K.V.Mahadevan

[Priya Raju]

Perhaps we can start the 1st thread by talking about Music Director K.V.Mahadevan? His most famous film of course, is Shankarabharanam, for which he won the National award for Music Direction. But, he set the music for many Telugu & Tamil movies.

What is your favorite song by KVM?

Regards,
Priya

[K.V. Ramesh]

Priya

As I said , I wouldnt know the score if anyone came out and hity me oh the head with it :(. I recognise instantlyu Ilayaraja's style. Thats about it - sad commentary on me! As for SHankarabharanam , what I heard is that SP trained for months just to sing thge songs and LATER he formally learnt Carnatic music. Of course its a great score. Beyond that you and all will have to guide me - this is one group where the moderator is going to keep quite and let others do the talking :)

Ramesh

[Shankar Iyer]

Hi,

KVM or 'Mama' (as he is fondly know) has been one of the pillars of
Tamil cinema (even Telugu cinema I think). My father is sitting next
to me and he rattles off names like Thiruvilayadal and Thillana
Mohanambal. And he comes off with this ABSOLUTE STUNNER from the movie
' Mudalali'.This is "Erikaraiyin mele" sung by the incomparable TM
Soundarajan. Request all to download and enjoy this gem. Great tune
and exceptional singing !

More to follow......

Cheers,

[Balaji Ramachandran]

On thiruvalayadal - can somebody send the BMS - song - " oru naal poruma .......

Regards
 
Balaji




> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:26:23 +0530
> From: burm...@gmail.com
> To: saauth...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: K.V.Mahadevan

[K.V. Ramesh]

Okay. if its Thiruvilayadal , then I agree its a killer. Somehow I am not much of a fan of Thillana MOhanambal, even though the songs have been done with a classical base. As for Thiruvilayadal, its a kicker. 

You may remember that I had mentione din Saatsur about Balamurali tellng an audience about a popular number when they were getting restive. Well the exact words were 'ukkarungo; oru naal poduma innime undu'. The audience sat down and he said in exasperartion ;aiyo'. ! Says a lot about the number - tailor made for an arrogant genius like him!

Ramesh

[K.V. Ramesh]

Ouch.. Cant find it - had i along with chinna kannan azahikkiran and tangaradhan vandadu. If I find it will send it.

Ramesh

[K.V. Ramesh]

This is the list from IMDB - how acurate I have no idea. Good enough as a startng point  I suppose. Seems to me that he was more in Telugu than in Tamil from the list. Is this list accurate? 

 
 Composer:

