Commendable performance in Pallandu vazga
Makkal Thilagam takes up the challenge to reform 5 different criminals and convicts…..
And its PALLANDU VAAZGA , a remake of Dho Aanken Bara haath……from Shantaram……
Its mission impossible to reform criminals…….
One has to study each character and strategise yourself for achieving this arduous task…..
Mind you, each one will view you from his own perspective and you will have to read his mind to counter him…..
Not everyone is a born criminal…..most of them become one such due to circumstances …….and when the whole world goes against them…….
Go to any prison and we will see multiple personalities ….some hardcore criminals…some undergoing the trauma of rigorous imprisonment …….
Just to give the audience, a taste of what kind of criminals they are , the director, quickly runs through a flashback of them …..One will be terrified to see the background of all the characters….each one undergoing rigorous imprisonment for having killed, looted and committed various crimes…..
MGR plays mind game with each character…….Unlike a normal Prison controller, MGR choses the other way…….BE SYMPATHETIC …..SHOW MERCY AND BE KIND ……RESULTS WILL COME AUTOMATICALLY……
So even when Manohar ( one of the convicts ) tries to kill him …..MGR tackles him swiftly ( the whole theatre will scream……THALAIVARE!!…PAARTHU…PINAALA KATHEE !! ) and stuns him by giving the same knife to him asking him to use it again…..the trembling hands of a nervous Manohar will be the first clear message that this Officer is somewhat different….not an ordinary Warden…..
Next, MGR choses a barren land and instructs the 5 guys to create a garden out of it……as the gang refuses to oblige his instructions, MG himself takes up the challenge and does his job with customary sincererty….. this makes the 5 surprised again by the dedication shown……
Like this, through small interesting incidents, Makkal thilagam makes the convicts understand him and a gradual change of heart happens ……
MG also inducts discipline onto them…..by narrating them , stories of great personalities and quotable quotes ……..
ONDRAY KULAM ENDRU PAADUVOM….. ORUVANAY DEVAN ENDRU POTRUVOM…. Is one such ……
Seated on a floor with a small table before him and a book , he starts singing the song…..
being watched by the notorious group ……
An ageing Makkal thilagam still looks impressive in this song , with calm and poise looks ( oru saathvigamana mugathodu paaduvar ) like a man possessed, with a single minded motive to reform the prisoners…….
Always his movies had mind-blowing and thought provoking lyrics …..I am captivated by the lyrics from this song :
Ondre kulam endru paaduvom
Oruvane devan endru potruvom
Annai idaya maaga anbu vadiva maaga
Vandhu vazhi kaata vendum endru vananguvom
Makkal thilagam never showed animosity towards any particular religion or caste…..infact I can emphatically say that he followed a secular path……he never pretended to be a so called hardcore atheist Dravidian ( DMK ) ….he had also touched about existence of God in Deivathai and also during the song Kovil endraal gopuram kaatum deivam vendum angay ( from Naan ungal veetu pillai in Pudhiya Bhoomi )
The first charanam had the following :
Paavam endra kallaraikku pala vazhi
Endrum dharma devan kovilukku oru vazhi
The greatness of MGR lies from the fact that he always gave a positive message with conviction……always portrayed characters which followed the path of righteousness ….
In another charanam :
Kadavulilay karunaidhanai kaanalaam
Andha karunayilay kadavulayum kaanalaam !! ( Is he saying ANBAY SIVAM ?! )
Also, he never missed an opportunity to mention about his mentor Arignar Anna ( this was a trend he followed for long ) …..and this comes during the second charanam :
Idaya deivam namadhu anna thondrinaar
Avar endrum vaazum kolgai deepam yetrinaar
The hindi version saw the Shantaram character die at the end…..but had the same end would have been adopted in tamil, I shudder to think the extent of damage to theatres as MG fans would have made the theatres into smithereens..
Infact the first question a typical MGR fan will ask will be …Namma Vadhiyaar indha padathil saga maataray ?? and then only he will watch the movie……MG’s image was like a Phantom…the ghost who walks and never has end…..
