as the mridangam provides unobtrusive support all through the song. Yesudas, who keeps singing this song on many a December stage, brings to the fore his impeccable pedigree, while the singular Janaki matches Yesudas valiantly note by note. She soaks her rendition with the tremulous ache of being in love with Lord Krishna.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJtak7kc8Yg

We have next ‘விதைத்த விதை தளிராய் எழுந்து’ a joyous duet of hope, sung by Deepan Chakravarthi & B.S. Sashirekha, with IR at his creative best. This time the maestro’s glance falls on Darbaari Kaanada and he conjures a tune that weaves the nuances of the Raaga as a tantalizing trellis. The prelude and interludes are vintage Ilaiyaraja. The first interlude opens with the guitar, and then the violins make merry with the tabla offering some sedate moments before the guitar and veenai escort the tune to the charanam… The intriguing veenai- guitar dalliance continues in the second interlude as well, while this time it is the flute that beguiles the tune back into the charanam. Lyrics by the birthday boy Gangaiamaran.

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

Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/1810478982317153/

Sunday, October 29, 2017

The King's Treasuries - 22

Narayanan Swaminathan‎ writes:

The King's Treasuries - 22

Alessandro Alessandroni ஒரு ஆச்சரியமான திறமைசாலி. அற்புதமான கிட்டார் பிளேயரான இவர் ஒரு சிறந்த இசை அமைப்பாளரும் கூட. கிட்டத்தட்ட 40 படங்களுக்கு இசையமைத்துள்ளார். Sergio Leone, Ennio Morricone மற்றும் Alessandroni யின் கூட்டணியில் உருவான பல படங்கள் உலகப்பிரசித்தி பெற்றவை.

'ஸ்பகெட்டி வெஸ்டர்ன்' என்று ஒரு genre ஐயே உருவாக்கியவர்கள் இவர்கள். வெஸ்டர்ன் என்பது தமிழில் புரியும்படி சொன்னால் ஜெய்ஷங்கரின் (கர்ணனின்) கௌபாய் படங்கள். இவர்கள் இத்தாலியில் இருந்து படங்கள் எடுத்ததால் spagetti western என்று அழைக்கப்பட்டன. macaroni வெஸ்டர்ன் என்றும் ஒரு ஜானர் உண்டு.

இத்தாலி நாட்டு இளையராஜாவான Morricone (500 படங்களுக்கு மேல்), பட்ஜெட் காரணமாக முதல் சில செர்ஜியோ லியோன் படங்களில் பெரிய ஆர்கெஸ்ட்ரா பயன் படுத்த முடியாததால், கிட்டார், மோர்சிங் (jewish harp ), விசில், சாட்டைச்சத்தம், துப்பாக்கி சத்தம், ட்ரம்பெட் என்று செலவில்லாமல் பார்த்துக்கொண்டார். வல்லவனுக்கு புல்லும் ஆயுதம் தானே.. இந்த 'வாத்தியங்களை' வைத்துக்கொண்டே ஒரு இசைப்புரட்சி செய்தார்.

இங்கு தான் தன் பால்ய ஸ்நேகிதனான அலெசாண்ட்ரானியின் அற்புத திறமையை பயன்படுத்திக் கொண்டார். dollars trilogy என்று சொல்லப்படும்
A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965) மற்றும் The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) ஆகிய படங்களில் இவர்களின் கூட்டணி அட்டகாசம் செய்தது.

Alessandroni கிடார் வாசித்துக்கொண்டே விசில் அடிப்பதில் கில்லாடி. இந்த 3 படங்களிலும் அவருடைய விசில் மற்றும் கிட்டார் தான் தீம் மியூசிக். கம்போஸர், கிட்டார் கலைஞர் என்பதைத்தாண்டி இந்த விசில் திறமை தான் அவரை உலகிற்கு அடையாளம் காட்டியது.

https://youtu.be/CpZjvbSC9_M
https://youtu.be/mLXQltR7vUQ
https://youtu.be/h1PfrmCGFnk
https://youtu.be/I3AFeCKFZl0
https://youtu.be/pLgJ7pk0X-s
https://youtu.be/2RGrz1mZve8

