well
that it has become hard to imagine anyone else singing
the intro song. Many even say that an SPB rendered intro
song is a must for the success of a Superstar movie,
a sentiment that was ingrained after the rather lackluster
performance of Baba and Kuselan, both of which did not
have SPB doing the intro song. But, are we forgetting
someone? Not just Superstar songs, try naming all singers
that you know. Most would list Hariharan, Unnikrishnan,
Shankar Mahadevan, Jesudas and many other leading voices,
but almost everyone ends up missing one prominent name-
Malaysia Vasudevan.
For the younger generation, this might not be a familiar
name. But there cannot be any lack of familiarity with
songs like ‘Podhuvaga En Manassu’ from Murattukalai,
'Naan Pokkirikku' from Pokkiri Raja, 'Aagaya Gangai'
from Dharmayutham, 'Manidhan Manidhan' from Manidhan
or ‘Aasai Nooru Vagai’ from Adutha Vaarisu.
While these songs are immensely liked even today, the
voice behind them is forgotten. It is sad that Malaysia
Vasudevan, the singer, got lost sometime during the
last decade of the 20th century. Why, we don’t
know, but we are sure that he was still as good a singer
as ever when he last sang in Tamil cinema.
It is easy to say things in hindsight, but we don’t
know the circumstances under which Malaysia Vasudevan
ceased to be a regular playback singer for Tamil cinema.
He might even have decided to sign off while he was
still doing well, many people like to leave when they
are on a high, not waiting for time to catch up. But,
one thing that can be said for sure is that Tamil cinema
music could definitely do with a voice as clear and
deep as that of Malaysia Vasudevan. I am not attempting
a comparison here, many may swear by the SPB-Rajini
combination. But the Malaysia Vasudevan-Rajini combination
never lacked in vigor or energy. Talking too much about
Malaysia Vasudevan’s Rajini hits might amount
to doing injustice to the singer as there is the chance
of him being perceived as one dimensional by those who
don’t know much about him. So, it is necessary
that some of his other evergreen hits too be looked
at. ‘Vettiveru vasam’ from Mudhal Mariyadai,
‘Katta vandi katta vandi’ from Sakalakalavallavan,
'Vaan Megangalae' from puthiya varpugal, 'Indha Minminikku'
from sigappu rojakkal, ‘Aayiram Malargalae’
from Niram Maradha Pookal are some of his non-Superstar
superhits.
When we talk about singers, we associate their voices
with them, their most characteristic tone. Jesudas’s
voice has to be among the sweetest that God made, Hariharan’s
is one of the most soothing, Shankar Mahadevan’s
is infectiously enthusiastic, SPB’s is open and
charismatic, so on and so forth. If one is familiar
with Malaysia Vasudevan, then one would associate energy
and adrenaline with his voice, though he had other facets
too.
Talking about the other facets of Malaysia Vasudevan,
let’s come to another question. Who are the singers
of Tamil cinema who have also been successful actors?
Again, most of the younger generation would say SPB
for his many memorable roles in Tamil cinema. While
that is not wrong, it is also not complete. Malaysia
Vasudevan has sometimes been known more as an actor
than as a singer; so much so that there are times when
he was regarded as an actor first by the audience. His
roles in Oru Kaidhiyin Dairy, Mudhal Vasantham and Thiruda
Thiruda are evidence of his acting prowess.
Finally, what has to be said in conclusion? This is
not a tribute to an artiste living in retirement. In
fact, I wouldn’t like to think of Malaysia Vasudevan
as a singer who has done his job and paved the way for
the new generation. Many of his contemporaries are still
active in the field of music and being a great fan of
his I believe that he has at least one last hurrah left
in him. While I am not in any measure averse to young
singers and new age music, there is an undeniable charm
in the deep resounding voice of Malaysia Vasudevan that
cannot be replicated.
(By
Sudhakar, with inputs from Arun Gopinath.)
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