During the climax, the convicts become so attached to him that they start praying for his recovery from an accident……
this movie was released after he came out of DMK but surprisingly , had few punch dialogues…..the theme was very focused towards setting the Convicts right and give them a new lease of life……
MG’s movies always had a simple formulae :
One introduction song
One song teasing the heroene
One duet song ( at times 2 or 3 depending on the number of heroenes !! )
One kolgai parappu song
One thought provoking song
IMHO, this song ranks on par with the likes of Kann pona pokillay kaal pogalaama , acham enbadhu madamai ada , Unnai arindhaal nee unnai arindhaal….
Not to forget the splendid rendition by KJY……. From Viziyay kathai ezudhu, MG gave chances to KJY frequently for duets and solos
This song is another gem of a composition from the veteran K.V.Mahadevan …..
Poivaa nadhialaye is another hit song in this movie……….
A commendable performance by Makkal thilagam ……
Makkal thilagam with children
Recollecting Makkal thilagam’s songs for children – the immediate song which comes to our mind will be Sirithu vaaza vendum , pirar sirkka vaanzdhidaadhe…….
There are other songs like Chinna payale chinna payale , seidhi keladaa ……. Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi & for grown ups – Thoongadhey thambi thoongadhey …….
Amongst his various on-screen portrayals like a righteous citizen, good samaritan , a champion of poor, a loving son ( mostly to his mother ) , a caring friend…..
MG also played the role of a noble younger brother to T.K.Bagavathi in NAMNAADU
Released in 1969
TKB , as we all know, part of the famous TK brothers , T.K. Shanmugam , the very foundation of tamil cinema artists who also gave a precious gem – ULAGANAYAGAN KAMAL HASSAN… ( no wonder Avvai Shanmugi was named in fond memory of his mentor TKS )
TKB - a faithful employee of S.V.Rangarao ( it’s a perfect portrayal of the old faithfulness & sincerety - typical of a South Indian mindset , that of very loyal to his Boss as integrity is of utmost importance more than the money …….) For TKB, SVR is the most respectable person , but in reality SVR actually will be a camouflaged personality…..Does everything behind the screens like looting public money, adulteration & all other typical villain stuff……
While on every occasion whenever a common man suffers, MG points out and accuses SVR but this bold approach doesn’t get appreciated by TKB…as the loyalty towards his Boss comes primarily …..Few instances will be shown on the growing enmity between SVR & MG on principles, various social issues……..
The initial scenes were built around the close knit family, the respect for his elder brother , at the same time, the youth and fearless attitude towards anarchy, disorder, corruption, lawlessness ….the Director quickly builds an interesting story & sets up at a nice pace
A stage comes when MG openly antagonizes SVR which results in loss of job and this upsets TKB very much more because it happened to be MGR's salary day and he was just distributing dresses to the 2 children and to his Anni . So TKB chides MGR to be patient and give respect to elders and be diplomatic. A stubborn MGR counters TKB saying that he will give respect to those elders who really are good and noble ones . An angry TKB now refuses to have his dinner even as his wife Pandaribhai pleads him. When Pandaribhai asks MGR , he also refuses to have. Now finally she gos to the children and they also reject the dinner.
Now Pandaribhai gets upset with everyone and screams that noone in the house listens to her for which TKB tells her that if periavanga ( MGR ) pecha kekkalanaa , chinnavanga eppadi kepaanga . Now MGR runs to the children and shows his TENDER HEART …. Kuzandhaigalai appadiye kattidondu solvar
Eppavum Amma Appa pecha kettu nadakanum neenga.
MGR , NOW REALIZING THE SITUATION CAJOLES THE CHILDREN THROUGH A LOVELY SONG :
NALLA PEYARAI VAANGA VENDUM PILLAIGALE ![/b][/color]Such lyrics only have made me see MG movies time & again without any boredom !!
NAM NAADU ENNUM THOTATHILE NAALAI MALARUM MULLAIGALE
The little master of tfm, the evergreen enchanting MSV was apt to the occasion….Sensing the mood of the song, he asks TMS to sing in a gentle manner like that of someone who has to preach the children ! At least MGR should have written 25 % of his will to TMS as he was one of the prime beneficiaries of TMS’s scintillating voice modulation !! Observe the sincerety & commitment to the song here by TMS !
