Tag Archives: S Janaki
FIlmy Ripples- Inspired plagiarism in early music
Posted on May 15, 2017 by tcrcindia
By P V Gopalakrishnan
Music in a movie has so many sectionalized areas such as composing, arranging, conducting, re-recording etc. which are all attended to by different dedicated professionals in Hollywood. Whereas, largely, it is a one-man show, in the context of our movies where it is the responsibility of one individual, called "Music Director", who is usually a brand name by himself, though he might have umpteen musicians specialized in some aspect or other, ably supporting him informally!
Often the Music Directors have strong lieutenants who are well versed in trained classical music to assist them, such as the late Pugazhenthi (of late K.V.Mahadevan).
We have, in the present days, a huge flock of Music Directors with their own creative talents. In stark contrast to this there were relatively few Music Directors in the past. However, those times, most of them were very strong in classical base, particularly in Carnatic Music. People like, Papanasam Sivan, C.R.Subburaman, G.Ramanathan, T.R.Pappa, S.M.Subbiah Naidu, Sudarsanam, M.D.Parthasarathi, Emani Sankara Sastri, Rajeswara Rao, Master Venu, S.V.Venkatraman and many more stood tall amongst the film music makers. Most of them have spent long internships with senior music directors of their times, worked alongside with them under their supervision and had learnt the ropes. They gave us outstanding music, which have withstood the efflux of time! In this context of comparison, the current music scenario seems a large departure.
There have been Tamil films with countless number of songs per movie. But you also had the AVM produced, S.Balachandar directed, thriller movie "Andha NaaL" devoid of any songs whatsoever, but with only background score.
Even in those days, with abundantly talented Music Directors around, there were films, which openly plagiarized western tunes or Hindi film music. These could have been plainly due to compulsion from the Producers or Directors. Or even introducing a new genre to cine goers as a marketing tool. After all, mimicking is a form of compliment to the original!
For instance, the AVM film 'Oar Iravu' (1951) had a hit song rendered by MLV, "Ayya Sami" under the baton of Music Director Sudarsanam. This song was based on the Hindi song "Gore Gore" from the film 'Samadhi', which was in turn based on the Latin American song "Chico Chico", from the film "Cuban Pete"!
'Kalyana Samayal Sadam'song from "Maya Bazaar" was inspired by the laugh tracks of the song "Laughing Samba".
Song Book of Maya Bazaar PC: From the archives of TCRC
I have read somewhere that some moviemakers in that era handed down a bunch of Western/Hindi film records to the prospective Music Director and advised them to adopt or at least adapt the tunes.
If a Hindi film was dubbed in Tamil, then there was the need to keep the orchestration & tune of original Hindi song, to be sung in Tamil by a local play back artiste. There were many Hindi films dubbed in Tamil where senior Tamil playback artistes were used to sing.
For instance, Vikki (G.Krishnaveni), wife of A.M.Raja, who had a long innings lasting over four decades & rendering thousands of songs in Telugu, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Sinhalese too, had sung in Raj Kapoor's dubbed versions of "Aah" in Telugu and Tamil. "Raja ke aayegi bharaat" (Shankar-Jaikishen) became "Kalyana oorvalam varum".
Other than such dubbed versions, we have umpteen carbon copies of Hindi tunes.
Modern Theatres produced 'Digambara Samiyar' (1950) (Music: S.M.Subbiah Naidu – G.Ramanathan) had two popular songs based entirely on Hindi tunes. The run away hit song, 'Oosi pattase vedikkaiyaka' was lifted from the Hindi song " Oh…dilwale" and "parudappa parudappa' was a straight lift from Hindi 'Laralappa laralappa' from "ek thi ladki".
In 'Avan Amaran' (1958), Music Director T.M.Ibrahim set tune to the song sung by Sirgazhi & A.P.Komala, "Kalana minjathayya", which was a carbon copy of from a popular Hindi tune "Ramayya Vastavayya" from Raj Kapoor's Shri.420.
In fact one more song "Vaan mathi nee arivay" in the same film was also carbon copy of "Jaye to Jaye kahaan" rendered by Talat mehmood for Devanand in film Taxi Driver.
Another Tamil number sung by Jikki in the music of G.Ramanathan from 'Komathiyin kadhalan' (1955), produced by T.R.Ramachandran,"anaganai nikartha azhagan", which was a straight lift of the very popular Hindi song of Music Director C.Ramchandra's composition "dekh tere sansar kitna badal gaya Insaan" from the movie "Nastik" (1954).
