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M.K. Thyagaraja Bagavadhar
Topic started by Jaya (@ proxy.singnet.com.sg) on Sat May 16 07:38:42 EDT 1998.
<font size="-1">All times in EST +10:30 for IST.</font>
Will there be any other vocalist who will be able to sing like him? His rendition and effortless style of singing will be an impossible act to follow or emulate. His incredible voice!! Some of his songs are really hard rock.Hey!
List of Songs:
Alphabetic
http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/lyrsort.php?t=2203
Chronological (in the order posted)
http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/lyrsort.php?t=2203&opt=c
http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/v...?p=77885#77885
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Ravi (@ envy*) on: Sat May 16 10:37:03 EDT 1998
Hard rock? :) Some examples please.
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saketh (@ call*) on: Sun May 17 15:14:28 EDT 1998
I have had a chance to listen to MKTB songs and they are simply great. well, one should listen to appreciate. as we all know, most of the old songs (1940's and 50's) were sung by the actors themselves(dominating the TF industry were MKTB, PU chinnappa and others)and again most of them were classical (based on raagas). Some of my favourite MKTB's songs (with their raagas) are:
1. Unnai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo - Bairavi
2. Vallalai paadum vaayaal - Senchuruti
3. Vadhaname chandra bimbamo - Sindhubhairavi
4. maname nee eesan naamathai - kunthalavaraali
5. maraivaai pudhaitha odu - Darbar (fantastic)
6. Raadhe unakku kobam aagaadhadi - Senchuruti
7. Soppana vaazhvil magizndhu - Vijayanaagari
8. Manmadha leelaiyai vendraar undo - Charukesi
.......... and more
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Ramaswamy Gireesan (@ m42.*) on: Sun May 17 17:47:23 EDT 199
I can also think of
rAjan maharAjan - Huseini
sathva guNa bOdhan - Jonpuri
krishnA mukundA murArE - Navroz??
dhyAnamE enadhu manadhu niRaindhahdu - Kapi
G.Ramaswamy
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Ravi (@ envy*) on: Sun May 17 20:19:57 EDT 1998
saketh: r u sure radhE unakku kObam is by MKTB?
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Rajaraman (@ 192.*) on: Sun May 17 21:33:39 EDT 1998
Ravi
yes, it is by MKT. TMS sings a piece from it in Kulamagal Raathai.
One more MKT song:
amba manam kaninthu (Pantuvarali)
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RV (@ avnt*) on: Sun May 17 23:48:23 EDT 1998
Rajaraman:
I though Amba Manam Kanindhu is by KRRamasami. Doesnt this song figure in Velaikkari just before Balaiah convinces KRR to become a con-man ?
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badri raghavan (@ 206.*) on: Mon May 18 00:11:36 EDT 1998
hi jaya,
thanks for bringing out a topic such as this for discussion. although i started listening to mkt only a couple of years back, i am irresistably drawn to his commanding voice. i have couple of cassettes and each of the songs is a gem.
RV: amba manam kaninthu is by mkt. a real masterpiece.
maraivai pudaitha oodu maraintha maayam eno is yet another classic rendering by mkt. one should hear the subtle and overt variations to believe it. what a range and what control?
annaiyum thandaiyum munnari deivamen is also a great piece.
it was a pleasant surprise to find this in the DF. i shall come back (with more info)
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S.Suresh (@ dwar*) on: Mon May 18 00:25:41 EDT 1998
Good to see MKT here. Great voice. Great signing. There is one song which I think you guys missed. I think the song goes as "Kalagalil Sirandadu Naatiya Kalaye". This is in Natakurunji. This fact is told in the song itself. "Raagathil Sirandhadhu Natakurunji".
Continuing in the same vien, how many out there like M M Dhandapani Desikar? I have two of his tapes. One of them is Nandanar. The songs are just too good. If you have a liking for Classical music, this album is not to be missed. Similarly his other album too is great. It has a beautiful Arabhi. ("Anbu kondu Ennai Aadhari") I think most of them are private songs. My reco., if you love old songs or classical music based songs, get these tapes. You will not regret it.
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Kanchana (@ ww-t*) on: Mon May 18 11:09:14 EDT 1998
Additions to MKT list:
bhoomiyil mAnida janmam
vasantha rudhu mana mOganamE
dheenak karuNAkaranE natarAjA neelakaNdanE
MKT is emerging as one of my favorite TFM male singers as I keep exploring the pre-mellisai mannargaL era. It seems tough to find all his songs though, given the number of songs he has sung in each movie.
(Digression: Suresh, Aren't en appan allavA en thAyum allavA and appanaip pAdum vAyAl both sung by MMDD in nandhanAr?)
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Ramaswamy Gireesan (@ m42.*) on: Mon May 18 17:25:18 EDT 199
Kanchana,
en appan allava is indeed from nandhanar. But appanaip paadum vaayaal is sung by MKT in Sivakavi (he insists on singing about the father -siva- only and refuses to sing the praise of the son.
Another song sung by MKT : 'gAndhiyaip pOl oru sAntha swarUpanai kANbadhum eLidhAmO'
'annaiyum thanthaiyum thAne' from Haridas is also a good song.