  * 1990s
  * 1980s
  * 1970s
  * 1960s
  * 1950s

  1. Shrinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma (1993)
  2. Swathi Kiranam (1992)
  ... aka Pranavam (India: Malayalam title)
  3. Pelli Pustakam (1991)
  ... aka Book of Marriage
  4. Alludugaru (1990)
  5. Chevilo Puvvu (1990)
  6. Sutradhaarulu (1990)
  7. Muddula Mamaiah (1989)
  8. Murali Krishnudu (1988)
  9. Prema Kiritam (1988)
  10. Janaki Ramudu (1988)
  11. Muvva Gopaludu (1987)
  12. Sruthi Layalu (1987)
  13. Mannemlo Monagadu (1986)
  14. Kalyana Thamboolam (1986)
  ... aka The Betrothal
  15. Muddula Krishnaiah (1986)
  16. Sirivennela (1986)
  ... aka Raaga Devadhai (India: Tamil title: dubbed version)
  17. Bullet (1985)
  18. Maa Pallelo Gopaludu (1985)
  19. Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)
  20. Mangamma Gari Manavadu (1984)
  21. Piriyilla Naam (1984)
  22. Pelli Choopulu (1983)
  23. SP Bhayankar (1983)
  24. Subhalekha (1982)
  ... aka Wedding Card
  25. Agni Poolu (1981)
  26. Radha Kalyanam (1981)
  ... aka The Marriage of Radha
  ... aka Wedding of Radha (India: English title)
  27. Thyagayya (1981)
  28. Vamsa Vriksham (1980)
  ... aka The Family Tree
  ... aka Vamsa Vriksh (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
  29. Circus Ramudu (1980)
  30. Kaliyuga Ravana Surudu (1980)
  ... aka Brave Ravana of Kaliyug
  31. Saptapadhi (1980)
  ... aka Sapthapathy (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration)
  32. Subhodayam (1980)
  33. Tayaramma Bangarayya (1979)
  34. Samajaniki Saval (1979)
  35. Shankarabharanam (1979)
  ... aka Sankarabharanam
  ... aka The Jewel of Shiva
  36. Manavoori Pandavulu (1978)
  ... aka Pandavas of Our Village
  37. Pottelu Punnamma (1978) (music composer)
  38. Gorantha Deepam (1978)
  ... aka The Flickering Lamp
  39. Seetamalakshmi (1978)
  40. Siri Siri Muvva (1978)
  41. Indradhanusu (1977)
  ... aka Indra Dhanushu (India: Telugu title: alternative transliteration)
  ... aka The Rainbow
  42. Shri Ram Vanvas (1977)
  43. Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam (1976)
  44. Paadipantalu (1976)
  45. Maa Daivam (1976)
  46. Magaadu (1976)
  47. Mangalyaniki Maromudi (1976)
  48. Secretary (1976)
  49. Seeta Kalyanam (1976)
  ... aka Seeta's Wedding
  ... aka The Wedding of Sita
  50. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
  51. Gunavanthudu (1975)
  52. Jeevana Jyoti (1975)
  ... aka Jeevan Jyoti (India: Hindi title)
  ... aka Light of Life (International: English title)
  53. Muthyala Muggu (1975)
  ... aka Pearl Pattern at the Threshold
  54. O Seeta Katha (1974)
  55. Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham (1974)
  ... aka Shri Ram Hanuman Yuddha (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
  ... aka Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (India: Telugu title: alternative transliteration)
  ... aka Sree Rama Hanuman Yudham (India: Malayalam title)
  ... aka The War Between Lord Rama and Hanuman
  56. Andala Ramudu (1973)
  ... aka The Handsome Rama
  57. Deshoddharakulu (1973)
  58. Mayadari Malligadu (1973)
  59. Neramu Siksha (1973)
  60. Sharada (1973)
  61. Badi Panthulu (1972)
  62. Koduku Kodalu (1972)
  63. Chelleli Kapuram (1971)
  64. Prem Nagar (1971)
  65. Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971)
  ... aka The Complete Ramayana
  66. Shrimanthudu (1971)
  67. Balaraju Katha (1970)
  ... aka The Story of Balaraju
  68. Adrushtavanthalu (1969)
  69. Buddhimanthudu (1969)
  ... aka The Good Boy
  70. Ekaveera (1969)
  71. Bangaru Pichika (1968)
  ... aka The Golden Bird
  72. Kanchukota (1967)
  73. Arasa Kattali (1967)
  74. Prana Mithrulu (1967)
  75. Privetu Mastaru (1967)
  76. Saakshi (1967)
  ... aka The Witness
  77. Sudigundaalu (1967)
  78. Thiruvarutselvar (1967)
  79. Aastiparulu (1966)
  80. Kanne Manasulu (1966)
  81. Antastulu (1965)
  82. Sumangali (1965)
  83. Tene Manasulu (1965)
  84. Todu Needa (1965)
  85. Aatma Balam (1964)
  86. Daagudumootalu (1964)
  87. Iruvar Ullam (1963)
  88. Mooga Manasulu (1963)
  89. Yedureetha (1963)
  90. Manchi Manasulu (1962)
  91. Thayilla Pillai (1961)
  92. Mundadugu (1958)
  93. Aalu Magalu (1957)

Music Department:

  * 1980s
  * 1960s

  1. Thyagayya (1981) (music supervisor)
  2. Arasa Kattali (1967) (musical director) 

[Priya Raju]

What I like about KVM is his rendition of Ragas - a light version, but the real stuff. I was listening to the Hindolam number (my favorite ragam) "Samaja Varagamana" from Shankarabharanam today. I love it, even though KVM is always directing the Ragam where to go :-) It is sort of like a train puffing away smoothly on its tracks. There are no surprises. The final result is pleasant, even spiritual & doesn't overwhelm one's senses.