Whenever MSV feels that a particular sentence deserves a better treatment, he repeats it with a subtle piece of improvisation & this song was another example to that as TMS modulates & gives precise stress to some words like Paalootum annai aval Nadamaadum deivam…..( here he gives the impact of a motherly affection )
Panivootum thanthai ( in a mild manner ! )
The entire song was composed using Harmonium, tabla, bangoos & flute ! I don’t think MSV would have sweat much for this composition as it must have been another day at office
The Charanam lyrics are one gone deep into my thoughts forever :
PAALOOTUM ANNAI, AVAL NADAMAADUM DEIVAM
ARIVOOTUM THANDHAI NAL VAZIKAATUM THALAIVAN
THUNAIYAAGA KONDU NEE NADAI PODU INDRU
URUVAGUM NALLA EDHIR KALAM INDRU
Some good words flow all through the song like KURAL POLA VAAZU !
MEYAANA ANBE DEIVEEGAMAAGUM ( while covering Ondre kulam endru , I mentioned that never did MG say that there was no God ….MG always played safe by saying words like Kaakai midhakum oligalile, kadalil thavazum alaigaliley, iraivan iruppadhai naan ariven ! ) is another example of MGR slightly touching God
He never wasted any opportunity to praise his political mentor …… Here is another sentence which covers his Anna :
VIZI POLA ENNI NAM MOZI KAAKKA VENDUM
THAVARANA PERKU NER VAZIKAATA VENDUM
JANA NAAYAGATHIL NAAM ELLORUM MANNAR
THENNATTU GANDHI ANAALIL SONNAAR !
As the song nears it end, TKB gets back to his cheerful mood, joins the family with MGR & they all eat together !
Another interesting aspect of Makkal thilagam which I noticed was that he was always fond of children ( last week I watched Enga veettu pillai & loved watching the scenes when the tough MGR casually throws his left hand & carry the tiny tot with all the cheer ! )… During this song, for all the tantrums of the children , MG cajoles them, plays around with them & ensures that they eat their food which is being watched by TKB & PB anxiously & gradually reconcile that their dear younger brother is also back to his cheerful self ! He also makes the children repeat what he sings !
What motivated me to write about this song is for the simple reason - what we used to come across in our day to day life …..somebody getting upset during the course of the day while the other will persuade but finally everything gets back to normal & the old cheer is back ! The director in a nice manner bonds the whole family together at the end of the song by making all forget that unpleasant beginning , patch up spontaneously eat together the supper & look forward to the next day. This is what nicely portrayed in this song which also adds some nice lessons for children about parents, discipline, Godliness
This movie was not short of controversy as I understand , it was based on the then existed outrageous rampant corruption prevailed in TN that period….…The response to this movie made the then administrators scary of him which eventually paved the way for his exit soon..
One of the reasons for MGR’s success story was the crisp & on dot screen play , narrated in the simplest manner possible to reach the common man in the villages.
MGR plays the role of a honest clerk in the Mayor's office.When the election falls due for the Mayor’s post , all political bigwigs of a party fight among themselves for being in race & one group rope him in as a compromise candidate……. Since he had clean reputation for being straight forward & kind natured…the results go in favour of him as well ( did MG ever lose anything in life ! ). Much to their shock ,he does not accede to their whims / wishes , but even goes to the extent of nabbing the trio for being corrupt.But being a novice,besides the trio were more seasoned on political games, he easily gets trapped into their hands.By creating an alibi, they pin him down showing that he was corrupt through a sequence of events …in the process , MG resigns…but remains furious though TKB warns him that those 3 – SVR, Asokan & Manohar ?? are mighty powerful & influential & its better to stay away from them. But when TKB himself realizes the truth , he gives green signal to MG to clear up the mess.
The movie ends on a typical MG familiar way……the culprits & the wicked getting punished & the good & noble prevail ……………..
