A myth about early 70s Tamil Film Music - II (Year 1970 )

As we have seen earlier on this topic, let us take Year 1970 and have a look at the musical scene.

Both Sivaji and MGR were very active by then as MSV, who was topping the charts along with KVM. Though these 2 legends were kind of ruling it doesn't stop with other MDs were also making their presence felt.

Before getting into the mainstream, let us have a glimpse of what we got from other Actors / MDs in this year.

Sankar Ganesh

'Kannan Varuvaan' Jai, Lakshmi, Muthuraman starrer and the foot tapping 'Poovinum Melliya Poongodi' What a ripper the chorus and the Piano coming in play !

https://youtu.be/X_s9-4R6P3A

The most favorite of mine is from 'Maanavan' I adore 70s Balu more than 80s. What a gem this one and PS singing effortlessly especially the phrase நாள் மணநாள் தேடினாள்

Jai Lakshmi pair has given many memorable hits.

https://youtu.be/pzlLRzjPwQs

TKR

Dada Mirasi's  Gemini KRV starrer 'Sangamam' TKR known for his melodic best with this legendary pair TMS & PS 

https://youtu.be/cUAQXkGpdFY

Kunnakudy Vaidyanathan

The Charukesi from 'Namma Veetu Deivam' who else can render this Ramalinga Swamy's verse beautifully other than PS.

https://youtu.be/m0urUMBv_ZA

APN's 'Thirumalai Thenkumari' was another amazing album from KV. How one can forget 'Tirupathi Malai Vaazhum' or 'Guruvaayurappa'

The ragamalika he tuned for 'Madurai Arasaalum Meenakshi' is just brilliant.

https://youtu.be/jmUw-2dHemM

V Kumar

ALR's 'Ellame Vayathukku Thaanda' and the mellifluous 'Unnai thotta kaatru vandha ennai thottadhu' Balu and PS's 70's magic

https://youtu.be/TJt9u51RkKs

Another Jai Lakshmi song from Penn Deivam. Look at the way PS singing during the Pallavi rendering of TMS.

https://youtu.be/mSQe48xHW7o

Vedha 

CID Shankar from Vedha though he is stamped as copycat but for this song wherein PS in LRE genre rendering it beautifully. This album have few other hits like 'Naanathaale Kangal Minna Minna' 'Brindavanathil Poo eduthu'

https://youtu.be/VeKfcTWtuQw

Kaaviya Thalaivai

This one amazing album from Mannar be it 'Kaiyodu Kai Serkum Kaalangale' or the LRE's blinder 'Aarambam Indre Aagattum' with Balu (Balu and LRE's songs are too special), but this one of PS, tops all of it. Loosely based on Sumanasaranjani, mind blowing orchestration, ensemble or shehnai, flute & the violin make it grandeur.

https://youtu.be/D9yDuM3OcaI

Veetukku Veedu

CVR Gopu's Comedy this one beautiful album. Another Jai Lakshmi starrer and another Balu LRE blinder 'Angam Pudhu Vidham'. What a majestic composition it is. Subtle rhythm especially the humming of LRE and the anu pallavi repeition from 0.53 to 1.00. Mannar is real Mastero.

Wait its not over yet. Listen to this masterpiece. Saibaba the singer son of TSB. No words enough to describe it. Starting this with snore and ending it with :-). The take of the song, you have to watch the movie. Brilliant stuff !

Oh why you leave the maverick Kannadasan into this mix. See the wordplay !

இனி உனை யாரும் நெருங்கிடா
உன் இளமையை பார்த்தவர் உறங்கிடா
ஊர்வசி வந்தாலும் மயங்கிடா
உன் மேல் ஆணை
மை கிட்டார்
மை கிட்டார்

https://youtu.be/wbTWnv4isj8

MGR

MGR gave 5 films in this year and almost 4 of them were runaway hits. 