Regards
G.Ramaswamy
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saketh (@ chem*) on: Mon May 18 18:59:25 EDT 1998
more additions to MKTB songs with their ragas
1. Oru naal oru pozhudhaagilum - kamas
2. Sivaperumaan krubai vendum - suruti (from Naveena saarangadhaaraa)
3. Boomiyil maanida janmam - Sindhubairavi
4. gnaakkan ondu irundum podhinile - jonpuri
5. annaiyum thandhaiyum thaane vaazhvil - Senchuruti
6. maanida janmam meendum vandhidumo - kamas
7. ammaiyappaa ungal anbai marandhen - jonpuri
(this song actually starts with a fantastic kAnadA followed by atAnA)
All these are gems resulting from the explosive combination of MKT's voice with (mostly) Papanasam Sivan/G. Ramanathan's composing. One does not get satisfied however many times one listens to these songs ....... and talking about the song "vasantha-ruthu mana mohaname" which is a Ragamaalika consisting of four raagas, the song is beautifully composed and rendered with the names of the 4 raagas (vasanthA, KunthalavarAli, YadhukulakAmbodhi, Suruti) included in the lyrics. The song goes like this (the name of the raga is indicated in CAPS)
hero(MKT) : VASANTHA-ruthu mana mohaname!! malarndha malaridhaz manam kavazh thendral
(vasantha-ruthu)
heroine : malligai poongodi KUNTHALAVARAALI, moittha malar nagai kulunga vilangum (heroine is after nagai- ornaments)
hero : nagai paithiyam YADHUKULA(KA)MBODHIlum kanavilum nanavilum idhe sindhaiyaa?? (to which the heroine replies)
heroine : SURUTI konarndhu kodhuthu-alutthaarpolave sollukku panjamillai
(vasantha ruthu)
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S.Suresh (@ dwar*) on: Tue May 19 01:11:46 EDT 1998
Digression: Kanchana, as Ramaswamy pointed out "En Appan Allavaa" is from nandanar. This song has a terrific beat. Very short song but excellent rythm. Another song from this film "Kamam Agatriya" also has an excellent beat. Makes you sing along at the top of your voice. actually these songs give great satisfaction to you when you sing along with them. I am not sure I can say the same about the recent. That, I perceive to be the biggest diffence. My favourite from Nandanar is "Varugalamo". If you get a chance to hear K V Narayanaswamy sing this, consider yourself lucky. I heard him once in Krishna Gana Sabha singing this song. It is an experience in absolute bliss. The peace you get is unimaginable.
Sorry for getting into MMDD in a thread of MKT. My only hope is that those who love MKT and dont know about MMDD will discover him.
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S.Suresh (@ dwar*) on: Tue May 19 01:20:25 EDT 1998
Sorry for the typos. Please read "...say the same about recent." as "...say the same about the recent songs". "diffence" should have been "difference". Posted this while doing many things. ( Nice to see so many people who love MKT)
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Bharat (@ dsi.*) on: Tue May 19 11:21:14 EDT 1998
This is a refreshingly interesting topic. Could people tell me how they got the MKTB songs they have? I'd like to make a compliation/buy tapes or CDs. Thanks.
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Satish (@ cs-l*) on: Tue May 19 23:07:58 EDT 1998
<font size="+1">MKT Song list</font>
The following is a list of MKT songs. I just added the raaga information from this thread. Some details are still missing, feel free to correct or add to it.
There are two collections available from EMI, 1) Ringing Voice of MKT and 2) Golden Greats of MKT. There is significant overlap between the two collections, but these two are the only ones that are easily available. Not sure if the "custom" recording places have access to more LPs of MKT.
One more thing to note is that the songs in the tapes/CDs are slightly different from the ones that appear in the movie. The reason I guess is the restriction imposed by the capacity of the LP. The songs in the tapes are the shorter versions usually.
MKT's first movie was in 1934 - "Pavalakodi". He had a double role in "Sathyaseelan". His biggest hit was "Haridas" in 1944 (ran more than 2 years at one center). He still had a couple of movies after Independence ("Rajamukthi" in '48). Does anyone have any info on what happened to MKT after that and what was his last movie?
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Song: Ambaa Manam Kanindhu Unadhu Kadai Kannpaar
Film: Sivakavi
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Pantuvaraali
Song: Ananda Natana
Film: Sivakami
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: K V Mahadevan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Annaiyum Thandhayum
Film: Haridas
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Chenchuruthi
Song: Arava Maram
Film: Sivakami
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: K V Mahadevan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Arputha Leelaikal
Film: Sivakami
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: K V Mahadevan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Bhoomiyil Maanida Jenmam
Film: Ashok Kumar
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Sindhu Bhairavi
Song: Chandra Suryar
Film: Ambikapathy
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Chidambara Naatha
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Ragam: ??
Song: Dheena Karuna Karane
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Dhyaname Enadhu Manadhu Niraindhadhu
Film: Ashok Kumar
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Kapi
Song: En Udal Thanil, Ammaiyappa Ungal Anbai
Film: Haridas
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Kaanda, Atana, Jonpuri
Song: Gnana Sabayil
Film: Sivakami
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: K V Mahadevan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Gnanakkan Ondru
Film: Chinthamani
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Jonpuri
Song: Krishna Mukundaa Murare
Film: Haridas
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Navroz
Song: Maanida Janmam Meendum Vandhidumo
Film: Raja Mukthi
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: C R Subbaraman
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Kamas
Song: Maname Nee Eesan Naamathai
Film: Ashok Kumar
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Kunthalavaraali
Song: Manmatha Leelaiyai Vendraar Undo?
