Monday, August 11, 2008

Orgin of Oru n aal pothumaa

Kaviarasar was seen taking his own time to come out with a suitable song for this situation (for the high-nosed court singer) although he had completed the others. In jest, KVM asked him whether a time frame of one day will suffice for this song. Thats it! The stanza was born immediately and the lyrics completed in a jiffy and the rest is history. It is still a wonder as to how he could have utilised all those raaga titles in such a short time especially after experiencing a mental block.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Inspiration for Aalayamaniyin osaayai naan keytaen

Even though there was tension outside his residence kaviarasar takes his own sweet time and contemplates from his bedroom window watching the early morning sparrows. It was during such situations he wrote the song "Aalayamaniyin osaayai naan keytaen" ('Paalum Pazhamum' 1961)whilst observing the sparrows

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Song about Atom

A reader once asked kaviarasar as to what amazes him most in life. Kaviarasar replied that it was the smallest of the smallest atom ,which can only be found under microsopic examination ,found in the spermatooza which in turn procreates all human beings. He concluded that to understand God one has to go back to basics and that even scientists can only study what is available to them but not the origins or roots. Do you remember the song "Bhoojiyathukulle oru raajiyathai aandu kondu puriyaamalae irruppan oruvan avanai purinthu kondaal avanthaan Iraivan"? (Valar Pirai 1962). The bhoojiyam (zero) in this context means the atoms. A simple scientific and spiritual explanation of the creation of the universe by the Lord penned by seer Kannadhasan. If you happen to hear the song again listen to the lyrics carefully. You will be equally amazed at the simple things which our kaviarasar observed scientifically

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Origin of Pana thottam Songs

'Pana thottam' was released (1963). There are interesting similar anectodotes. When Kaviarasar wrote the song "Enna thaan nadakkum Nadakattumae Iruttinil neethi marayattumae" MGR was not apprehensive but appreciative although it had some spiritual connotations. MGR cleverly uses his signature hand gesture to point to the sky and to the gopuram of a temple when the words "Oru thalaivan irrukiraan mayangathae" and "Pinnalae therivathai adichuvidu Munnaalai irupathu AVAN veedu" appear in this song scene. He was very active in DMK and there were some who hated his meteoric rise. To teach them a lesson he used this song by Kannadhasan and he was not afraid to face the consequences in the DMK for being spiritual.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Origin of 'Aayirathil Oruvan' Songs

When BR Banthulu was producing and directing 'Aayirathil Oruvan'(1965) MGR insisted on a motivational song to be sung on the ship's deck in the middle of the ocean. Banthulu tried his best to extract such a song from Vaali and other cine poets but not to his or MGR's satisfaction. Finally, Banthulu, a long time friend of kaviarasar, hesitatingly suggested the latter's name to MGR. During this period their political rivalry was at its peak. MGR had repeatedly told all and sundry that his political animosity with kaviarasar should in no way interfere with their respective professions. But it was the producers who dared not ask Kannadhasan in for fear of reprisal from MGR. Of course, Devar was an exception. MGR agreed to the suggestion which set Banthulu to telephone kaviarasar in his home. Setting aside all formalities he (kaviarasar) asked Banthulu of the song situation and before he could finish he gave him the first stanza over the phone and promised that he will come to the studio the following day to complete the same. The stanza was "atho antha paravaigal pola vaazhavendum, itho intha alaigal pola aadavendum". MGR was satisfied with the stanza at the first glance itself. Kaviarasar came the following day as promised to complete the song. MGR was impressed with this song and he requested for two more songs from kaviarasar amongst which were the classics "odum megangale oru sol keliro" and "naanamo". MGR commented to those present in kaviarasar's absence that no one can beat the genuis in Kannadhasan. He remarked that all the other poets were blank as to motivation in the middle of the sea for them to be inspired to come out with a suitable song. But the genius Kannadhasan saw the birds and waves in his mind where others had failed to notice in their imagination - they only noticed the vast ocean below and the sky above. Incidentally this song "atho antha paravai pola", it seems, has been translated with a few changes here and there to serve as the national anthem for Vietnam. I read this piece of info sometimes ago.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Orgin of Annan Ennada Thambi Ennadaa Avasaramaana Ulagathile".