En Annan (KVM)

Apart from 'Nenjam Undu Nermai Undu' 'Kadvul En Kallaanan' ' Kannukku Theriyaadhaa', this TMS SJ duet is very special

https://youtu.be/P2nWo2jLMkE

Engal Thangam (MSV)

Vaali wrote all the songs 'Naan Alavodu Rasippavan' & 'Naan Sethu Pizhaichavanda' aptly resonate MGR's life, still the best one 'Thangapadhakathin Mele' What a wonderful score.

PS join only at end of 2nd Charanam but hijack it right away from there. 

கொத்தோடு முத்தாட வஞ்சி கொடியை
தொட்டு தொடர்ந்தது என்ன

The interlude which follows after  this is lovely

https://youtu.be/NgWvW0dQHaM

Maatukkaara Velan (KVM)

Another wonderful album from KVM. The following TMS,LRE, PS is my favorite but this has got many hit numbers like 'Sathiya Neeye' 'Oru Pakkam Paakkiraa' 'Pattikaada Pattanama'

https://youtu.be/RrhRF9_DAxs

Thedi Vandha Maapillai (MSV)

What a lovely duet this one. 'Vetri Meedhu Vetri Vandhu' of Vaali is another lovely song.

https://youtu.be/jH5Tp4V8D9Y

Thalaivan (SM Subbiah Naidu)

SMS's last pairing with MGR this movie

https://youtu.be/Xp3JqZEJj-8

Sivaji Ganesan 

NT gave around 8 movies during this period. Sorgam and Engirundho Vandhal released for that Deepavali and both were hits. 

Vilayaatu Pillai (KVM)

https://youtu.be/bv2UupXWrNw

Vietnaam Veedu (KVM)

Short and sweet album. This one is my personal favorite and moving one. Kannadasan again at his best. NT, TMS, Kannadasan,KVM pairing and all once in life time.

https://youtu.be/ic45E8G_blM

Raman Ethanai Ramanadi (MSV)

After the Pallavi, the rhythm starts at 0.21 to 0.27, just mind blowing. The journey of flute throughout along with the train....

Ammadi Ponnukku Thangamanasu another lovely number from this movie

https://youtu.be/y0khGzjDhNQ

Enga Mama (MSV)

Another amazing album. 'Naan Thannanthani Kaatu Raja' 'Chellam Kiligalam Palliyile' but the topping the chart is this one. The Piano rules and Kannadasan at it again 

https://youtu.be/I5EZA-XuIPA

Engirundho Vandhaal (MSV)

From Balaji's production house, this was a Deepavali release along with Sorgam and a runaway hit.

TMS ruled in this album with 'Ore Paadal' this one and the master piece  'Sirippil Undaagum Raagathile' an imaginative composition !

https://youtu.be/OjyQplfDeH0

Sorgam (MSV)

'Pon Maal Vandhaal' is popular even now and this another imaginative composition from Mannar. This Deepavali release was another runaway hit.

https://youtu.be/PbXXq2b06hU

Paadhukaapu (MSV)

Another brilliant Charukesi from TFM and PS delivering it aplomb.

https://youtu.be/qWnvM0VrQ10

Go and give a listen as this list is only tip of the iceberg !

A myth about early 70s Tamil Film Music - I (A Primer)

There is a misconception or notion about early 70s Tamil Film Music. What is that?

Whenever TFM discussion comes up people start with Golden 60s and talk more about Enchanting 80's which started late 70s. According to many there was a vacuum in early 70s, say 70 to 75 for which they bring another angle of Hindi Film Music has hijacked Tamil Music listeners. This is agreeable to some extent, only about the HFM gaining ground in TN, but largely this argument is not true.  Often it crossed my mind and few discussions in my close circle like rsgiri @ipammal has created curiosity in me to go back to 70 to 75 and reminisce it. 