******
தமிழ்ப்படங்களில் Whistling என்பதை முதன்முதலாக விஸ்தாரமாக பயன்படுத்தியது மெல்லிசை மன்னர்களே.. சட்டென்று நினைவுக்கு வருவது நீரோடும் வைகையிலே, வந்த நாள் முதல், உள்ளத்தை அள்ளிக்கொஞ்சம் தா போன்ற பாடல்கள்.. யார் அந்த whistler என்பதை விவரம் அறிந்தவர்கள் சொல்லலாம்.

https://youtu.be/0Ded74fqkOA
https://youtu.be/Yhrp0_XgjdQ
https://youtu.be/Xt9pncmbTYI

SPB அருமையாக விசில் அடிக்கக்கூடியவர். மேடைகளில் பாடும் போதே விசிலும் அடித்து அசத்துவார்.. ரஹ்மானின் தொடத்தொட மலர்ந்ததென்ன பாடல் பற்றி அவர் பேசியது இதோ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9qmN1mNJnU

YGEE MAHENDRA அவர்களும் ஒரு அற்புத விசில் கலைஞர்.. அவருடைய நடிகர், மிருதங்க வித்வான் போன்ற பல முகங்களில் இதுவும் ஒன்று. MSV - TKR பாடல்களை விசிலில் வாசித்து ஒரு சீடியே போட்டிருக்கிறார்.

https://youtu.be/94Bfzel8zPM

மெல்லிசை மன்னர்கள் தவிர எனக்கு ஞாபகம் வருவது சுதர்சனம் இசையில் அன்னை படத்தில் வரும் 'புத்தியுள்ள மனிதர் எல்லாம்' பாடல், மற்றும் தேனிலவு படத்தில் ஏ.எம்.ராஜா இசையில் பாட்டு பாடவா பாடலில் வரும் PRELUDE . மற்ற விசில் பாடல்களை ரசிகர்கள் நிரப்பலாம்.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ImA2bPgICM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qV8W1z6ZZo

********
ராஜா இசையில் பல பாடல்களில் விசில் அற்புதமாக பயன் படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. அவரே ஒரு விசில் கலைஞர் தான். காதலின் தீபம் ஒன்று பாடல் கம்போசிங் போது உடல் நலமில்லாமல் மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டார். PRELUDE, INTERLUDE எல்லாம் நோட்ஸ் எழுதி விடலாம். TUNE சொல்லிக்கொடுக்க பாடித்தானே ஆகவேண்டும்.. பாட முடியாத நிலையில் முழு மெட்டையும் விசில் அடித்தே சொல்லிக்கொடுத்தார் என்று கேள்விப் பட்டிருக்கிறேன்.

நினைவில் வரும் விசில் பயன் படுத்தியிருக்கும் ராஜா பாடல்களை கொடுக்கிறேன். மேலும் உள்ளவற்றை ரசிகர்கள் கூறலாம்.

ஏ ஆத்தா - பயணங்கள் முடிவதில்லை
மதன மோக ரூபசுந்தரி - இன்று போய் நாளை வா
காங்கேயம் காளைகளே - இன்று நீ நாளை நான்
டார்லிங் டார்லிங் - பிரியா
ஈரமான ரோஜாவே - இளமைக்காலங்கள்
உறவெனும் இனிய வானில் - நெஞ்சத்தை கிள்ளாதே
நினைவோ ஒரு பறவை - சிகப்பு ரோஜாக்கள்
வந்தாளே அல்லிப்பூ - கண் சிவந்தால் மண் சிவக்கும்

இவை எல்லாவற்றையும் விட ஒரு பாடல் எனக்கு மிகவும் விருப்பமான பாடல் ஈரவிழிக் காவியங்கள் படத்தில் வரும் பழைய சோகங்கள் என்ற பாடல். அந்தப் படத்தில் அனைத்து பாடல்களுமே Avant garde என்று ராஜா ரசிகர்களால் கொண்டாடப் படுபவை. ராஜா செய்த ஆல்பங்களிலேயே சிறந்தது என்று சொல்பவர்களும் உண்டு.



கிட்டார், ராஜாவின் குரல், மற்றும் விசில் அவ்வளவு தான். அந்த கிட்டார் ரிஃப்பை கேட்கும் போதெல்லாம் எனக்கு அலெசாண்ட்ரானியின் fist full of dollars தான் ஞாபகம் வரும்.

I think it was our Maestro's tribute to another Master.

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

Discussion at :

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Saturday, October 7, 2017

The King's Treasuries- Part 23 Anbe Odi Vaa

Saravanan Natarajan writes:

The King's Treasuries- Part 23

காலந்தோறும் ஒரு கீதம் நீயானால்....