Once when Kannadhasan, Viswanathan Ramamurthy and A.Bhimsing sat in session to write and compose a situational song for the film "Phazani" (1964/5)in the studio floor, a studio hand was seen walking with a foreign whiskey bottle. Kannadhasan immediately stopped the boy and enquired as to the price of the imported stuff. That boy replied that it was Rs.1500. Immediately Kaviarasar passed the hat around to collect but it barely reached Rs500. Asking the boy to wait Kannadhasan telephoned his brother AL Srinivasan who was the producer of "Pazhani" at the latter's house asking him to advance Rs1000. ALS wanted to know the urgency and Kannadhasan in all innocence told him the truth. ALS chided him over the phone for being a wastrel and bluntly refused to advance any money. After putting down the receiver Kannadhasan told the studio hand to try his luck somewhere else and back he went to the business of writing the situational song. MSV and the gang were eager to know the outcome of the telephone call to which Kannadhasan replied that today was not their day! He wrote the song and scooted off. Only when composing the tune did MSV realise Kaviarasar's frustration over the incident. The song was "Annan Ennada Thambi Ennadaa Avasaramaana Ulagathile". The 'avasaram' in this context was the foreign liquor!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Orgin of " Silar Sirippaar Silar Azhuvaar "

When director A. Bhimsing, Viswanathan Ramamurthi and Kaviarasar sat to work on a song for the film 'Paava Mannipu' there was a telephone call for the latter. He excused himself and answered the phone. MSV noticed that Kaviarasar's face which had been hitherto full of life suddenly shifting gears to melancholy. After placing the receiver back on its handle Kaviarasar returned to the spot where all were gathered to compose the song for the situation. MSV did enquire from Kaviarasar whether he was alright to which the latter, with his usual smile, said yes. After listening to the situation of the story he immediately wrote the song and collected his dues and left in a hurry. MSV was curious over the whole incident and decided to play detective.In the evening on the same day he dropped by Kaviarasar's house and asked him the same question. This time Kaviarasar told him all. It seems that his creditors took judgement debt notice and were already in the house to seal the same. That was when he received the phone call from his household. MSV was further shocked to understand that the song he had written earlier that day was for Kaviarasar himself. The song? "Silar Sirippaar Silar Azhuvaar" (film: 'Paava Mannippu". Whats so great about it? The line "....kaalam oru naal maarum nam kavalaigal yaauvum theerum, vanthathai enni azhugindren varuvathai enni sirikkindren' was a moral booster to himself. He was sad that such an embarassing situation took place ("vanthathai enni azhugindren") but happy that he would resolve this matter after getting the cash for the song. He paid this cash to the notice servers to postpone their action. The words "varuvathai enni sirikindren" was a reference to the cash he is going to get after writing this song to help him out of this predicament! MSV said that any man in that situation will naturally excuse himself from work to go to his house. But Kaviarasar took it cooly and attended to his work first. Thats Kannadhasan!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Origin of the song" Marutha Malai Maamaniye Murugaya "

In early 1972 Kaviarasar made preparations for his third (or fourth?) daughter's wedding. The date was set and barely three days into the wedding he was in a dilemna. Someone who promised to advance the money for the wedding disappointed Kaviarasar at the eleventh hour. Poor chap, it was during these type of situations he will cry like an innocent child. The good Lord had heard him cry. Continue to read fans. He had an appointment to write songs for the film "Deivam", a Devar banner.Kaviarasar will put aside all his personal problems when it comes to work. He dictated the song "Marutha Malai Maamaniye Murugaya Devarin Kulam Kaatkum Velayya". When the assistant read back the dictation Chinnappa Devar who was in the adjoining room quickly came out and asked that the song be read out again. He was immensely impressed with the line "Devarin Kulam Kaatkum Velayya" as though it was meant to him. Immediately he gave Kaviarasar 1 lakh for the song and also gave him permission to make use of his personal wedding hall for his daughter's wedding.