Raja now. Hindolam simply burst into a rapturous melody in "Sridevi En Vazhvil". The aesthetics are perfect, though I suspect Raja has added Anya Swaras in Hindolam as usual :-( Please clarify.

Sorry if I got carried away. I can't talk about certain ragams with restraint :-)

Regards,
Priya

[K.V. Ramesh]

Priya

Now you got me cooking! 

hindolam (malkauns), mohanam (bhoopali), shivaranjani, hamsanandi (sohoni), darbari kanada(darbari) are some of my eternal "regular" favorites. And then there are the "odd" ones like reetigowla, kadanakuthuhala - a raga MADE for 'nakhra/fun' type of songs with its overall exhilirating feeling. 

Ramesh

[sethu visvanathan]

dear all, the forum has jump started well!!. as for KVM,let me start with a film called idhaya kamalam yr 1965,starred by ravichandran of kadhalika neramillai fame and kr vijaya.i start with this b cas i wtched the re run of this film sometime in 1988!!at a mootai poochi theatre.4 classics.1.malargal nanaindhana paniyale,by suseela and chk the lyrics of kannadasan,nee pogum idamellam by pbs,unnai kaanadha kannum kannalla,remember!,by suseela.an absolutely haunting song and singing nd thol kandein by pbs and susi.frankly i want u tolisten to all these classics.am posting a musicindiaonline.com link for these.rgds.visu

 

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/tamil/s/movie_name.4479/music_director.784/

"K.V. Ramesh" <kvr...@gmail.com> wrote:

[K.V. Ramesh]

Vishy

I am sending this from office - so am unable to access the link. Will try from home. However your mention of one gem beings back memories of being glued to radio ceylon with atmospherics crackling in and so on. This is of course - as you rightly said - Unnai kaanada kannum kannalla. LOVELY song. And I think - like Lata - Susheela was BRILLIANT in the loower octaves and lower pitch. I am also reminded if another lower pitched song 'muthaana muthallavo' (from nenil or u alayam? )which is also in the lower pitch where in a "children's song", her voice sounds sensuous! 

Ramesh

[Priya Raju]

Hmm. I'm probably in the minority then, in my reaction to Susheela. Don't mistake me - she has a lovely voice, has excellent command over it & did a fantastic job. But, her voice leaves me cold. Her rendition doesn't touch my heart in most cases.

Udit Narayan now! Even when he mangles South Indian languages, I'm touched profoundly by the Bhavam in his voice. I firmly believe that music should transcend  the lyrics & the voice. It can do that thru tremolo, thru bhavam etc.

Sorry, just my opinion.

[Priya Raju]

Among yester-year singers, A.M.Raja, Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey have this effect on me. Especially Manna Dey - I'm moved to tears by "Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai". I like to know that there's a real person behind the mic, someone who's living that emotion as they sing.

It may not be fashionable to like Sonu Nigam. But, I was transported to a different plane by his Kannada song "Anisuthide".

[kvr...@gmail.com]

On Nov 18, 10:30 am, "Priya Raju" <priya.suku...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hmm. I'm probably in the minority then, in my reaction to Susheela. Don't
> mistake me - she has a lovely voice, has excellent command over it & did a
> fantastic job. But, her voice leaves me cold. Her rendition doesn't touch my
> heart in most cases.

>>> Touche Priya! Susheela sometimes - even as kid - used to look like she was just mouthing the words ! But now and then her singing would come and hit you in the gut . Another song I like is 'sonnadu nee thaana, sol en uyire' - again from Nenjil ore alayam! The hindi equivalent is probably 'Hum tee pyar me sara aalam' from Dil ek mandir. I think she was kind of inconsistent but hey - I am in a minority! She was THE female voice of the 50s and 60s.