Film: Haridas
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T R Rajakumari
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Charukesi
Song: Maraivai Pudhaitha
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Darbar
Song: Nattiya Kalaiye
Film: Sivakavi
Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Natakurunji
Song: Oru Naal Oru Pozhuthu
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Kamas
Song: Pavazha Maal
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Radhe Unakku Kovam Aagathadi
Film: Chinthamani
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Chenchuruthi
Song: Rajan Maharajan
Film: Shyamala
Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: G S Roya Sundaram
Ragam: Huseini
Song: Sara Sarangal
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Sathva Guna Bodhan
Film: Ashok Kumar
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Jonpuri
Song: Sivaperumaan Krupai Vendum
Film: Naveena Sarangatara
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Suruthi
Song: Sollupappa
Film: Sathya Seelan
Star: M K T & M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: ??
Lyric: Janakam Kavikunjaram
Ragam: ??
Song: Soppana Vaazhivil
Film: Sivakavi
Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Sivaranjani, Vijayanaagari
Song: Suttum Vizhichudarthaan
Film: Puthuvaazhvu
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: ??
Lyric: Bharathiyar
Ragam: ??
Song: Thillayil Nayakane
Film: Sivakami
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: K V Mahadevan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Un Azhakai
Film: Thiruneelakanter
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: ??
Song: Unnai Kandu Mayangatha Pergal Undo
Film: Ashok Kumar
Star: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: Papanasam Sivan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Bhairavi
Song: Vallalai Paadum Vaazhyaal
Film: Sivakavi
Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Chenchuruti
Song: Vasantha Ruthu
Film: Sivakavi
Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar, S Jayalakshmi
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Vasantha, Kunthalavarali,
YadhukulaKambhoji, Suruthi
Song: Vathaname Chandra Bimbamo Malarndha Sarojamo
Film: Sivakavi
Star: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
Singer: M K Thayagaraja Bhagavathar
MD: G Ramanathan
Lyric: Papanasam Sivan
Ragam: Sindhu Bhairavi
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saketh (@ call*) on: Tue May 19 23:55:18 EDT 1998
Additions in/to Satish's list
1. Pavazhal maal varai - Ragas Bairavi, Kalyani and Manirangu
2. Gnaana sabayil - SArangA?
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Sathiya Keerthi (@ syne*) on: Wed May 20 01:27:37 EDT 1998
Satish:
You are probably right about Rajamukthi being
the last movie by MKTB. The MD was CRSubbaraman.
An interesting digression...
CRS was keen to make MKTB sing in his music
and he got this chance first in 1945, in the
movie, UdhayaNan-Vaasavadhaththai in
which MKTB and Vasundhra Dhevi were chosen as
hero-heroine. CRS was so excited, made the tunes,
and all was set to record MKTB's voice for the
first time under CRS. At that moment MKTB was
urgently called outside by a friend and MKTB
had to leave in a hurry without recording that
song. Half hour later they got the news that
MKTB was arrested in connection with Lakshmikanthan
murder case. It later turned out that GNB was
replaced as the hero for that same movie and
CRS was also replaced by CSJeyaraman (yes, the
same pokkaivaai pugazh CSJ) as MD! CRS had to wait
till 1948 when MKTB was released from prison
and when MKTB produced his own movie, Rajamukthi, to
record MKTB's voice under his music. There is one
more popular song in that movie (apart from
maanida janmam that you mentioned above):
unaiyallaamal oru thurumbasaiyumO
It seems this song is in Saramathi raagam.
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Sathiya Keerthi (@ syne*) on: Wed May 20 01:29:20 EDT 1998
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Ramaswamy Gireesan (@ m42.*) on: Wed May 20 03:48:31 EDT 199
Satish,
I think 'unnazhagaik kANa iru kaNgaL pOthAthE' is in Madhyamavathi.
Sollu paappaa is in Punnagavarali.
Chandra suriyar is in Maand.
Regards
G.Ramaswamy
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Bharat (@ dsi.*) on: Wed May 20 09:52:44 EDT 1998
Satish:
Many thanks for the song list. Do you know if these EMI compilations are available in the US?
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Kanchana (@ ww-t*) on: Wed May 20 10:37:09 EDT 1998
Ramaswamy, Suresh:
Thank you for the information on the MKT and MMDD songs. It's a fabulous voyage of discovery once we acquire a taste and appreciation for the music of these "retro"(?) periods of TFM!
Satish:
Thank you for the compilation--I need to check my collection for missing numbers.
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pg (@ 167.*) on: Wed May 20 14:56:27 EDT 1998
ammaiyappA ungaL anbai maRandhEn from haridAs
vaLLalai pAdum vAyAl from sivakavi
haridAs and sivakavi had a lot of songs many of them did not make it to cassettes/LPs. If you want all of MKT's songs you will need the video cassette.
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pg (@ 167.*) on: Wed May 20 14:58:33 EDT 1998
Sorry guys, both the songs have been mentioned !