G.Ramanathan was otherwise a very respected Music Director of repute, for his very popularly melodic carnatic based tunes.
Our highlighting such outright adoption of the then existing Hindi tunes is not to put down the concerned Music Director. This is simply to highlight a timeframe, in the anthology of Tamil film music, when such plagiarism was sometime routinely in vogue. If the Producer & Director insisted on copying an already popular tune those poor Music Directors never had a way out!
"Konjum Purave" by MLV was a clone of 'Thandi Hawaain' by Lata Mangeshkar, set to music by the legend S.D.Burman in the film 'Naujawan' (1951). The very same tune was lifted in Tamil film "Thai Ullam" (1952) as "Konjuum Purave". Nevertheless the Tamil version became a huge hit, owing to the lovely tune as well as the silky voice of MLV. I remember having heard this song, as a child, being played all over in Madras, in the fifties. The music score was duo V.Nagaiah & Ramachandra Rao. Coming to the song, the "Konjum Purave" opens with the First violinst to the slow humming of MLV to the backdrop of vibrafone, but quickly transforms into a quick-beated foot tapper with its Dholak percussion . The intermittent BGM brings back the first Violinist's melancholic strains before MLV goes on to her fast pace. Whereas S.D.Burman's BGM arrangement is uniquely different, with Hawain Guitar for interludes in place of the Tamil version's Violin. The young Lataji's voice is more delicate than that of MLV.
M.S.Rajeswari rendered "Enni Enni Parkum Manam Inbam Kondaduthae", composed by R. Sudarsanam. The identical tune was used in the song "Chup Chup Khade Ho Tho" sung by Lata under the baton of the duo Husnlal-Bhagatram, in the Hindi Film Badi Behen released in the same year. While Vazhkai was remade in Hindi only in 1951 as Bahaar, in which Vyjayanthimala made her debut Hindi films, it is not clear as to which version of the tune was the original.
Another interesting info: The Jewish Music Research Centre, Israel has published a CD containing the rare Jewish songs in Malayalam language representing the Jewish tradition that was in Kochi from where a lot of Malayali Jews migrated to Israel. One of the Malayalam songs in such CD "Enni enni tirttu dinam" – a Zionist song celebrating the Israeli independence from British, has been set to the tune of "Enni enni parkkum manam".
Much later, Music Director Vedha was known in using popular Hindi tunes in his songs. His song "Oho ethanai azhagu irubathu vayathinile' from Athey Kangal reminded you of 'Pedal Pushers' by Ventures. Occasionally you could see even MSV using tunes from overseas in his songs. "Anubavam pudumai' in Kathalikka Neramillai was based on Italian melody "Besame Mucho". Puthiya Paravai's 'Partha gnabagam illaiyo' reminded the American tune "Sway with me".
Even R.D.Burman's ' Mil Gaya' was a total lift from ABBA's "Mama Mia". Shankar-Ganesh's 'Megame Megame' too was a replay of the tune from a Ghazal by Jagjit Singh.
The list could be long.
For change there was also reverse copying, the popular American Hip Hop Band, "Black eyed Peas" took portions of Ilayaraja's "Unakkum enakkum anandam" by S.Janaki from 'Sri Raghavendra' and mixed it with one of their songs.
There have been Tamil film songs, which were kept as they were with little or no changes when the original Tamil movies were remade in Hindi. The instances are "Ilaya Nila" of Ilayaraja from Payanangal Mudivathillai was largely the same in Kalakar in the music of Kalyanji Anandji. "Muthu kulikka vaareegala" of MSV from "Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi" was retained by R.D.Burman in "Dho Phool".
Adapting good musical notes from unknown cultures and blending it to our own music genres is after all is a creative service, I would personally opine. The outright lifting also perhaps served the same in times when Tamil films were not quite 'connected' with other languages and cultures, though within the country.
Ultimately, all songs have to be within the parameters of the seven musical notes, "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni"!