This thread, as I always stand to claim not to compare or equate anyone, to bring out what happened in TFM, was it so poor as it has been painted all over. Myself and rsgiri wanted to do this part of our talk show but somehow it hasn't happened. We did a small episode on early 70s, of course not in detail. You can have a look at that episode here 

திரையிசைப் பயணம் - பகுதி.2 - YouTube

As I mentioned earlier about the biggest transition of TFM happened late 70s / early 80s and to substantiate though most of them know, the same can be seen in our first episode.

திரையிசைப் பயணம் - பகுதி.1 - YouTube

The above two episodes will give an idea while you go through this series (though shamelessly the above were self plugins :-) )

With this thought of looking back the Tamil Film Music scene from 1970 to 1975. This is not to prove someone wrong or right but to bring in lime light music came during those period and it was healthy not so bad as its been painted, which is a sweeping statement.

While this crossed my mind and when I shared with my closed music circle, without batting an eyelid and uninhibited blessings came from my learned friends like G Ragavan, Veeba etc. 

Lets move on this and thanking you all for your support all  now on reading my blog 🙏

K Balaji and Republic Day

Whats the connection on all the above 3 and why I want to write about this ?

Both 'Billa' 'Thee"  &  'Vaazhve Maayam' magazine ads kept  coming on my TL last couple of days. While I browsed through saw both were released on a Republic Day. Both were produced by K Balaji. This created kind of curiosity and my memory went back.

Unlike now there used by movie release not only during festivals like Deepavali, Pongal on Republic Day, 1st of May, Independece Day too. These can be easily substantiated with lot of data points especially starting early 80s. 80s could be the best period for Tamil Film World. Irrespective of any size of the production house, every fridays were festival mood. Check 1983 close to 100 movies released in that year and 1984 it clocked 110+. Also the Deepavali releases will be minimum of 5 movies. Cant even think about those now a days.

With this, I tried to unearth on the Republic Day Movie releases with some of the known films. To my surprise most of the Republic Day releases were from K Balaji :-). Let us see some of it in this thread with the songs related to those movies.

Balaji was a successful producer apart from his acting career. Almost all his productions were remakes but successful too starting with Sivaji Ganesan, Rajini and Kamal. Incidentally his 'Billa' which took Rajini to the next level. I still remember our (our gang those days) expedition to watch it in Alankar. 

'Raja' remake of Jony Mera Naam was the first movie Balaji released on a Republic Day, 1972. This was a blockbuster and had wonderful songs from MSV. If you have a closer look at the movies Sivaji paired with JJ all were hit and good songs. Beginning of this year I think a digital remastered version released.

https://youtu.be/LjD4VL33cnY

The next one to release on Republic Day was 'Unakkaga Naan' in 1976 remake of Namak Haaram. No idea how this movie fared.

In 1977 came 'Dheepam' which was a hit with IR joining first time for his productions. This was remake of a Malayalam movie. Raja gave short and sweet album with 'Poovizhi Vaasalil Yaaradi vandhahu' was played out in every instance in loudspeakers those days. We were totally hooked up to this song forever.

https://youtu.be/sXJNLCfsPAs

1980, What a brilliant year. There are many reasons to say that. Myself and rsgiri @ipammal have discussed at length in our first episode. While we see that again later in this blog, Balaji went on to produce AB's Don in Tamil 'Billa' which eventually launched Rajini as Super Star. This was a runaway hit with the director R Krishnamurthy was christened as 'Billa Krishnamurthy' post this movie. He went on to directly slew of movies with Balaji's production house.

Billa release on 26th of January 1980 and went on to create a cult status. MSV again though the original itself had outstanding album from Kalyanji Anandji, still delivered a great one. Even Yuvan who worked for this remake in 2000 has retained 'My name is Billa' and ' Vethalayai Pottendi' speak volume of this popularity.

https://youtu.be/WMiJ7ZNkHLM

1981 we saw 'Thee' remake of Deewar released on Republic Day. Deewar, as we all know was AB's another mega block buster. Deewar itself released on a Republic Day eve, 1975. Pancham Da did another great album for this. All are vying for punch dialog these days but for Shashi Kapoor's was a rage even now.