TKB was one of the veterans artists of yesteryears who pioneered the drama industry & then laid foundation stone for tamil cinema industry…
I really admire the way he portrayed a new Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanam, displaying his musical skills, a gentle warm looks…TKB gets introduced as a majestic & musical genius Ravana in this movie …while everyone shoot their queries on the ragas & their timing, he answers in his own inimitable casual manner & the entire movie itself is a classic ! However, those who had seen the movie will immediately call for that Barathan character which was splendidly portrayed by the greatest actor of our times – Nadigar thilagam !.....Oops …let me control my NT worshipping atleast here
It was a surprise ( rather shock ) to see TKB playing a villain role in Sabatham wherein he plays a dual role….while the good character dies early, the wicked one does all the manipulations & cunningness up to the fag end of the movie !
The same TKB was all all grace in Sivagangai seemai , a movie which followed Veera pandiya kattabomman , the story of Marudhu Pandiyas …………
MGR-KAVIGNAR-MSV combo with a lovely song
Puratchi Thalaivar - Kavignar , both in reel as well as real life had had vibrant streaks of friendship and occasional spats as well. Still both, each gifted with strong individuality, understood , recognized and respected each one’s talent.
I believe , for 2 situational songs in Aayirathil Oruvan , MG , after not being satisfied with lyrics from others including Valee, finally had to call Kavignar ( despite the rift ) & Kavignar, the true artist that he was, also obliged with Adho Andha paravai pola & Odum megangale !
Amongst the MG-Kavignar combo , I am captivated to NAADU ADHAI NAADU - Nadoee………..
MG lip-synchs this song like a typical Nadodee with harmonium hanging around his neck .This is another movie sans any political message or any hidden agenda but a pure commercial movie with a simple love story …
Saroja devi first paired with MGR in NADODEE MANNAN ……..
This pair had acted 26 movies !
Coincidentally the same pair also appeared later in NADODEE
Released in 1966
However, the movie starts with Barathi as the first lover but dies earlier
MGR , being deprived of his ancestors’ wealth by VKR wanders around in streets , comes across a blind SD , whose eyes gets impaired in an accident….. Pitied by her condition, MGR takes care of her. In due course, they understand each other & the resultant love makes MG resolve to restore her eyes by singing songs, collects money in small small lots & finally achieves his mission ! Though Nambiar was just a fill up to complete the cast for Villain& also plays the intermediary who helps in arranging for the eye operation , the focus remains on the eye restoration only ….Infact, MG himself occasionally jokes at SD & takes care of the comical part also
One such day when the pair goes to streets singing songs in pursuit of collecting money to achieve their objective , this song appears …..
The usage of NAADU both as a noun & verb shows Kavignar’s gifted ability …He actually plays with the word ‘Naadu’ & indeed its a real beauty.
Another interesting aspect of this song is the peculiar lyrics makes me wonder if this could be Makkal thilagam sang for Tamil Eelam way back in the 60s – NAADU ADHAI NAADU …..ADHAI NAADAVITAAL EDHU VEEDU. Though the movement was not that active in the 60s , IMO, this song has unequal merits as the pledge song for Eelam.
Reading the lyrics, this song should be a huge motivational factor for those ardent supporters of free land & freedom for them, it’s a true reflection of what they aspire for & what they strive for ….this may fit for even Palestine & Israel !! ….
Though other lyricists also gave sold songs for MG to spread his political / ethical / cultural messages , beyond doubt , some songs of Kavignar had that extraordinary ‘punch’ in his lines
In the mid 1960s, long before the struggle for Eelam was in the thoughts of Sri Lankan Tamils, Kavignar-MG must have thought about it & aptly named the movie title itself & gave a thought provoking song ….
& the movie name as well - Nadodee (The Vagabond). Kavignar’s poignant song starts with the lines:
NAADU…ADHAI NAADU….ADHAI NAADAAVITAAL…EDHU VEEDU
VAAZUM POZHUDHELLAM ADHAIYE PAADU
VAANAM PERIDHENDRU VAAZUM PANN PAADU
In a play on the word Naadu, which means ‘homeland’ (as a noun) and ‘reach your target ’ (as a verb), Kavignar splendidly highlights the wisdom that one’s real home is in his/her homeland. Also, nicely uses the word PANPAADU & PANN-PAADU !!
