Resemblance of Naan Paarthathiley and Puthu Mappillaikku

MGR's only film with AVM was Anbe Vaa. It had numerous and evergreen songs by MSV. One of them was

Naan Paarthathiley
Aval Oruthiyaithaaan
Nalla Azhagi enben
Nalla Azhagi Enben

When Kamalhasan was producing Aboorva Sahodarargal he requested Ilayaraja to compose a song along the lines of Naan Paarthathiley. And Ilayaraja gave this song:

Puthu Mappillaikku
Nalla Yogamada
Antha Manamakalthaan
Vantha Neramada

I guess both were written by Vaali.

Slowest number of MGR

KVM was assigned to compose music for the film Thozhilali. I guess it was Devar's movie. There was one song that went very slow. KVM felt that that particular song could only have a slow speed owing to the situation where a manual labourer sits under the street light and sings in the silence of the night. KVM composed the song and felt that MGR may not approve. MGR heard the song and approved it immediately. So far this is about the slowest song of MGR. The delightful song written by Alangudi Somu is:

"Aandavan Ulakathin Muthalaali
Avanukku Naan Oru Tholilaali
Annai Ulakin Madiyin Mele
Anaivarum Enathu Koottali"

Ellis R. Dungan's Manthirikumari

True to his name, it was a perfect hollywood type of movie. He was the one who introduced Puratchi Thalaivar in Sathi Leelavathi in 1936. Manthirikumari was not only a box-office hit but also created Tamil film history. It was based on the Tamil classic Kundalakesi. MGR, M. N. Nambiar, Madhuri Devi, G. Sakunthala and S. A. Natarajan were in the prime roles. The dialogues were written by Karunanidhi. S.A. Natarajan, a tamil theatre import by then, stole the show with his scintillating performance as the king’s guru’s son and a bandit by night. Music was a huge plus. “Vaaraai…..nee…Vaaraai”, sung by Tiruchi Loganathan and Jikki became an immortal number. G. Ramanathan was the composer. Yercaud Hills was the spot for the latter half. It might be a huge tourist destination now. But those times of 1949-1950, it was all mountain, jungle, rocks and shrubs. So trekking was done and immense risks were undertaken. Ellis R. Dungan, the director, used three cameras (rare in those days) to shoot this song. But all his hard work helped him reap rich dividends, when the movie and the song became super hit. When the film was in the post-production stage, problems arose in Dungan’s personal life, which forced him to leave India to the United States. T. R. Sundaram, the then Modern Theaters' boss took over the film and completed it. But there is another story to this film i read somewhere. Don't know which is true. Dungan wanted, “Vaaraai…..nee…Vaaraai” in the film, which T.R. Sundaram initially refused, saying it would not be accepted by the masses. After some argument, Dungan threw a challenge. He proposed to screen in Madras alone and see the reaction of the public. Should there be good response, the song would be retained permanently in every other copy. Should there be bad response, the particular song scene would be cut off completely from all the copies. The challenge was taken up by T.R. Sundaram. As agreed the song scene was screened in Madras, and the cinema goers gave tremendous support not only to the melody, but also to the hidden meaning in the lyrics and the way Natarajan acted. Dungan won and am not sure when Duncan went to the United States. Anyways, even after 60 years, the interest in the film hasn't gone down one bit. Truly a cult classic.

Another very good link

Just found this link. Looks like all the good things are falling in place when we start to write about our god. As a true follower, I will keep posting whatever I find about him. Long live Vaathiyar >>

Kannai Nambathey Unnai Ematrum

We all know how careful MGR is when it comes to lyrics. MGR goes through every line of it. Maruthakazi once told that how meticulous MGR is in approving songs. In the film "Ninaithathai Mudippavan", there is a song "Kannai Nambathey Unnai Ematrum", sung by TMS. In the charanam Maruthakazi had written:

Pon Porulai Kandavudan Vantha Vazhi Maranthuvittu- Than Vazhiye Pokiravar Pogattume"

MGR immediately pointed out what if the "than Vazhi happens to be a good vazhi". Maruthakazi was shocked at the sharpness of MGR's observation. So Maruthakazi immediately substituted the line as

"Kan Moodi Pogiravar Pogattumey"

The full line then became:

Pon Porulai Kandavudan Vantha Vazhi Maranthuvittu-
Kan Moodi Pogiravar Pogattume"

Vaali and MGR

When Vaali was composing songs for MGR, the usual "wolves" carried tales to MGR. This caused a drift between Vaali and MGR. So Kannadasan was once again used by MGR. Just before that MGR had announced, "From now onwards Vaali would be the one writing songs for my films", implying that Kannadasan is out of favour. But after the wolves had done sufficent home work, Vaali was kept away by MGR. Vaali became downtroddedn economically, and was suffering from financial crisis. Later while songs were being produced for the film Thazhamboo, MGR sent message to Vaali to compose "One " song for the film. Vaali wrote a song and sent it away to the studio for recording. This is about the only song where Vaali directly communicated his heart's feelings to MGR. Then they patched up their differences. The song in which Vaali speaks to MGR is:

Engey Povidum Kaalam?-Athu
Ennaiyum Vazha vaikkum-Nee
Idayathai Thiranthu Vaithaal-athu
Unnaiyum Vaazhavaikkum

Ullathai Cholli Nallathai Cheithu
Varuvathai Varattum Enriruppom
Kannerellaaam Punnagaiyaagum
Kadamayin Vazhiye Ninriruppom.

Oru Sila Perkal Oru Sila Natkal
Unmayin Kankalai Thiranthu vaippar
Poruthavarellaam Pongi Ezhiunthey
Moodiya Kankalai Thiranthu Vaippaar

Kalkalirukka Kaikalirukka
Kavalaikal Nammai Enna Seiyum?
Uzhaippathu Onre Seyalenak Kondaal
Nadappathu Nalamaai Nadanthuvidum"

MGR got the message and immediately patched up.

In many intimate moments with Vaali MGR had pured the burden from his heart. As Vaali pointed out how several of the songs written by Vaali had materialised, MGR pointed out that there is one song that could never materialise. That is from Petraal thaan Pillaiya.

"Enakkoru Magan Pirappaan
Avan Ennai Polave Iruppaan
Thanakkoru Paathaiyai Vagukkamal
En Thalaivan Vazhiyile Nadapaan."

MGR for MKT

MGR had acted in several of MK Thiagaraja Bagavathar's films. When he ws the CM he wanted to change the name of Tiruchy Kalai Arangu into Thiagaraja Bagavathar Kalai Arangu. The date was 2 October 1981. MGR was scheduled to appear at 11.30 in the morning. From 11.00 am onwards no song was played. At 11.30 MGR arrived in his car and alighteed. As he came out of his car this song was played. "Vathanamey Chandra Bimbamo" to the thunderous applause and cheering of the massive crowd there. MGR could not control his smile. He smiled and waved at the crowd. The crowd became more hysteric.