Amitabh Bachchan: "Aaj mere paas building hai, property hai, bank balance hai, bangla hai, gaadi hai..kya hai kya hai tumhare pass?" 

Shashi Kapoor: "Mere paas maa hai." 

https://youtu.be/3myRaqfoN68 

Dasari Narayana Rao a legend in Telugu Industry gave ANR, Sridevi starrer 'Premabishekam' in 1981 and it went to record one of the blockbuster in that year. 

Come 1982, K Balaji has remade this and joined with, yes Kamal 'Vaazhve Mayam'. This movie released again on Republic Day and a runaway hit with Gangai Amaran has given one his best albums till date. The songs were even popular today. The movie had all ingriedients of love-hate-love, romance, emotional quotient of love failure etc. This movie was released in Casino, which used to release only English movies. Again our expedition to watch this in a Mount Road theater failed miserably :-). Watching movies at theaters in Mount Road were some kind of small joys for us those day

https://youtu.be/Wtzvuyq3bfM

In 1983 Balaji produced 'Needhibadhi' starring Sivaji which was remake of NTR's Justice Chowdry. Gangai Amaran scored music for this too with Krishnamurthy directing it on a row of 4 movies starting Billa, Thee, Vaazhve Maayam.

This number scored in true MSV style by Amar :-)

https://youtu.be/0gw9fppEbcs

A Kodandarami Reddy, a successful director as most of his movies were based on action-sentiment, directed 'Nyayam Kaavali' with Chiranjeevi in the lead. This was a small budget movie but ran successfully in 1981. 

Balaji remade this in Tamil ' Vidhi' released in 1984 Republic Day with that time heart throb of many women Mohan. But the movie was very successul with  good court scene drama both the legends especially Sujatha and Jai proving their mettle. This movie topped the charts in that year both rave reviews and commercially. Shankar Ganesh handled the Music direction of this movie.

https://youtu.be/rYWrqrcs-D0

Teaming agin with Sivji and K Vijayan, Balaji produced 'Bandham' in 1985. With Kajal Kiran the Hum Kisise Kum Nahi heroine into TFW and Baby Shalini doing the role originally she did in Malayalam. Shankar Ganesh scored the  music 

This Balu VJ duet is beautiful with VJ humming throughout :-)

https://youtu.be/ronjoL40GQM

1986 he produced 'Marumal' based on another Hindi original. This starred Sivaji, Revathi etc. Chandrabose scored music. 

This album has 2 beautiful numbers by VJ, hear one of it mentioned below.

https://youtu.be/hDg6WjcyxD0

Balaji has stopped producing movies by 1989, 'Kutravaali' was his last also released on Republic Day. Another Hindi movie remake. Not sure about any further details on this movie.

Remember watching this song in DD those days apart from this no other details on this album.

https://youtu.be/TWmNXDrwARU

Hmm Good old days to reminisce with lot of good music too. This has evoked lot of good yesteryear memories.

Please take sometime to hear all these wonderful music albums. 

Devika - Unsung Heroine

 Long time I wanted to write about the songs where Devika featured. Why Devika? Yes, there were few artists who had the luck of giving 100% hits in all their ventures. Look at few of them whose hit ratio is close to 100%, Vani Jayaram, B S Sasirekha, V Kumar, Malaysia Vasudevan, Swarnalatha. In that context Devika, still not acted the magic figure of 100 Movies in Tamil but her hit ratio is very high. She did around 60 movies in Tamil and around 50 in Telugu. He career was very short and sweet. Her career too ended soon for reasons best known to her.