>
> Udit Narayan now! Even when he mangles South Indian languages, I'm touched
> profoundly by the Bhavam in his voice.

>>> Umm! Haven't heard it but cant comment ! However I vaguely remember him singing a sing which went something like 'Sonia Sonia' and I was thoroughly incensed to the point of wanting to throw a rock at the TV. Its sort of yesudas singing in Hindi but then on retrospect Yesuda's thick malayalam accent gives him a sort of 'uniqueness' . IThere are guys who rave about SPB's output in Hindi but his diction. emphasis and phrasing is way way off . The only exception to the rule - someone comfortable in both North and south - seems to be Hariharan.

I firmly believe that music should
> transcend  the lyrics & the voice. It can do that thru tremolo, thru bhavam

>> agreed ! I dont know any Spanish beyond the two words Senor and Senorita but throughly enjoy flamenco music from Spain. In fact I could spend all day listening to flamenco, fado , samba but then I am digressing and running ahead with myself - as usual :)). And perhaps contradicting above ;)

Ramesh

[kvr...@gmail.com]

Priya

I dont think this is case of being fashionable. There are guys - in
the Saatsur and othe forums - who swear by him for whatever reasons.
He has an exellent voice but only one problem - he is still stuck on
Rafi. By this time he should have probably found his own style but
that doesnt seem to have worked. Every time I hear his songs which is
again quite limited because I hardly listen to 'new' songs - I am
stuck by how much he has NOT moved away from Rafi. You may find this
stunning that Rafi was the first Saigal clone - especially if you
listen to him in the late 1940s , particularly a song called 'tera
khilona toota'. (if you want I ccan send it tonight from home). So too
were Mukesh - the closest VOICE , Talat, Kishore - but each of them
found his own style. To me its IS sad that Sonu hasnt gotten away from
Rafi - he sounds like a 'sureela' version of Shabbir Kumar (terrible)
or Mohammed Aziz(barely tolerable) - two Rafi clones who ruled the
roost in the 1980s. But hey - he is laughing all the way to the bank
and I suppose in the end thats what matters.:)

Ramesh

> It may not be fashionable to like Sonu Nigam. But, I was transported to a
> different plane by his Kannada song "Anisuthide".
>

> >>> *" *

[kvr...@gmail.com]

But back to KVM. Can anyone highlight some other nice songs?

BTW, I have sent a mail to the moderator of Saatsur asking for
permission to mention this group. Lets see - if the answer is a now,
then I will ask with the help of individual mails. I request all of
you also to continue 'enrolling' people who you feel will be able to
contribute and expand our knowledges mutually.

ramesh

[Priya Raju]

Sruti Layalu, a Telugu movie, has some wonderful songs from K.V.Mahadevan. I love "Inni Rasula Yuniki" - maybe becoz it made an impression on me as a kid. I'll find a link to that song.

[sethu visvanathan]

dear kv,it started with and seems going directionless to sonu nigam!!.the next kv gem i wld like to present is a film called vaanambadi.should be in the early 60s.starred by ss rajendran and devika i think.this i watched in 1991.mil lists 9.out of which i can recollect frequently hearing on radio 7 songs.the picks  gangia karai thottam,thookamanam kuruvi,the philosophical kadavul manithanaga,yettil ezhuthi vaithen,ammamma aadai katti,oomaipen oru kanavu kandal.since i dont have these collections, am referrin mil link.kindly bear with me.

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/tamil/s/movie_name.5601/music_director.2419/

Priya Raju <priya....@gmail.com> wrote:

[K.V. Ramesh]

Hey Vishu

Chill! Sonu was mentioned in the context of a Southie song ! I think its only fair that we extended it a little bit. Such digressions are of course most welcome IMO. 

As for the songs you have mentioned, I think I can remember only gangai karai thottam (Susheela) , kadavul manithaaga pirakka vendum (TMS) - am surprised that you say its rajendran. TMS' singing sounds as if he is emoting for Shivaji - in other words, the SHivaji ghost voice. Go on - I know you are itching to start on SHivaji :)) 

ramesh

[Srinivas Ganti]

Thanks Ramesh for starting a discussion on KVM. The name itself makes
me nostalgic as I have too many Childhood memories associated with it

I am much more familiar with his Telugu output. He was the favorite MD
in our household and my parents and uncle used to recall
his music from their youth.

