30th November 2015
It is the birthday today of Vani Jairam. Wishing the gifted singer many more years of happiness! Reproducing here a post that I had written exactly one year back, with an account of my rendezvous with her:
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It was Vani Jairam’s birthday yesterday. This year has been of particular celebration for her fans as the doyenne is back in the limelight- making a comeback in film music after so many years. 2 songs in Malayalam and 2 in Tamil so far this year… .. with Olanjaali Kuruvi topping the charts…
Here are the songs that she has sung this year: 2 in Malayalam and 2 in Tamil:
Olanjali kuruvi –from the movie ‘1983’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MSxbBWZJn4#t=12
Olichupoyi- from the movie Iniyum Ethra Dhooram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugDwt9inmnc
Narayana- from the movie Ramanujan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z10U7VZ7QNM
Thiruppugazh- from the movie Kaaviyathalaivan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T5kcPXepVw
More than 10 years back, I was attempting a chronology of Vani Jairam’s songs in tfmpage. The posts evoked animated discussions and pleased reminiscences from well-informed enthusiasts. An ardent Vani Jairam fan, Ameen, who knew Vani on a personal level told her about these posts and Vani apparently expressed her eagerness to meet me. The meeting happened and I can still recall every small detail as if it happened yesterday.
I wrote about the meeting in tfmpage soon after returning to Dubai in several small chapters, in weekly installments.
Meeting Greatness – Part 1
“I have been waiting for your call…” said the voice at the other end—a voice that I have grown up listening and admiring—and I was speechless with joy at the warmth of the tone, and overwhelmed by the thought that I was actually speaking with a legend, and choked with emotion at the thought that she was actually looking forward to my call!
But let me start at the rightful beginning, and the beginning was made by a friend and an ardent Vani fan called Ameen. When he knew that I was going to Chennai, he wrote to me suggesting that I should meet Vani, and before that I should mail her a few extracts from the chronology, as she had heard of it, and was eager to read it. I admit I didn’t take him seriously then, as I wasn’t sure that a celebrity would have time to spend with an ordinary fan, but I did post some extracts from the chronology, and I didn’t think it probable that she may find the chronology very interesting, either. (How wrong I was on both counts I would discover later...)
Some weeks went by, and Ameen wrote to me again, informing me that my post hadn’t reached Vani, and she was disappointed about it. It was then too late for me to send it again, and so I reached Chennai as scheduled on 26th September. I had to travel again for 10 days immediately. Coming back to Chennai, I did call her, but the ring went unanswered. I tried again a few days later, and I heard her pick up the phone, and no sooner than I introduced myself, she uttered those words- words that keep ringing in my ears to this day.
“What took you so long to call” she admonished me gently next. After my stammered explanations, she gave an amused laugh and the said “Jairamji and I are waiting to meet you. Ameen has said so much about you, that we are eagerly looking forward to see you”. This was Thursday, 16th October, and I suggested Saturday, the 18th, and she invited me over at 3 in the afternoon.
Earlier, I had contacted Suresh, another friend and fan of Vani in Chennai. When I mentioned to him that I was going to meet Vani, he too evinced a keen interest to meet her. I was only too happy—though I was jumping with joy at the thought of meeting Vani, I was also a little apprehensive – “What if she starts talking about Tumris and Abangs- won’t she think I’m a frightful ignoramus” was my secret fear. And since Suresh is well versed in all kinds of music, I was secretly relieved.
Finally on Saturday morning, I called up Vani and confirmed that I’ll come at 3 and asked her if a friend called Suresh could come as well. “Of course, please tell Sureshji that I’ll be glad to meet him” was the gracious answer. Within two minutes my cell rang- it was Vani again “Saravanan, I just wanted to tell you not fix any other engagement at 3.30 or something—I would like to have a long, leisurely chat with you” she said!