Now coming back to her songs in Tamil Films you will find majority of them were runaway hits and has acted some of the immortal songs. She, after Padmini has acted with  NT around 15 Movies. She was also seen as per most of the Sivaji Fans a perfect 'Jodi' after Padmini. Apparently she did only one film with MGR if my memory is right which is also a great album. Director Sridhar gave two of his best movies with Devika as herione.

Her voice behind the scene in movies, the great PS has given many many memorable numbers. Kannadasan when he produced a film under his banner has preferred Devika.

She was gorgeous and had great screen presence with acting prowess especially in Karnan, Pava Mannippu, Idhathil Nee, Kulamagal Radhai to name a few.

Let us quickly look at those songs and I thought of classifying those by the genres, Classic, Duets, Pathos, etc.

Classics :

She made her debut in movie 'Muthalali' and the Arabhi by KVM and TMS is still lingering in our ears.

https://youtu.be/hxrySZ7R3OQ

Whenever you think of PS, the following two songs will appear automatically in Top 2. Yes, 'Gangai Karai Thottam' from Vaanambadi and 'Kangal Enge' from Karnan.

Devika has pulled off both these with elan especially Kangal Enge.

https://youtu.be/gdVqKT_EEhA

https://youtu.be/qjS-HB8Qqs8

Pathos : 

'Sonnadhu Neethana' another classic from Kannadasan-PS-Devika. What a performance from Devika in this sequence. In the same movie she pulled a lullaby 'Muthana Muthallavo' at ease

https://youtu.be/-NCtHKpRP0A

This is again from Sridhar-Devika-PS-Kannadasan combination.

https://youtu.be/Wj44dDXHd4M

பிரிக்கத் தெரிந்த இறைவா உனக்கு இணைக்கத் தெரியாதா......இணையத் தெரிந்த தலைவா உனக்கு என்னை புரியாதா.....

'Ananda Jothi'  What to say further on this

https://youtu.be/ett_sF5hI1I

'Kaakitha Odam' lyrics by Kalaignar. PS at her best again.

https://youtu.be/0hthi_FvEKk

This sad version from Aandavan Kattalai

https://youtu.be/Jngi00QQ6N0

Movies with Gemini Ganesan :

Her movies around 4 to 5 with Gemini Ganesan were all amazing albums. 

'Idhayathil Nee' had one of LREs best female duet 'Chithirai Poovizhi' PS 'Uravu Endrodu Sol irundhal'

'Vaazhkai Padagu' - PS gave 3 memorable hits  'Unnaithaan Naan Ariven' 'Aayiram Penmai Malarattume' 'Thanga Magal vayitril' along with Kannadasan. 

'Sumai Thangi' - Sridhar again with Devika, Gemini, Kannadasan, MSV-TKR but this time SJ singing 'Radhaiketra Kannano' 'Endhan Paarvayin'

'Veguli Penn' came in 70s with V Kumar composing the hit 'Engellam Valayosai Ketkinrdho' and PS 'Mullukku Roja Sondham'

With MGR :

'Ananda Jodhi' the only movie she paired with MGR is such a mellifluous album. We have already seen 'Ninaikka Therindha Maname' under Pathos, it had again PS-Kannadasan-Devika numbers, the lullaby 'Kaala Magal' other 2 amazing duets 'Poyyile Pirandhu' 'Panilladha Margazhiyaa'. 

With Sivaji Ganesan :

As mentioned earlier she did around 15+ movies with NT few of them not pairing with him like 'Bharatha Vilas' 'Pazhani' 'Saraswathi Sabatham' etc.

'Paava Mannippu' was the first movie to pair and we all know what an amazing album it is. Again the trio Kannadasan-PS-Devika coming back to haunt 'Athaan En Athaan' and 'Paal Irukkum Pazham Irukkum'

'Bale Pandiya' was the next movie to pair up. Again Kannadasan- PS-Devika gave 'Vaazha Ninaithal Vaazhalaam ' and two brilliant duets 'Naan Enna Solli Vitten' 'Athikaai Kaai Kaai'.