Mooga Manasulu ( remade as Milan) was a favorite with my family. The
movie itself was shot on in the Godavari Districts from
where my parents and ancestors come from.

My maternal uncle used to fondly recall " chitapata chinukulu padutu
unte". He told me
that Acharya Atreya was sitting in Kaban Park in Bangalore and
thinking of a song when drops
of rain came down which inspired the song.

Coming to contemporary times, I recall listening to songs of Saptapadi
when i was in primary school
and used to imitate the kid in the song" govulu tellana"

But it was later during college days that I really started
appreciating old songs and started the backward journey. And when KVM
passed away
I started exploring his Tamil output and found a magnificent article
about his works written by Journalist Manisegaran

His Tamil filmography is listed here

http://www.tfmpage.com/my/mani/kvmfilm.html

and the series of articles can be read here

http://www.tfmpage.com/my/mani/kvm.html

The magic of KVM was that he presented Classical music in a simplistic
style that even lay man can associate with

Srinivas

[K.V. Ramesh]

Srini

More than welcome :)

As you rightly say, I too am getting in touch with my childhood - the time when I heard Southie - and I mean Southie - music maximum. This is because in my house Carnatic music was the rule - so my father would tune the radio to AIR Hyderabad in the mornings and evenings. Usually that would be preceded by some 'light' music - film or no I dont know nor remember - but usually the name Ghantasala would prevail. In no way can I claim that I know Telugu FM but hey its a starting point ! And thank you for that . {My extremely limited Telugu is usually confined to Carnatic music and I am sure I will be mangling the words:))}

Also a query - has Balamurali Krishna done any film music in Telugu? I know that he had done Hamsageete - made in Hindi as Basant Bahar - sometime in the 1970s and I vaguely remember watching bits and pieces of it on sunday 'national network". Do share about that too. 

Once again welcome :) 

ramesh

[Srinivas Ganti]

> Also a query - has Balamurali Krishna done any film music in Telugu? I know
> that he had done Hamsageete - made in Hindi as Basant Bahar - sometime in
> the 1970s and I vaguely remember watching bits and pieces of it on sunday
> 'national network". Do share about that too.

I am not sure if he has composed for any movie but he did sing a few
songs
" srirama jayarama" - Mutyala Muggu

( A master score by KVM along with Rao Gopala Rao's trendsetting
dialogies has given the movie cult status. btw I recently discovered
that well known Hindi composer Sajjad Hussain played several mandolin
pieces in this movie. I find that very interesting since the movie is
from 1975 and I thought Sajjad had sunk into oblivion by then !)

" paadana vaani kalyani ga" - Megha Sandesam ( Another magnificent
musical by composer Ramesh Naidu. This has some awesome songs by
Yesudas and Suseela)

You can listen to a few more here

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/telugu/m/singer.16/


Srinivas



Srinivas

[sethu visvanathan]

dear kvr,was wtchng a jaya tv programme anchored by the great SPB.a couple was singing the song parthen rasithen pakkathil azhaithen from the film veera abhimanyu.music by KVM and the lyricist was kannadhasan.spb just went gaga over this song(me too!).said its in sahaana ragam and explained how simply kvm has projected it to the masses.am desperately searching for this song.kvr if u hv it cld u upload it.amazing lyrics.note all the words ends with the THEIN sounD.entirely convinced only kannadasan can write something like this.also the telugu version was sung by ghantasaala.waiting for feedbaacks fm this forum.rgds.visu

[Priya Raju]

Yes, that song is a good example of light Sahana. However, I think the song "Indha Veenaikku Theriyadhu", the theme song of an old TV serial, "Rayil Sneham" is a better example of Sahana's ethos - but that may be my bias on what Sahana is best suited for. Also, "Azhage Suhama" from the film "Parthale Paravasam" is a wonderful atmospheric song in Sahana.