Earlier I had told Suresh how the extracts that I had mailed never reached her (Vani herself told me this over the phone ). The day before, I asked Suresh if it would be possible for him to take print-outs of some parts of the chronology from the website and bring them along when we meet her, and he agreed. He came, as scheduled, at 2.40 to pick me up. And as soon as I sat in the car, he said “And here’s the Bible” and handed me a beautifully bound book, and I could only gasp in surprise when I saw that he had printed out the entire chronology from the beginning, given it titles, sub-titles and page numbers ( it came to nearly 200 pages!- never realized it was so large!) –it looked so grand, that I was overcome with emotion. Suresh, as is his wont, brushed off my incoherent thanks....
* * * *
Meeting Greatness- Part 2
Vani stays in an Apartment Complex called ‘Heritage’ in Nungambakkam. Suresh and I were so engrossed, as usual, in our conversation, that we didn’t remember until we were halfway in Nungambakkam High Road, (or Uthamar Gandhi Salai, as it is called these days), that we had forgotten all about a bouquet! Suresh assured me that there was bound to be some florist in Haddows Road.
But we couldn’t find any, perhaps there were closed at that time...after all, most of Chennai sleeps in a weekend afternoon. But our search for a florist took us past a place called ‘Marmalade’, and we cheered up and changed our objective from a bouquet to pastries! Marmalade is a quaint little joint, tucked in a cul-de-sac away from the road. And we were delighted when we noticed that it had a florist as well. Suresh gave the flowers exhibited there a searching scrutiny— ‘A bouquet wholly of white roses, please’- he was very particular. And as they were making up the bouquet, we ventured inside the pastry shop. We ordered a good assortment to be made up.
We were soon on our way again. Vani had given such explicit directions (I was to notice this precision and perfection in everything concerning her), that we had no difficulty in locating the complex. The Lift –Attendant asked “Vani Jairaama?” with a disarming smile, when we told him the floor and door number. And in no time...we were ringing the bell.
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Meeting Greatness- Part 3
" I always feel that flowers, and the affection of the person offering them, must be given immediate respect”, explained Vani with a warm smile, as she placed an exquisite vase filled with the roses we had brought, on a side table close to where I was seated. And I found that warmth stealing into me as well, as I wondered how that spray of white roses could be arranged so daintily, and so quickly at that!
Everything seemed like a dream to me —Vani and Jairamji greeting us with folded hands at the door, Jairamji in his trademark Kurta, Vani looking graceful as always, Suresh and I offering them the bouquet and the pastries, Jairamji’s firm handshake and eyes twinkling behind glasses, both of them asking us to be seated, and Vani politely asking to be excused, almost immediately with the bouquet in her hand, and appearing minutes later with the aforesaid explanation. And our hearts promptly warmed up to this great person, who gives importance to even these small things, and I realized that it was such simple gestures that make up some of life’s finest moments.
Small talk ensued- Jairamji enquired about us, what we do, etc. I was too tongue-tied to talk much initially, and so Suresh, who is always unruffled, started responding in a pleasant casual manner. I looked around the elegantly appointed room - the cozy leather sofas, the handpicked handicrafts that were positioned in appropriate corners lending a chic, ethnic ambience to the room, the matching curtains that swayed gently in the breeze, the paintings adorning the walls--all pointed towards Vani, and her cultured, refined taste...attractive without being ostentatious, just like the person, and just like her songs.
I came back with a start when I found Vani enquiring about the chronology- “Ameen has told me so much about it- he said that it was something that I definitely must read” she was telling me. I got up and presented her with the volume. She looked at it with surprise, and then asked hesitantly “Is this for me? I mean, can I keep it?” I was again speechless by her simple, unassuming attitude, and Suresh hastily assured her that it was for her to keep. I added how Suresh had printed out the entire chronology overnight, and she thanked him with a smile.
Jairamji was in a reminiscing mood—he spoke about the early years of their marriage in the North. He told us about his education (he had acquired a MBA degree, which was to be got only from London in those days), and his job. “Later, as she became busy, I dropped everything and became her secretary!” he said with refreshing candor.