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Kanchana (@ ww-t*) on: Wed May 20 15:13:14 EDT 1998
Satish's list has ??? for MD and rAgam for Bharadhi's chuttum vizhich chudarthAn kaNNammA from MKT's pudhuvAzhvu. Bharadhi has specified chenjurutti as the rAgam for this kavidhai. Does anyone know if MKT sang it in chenjurutti?
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Ramaswamy Gireesan (@ m42.*) on: Wed May 20 22:29:11 EDT 199
Kanchana,
I dont think MKT's version of 'suttum vizhi' is in senchurutti. (again, I could be wrong :-) )
His version goes something like this :
suttum vizhi
d2 s+ p d2
chudarthaan
m1 p m1 g3
kannamma
s g3 p...
suriya
p.. p p
chandiraro
m1 p d2.. m1 p...
(Of course the above doesnt portray the gamakams at kannamma and chandiraro)
Regards
G.Ramaswamy
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Kanchana (@ ww-t*) on: Wed May 20 22:40:13 EDT 1998
Ramaswamy:
I guess the MD for that movie decided to overlook Bharadhi's designated rAgam for chuttum vizhi. I've always been curious how many of our MDs have stuck to the rAgams specified by Bharadhi for his kavidhaigaL while bringing them to TFM, but I digress here :-) Thank you.
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badri raghavan (@ 206.*) on: Thu May 21 02:11:22 EDT 1998
the song arputha leelaigalai appears to be in Madhyamavathi and dheena karunakarane is in behag
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Manisekaran (@ wmu-*) on: Thu May 21 07:05:41 EDT 1998
Sathya Keerthi:
As per your request I am providing some interesting info on MKTB.
PART I
MKT and G.Ramanathan are the products of stage drama popularly called special dramas later. In those days the drama actors had to act as well as sing without the assistance of PA system. They had to sing loud, and in high pitch so as to reach the last person in the hall. This is how TRMahalingam, MKTB and a few others trained thier voices. G.Ramanathan was a harmoniuam artiste in the dramas where MKTB acted. MKTB was more popular for his songs rather than acting. From there MKTB got involved in Special Dramas.
The guru of MKTB was Alathoor Sahodararkal who were called "Isai MethaikaL". MKTB's first film was Pavalakkodi.MKTB was acting in several dramas, including Chintamani. Later when Chintamani was made into a film he acted in it. The MDs are Alathoor SahodararkaL.Chintamani was shown by Mathurai Murugan Talkies. The film generated so much collection that after the run of the film was over, a new cinema Theater was built with the collection and it was clled "Chintamani Talkies".
CRAZE AND TREND
The moment MKTB's songs picked up momentum, there was a craze for his songs, and MDs were tempted (and forced) to compose songs in the style of MKTB.
1.In Chintamani there is a song called "Rathey Unakku Kobam Agathadee" TMS used that as a pallavi for his song in "Krishna Vijayam". Until Thookku Thooki TMS followed MKTB.Annam itta veetiley in Manthiri Kumari, Kulir Thamarai poigai and Kulingidum poovilellaam in Valayapathy are of this nature. The craze for MKTB songs never died in soul of TMS. When Akilan's novel Vaazhvu Engey was produced in the name of "Kulamakal Rathai" TMS requested KVM to give him a chance to sing in the style of MKTB. The Chintamani song "Rathey Unakku kobam agathedee" was appropriately sung by TMS in Kulamakal Rathai as the heroine's name was Ratha. There is another song of MKTB called "Siva perumaan kirubai Vendum" In a thanippaadal TMS sang this song as "mangalamaai vazha veNdum, vERenna veNDum"
2.In the old Ambikapathy (MKTB)there is a song called "Chandrasooriyar pOngathi mARinum veezhinum nmakkenna". When the new Ambikapathy(Sivaji) was produced, G Ramanathan wanted to make the new Ambikapathy popular among the fans of the old Ambikapathy. So he used the above tune for the new Ambikapathy as follows:
"Maasila nilavE nam
kAthalai magizhvOdu
manilam koNdAduthe"
3. In the old Ambikapathy there is a song called
"pajanai seivAi manamey"
In the new Ambikapathy G.Ramanathan used that old song's style as follows:
Sinthanai sei manamey
4. "Sivaperumaan kirubai veNDum" is the song sung by MKTB. In the film Sarangathara G Ramanathan used the same style to compose a song as follows:
Innum enna Vendum-TMS
5. "Deena karuna karaney Nadaraja neelakaNdane" is the song of MKTB. In the film Madurai Veeran, G.Ramanathan used the same tune as follows:
Echi pizhaikkum thozhilE sarithAna
eNNI pArunga aiyya
eNNI pArunga..
nachiyappa sangaili karuppa
poochi kAttum pokkiri suppA
moottai adicha unnaiyE viduvAna
eNNI parnga-TMS/Jikki
A UNIQUE PERSONALITY
The unique personality of MKTB is largely responsible for his boost. He was extremely fair looking, with a unique, and innocent look often described as "kanivAna, parithAba pArvai". Of course his greatest asset was the golden voice that God endowed him.
UNIT WORK
MKTB was highly successful as there was a unit work. (It was a mutual gain anyway)Music was composed mainly by GRamanathan, KVM and later others like C.N.Pandurangan(with GR in Puthu Vazhvu), C R Subbaraman (Rajamukthi)joined in. In fact S.M. Subbiah Naidu composed the song "vAzhvilEy oru nAL" in Haridass.