In the song 'Neeye Unakku endrum nigaraanavan' sequence Devika watching behind screen was poetic.

'Bandha Pasam' was next in which PS and SJ singing a duet 'En Kadhaidhaan ' and duet by TMS-SJ 'Pandha Irundhal kodi padarum'

Sivaji Productions 'Anni Illam' came next. 'Nadaya Idhu Nadaya' and the haunting melody 'Madi meedhu thalai vaithu;

In APN's 'Kulamagal Radhai' PS again gave 2 hits 'Kallamalar Siripile' and melodic 'Iravukku Aayiram Kangal'

K Shankar's 'Andavan Kattalai' in 1964 - Kannadasan-PS-Devika gave 'Azhage Vaa' and the duet 'Amaidhiyaana Nadhiyinile Odam'

B R Panthulu's Magnum Opus 'Karnan' too came in 1964 - What should I say about that album! Kannadasan at it again. 'Kangal Enge' is one such iconic number it also had 'Iravum Nilavum' 'Kannukku Kulamedhu' 

She was gorgeous throughout this movie and PS-Devika, this could be their best in their career.

'Pazhani' came in 1965 in which she was not paired with NT

'Muradan Muthu' TG Lingappa has given 'Thamarai poo Kulathile' 'Kalyana Oorvalam Paaru', again Kannadasan-PS-Devika

'Neela Vaanam' directed by P Madhavan in 1965. PS-Devika-Kannadasan breezy numeber 'Oho ho Odum ennangale' PS-LRE duet 'Mangala Mangaiyum Maappillaiyum'.

Next was A Bhimsingh's 'Santhi'. Yes you guessed it right, the memorable whistle song 'Nenjathi Nee Netru Vandhaai' and 'Oorengum Maappillai Oorvalam' 

The whole album is fantastic with classic 'Yaar Andha Nilavu' & 'Sendhoor Murugan'

K Shankar teamed up again to give 'Anbu Karangal' in 1965. This time R Sudarsanam with Vaali gave  'Azhagenna Arivenna' PS again 'Ramanukke Seethai'. 

This is a lovely album from RS with 'Kakithathil Kappal Seidhu' 'Onna Irukka kathukkanum' were another notable hit numbers.

She went on to act with NT in Thiruvilayadal, Saraswathy Sabatham, Engirundho Vandhaal,Bharatha Vilas in subsequent years of course not paired.

She stopped acting by mid of 1970s and acted only one movie in 1986 which was her last. She was away from film world until her passing away in 2002.

She had a short career compared to her peers but she went on to shine in those period.

As my friend @circusthuppaki mentions, Kannadasan has given his best for Devika's songs. That is another perspective one need to look into.

Hello !

Why I reminded of this dormant blog suddenly today and came back to hit it? Lot of reasons beyond a few hurting personal things.

The Pandemic in the last 10 months has invoked many people's passion which they were holding it for reasons known to them. There were many started facing the camera, of course not the Cinematic one, but in YT to showcase their interesting side. I could fine many such interesting POVs in those.

One of my close friend, @ipammal (rsgiri) had started a interesting topic which evoked my interest. And after few interactions offline I was online with him and we started discussing various musical aspects of TFM. His show is based on reminiscing one's life and not compare or classify any music or MD. The best thing happened on this was to interact with another two best friends more than friends well read kind of SMEs in my area of interest Shri Mohanakrishnan Sir and Sri G Ragavan. We were connected on the micro-blogging site for quite some time with  music being the main life line but those virutal sessions discussing with them and to hear their POVs, experiences were real treat.

Still why I came back to revive this blog?  Basically am too lazy to sit and write. Could have seen from my earlier stints here. Micro-blogging came as a boon to me to convey anything short and many a times the sacrasm getting better of me to convey it crypticly :-). There is always a change keep happening intutively for reasons sometimes  not known us :-). Also there is quite lot of time at my disposal now to keep  more occupied than my earlier stint here.