I spent some time in a lackadaisical attempt to sort and index my audio collection. And in the process, I rediscovered some old favorites that I had not listened to for ages. One such CD was one having all the songs from 3 movies, all in IR’s music: Salangaiyil Oru Sangeetham, Nalla Naal and Anbe Odi Vaa. I exclaimed aloud in joy at the sight of that CD, for these songs were ones that I had fallen in love with as a schoolboy and they brought back half-forgotten images and memories of my adolescent years. Ilaiyaraja was (and he still remains) God to many of my friends and along with them I too used to eagerly await each new album of IR. The songs then would become topics for animated discussions. It didn’t matter to us that many of these movies themselves were insufferable. We heard these songs on radio for a brief period around the time the films were released and seldom thereafter. Listening to the CD after many years, I felt the intervening years melt effortlessly in the magical mist of music…..

I recall seeing the hoarding of Anbe Odi Vaa (with the ‘Odi’ hidden in a miniscule font size between ‘Anbe’ and ‘Vaa’ that I first thought it was a new film with the same name as the old MGR starrer!) at Luz corner. Anbe Odi Vaa (1984/ K.R. Art Pictures) had Mohan, Urvashi, Indira, Jr. Baliah, VA Moorthi, and Manorama in its cast. The story was by Sivachandran and the movie was directed by R. Ranjit Kumar. I have vague memories of watching part of the movie on video- starts out as a college caper and then becomes a usual love triangle, with Mohan participating in a race in the climax and sprinting to the finishing line motivated by Urvashi’s presence. Eminently forgettable!

Eminently forgettable….but for the songs. Oh, the songs! Lucky, lucky Mohan! How many of Mohan’s lackluster movies had IR lit up with a nonchalant wave of his baton!

Anbe Odi Vaa was surely one of those wretches to be blessed by IR’s benevolence. How many ever times I listen to the delectable ditty ‘Idhazhil amutham dhinamum paruga vaa vaa’ (Vairamuthu/ Yesudas & Vani Jairam), I can’t help my knees going weak each time I hear a charmingly chic Vani croon ‘naan thaane nee, nee thaane naan, anbe Odi vaa..Odi vaa’. The opening humming by Vani shows her suave class. The song skips and leaps in elegant euphony. Yesudas shrugs off his somber serenity for a change, and becomes so dashing and debonair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEaXoT3QIjA

Malaysia Vasudevan and Uma Ramanan have a lilting, graceful duet ‘Kaadhil kettathu oru paattu’ (Vaali). This song was a Radio Ceylon favourite, often heard in the evening ‘Mandha Marutham’ parade. ‘Kaalam thorum oru geetham neeyaanaal, adhan ragam naan aaven…’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiHFH9Aezzk

‘Thullum ilamai ithu’ (Vaali/ SPB) is such a joyous, buoyant campus call. Raja’s catchy tune, feet-tapping arrangements and the ever ebullient SPB take the song along, despite the pedestrian lyrics….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1lLzZ16Cx0

The crowning glory of the album, is of course, SPB’s haunting ‘Jodi nadhigal paadhai vilagi serndhana’. Vairamuthu writes a melancholic ballad, but sprinkles the lyrics with lines of cautious optimism. IR comes up with yet another rare ragam (I read it as Kathyayini somewhere), and SPB is in his soulful best here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJAwOQHnf0Y

We are left with two other dainty numbers from the album. Two songs set in the same tune, yet so delightfully different. Songs that would find place in the ‘inbamum thunbamum’ pantheon of Radio Ceylon. Vairamuthu fills in baroquely diverse matter to the same meter. A languorous SPB sings a romantic rhapsody, while a brooding Janaki laments of love’s labor lost. So SPB is in his dreamy, mellow elements, his trademark half-amused chuckle and all. And Janaki brings in a ghazal like ambience in her remarkable rendition- hark at her imaginative variations in each repetition of the Pallavi! Ilaiyaraja has a field day with his guitar strings lending a classy character to the songs, and the piano, violins and tabla ushering in caressing waves of enchantment in perfect cadence with the contrasting moods. Let the magic begin…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcTE67tpC0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLrLgghro10

An album, nay, a treasure trove in itself, with precious, precious keepsakes…let us rediscover them, cherish them, resurrect them to rightful glory…

-To be continued….

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