The other plus point was the contribution of Paabanasam Sivan. He composed lyrics to suit Karnatic Music.
CONTRIBUTION OF MKTB
It is a forgone conclusion that MKTB was a "INAIPPU PAALAM" between the Karnatic Music and the Semi Classic music. At the time when the Tamil cinema was delivering carnatic songs, there were some hardcore Karnatic music lovers who claimed and clamoured that Tamil film songs can never contribute to the development of Karnatic music. One such person was the Sithoor Subramaniam Pillai who is the guru of Madurai Somu. When Haridas was playing, someone forced him to see the film for the excellent songs. Subramaniyam Pillai saw the movie and was very much impressed by the way GR rendered the delicate and difficult Sarukesi raga song Manmatha Leelaiyai veNRAr uNdo in a Janaranjaga way. From the theatre he went straight to the homes of GR and MKTB to express his overwhelming appreciation. Therafter MKTB's songs came to be accepted(openly) as promoting karnatic music.
PART II to be comntinued with more interesting items.
vaNakkam
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Sathiya Keerthi (@ pano*) on: Thu May 21 07:28:44 EDT 1998
Manisekaran:
Thanks for a very nice description of MKTB
statistics and contributions. I look forward
to your Part II.
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Manisekaran (@ bat-*) on: Thu May 21 12:56:51 EDT 1998
Sathya Keerthi
MKTB Part II
JAIL TERM
Chintamani ran for one year in Gaiety theatre. But Haridass ran in the Madras Broadway theatre for 3 consecutive Deepavalis. Around this time there was a yellow magazine called Hindu Nesan which was notorious in publishing the "Arputha LeelaikaL" of those involved in the cine field. The articles also mademention of NSK and MKTB. The editor Lachumikanthan was murdered. MKTB and NSK were impilcated and arrested. This caused traumatic shock waves to run in Tamilnadu. This was the time when MKTB was at the height of his glory and fame. As he was passing the days in prison Haridas gained popularity. The irony is that the person of MKTB lost out in popularity. In those days those linked with murderer incidents used to be excommunicated in society. Haridas was so popular that it was the first film to be re-released in colour tint. In those days portions of the films used to be given single colours called tints. This was the beginning of the advent of colour films. Portions of Haridas were given colour tints. In the second release the entire film was given colour tint-thereby became the first film to be given tint throughout.(The first full colour film is Ali Baba)
Just before going to prison MKTB had been booked for 20 films in a row. He even took advance. While in prison he was most depressed, distressed and dishearted. This is because no producer came to visit him there. His close friends deserted him. Those who used him as a golden goose discarded him. Some did turn up- to request MKTB to return the advance, thinking that he would never be released. This hurt him further. Meanwhile the producers took a different approach. Thinking that MKTB would never be released, they went on to create a substitute for him to act in the films scheduled for MKTB to act. This is how they dragged the Karnataka's Honnappa Bagavathar. They used him to produce Kalidas. It wa a flop. Then they tried another film called valmeeki. Also a flop! Now they realised that people could only rival MKTB, but caould never replace him.
Fortunately MKTB and NSK got early release through the good office of influential people who were also the fans of MKTB. Luck was in favour of NSK when he became an active member in DMK. The DMK promoted him. But MKTB was not a supporter of the ideologies og of the DMK. So NSK and MKTB who parted.
When MKTB was released he was invited for a kachery where he could not see the usual crowd. He was sad to learn that he was no more a crowd puller. By this time the very film producers who never patronised him in jail came forward to use MKTB(based on the success of Haridas) in new films. But MKTB refused totally in anger. He decided to test his strength in the film industry.
1. Rajamukthi- He used totally a new comer in the film industry to write dialogue. It was Chirukathai mannan Puthumaippithan who wrote the dialogue. The film was a flop. Puthumaipithan developed acute tuberclosis which lead to his death. But the film with CR Subbaraman as the MD had very good songs like Unnai allal oru thurumbasayumo, manida janmam meendum vanthidumo, ingumangum, enna anantham, piravik kadal, manam nininthu etc.
2. He then tried taking the film Amarakavi, using uvamai kavignar Suratha to write dialogu. Another flop. This film had good songs like ellaam inbamey, sevai seithaaley vaazhalaam.
3. The last attempt was the film Puthu Vazhvu.Here both G.Ramanathan and CN Pandurangan were used as MDs. He studied the changing trend in the cine field and took this film. It has a social film with sound social theme.He used the most sizzling glamourous actress of the time-Mathuri Devi. He even introduced a dream scene of Romeo-Juliet style. The song for this scene is the most melodious "thEn Kuyil poley" which he saang with Jikki-probably the only song with Jikki. Somehow this film also did not fare well.Ths wonderful songs in Puthu Vazhvu are like Suttu vizhi chudar thaan Kannamma, thAnam avasiyam, uNmai onRe pEsum nalla uyar guNam veNDum"
When he took Thiruneelakandar before going to Jail it was well received. But these three other last movies did not do well. He lost all his property. The films may be commercially failures, but the quality of the songs was not the least compromised.