Another spark on this came today morning while I tweeted to another best friend @Veeba in Twitter about TFM between 1970 to 1975, the general notion being those were the time HFM was dominating Tamil Film World. But personally which is a myth and thought of clarifying it. This needs slightly eloborate and colloborative approach hence I thought this is the best medium than doing a thread on Twitter. 

Trying to revive this with '1970 to 1975' TFM to start with and this is a colloborative participative one especially with the best connoisseurs of TFM, GRagavan and Veeba.

Eyy (Ilaya) Raja

I tried writing this piece for quite sometime.

Male duets are really rare in TFM. The moment one think about male duets, immediately the epic "Pon ondru Kanden" of TMS,PS comes to everyone's mind irrespective of the timelines.  This song is ruling even today after many decades speak volume of its impact it has on the TFM lovers. Another classic one being "Paadinaal oru Paattu" from yester year. When I sat down to think post 70s/80s I couldn't find better than this one "Eye Raaja ondranom Indru" from the Jallikattu. Yes I am biased and I agree since I didn't think beyond anyone other than Raja while taking up this.

Coming to this song, let me try to give my few cents on how to look into compositions of Raja. IMHO, he never tried to compose any single track in isolation. He tried to get into this skin of the story line however thin or effective the story, screen play, characters and he always come up with mind blowing compositions not to forget about the BGMs, preludes and interludes. While saying this one must look into BGMs itself in isolation and can be analyzed.

If you carefully look at his earlier compositions beginning of 70s and 80s he had given us lot of gems which has brilliant preludes.

The song in discussion here is from the film Jallikattu starring Sivaji Ganesan, Sathyaraj, Radha directed by Chitra Lakshmanan.  This story line is very simple of a vengeance with a Sivaji as the leading protagonist.

Lets just peep into the situation for this song. Sivaji, a retired Justice takes into his custody a murder accused to rehabilitate him. The accused, Sathyaraj, didnt like Sivaji from first sight since he has awarded him the highest punishment for no wrong done by him.  Over a period time Sathyaraj understands Sivaji's intentions and understand the motto for both of them is common after initial hiccups. This song comes at the moment when he realizes and pleads to Sivaji for his innocence. And Sivaji says he will lead him to fight for the right. Krishna, helping Arjuna to fight for right. Heavily inspired with the situation, Gitapadesa, this song is pictured and carefully look into the lyrics also brings out that.

Now about the song. Raja was using MV to sing for Sivaji but for this he has chose Balu and Mano for Sathyaraj. There is a interesting twist here also if you look at Mano being shishya of SPB. Is it Raja's intelligence or I am reading too much into this :-).

This song starts with a brilliant prelude. This composition has outstanding orchestration especially these kind of songs are targeted to sing in live performance. Raja has given another such best orchestration targeting a live performance category is the wonderful "Sangeetha Megam" from Udhaya Geetham, and it has the one of the best preludes till date and a popular ring tone of many even today.

Once the anu pallavi lands nicely, the interlude starts with a breezy humming. Look at the situation here, the heroine feels happy about the bonding of the two and her happiness is coming out very well in this humming. Both Balu, who blends so nicely and Mano do real justice to this song.

I do not see any other male duets coming close to this. Again I am biased and let me be :-)

Before I conclude, IMHO, if you want to enjoy each and any composition of Raja I think one should see it not in isolation but wrt to the situation to enjoy it fully.