Vani’s glance fell on the pastries, and she let out a sigh of mock horror. “Oh no, I put on weight so easily, and I have completely stopped eating pastries, or for that matter, sweets of any kind. In fact, I wanted to tell you this morning that in case you wish to get something for me, please bring fruits, preferably pomegranates” she said, and then added with a naughty twinkle “But then I also thought what would I do if you asked me “What gave you the idea that I was thinking of bringing you anything” – she said, bursting into muted peals of merriment, making us join in the hearty laughter. Her photographs have never done her justice, I thought with regret, as I watched her eyes continue the smile that her lips began..
I asked “ Perhaps Jairamji likes pastries”?
“ Maybe. But if he knows what is good for him, he wouldn’t”- Vani replied, with the same mischievous smile. Jairam chuckled and listed the austere food that makes up their every day meal. “Age, you know..” he shrugged.
Vani then asked if we would like some tea, and we accepted her offer, she said that she would make some special tea, adding some extra ingredients, and with that she went into the kitchen.
Jairamji then offered to show us around the spacious apartment. Suresh and I got up and followed him…
* * * *
Meeting Greatness- Part 4
Jairamji pointed out some of the prestigious awards that Vani has won, which were displayed on a showcase mounted on the wall. “Jairamji, show him the lower shelf- he’ll be very interested” Vani called from the kitchen. Jairamji smiled and opened two shelves that were below the showcase, and I held my breath- the shelves were filled with EP/ LP records! I looked at them till I could look no more...
The sitting room opens into a large, airy dining room. And as Jairamji took us past the beautiful Pooja room, Vani joined us. As we bowed to those deities polished to perfection, she said “Every morning, I clean them, perform the abishegam, and change the vasthram. Prayers are something that I do whole-heartedly everyday” Both work and worship are whole-hearted activities for her!
Vani continued “ For many years we lived in our own house in Alwarpet, we bought the plot from the owners of “The Hindu” and built our house there.”
“Mayurapriya?” I asked, with an innocent look.
“Yes” she answered, with a surprised smile, “ that was what we named that house”
(I offered Vairamuthu mental thanks (“Mayurapriya- than veetukku mayil endru peyar vaithirukkiradhae oru kuyil endru manathukkuL rasithu koLgiraen” says Vairamuthu in his Kuyilin Kootil Konja Neram)
“But as we were traveling most of the time, we found it increasingly difficult to maintain that large house” added Jairamji. “So we had to take the difficult decision of selling it. Only recently we bought this apartment and came here”
Even as Jairamji was talking to us here, another sound wafted unobtrusively to us—that of Vani humming to herself, as she was busy making tea in the kitchen. She wasn’t even aware that we could hear her, but as her voice went up and down, enjoying itself with the notes of some little known Hindustani Geet, we automatically fell silent and listened in awe, for how many fans could get this opportunity of listening to her at such close quarters?
Meeting Greatness- Part 5:
…And so we returned to the dining room, drawn by that irresistible summons. We found the table invitingly laid with cups of steaming, fragrant tea, and assorted eats. Though Vani & Jairam have a healthy fixation for frugal, nutritious food, they don’t believe in imposing those stringent concepts on people calling on them! Vani was the perfect hostess, earnestly urging us, in regular, thoughtful intervals, to take generous helpings of the eats and dry fruits, as we ensconced ourselves snugly for a leisurely tête-à-tête.
I started off by referring to Kannadasan’s singular tribute to Vani in his ‘Sandhithaen Sindhithaen’ (originally serialized in Kumudam as ‘Indha Vaaram Sandhithaen’). Vani folded her palms in salutation to the greatest bard of our times. ‘That write-up gave me a honor that even a Bharat Ratna cannot equal’ she commented. As memories seem to rush in, she continued musingly, ‘Kannadasan Sir has worked with generations of singers—great singers who have done justice to his lyrics over the decades, yet to think that he chose to single me out for that rare honor, of being the only singer he devoted an episode to, I’m overwhelmed!’ she said humbly, her eyes moist with emotion.