Then there was a last attempt to rehabilitate him. The film Sivagami was produced. MKTB sang songs like "Atputha Leelaikalai, gnana sabayil, AravAram, and Anantha nadana vinotha. But half way he died and the film was completed with a new actor who did not pick up. TMS had to sing to make up for the loss. Those songs are "vaanil muzhu mathiyai kaNden vanathil oru poeNNai kaNDEn" and the duet with Solamangalam Rajalachumy"andgumingum Attam pOda vaikkuthu AnAlumAnanthamAi irukkuthu".
To be continued tomorrow. Good night/morning.
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S.Suresh (@ 164.*) on: Fri May 22 02:22:45 EDT 1998
Manisekaran,
Great postings. Ravi, I think these postings must go into an archive under the heading MKTB. In that way lot of people will be able to access it. If it goes only under the DF archives, many may miss it. Keep up the good work, Manisekaran.
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manisekaran (@ 202.*) on: Sat May 23 11:04:12 EDT 1998
Is the server down? Testing
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Sathiya Keerthi (@ 137.*) on: Sat May 23 23:37:07 EDT 1998
Manisekaran:
We are waiting for MKTB Part III...
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Manisekaran (@ 202.*) on: Sun May 24 01:32:35 EDT 1998
Sathya Keerthi here is:
MKTB Part III
Giving below the list of all the films acted by MKTB-both released and unreleased. The idea is to enable the lovers of MKTB songs to get his songs recorded.
The films that he acted are in this order:
1. PAVALAKKODI-with the drama actress S.D. Subbulachumy as heroine. Direction by the great K. Subramaniam.Pavalakkodi was a highly successful drama that ALRM Chettiyar came forward to adapt it into a film form. It was a super hit film that ran for 100 weeks. Reason? 55 super songs.
2. SARANGATHARA- The heroine was again SD Subbulachumy. The direction was by K Subramaniam. This film ran very well.
3. SATHIYASEELAN. This is MKTB's own film. He wanted to introduce a lot of stunt scenes. He started the "Thiagaraja Pictures" and produced the film. Shooting was done in Bombay as well. By this time SD Subbulachumy decided not to act with MKTB. So he brought in an inexperienced actress called Devasena. This film, as expected ran very well
4. CHINTAMANI- This was produced by Royal Talkies. The Kannada actress Asvathama acted in this movie. The film was directed by O.Y.Rao who is the father of actress Lachumy. The film was well received.
5. AMBIKAPATHY. Produced by Salem Shankar Films. The story and direction was taken care of by the great Ilankovan of Kannagi fame. Direction was by Ellis R. Duncan. MKTB received RS 11,000 for this film. It was a great sum at that time.
6. THIRUNEELAKANDER. Direction was by Raja Sando. In this film NSK and TS Durairaj joined up to act in his films. By this time MKTB's fame got elevated sky high that people feard to act alongside with MKTB. There is one scene where the actor Sama was told to kick MKT. But he refused totally, untill MKT forced him to do so for the sake of acting. The film had a daring theme. A prostitute character was daringly featured in the movie. The character is Kalavalli. The pimp (maama?) character was portrayed very well by Kothamangalam Subbu. By this time those in the higher bracket in society came forward to appreciate the movies of MKT. On the 25th week celebrations of the movie, Sathyamoorthy, the Congress Leader presided the funtion and showered his blessings upon him.
While this movie was in the production stage articles damaging the name of MKTB started to appear in the front page of "Hindu Nesan", a yellow paper editored by CN Lachumykanthan.
7. ASHOK KUMAR- Kumuthini acted as heroine. Direction was by Raja Sando. MGR appeared as Mahendran and played "Jalra" for the songs of MKTT. (When MGR came to rule this film was painted as a movie of MGR, and MKT was side stepped) A well received movie of course.
8. SIVAKAVI. The story of Poiyaamozhi pulavar. The title for the movie was given by Ilankovan who also wrote the dialogue. This film was produced by Kovai Pachiraja films(Sri Ramulu).
9. HARIDASS- The most famous of all MKTB films. It was released during Deppavali, and ran for 3 Deepavalis. TR Rajakumari appeared in a small role in this movie. But the relationship between MKTB and TRR bloomend into a lifelong one. Manmatha leelaiyai venRaaruNdo? This song in this film applied to them as well.Untill this movie was made MKT used to act in one film at a time. But this film was so popular that MKT was booked for about 20 films in a row. In this film he acted as a lame person. In real life too he met with an accident while riding his own horse cart and was not able to walk for a long time.
AS the movie was running the editor of Hindu Nesan CN Lachumykanthan was murdered on 8 November 1944. NKS and MKT were arrested, but came out under bail. They were arrested again on 12 February 1945. Court case was on 3 May 1945, and lawyers were employed from Madras as well as Bombay (Lawyer Munshir) The case was not in favour of MKTB and NSK. An appeal was made, but failed. They were sentenced for 2 years, 2 months, and 13 days. With the good office of people in authority they were released early on 25 April 1947. A big group came to the jail entrance to welcome MKTB.From the jail MKTB went straight to Vadapazhani temple and prayed. On the same night he went off to Trichy as a very sad person.
Before going to jail he had accepted advance to act in several movies. The prodcers turned up in jail to demand for the return of the advance. The only peron who refused to accept the return of the advance was Lena Chettiyar(the owner of Krishna Films who produced Madurai Veeran and Raja Desing)
MKT told his family members to sell off his property to settle with the producers. This is how he lost his properties. He was so sad in jail ashis closest friends too did not show concern towrds him.