Posted in Filmy Ripples, Hindi Cinema, Others, Tamil Cinema	/ Tagged Aan, Am Raja, Andha Naal, AP Komala, Athey Kangal, Avan Amaran, AVM, Bahaar, C.Ramchandra, CR Subburaman, Digambara Samiyar, Emani Sankara Sastri, G.Krishnaveni, G.Ramanathan, Husnlal-Bhagatram, Ilaya Nila, Ilayaraja, Jikki, KV Mahadevan, Lata Mageshkar, master Venu, Maya Bazaar, MD.Parthasarathi, MLV, Modern Theatres studios, MS Rajeswari, music, music director, Music industry, Nastik, Naujawan, Oar Iravu, Papanasam Sivan, Pugazhenthi, rajeswara rao, Ramachandra Rao, S D Burman, S Janaki, Samadhi, Sankar Jaikishen, Shri 420, Sirgazhi, SM Subbiah Naidu, Sri Raghavendra, Sudarsanam, SV Venkatraman, T R Ramachandran, T.R.Pappa, Talat Mehmood, Taxi Driver, Thai Ullam, The Jewish Music research Centre, TM Ibrahim, V.Nagaiah, Vazhkai, Vedha, Vikki, Vyjantimala	/ Leave a comment
Posted on May 8, 2017 by tcrcindia
Nadaswaram played significant roles in some limited Tamil Films.
The nadhaswaram legend T. N. Rajarathinam Pillai, a major icon of those times, played an interlude in the movie Rajamukthi (1948), (Hero MKT & Heroine N. Janaki, later MGR's wife). MGR, then a small time actor himself, was in a support role in this film. The film, made after the prison term of MKT, was shot in Prabhat Studios, Pune as MKT wanted to be away from the film circuit of Madras, in the aftermath of his release from prison. As such most of the technicians were Maharashtrians for this film. However, Rajamukthi, which was come back attempt for his film career, terribly bombed, witnessing MKT's slide. (By the by, this film was the debut movie for M.L.Vasanthakumari as a playback artiste.)
Talking of T.N.Rajarathinam Pillai, he himself acted as a Nadhaswaram player in a wedding sequence in the film Miss Malini (1936), paying Todi & rendering a song in Rithigaula. In "Kalamegham" (1940), written by Bharathi Dasan & directed by Ellis Dungan, he acted as a Nadhaswaram playing Hero, singing many songs.
An ad of the film Kalamegham in Ananda Vikatan Deepavali Malar 1939 PC: From the archives of TCRC
Another leading Nadaswaram vidwan, Namagiripettai Krishnan played off screen, while the credit titles ran on the screen in the movie 'Town Bus' (1955) and not the usual film orchestra. It was in the beautiful Raga 'Mohanam'.
Who can forget the iconic song, "Singara velane deva", in the combo of S. Janaki's voice & the Nadaswaram rendition of Karukurichi Arunachalam, another doyen of Nadaswaram world? It would be strange to learn that the full Nadaswaram tune, in AAbheri raga, by Karukuruchi Arunachalam was recorded at Madras for use in the film. On later thought the Director M.V.Raman decided to have also a song sequence using the already recorded Nadhaswaram tune. Then, the high-pitched S. Janaki was commissioned to sing by the Music Director S.M.Subbiah Naidu on the lyrics written to suit the tune. Janak's vocals were recorded at Raman Studios, Bombay. In those days it was marvel that Sound Recordist Jeeva could manually inter-spread Janaki's each line of singing to be succeeded by each line of the Nadhaswaram. Bravo on that!
Another song that copiously used Nadhaswaram in a film song was " Vaaray en thozhi vaarayo" in the film "Pasamalar" by MSV-TKR, for a wedding sequence. It was an amazing blend of Nadaswaram with violins & mandolin in that number. Following this, wherever relevant the Music Directors have used Nadaswaram, such as 'Oli mayamana ehtir kalam' in 'Pachai Vilakku' (MSV-TKR) and ' Nadaswara osaiyile devan vandhu padugiran" in 'Poovum Pottum' (Govardhanam).
Song Book of the film Pachai Vilakku PC: From the archives of TCRC
However, when we talk of Nadaswaram with reference to Tamil films, perhaps, the immediate recall reference could be the iconic movie "Thillana Mohanambal", a romantic story of a Nadaswaram Maestro Sikkil Shanmukhasundaram with a danseuse Mohana, written by Kothamangalam Subbu. The film is full of Nadaswaram music played off screen by the popular Nadaswaram duo M. P. N. Sethuraman and M. P. N. Ponnusamy from Madurai. In this film Sivaji Ganesan has no songs requiring play back support, as all his musical renderings were on the Nadaswaram, played by the duo.
The LP cover of Thillana Mohanambal PC: From the archives of TCRC
Director A.P.Nagarajan who had the opportunity of listening to MPN Bros, at a wedding in Karaikudi suggested them to Sivaji. Soon, the duo was in Chennai for their rehearsals at Music Director K.V.Mahadevan's studio.
