BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

Dear Behindwood regulars,

Here’s a classical treat and I straight away dedicate it to the music legend K.V.Mahadevan, national award winner twice for best music direction (Kandhan karunai in 1967 and Shankarabharanam in 1980). This song is from Thiruvilaiyadal (national award for best film) released in 1965 and the film had a successful run for 25 weeks in Shanthi theater! Directed by A.P.Nagarajan, the cast includes Sivaji Ganesan, R.Muthuraman, Savitri, Nagesh, Manorama, K. B. Sundarambal, T. R. Mahalingam and T. S. Balaiah.

Actor Nagesh, who played a crucial role in the film, wrote in his biography, "Everyone kept telling me that I had done a superb job and at times stole the scene from the hero, so I was extremely scared it might not see the light of day as the director was struggling to trim the film's length. One day when I was in the recording theatre, Sivaji [Ganesan] walked in and wanted to see the ‘Dharumi’ piece. He did not notice me in the dark sound engineers' room. He watched it once and then wanted to see it again - by this time I was sure that my scene, especially the solo lamenting, would be axed. To my astonishment, Sivaji turned and said, 'Do not remove a single foot from this episode as well as the episode featuring T. S. Balaiah. These will be the highlights of the film. This is my opinion, but as the director, you have the final say. Whatever dubbing additions have to be done, get that fellow (Nagesh), lock him up in the studio and don't let him run away till he completes it to your satisfaction. He has done outstanding work.' Such was his generosity to his fellow actors."

What’s special about this song is the garland of ragas intertwined by the lyricist and the composer enchantingly, sung mellifluously by Dr Balamuralikrishna who has won the national award as best playback singer and as best music composer in 1976 and 1987 respectively.

To view the divine antics of T.S.Balaiah which is a treat for sore eyes, link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq8oeuiGmYY

I may not have done justice to the subtitles, to convey the different ragas in the play of words our genius Kannadasan did, but enjoy this aural feast I promise, you will

Oru naaL pOdhumaa
indroru naaL pOdhuma

Is just a day adequate?
Is today enough to captivate…?

naan paada
indroru naaL pOdhuma

For my song omniscient
is just today sufficient?

naadhamaa geethamaa

Sound of my voice
or this raga to rejoice?

adhai naan paada
indroru naaL pOdhumaa

Is today enough for me to sing
to enjoy the joy it can bring?

pudhu raagamaa sangeethama

A new note or two
Music to please you

adhai naan paada
indroru naaL pOdhumaa

My concert for you
will today just do?

raagamaa suga raagaamaa

Bedecked with notes…a tune

gaanamaa deva gaanamaa

Music that’s a divine boon

raagamaa suga raagaamaa
gaanamaa deva gaanamaa

Bedecked with notes a tune
That’s music a divine boon

en kalaikindha thiru naadu
samamaagumaa

en kalaikindha thiru naadu
samamaagumaa

Can this glorious kingdom
ever match my art or stardom?

naadhamaa geethamaa

Sound of my voice
or this song to rejoice?

adhai naan paada
indroru naaL pOdhumaa

Will just a day do, to sing
and enjoy the joy it can bring?

kuzhal endrum

The magical flute

yaazh endrum

The mystical lute

kuzhal endrum yaazh endrum
silar kooruvaar

Flute and harp some claim
as music sublime to acclaim

en kural kaetta pinnaalae
avar maaruvaar

To my voice when they attune
they will change their tune!

kuzhal endrum yaazh endrum
silar kooruvaar

Lute and flute some claim
as music sublime to fame

en kural kaetta pinnaalae
avar maaruvaaar

To my voice when they attune
for sure they’ll change their tune!

azhiyaadha kalai
endru ennai paaduvaar

They’ll praise my art to infinity
as epitome of dulcet divinity

azhiyaadha kalai
endru ennai paaduvaar

They’ll pen me in their poetry
as the last word in musical mastery

ennai ariyaamal
edhirpOrgaL ezhundhOduvaar

ennai ariyaamal
edhirpOrgaL ezhundhOduvaar

The ignorant who challenge my deed
will exit at breakneck speed

isai kaetka ezhunthodi varuvaar andro

Won’t they run to me
to hear this melody?

ezhunthodi varuvaar andro

Won’t they rush to me…?

ezhunthodi
thodi

To hear this raga thodi?

isai kaetka
ezhunthodi varuvaar andro

Won’t they hasten to me
to hear this melody?

ennakku iNNaiyaaga
darbaaril evarum undo

Can anyone in this royal audience
equal my exalted performance?

darbaaril evarum undo
darbaaril

In this court durbar,
can anyone sing raga darbar?

ennakku iNNaiyaaga
dharbaaril evarum undo

In this court so eminent
is there a worthy opponent?

kalaiyaadha mohana
suvai naan andro

5 notes so captivating
don’t I alluringly sing?

mohana chuvai naan andro

I am the bewitcher…

mohanam kalaiyaadha
mohana chuvai naan andro

With the mohanam raga flavor
am I not the charming enchanter?

kaanadaa

Look at me…listen to this raga joyously

en paattu thaen ada
isai deivam naan ada

My song is honeyed sweetness
I am the God of melodiousness

No wonder, with the confluence of such stalwarts in this film, Thiruvilaiyadal (Divine antics) is still a classic to treasure in our casket of memories.

With a promise of more gems of this kind, let me sigh a nostalgic tata!

rekhs