BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

Dear readers who walk my dream with me to take South Indian cinema worldwide

I would like to present a song that was so talked about in the month of November 1986

1986 is a year that gave us: In January, ‘Vikram’ starring Shri Kamal Hassan, stylishly made and dialogs were a highlight (Shri Sujatha Rangarajan and Kamal) Music by our maestro

Same month, AVM’s ‘Mr Bharath’ starring Superstar, well remembered for its song ‘ennama kannu sowkiyama’ by our maestro which the present generation can identify in ‘Thiruvilaiyadal arambam’

In July, director Bharathiraja’s ‘Kadalora kavidhaigal’ starring Sathyaraj and Rekha. It was a blockbuster, music by our maestro.

Same month heralded Visu’s ‘Samsaram adhu minsaram’ about the day-to-day trials and triumphs in a middleclass joint family starring Visu himself along with Lakshmi and Raghuvaran. It won the National award for best popular film providing wholesome entertainment. Music by Shri Chandrabose

Independence day saw the release of Shri Mani Ratnams’ unforgettable ‘Mouna ragam’ with Shri Ilaiyaraja adding ‘pearls to our casket of memories’. It bagged the National award for best feature film in Tamil. Mandram vandha thendralluku, nilaavae vaa, pani vizhum iravu (with Janaki-ma) by Balu-ji are priceless treasures for posterity.

And of course the film from which this song is featured, this week in ‘rekhs underscore’ was released 27 years ago!   Punnagai mannan directed by K Balachander under their banner Kavithalaya productions was released on Deepavali day, a super duper box office hit. Same day Shri Rajini’s Maaveeran was released too.

‘Enna saththam indha neram’, lyrics by Shri Vairamuthu (last of IR-VM combo says wikipedia) rendered by Shri SPB and you can watch it here:

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqJ3eZVeqPg

I personally feel this is one of THE best performances by Ms Revathi (Sabash Malini!)

I specifically chose this song as an exemplary message to people young and old. Life has its ups and downs. All of us go through rough patches. Please do not give up hope. So set aside suicide, it is no solution to obliterate suffering. Move on…like the Zen principle of ‘this too will pass’ and an old Hindu dictum ‘nadapadhellam nanmaikay’ (whatever happens is for the good) rise to the occasion, conquer your insecurities, inhibitions, diffidence and difficulties. Years later, when you look back on the worst part of your life you can proudly pat yourself on your back. Let ‘B+ve’ flow in all your nerves, veins and sinew.

This also is my humble ode to Shri Kamal who from the mid-70s has made many hearts race, eyes well up with tears, souls share moments of mirth by giving the young, middle aged, old, men, women, children wholesome entertainment that only ‘ulaga nayagan’ can!

With a sigh of contentment walking down memory lane,

until next week,

rekhs
11.11.13