‘That morning, when the Kumudam issue containing his write-up on me hit the stands, he called me up at 6 and said ‘Vani, unna pathi en manasala thonradha ellam ezhudhi irukkaen. Padichu paaru’, she recollected with a smile. She went on to share with us some special memories of Kannadasan. “He looked upon me as a member of his family. Once when he was celebrating his birthday with only his family members, he took Jairamji & me along with his family to Madurai, and we were fortunate to be with them during the special pooja at Meenakshi Amman temple, and share some intimate moments with his family’
Vani and Jairam seemed to be lost in memories of the Kaviyarasar and the special relationship they shared with him- After a pause, she continued ‘Again, another time, when he was contributing to some Annadaanam scheme, he called me and affectionately demanded ‘Vani, neeyum un pangukku rendu mootai arisi kodu’- that was how close he was to us.’
‘A great man. His simplicity, goodness of heart, limitless creativity and humility are qualities that set him apart. I am privileged to have sung so many of his songs, and blessed to have received his good wishes and fatherly affection in abundance’ she said feelingly. ‘I am happy that Kannadasan Sir’s family still continues to shower affection on us. Even last week I had been to Kannadasan Pathippagam –Sir’s son gifted me a book titled ‘Kannan Koyil Paravai’..
.
I couldn’t resist interrupting her flow of thought and said excitedly ‘That’s one of my favorite songs!’ She smiled indulgently, and--- did what I was waiting for with bated breath--she sang the pallavi, and the first charanam of that timeless classic. Oh, the enchantment! Her voice, as sweet as ever, took us briefly to another world, another time, when giants like Kannadasan, MSV & Vani were making magic in Tamil Film Music…
* * * *
Meeting Greatness- Part 6:
I referred to the classic song ‘Kelviyin nayagane’ as an instance of the genius of Kannadasan, how in that song, with brilliant mythological analogies, he managed to succinctly summarize the entire story of ‘Apoorva Ragangal’- Vani nodded in concurrence and went on to sing the charanams of that memorable song, and had some special words of praise for the charanam that begins with ‘‘Thalaivaan Thiruchanoor vandhu vittan, devi dharma darisanathai thedugiraan’’- “Truly, to this day there is none to equal his creativity. What a genius!” she was effusive in her praise.
‘Another song where Kannadasan related the entire story…’I began. ‘Ilakkanam maarutho?’ Vani asked with a teasing smile- I could only nod in amazement at her astute answer! (Remember Watson and Holmes? – “Excellent” cried I. “Elementary” said he!) And yet another moment of enchantment as V began with ‘Maniosai enna idiyosai enna--’ As she rounded off the pallavi with that mesmerizing humming, I reminded her of the lines from another charanam in the same song, where she so fetchingly brought out Kannadasan’s wordplay - ‘Maraithidum thirai thanai vilakki vaippayo, viLakki vaippayo’- just a miniscule deft change in a single syllable, and oh, the difference! She willingly obliged us by singing that charanam as well.
And with Kannadasan so much in our thoughts, can MSV be far behind? Our conversation drifted to the Mellisai Mannar. “ How many wonderful songs, how many memorable recording sessions!” Vani went down memory lane....Time seemed to stand still as she recollected aloud some heartwarming events from those momentous times....
“ Some people in Nemili wanted to honor me, and so they had arranged a small function. I accepted, of course. I had a recording with MSV Sir in the morning for a film directed by K Shankar Sir. I mentioned to them that I would be going to Nemili in the evening and told them about the function. Imagine my feelings when I went to Nemili in the evening- both MSV Sir and Shankar Sir were already there- they had come all the way just to see me being honored!” her voice showing the depth of emotion, as she recalled that special day.