10. RAJAMUKTHI. As he was so dissappointed with the cinema field, he started his own film company called "Nagendra Films" and took Rajamukthi. Banumathy was the heroine. CRSubbaraman was the MD. Direction by Raja Sando. He brought Puthumai Pithan, the Tamil short story king to write dialogue. The film was a flop and Puthumaipithan died of acute Tuberclosis later.
11. AMARAKAVI. Dialogue by Suratha. Direction by M.Nagoor. The heroine was TR Rajakumari. The film was of average ruun.
12. SYAMALA- another average run movie.
13. PUTHU VAZHVU with the beauty queen Maduri Devi as the heroine. A good movie, but did not run very well. There were good songs with GR and CN Pandurangan as the MDs. MKT introduced many changes to make the movie a success. He studied the changing trend of the cine field and took this film to match the latest trend.It proved that the social themes do not match MKTB. Yet a failure commercially.
14. SIVAKAMI- was produced by MA Venu(producer of Town Bus and Samboorna Ramayanam) Half way through MKT died on 1 Novemebr 1955. A Telugu actor Jekkaiyah and another actress Jeyshree were brought in to complete the movie. Accordingly TMS was brought in to sing for Jekkayah. A film that never did well despite bearing the emblem of the last movie of MKTB.
UNRELEASED MOVIES
While Haridass was running MKTB was booked for the following movies:
1. Rajayogi
2. Sree Murugan
3.Valmeeki
4.Udhayanan
5.Bakthamedha
6.Bilharnan
7.Jeevagan
8.Kalidass
9.Nambiyandar Nambi
10.Sree Valli
11.VasanthaSena
As he went to jail, there was a feeling that he would never come out early. As MKTB had started a trend for the Bagavathar type of films, the producers wanted to quickly capitalise on the trend in the absence of MKTB. So they brought in Honnappa Bagavathar to complete the films that were originally sheduled for him. Honnappa Bagavathar did act in Valmeeki and Kalidass. Both did not do well. This Honnappa Bagavathar was equally dissappointed. So he later took a movie called"Ulavukkum Thozhilukkum Vanthanai SivOm"
MKT had acted in a few scenes in Rajayogi, Sree Valli and Vasanthasena
Rajayogi was produced by AVM. There are 8 songs in this film. But the songs had not been released in records. It is believed that had this film been released it would have broken the record of Haridass by virtue of the strength of the songs.
Sathya Keerthi,
Part IV to follow soon.
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Sathiya Keerthi (@ 137.*) on: Sun May 24 01:55:15 EDT 1998
Manisekaran:
You are giving us lots of rare information. Please
continue.
I have heard that Asvathama, the heroine
in Chintamani, also became very very famous after
that movie. Did she act in any other popular movie?
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Manisekaran (@ 202.*) on: Thu May 28 10:08:17 EDT 1998
Sathya Keerthi:
I am sorry I had to be away on an important mission. While it is true that Asvathamma was made popular by MKTB, he had the tendency of changing heroines in each of his movies. Asvathama did act in a film called Santha Sakkubai where the MD is Govindarajulu Naidu. But no trace of her after that.
MKTB Part IV
Let me now give some important incidents in MKTB's life.
1. When MKTB produced Thiruneelakander the 2nd World War erupted. The film was slightly delayed. Learning of the great popularity of MKTB, the then British Governor for Madras, Sir Arthur Hope requested MKTB to stage dramas to collect funds. MKTB gladly consented that. But the Congress leader, Sathyamoorthy was not the least in favour of this move. He therefore threatened MKTB that he would strip the "Bhagavathar" title from MKTB. Of course MKTB was not the least purturbed by that threat. He went on to stage the dramas. When the British returned after the 2nd WW, they conferred the title of "Divan Baghdoor" upon MKTB. MKTB very politely declined the offer.
2. When Thiruneelakandar ran very well the same Sathyamoorthi who antagonised MKTB came forward to preside the silver jubilee celebrations of the movie. Untill then MKTB used to wear silk jibba, silk angavcsthiram, silk veshti. But on the celebration day Sathyamoorthi requested MKTB to change to "kathar" form of dressing to which he consented. This incident became a turning point in the life of MKTB.
3. MKTB is affectionately known as "ezhisai mannar", and in some circles also called "ezhilisai mannar". This title was conferred upon him while performing kachery in Dharmapuram Atheenam.
4. MKTB is also called "sithar" in some circles.
5. It was observed that those watching MKTB's films never or seldom went out during the intervals for nature's call, to ease themselves or even to buy cool drinks. There was a fear that they may miss the songs should songs were the first scenes when the films resumed after the intervals. The boys selling cool drinks and cigarettes were not allowed in many theatres for their loud voice would be a hindrance. This precedence had not been the case for other movies.
6. MKTB attracted people from all walks of life. Anna himself used to patronise MKTB. Soon they became close friends. Whenever Anna visited Trichy he made it a point to call upon MKTB, and likewise MKTB never failed to call upon Anna whenever he visited Kanchipuram. When Anna visited MKTB for the first time he requested MKTB to sing a song for him. Knowing the stand of Anna in so far as belief in God is concerned, MKT sang the following song:
"Sivaperumaan Kirubai veNDum
verenna veNdum" Anna immediately asked"Yarukku?"