Even when I hum the lines of this particular lyric, I’m astounded by Kavignar’s mastery of thoughts, words and vision, and he writes these lines for Makkal thilagam to mouth these lines through the golden voice of TMS & very well supported by PS .
Paalaivanam enra pothum Nam Naadu
Paarai Malai kooda Nam ellai Kodu
Aaru Nilam Paainthu Vizhaiyadum Thottam
Veera Samuthayame Engal Kootam.
The lyrics are too striking …. that even if a dry desert happens to be our our homel, its our dear homeland & lets have borders with rock and mountains. There are rivers which flow into the fields, and lets be proud of our heroic traditions.
What follows during the final charanam are real gems :
Pasi enru Varuvoorku Virunthaha Maarum
Pahaivar Muham Paarthu Puliyaaha Cheerum
Nilathil Uyir Vaithu Urimai Kondaadum
Ethirthu Varuvorai Urama Podum.
Kavignar signs off with - We will provide food for those who come with hunger….. to our adversaries, we turn into tigers…. We will cherish our dear land & will make our enemies as fertilizers for our land
The situation & composition must have been cake walk for Mellisai Mannar as he had the FREEDOM TO USE HIS PET HARMONIUM !! with a flourish, MSV applies harmonium very sharply as preludes ……
And the tune & lyrics must have impressed MG a lot it seems…..as he acknowledges with AHAA for which SD also reciprocates with OHO when her turn comes !
And its harmonium everywhere during the interludes ….midway, one can hear some trumphets / military type drums but somehow the harmonium seamlessly merges with the song & resurfaces at regular intervals….One can also hear lovely usage of tabla to give speed & momentum …..
MG, the ever cheerful character, will be at his usual self to convey a very motivational song to enthuse patriotism…..However, as he was tied to the harmonium, MG couldn’t extend / stretch his hands left & right ( his usual style was curbed !!) ….Still, never short of enthusiasm, he runs around playing with ease, the harmonium …..I feel that SD was a bit over playing her reactions when she reacts for Vetri thirumaadhu nadai podum ellai !
I will be a sinner if I miss out TMS …….the one and only TMS can bring such power & force …..such a thundering impact …….The thrust he gives to every word & the subtle variation for Paadum pozudhellam adhaiye paadu…..
The eagerness & anxiety of someone longing for a land is reflected when he touches …… Adhai naadaavitaal edhu veedu
Or for ……Vaanam peridhendru vaazum …….
Displays bravery & valour when he sings – Veerar vizi thaanzdhu nilam paarpathillai
& the fondness for one’s land is reflected when he sings – Paalai vanam endra podhum nam naadu …..
Only TMS can give such a thrust ….a committed & involved singer !
I believe TMS was not even asked to speak during the recent NT statue unveiling ceremony ….which IMO is an insult to one of the greatest assets of Tamil cinema……If at all, someone deserves to talk about Shivaji , it should be TMS first & then only others…..No, not even Karunanidhi or the next generation Rajini / Kamal / Vijay kanth …. Really disgusting to hear such igronance being displayed time & again on the great artists of yesteryears
This movie is another wonderful album for the Melody king .. combo with MGR :
a. Androru naal idhe nilavil avan irundhaan – Another streetside song by TMS & PS – a poetic song …lovely lyrics
b. Ulagamengum ore mozhi – TMS & PS ….. a unique composition , western type , one of my MSV all time favourites
c. Thirumbi vaa oliye thirumbi vaa – TMS & PS again …..Looks like another composition wherein the tune came first followed by lyrics !
Each one was a super hit & being heard even today with the same enthu & interest because the silken melody effect has been coated on them !
Despite their differences, it was MG who recognized Kavignar by giving him the honour of ARASAVAI KAVIGNAR post when he assumed office as CM in 1977……….This shows what a true great personality MGR was , forgetting & forgiving the past & looking forward to renewing the relationships with friends & foes ………….