She then said among her ever favorite MSV songs, one song has a special place in her heart, sang ‘Idhayam pesinaal—unnidam ennathaan pesumo’, and she crooned the song of soft allure. Many times during those few hours, Suresh and I had to remind ourselves that we were in Vani’s presence, and she was singing for us, and us alone, and all this was for real!
* * * *
Meeting Greatness- Part 7:
The conversation drifted to Ilaiyaraja. “I have not sung many songs for Raja, somehow…” Vani said matter-of-factly. But before we could ponder over that statement with regret, she continued cheerfully, “However, most of the songs that I sang for him, both in Tamil and in Telugu, became immensely popular.” She went on to list some of her favorite songs like Orey naal, Naane naana, Nitham nitham nelluchoru and En ullil engo yengum geetham.
About Vijayabhaskar “Oh, he was a great composer and a wonderful human being. Though he was a Tamil, he could not make it big here, but in Kannada, he was a prolific composer. He has given me many excellent songs in Kannada. And even in the few Tamil films that he composed music for, I had some memorable numbers. He liked my voice very much.” she recalled nostalgically.
About ARR “I’ve known him since he was a small boy!” she smiled. “I enjoyed singing the Vandicholai Chinrasu song. I sang it separately, and SPB sang it separately. Later listening to the final version, I was struck by the imaginative arrangements. Whenever I happen to meet ARR nowadays, he says “Aunty, I am not making the kind of music that would be appropriate for you” she said candidly.
There was a pause, as we were ruminating on that statement...
* * * *
Meeting Greatness- Part 8:
Vani proceeded to share her thoughts on her non-film albums. She spoke animatedly about her collaboration with the famed Birju Maharaj, and bowed with reverence to the great Kelucharan Mahapatra, and said that she felt honoured that KM played Pakhawaj for her Geeta Govindam album. She spoke about the best selling album ‘Onam’ that was by composed by V. Dakshinamoorti. She said, with endearing humility, that the Murugan Paadalgal album, written, composed and sung by her elicited excellent reviews and also proved a best seller.
We spoke about her songs in the Hindi film ‘Meera’ which had music by Pandit Ravishankar, and asked her experience of singing for Ravishankar. She smiled as memories came flooding in, and enthralled us by recalling a particularly interesting anecdote. Apparently during one recording session, Ravishankar had to be elsewhere, and he requested VJ to take care of the recording. Vani wrote the notations herself, taught the instrumentalists the notes, and executed the recording in just one take, all by herself. When Panditji returned and listened to the recorded song, he placed his hands on her head and blessed her, and was speechless with emotion. She said it was among the finest moments of her life.
Her thoughts then went to so many recording sessions. She said ‘ At one time I used to keep hopping from one flight to another. I would have a recording in Madras in the morning, one in Bombay in the afternoon, and again another song in Madras in the night. But I was very particular about being in time for each session. The woman who used to sweep the floor at AVM studios knew me well- for I used to be seated even before she arrived!’ she laughed as she recalled those heady days.
Jairamji then got up and brought some photo albums and paper cuttings for us to view. We saw so many snaps, starting from Vani’s early days right to the current concerts. The early B & W snaps, with a tinge of sepia, were a joy to behold. I asked ‘Vaniji, why do you look so serious in all your snaps?’ She laughed outright ‘All my nephews pass the same comment. I don’t know…do I really appear too stern?’ she asked in a perplexed air!
Vani read to us some of her poems. She writes extremely well, and her verses are highly imaginative. Though I am not able to recall the lines, two poems stand out in memory- One was a wickedly witty whiplash on the standards of current day film lyrics (‘Pulamaipithan Sir was in splits when I read it out to him’ she chuckled), and the other was a moving complaint to Lord Muruga when cancer snatched away her sister’s husband when he was still very young.