MKTB answered "ungalukkuthaan." Anna then said "Enakku Avarudaya kirubai veNdam; athu ungalukkey irukkattum" Then MKTB sang the song "Meinyana thangamithu" from Puthu Vaazhvu.
7. Probably MKTB's song was the first Tamil song to be used in an English movie. In the English film called "Elephant Walk" there is a scene where the Tamils of Sri Lanka are shown plucking tea leaves. The song "Boomiyil Maanida Jenmam adainthumOr Punniyam indRi vilangugaL pOl" from Asok Kumar was used as the background song.
8. It is an open secret that never before was any singer-cum actor in the Tamil film industry who had earned so much craze from both the males and females. In so far as the women are concerned they came openly to catch a glimpse of him at functions organised for him. It is also an open secret among the old timers that many women had desired with all their heart to have children by MKTB. When MKTB arrived in Chidambaram for the shooting of his own film "Thiruneelakander"in hundreds of women flocked around MKTB. Police force had to be reinforced to disperse the crowd.
9. MKTB had the habbit of expressing his gratitute by way of visiting those who had helped him in his beginning days. He used to sing a few songs in his houses. But he never received cash. He has helped many families financially without the knowledge of others.
10. His two visits to the house warming ceremonies by NSK and TR Rajakumari had been very significant. In the house of TRR, CS Jayaraman was performing Kachery when the unexpected guest MKTB dashed in, sang a few songs and dissappeared. Those who witnessed the event recall the his brief visit was like a flash of lighting. It is further said that his departure from the house brought a form of gloom.
When NSK arranged the house warming ceremony in Nagerkoil, many VIPs were invited. Amongs them was the Nadaswaram Vidvan Rajaratnam Pillai who requested MKTB to sing songs, one by one. Though he sang cinema songs, he was able to give the full length of the carnatic requirement, with all the details that are indispensable. Rajaratnam Pillai observed that it is just unfortunate that in cinema MKTB is forced to complete his songs in less than 5 minutes, and that in record the time is further slashed to mere 3 minutes, thereby losing the essence, depth and the weight.
11. There was a popular belief that Carnatic songs were killing the "Thamizhisai". People like Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, Shanmugam Chettiyar,Sir CP Ramaswamy and Thiruvaduthurai Rajarattinam Pillai started to revive the pure "Thamizhisai". When they first saw the kachery of MKTB, they came to belive that MKTB alone would suffice to quicken the "Thamizhisai" that was losing grip in Tamilnadu. Later these VIPs founded the Tghamizhisai Manram.
12. MKTB is an excellent singer, but a poor orator. In his whole life he has addressed the crowd only twice. The first was while performing the kachery in Jafna, Sri Lanka. At the end of the kachery, the organisers praised MKTB, but left out the other "pakka vaathiyangal". MKTB then addressed the crowd in praise of those who accompanied him.
The other incident was when the poosari in the Thiruvaiyaaru Temple knocked on the heads of the small boys who were running around. MKTB addressed and said how he himself was subjected to this treatment during his childhood days.
13. In the film Ashok Kumar MGR was playing jalra for MKTB. When MGR came to rule Tamilnadu, many more jalras emerged to jalra for MGR. There is a song called "Vathanamey Chandrabimbamo" in the film Sivakavi. There was a function arranged for MGR to attend, when he was the CM. Things were pre-planned. Untill moments before tha arrival of MGR, several songs were played on records. But when MGR was about to arrive, they stopped playing songs. MGR's car arrived. As MGR alighted from the car the song "Vathanamey Candrabimbamo" was played loud just to get MGR to acknowledge with a broad smile. The next line was "Malarntha SarojamO". To this MGR gave a still boader smile. The crowd, mostly "jalras" burst into cheering. Of course the song was most appropriate to desribe the golen features of MGR.
14. The original pallavi for the above song was like this:
"Muhammathu Chandra BimbamO" Somebody by the side of Pabanasam Sivam asked him
" Muhamathau (prophet)Chandrabimbam enRaal, Esu naathar enna sooriya bimbamO?" Immediately Pabanasan Sivam realised the dual meaning it is bound to conveey and changed the line to what we hear today.
Sathya Keerthi:
The fifth and the concluding will talk about the rise and fall of the one and the greatest legend of MKTB.
Regards.
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Ramaswamy Gireesan (@ 193.*) on: Thu May 28 11:43:32 EDT 199
Manisekaran,
nice work. I cant wait for the 5th part. BTW, I am sure Papanasam Sivan was NOT the composer of vadhaname chandrabimbamo.
Could we also expect a thread on P.U.Chinnappa?
Thanks and regards
G.Ramaswamy
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Sathiya Keerthi (@ 137.*) on: Thu May 28 20:30:03 EDT 1998
Manisekaran:
nandri. nEram kidaikkum pOdhu meedhiyaiyum
maRakkaamal ezhudhungaL.
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Rajaraman (@ 192.*) on: Thu May 28 22:20:18 EDT 1998
Manisegaran
Thanks for all your informative posts.
As Ramaswamy suggests, it'll be good if you can
start threads on other old time artists and share
with us all the interesting info you have. If time permits, of course. Thanks in advance.