PS : Too many thoughts in mind once I start writing about IR hence ended up a lengthy one. Atleast post this, couple of you will look deep into his compositions rather than hearing it stand alone.

http://youtu.be/EOTmvsE9IoM


 

அழகிய தமிழ் மகள் : மஞ்சுளா

திங்கட்கிழமை இரவு நண்பர் பாஸ்கரன் சிவராமன் கை பேசியில் அழைத்து இருந்தார். அண்ணா சௌக்கியமா என்றேன். அவர், என்னய்யா நேற்று 21st ஜூலை சிவாஜி பத்தி எதுவும் பதிவே போடலை என்றார். நான், எழுதி வைத்து இருந்தேன், கொஞ்சம் நேரம் கிடைக்கவில்லை மற்றும் நான் இன்னும் வாலி அவர்களின் hangover லேயே இருந்து விட்டேன் என்றேன்.  நேற்று, செவ்வாய் காலை எழுந்தவுடன் தின தந்தியில் மஞ்சுளா அவர்கள் கட்டிலில் இருந்து விழுந்து அடி பட்டதால் மருத்துவமனையில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளார் என்ற செய்தி படித்தேன். அந்த செய்தியில் அவர் நிலைமை கவலைக்கிடம் பற்றி எந்த விவரமும் இல்லை. அவர் விரைவில் குணமாகட்டும் என்று என்னுடைய காலை பூஜையில் வேண்டிகொண்டு அலுவலகம் சென்றேன். காலை ஒரு meeting ,முடித்து விட்டு வேலை செய்து கொண்டு இருந்தபோது நடிகை குஷ்பு ட்விட்டெரில் மஞ்சுளா அவர்கள் இருந்த போன செய்தியை பதிவிட்டு இருந்தார். திக்கேன்றது. உடனே வலையில் தினகரன் தினமலர் போன்ற தளங்களில் தேடினால் ஒரு விவரமும் இல்லை. குழப்பம். சில வினாடிகளில் அந்த செய்தி உண்மை என்று தகவல் தொடர்பாளர் நிகில் முருகனும் த்விட்டேரில் உறுதி செய்தார். மனம் பின்நோக்கி பறந்தது. இந்த அழகிய தமிழ் மகளை பற்றி.
இறைவன் ஒரு நாள் உலகை காண என்று பாடி திரிந்து திரை உலகில் அறிமுகமான இவரை, பொன் மன செம்மல், ரிக்க்ஷாக்காரன் படத்தில் அழகிய தமிழ் மகள் ஆக்கினார். அதன் பிறகு இவருக்கு தமிழ் மற்றும் தெலுங்கு பட உலகில் ஏறு  முகம் தான். ராஜகுமாரி, பத்மினி, வைஜயந்திமாலா,  காஞ்சனா, பிறகு இவர் இன்னொரு கனவு கன்னி. 70 களில்,எங்கள்  உயர்நிலை பள்ளி நண்பர்களிடையே வெகு பிரசித்தம் இவர். ஷர்மிளா டாகூர் கொண்டை தலை ஸ்டைல் இவரின் style quotient. இவருக்கு அமைந்தன அருமையான பாடல்கள். அழகிய தமிழ் மகள், நிலவு ஒரு பெண்ணாகி ,ஒருவர் மீது ஒருவர் சாய்ந்து, பொன்னந்தி மாலை பொழுது,மலரே குறிஞ்சி மலரே, மல்லிகை முல்லை பூப்பந்தல்,நாளை நாளை என்றிருந்தேன், மாலையிட்டான் ஒரு மன்னன், அம்மானை அழகு மிகு கண் மானை, அங்கே வருவது யாரோ, போன்ற பாடல்கள் இன்றும் என்றும் இவரை நினைவுபடுத்துகின்றன.
ரசிகர்கள் மயங்கினர் இவரிடம், ஆனால் இவரோ உன்னிடம் மயங்குகிறேன் என்று விஜயகுமாரிடம் மயங்கி திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டார்.

இவர் மறைவு தமிழ் திரை உலகத்திற்கு இன்னொரு இழப்பு. இவரை பிரிந்து வாடும் குடும்பத்தாருக்கு இக்குழு தங்கள் ஆழ்ந்த அனுதாபங்களை தெரிவித்து கொள்கிறது