Vani’s incredible talents don’t stop with this. She is also a gifted painter. She showed us some of her works, and they were such alluring images. When I admired them aloud, she took a pencil and sketched a particularly beautiful flower drawing effortlessly, signed her name and presented it to me..
Our hearts filled with happiness at having had such an enjoyable encounter, we rose and got ready to leave. Vani presented us with a set of her devotional albums in various languages. She enquired about our families, and Jairamji urged us to call upon them again.
As Vani & Jairam stood at their doorstep waving at us, we both took our leave. We went silently down the lift, each one lost in his own thoughts, for meeting greatness at such close quarters doesn’t come often in the way of ordinary mortals like us...
* * * *
Met Greatness….
And thus ended our rendezvous with perfection, our tryst with grace, charm and a heart full of goodness. Thinking over the meeting, these are my impressions of Vani— unreserved appreciation for other talented singers, complete absence of rancour towards anyone, grateful for the wonderful songs that came her way, heart-warmingly humble, yet adequately conscious of her achievements and delightfully responsive to the enthusiasm of her ardent fans.
She has never sat sulking when her film opportunities started dwindling- she ventured whole-heartedly into non-film albums like Bhajans, Tamil devotionals, Tumris, Abhangs, Ghazals. She is constantly on tour, giving concerts all over India and also in various places abroad. At the prior invitation of the Devasthaanam, she sang in Thirumalai just one day after Chandrababu Naidu was injured in a bomb blast there. Anyone else would have had second thoughts about it, not Vani. To her, a commitment is a commitment; meant to be honoured at any cost. “But I thought that not many people will turn up, considering the scare and the Police restrictions. You will not believe it--I was astounded to see the hall packed to capacity…there were people even standing in the aisles” she said her eyes widening with surprise.
When we met her, she had just returned from Jaipur, where she had been invited to give a concert in an Inter College Cultural Festival. She is the same gracious Vani Jairam to everyone- right from the august Thirumalai Tirupati Devasthaanam to an unprivileged Lepers’ Home, whose inhabitants she enthralled with a concert sometime back. “They affectionately gave me a beautiful hand-woven bedspread…you can see it covering my bed now” she said happily.
She had also shared her experiences of serving, more than once, in the National Film Awards Jury. She deplored the attitude of some members who lobbied strongly for their own films. “One year, I sincerely felt that MSV Sir’s splendid work in Pathini Penn deserved recognition. But I didn’t suggest it…as a member of the Jury, my conscience wouldn’t permit me to, as I had sung the songs” she said, in another display of unshakeable principles and glittering integrity, such a rare commodity in today’s world.
Subsequent to the meeting, Vani and I spoke over the phone a few times. We spoke about meeting again before I left. Bur unfortunately, due to my pre-occupation with various family obligations, it couldn’t materialise.
A few days after meeting her when I spoke to her over the phone, she opened the conversation by enquiring my exact age. When I answered, she said “Yes, I thought it be around that. You are young enough to be my son! Jairamji and I have just read through the chronology. We are showing it to everyone who’s visiting us...and everyone is highly impressed. We are frankly amazed and at the same time deeply moved by your painstaking work. How was it possible for you? You must have been a toddler when I started singing in Tamil films!”
I didn’t know what to answer--I could only tell her that I had grown up listening to her songs, and I remember the songs that I’d heard on the radio. I spoke of a long forgotten song that I had discovered anew in my collection which was missed out in the chronology- A scintillating VJ solo that goes ‘Olai thaangi selladi’ from an unreleased film Anbu Magal. (Music by veteran CN Pandurangan. Lyrics by Sozhavandhan Rajangam).
There was brief silence, then VJ said musingly that she now found a new meaning in the lines of her song ‘Iraivan ena oruvan, enadhisaiyil mayangida varuvaan, rasigan endra peyaril, indru avan thaan unnai koduthaan’
Friends, my cup of joy runneth over!
-Saravanan Natarajan