As per the MPN Bros, Sivaji Ganesan listened to them, as they rehearsed for the film, lying on Kannadasan's lap and earned liberal appreciation from all before Director A.P.Nagarajan confirmed their selection for the film.
Asst.Music Director Pugazhenthi decorated the "Nagumomu" composition of Thyagaraja, a master piece in the film, with incredible sangathis. Impressed by their performance of Muthiah Bhagavathar composed English Notes at the 42nd birthday celebrations of Sivaji Ganesan, APN included that piece too in the film. The MPN Bros recalled that the scintillating 'Nalandhana' song took about nine takes.
The body language & acting of Sivaji Ganesan to the playing of Nadaswaram synced so well that nobody believed he was not playing it for real. In fact, when a Russian delegation met Sivaji Ganesan sequel to the film's release, it was incredible for them to believe that he was only acting and not actually playing!
When the movie was released in 1968 in Madurai, the home town of MPN Bros, the brothers, the seventh generation players in their family, were literally lifted by the crowd for bringing immortal fame to the Temple City.
MPN Bros since played for major VIP functions & every invitation card used to specially feature their names as star attraction. Since Thillana Mohanambal the duo performed in only the film 'Kovil Pura.'
After that M.P.N. Sethuraman passed away & in a gory accident. M.P.N.Ponnuswamy lost his jaw, besides his wife's life.
Posted in Filmy Ripples, Tamil Cinema	/ Tagged AP Nagarajan, Bharathi Dasan, Ellis Dungan, Jeeva, K. V. Mahadevan, Kalamegham, Karakuruchi Arunachalam, Kovil Pura, M.V Raman, MGR, Miss Malini, MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, MKT, ML Vasanthakumari, mohana, MPN Bros, MPN Ponnuswamy, MSV-TKR, music instrument, Muthiah Bhagavathar, N.Janaki, nadaswaram, Namagiripettai Krishnan, Pachai Vilakku, Padmini, Pasamalar, PN Sethuraman, Poovum Pottum, Prabhat Studios, Pugazhenti, Rajamukthi, Raman Studios, S Janaki, S.M.Subbiah Naidu, sikkil shanmukhasundaram, Sivaji Ganesan, T N Rajarathinam Pillai, Thillana Mohanambal, Town Buss	/ Leave a comment
RARE: Original LP record of Bharathiraja's "16 Vayathinile," the first Tamil film to be shot completely outdoors
Posted on April 29, 2013 by tcrcindia
On 16th September 1977, Tamil film audiences watched their cinema change with the release of Bharathiraja's debut feature film "16 Vayathinile" starring Kamal Hassan, Sridevi, Rajnikanth, Kanthimathi and Goundamani. The film is now considered to be a landmark venture in Tamil cinema, as it spurred numerous filmmakers to return to their roots and base their stories in the villages of Tamilnadu. At a time when films meant sets and studios, Bharathiraja is said to have shot all of "16 Vayathinile" outdoors. The movie also marked the debut of veteran comedian Goundamani and was Superstar Rajnikanth's first colour film. It went on to win 4 Tamilnadu State Film Awards, 1 South Filmfare Award and 1 National Film Award, across various categories. Bharathiraja's powerful depiction of village life was the highlight of his directorial debut, which is still remembered for Rajnikanth's stylish portrayal of the character Parattai, Kamal's heartwrenching potrayal of the character Chappani and Sridevi's delicate performance as Mayil.
The film had a musical score composed by Ilaiyaraaja and singer S Janaki won a National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition of Ilaiyaraaja's evergreen classic "Senthoora Poove." Given below are the photographs of the original LP record of "16 Vayathinile."
LP Record cover (front) of "16 Vayathinile" | Tamil | 1977
LP record cover (back) of "16 Vayathinile" | Tamil | 1977
In 1979, Bharathiraja remade the film in Hindi. The Hindi version was titled "Solva Sawan" and starred Sridevi, Amol Palekar and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.
Posted in Tamil Cinema	/ Tagged 16 Vayathinile, Amol Palekar, Bharathiraja, Chappani, directorial debut, first film to be shot completely outdoors, Goundamani, Ilaiyaraaja, Indian Village, Kamal Haasan, Kanthimathi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, LP record, Mayil, National Film Award, nativity, Parattai, Rajnikanth, S Janaki, Senthoora Poove, Solva Sawan, Sridevi, Tamil cinema	/ 1 Comment