MGR film songs are always popular

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guys ,
I heard a news that 1000il oruvan is re-released with digial processing!...and better sound!.....can anyone throw light on this.

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At the risk of digressing!

Srikanth,
Are you talking about DVD or just an audio CD? If it's DVD, I'll set my hounds in search of it. 1000-il oruvan is one of MGR's best movies. The songs were marvelous and would sound great on DVD.

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Udhya,what I heard is it is being rereleased in 7-10 theaters with dolby etc, etc on his birthday this weekend. 1000il Oruvan has great songs!....and very good rerecording.

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1. Vali, like many other beginners in the cine field had a difficult time coming up. He had to ride against the rough cinema tide and merciless politics. After a few years of suffering in Madras he decided to return to Srirangam. There was an offer. Kannadasan sent a message asking Vali to be his assistant for a monthly salary of Rs 300. Vali refused to be under the limelight of anyone else. Some time later he packed up to leave for his native place. As he was leaving he heard a charanam from a song of Kannadasan from the film Sumaithangi, sung by PB Sreenivas. The song is Mayakkama Kalakkama, and the line that touched the heart of Vali was:

"Unakkum Keezhey Ullavar Kodi
Ninaaithu Paarthu Nimmathi Naadu"

Upon hearing this line Vali got inspired and decided not to leave Madras. These two simple lines could change Vali's life.


2. Vali wrote the songs for Padagotti. The name of this film of Velumani was given by Vali himself. When there was the victory celebration of the movie, many were invited, including Kannadasan. Many cine poets spoke. When Kannadasan spoke he quoted these lines from the song "Tharaimel Pirakkavaithan":

"Velli Nilaave Vilakkai Eriyum
Kadalthaan Engal Veedu
Mudinthaal Mudiyum thodarnthaal thodarum
Ithuthaan Engal vaazkai
ithuthaan engal vaazkai"

After that Kannadasan took off his own gold chain and put for Vali. MGR of course appreciated that. In the words of Vali his greatest achjievement in the cine field was to have got the appreciation of Kannadasan.

3. When Enga Veetu Pillai of Nagireddy was in the production stage there was a serious attempt to separate Vali from MGR. The DMK had many DMK poets whom MGR did not use, but MGR was fond of using Vali a brahmin. Moreover, Vali used to move around with thiruneeru in his forehead as he was a pakka devotee of Murugan. The DMK made an issue of this. They asked MGR to get Vali into the DMK party or make sure he never moved around with the viboothi. MGR then went to see Vali. When MGR came, the song "Naan Manthoppil Ninririnthen Avan Mambazam Vendum enraan" was being recorded. MGR waited outside and was really enjoying the song. The song half melted MGR's heart. After the recording MGR took Vali to a corner and told him the matter and the problem the DMK was creating. Vali refused in no uncertain terms to do away with the viboothi. Instead Vali offered to leave MGR. After some thought MGR gave Vali the freedom to appear in public as he wished. Afterall MGR and many other pakka DMK leaders were strong believers in God. This song of Vali still remains raw in his mind not so much for its sweetness, but because of the conversation that took place immediately after the recording of it.

4. MGR's films have some of the very best songs the Tamil music films world has produced. There is no film with MGR as the hero where he never sang. But Manthiri Kumari is certainly an exception. In the film there is a song where MGR plays the harp to the dance of Saguntala(ha ha ha ha.. Vazhviley)
But the best songs were taken off by SA Nadarajan, the villain. Ellis R Duncan, the producer wanted the song "Varaai Nee Varaai" in the film. But the director TR Sundram refused it totally, saying it would not be accepted by the masses. After some argument, Duncan threw a challenge. Ellis R Duncan proposed to screen in Madras alone and see the reaction of the cinema goers. Should there be good response the song would be retained permanently in every other copy. Should there be bad resonse, the particular song scene would be cut off completely from all the copies. The challenge was taken up by TR Sundram. 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 Nadarajan acted. Ellic won and TR Sundram was defeated. So the scene was kept permanently in all the copies, and we too enjoy it till today.

5. Its interesting go to the roots of MGR-VAli relationship. Poor Vali had a tough time getting the first inroad into film songs. He got a chance in Azhagar Malai Kalvan where the MD is Gopalan. The first song he wrote was "Nilavum Thaarayum Neeyamma Ulagam Orunaal Umathamma" sung by P. Suseela. After that he had a few chances, but those songs and the films never came out. He had another break in the film Nallavaan Valvaan-story of CN Annadurai. This is the first song of Vali for MGR film.The MD was TR Paappa. The lyrics was approved by Anna with some changes. TR Pappa composed the music. MGR heard the song and said he liked the music. Later he came back and said that the music was not up to the mark. So the music had to be changed ten days later. On the recording day the singer P. Suseela was not feeling well. It was again postponed to one month's time. On that day news came that Seergazhi Govindarajan was not well. The director P. Neelakandan felt that the song had no luck and wanted to use Maruthakazi to write some other song for the situation. Maruthakazi came and read the lyrics of vali and said the song is really good and there was no changes to be made. Finally the song was recorded. In Newton Studio the setting was done. A pond was set for both MGR and Rajasulochana to sing. Many rehearsals were taken. When the final shooting came, the bank of the pond broke and the studio's floor was flooded. Luckily the situation was rectified soon. At the end the shooting was completed, and the scene as well as the song became a hit. So like Kannadasan, Vali too had a tough ride in the initial stages. The dream scene was censored with some cuts. Its worth getting the full lyrics. The song was sung by PS and S Govindarajan.

SG: Sirikkinraal Indru Sirkikkinraal
Sindhiya Kanneer Mariyathaley
Sirikkinraal Indru Sirikkinraal

PS: Anbu thirumugam Kanaamal-Naan
Thunbak Kadalil Neenthi Vanthen

SG: Kaala Puyalil Anaiyaamal Nenjil
kaathal Vilakkai Enthi Vanthen

PS: Udaya Sooriyan Ethiril Irukkayil
Ullath thamarai Malaratho
ullath thamarai malaratho

SG: Ethayum Thaangum Idayamirunthaal
Irunda Pozhuthum Pularatho
irunda pozhuthum pularatho

PS: Then malaraadum Meen Vilayaadum
Aruviyin azhagai Kannero

SG Naan Varavillai Enbathanaal Un
Meenvizhi sinthiya Kanneero

PS: Malar mazhai Pole Meniyin Mele
Kulir Neeralaikal Kenjidutho

Both: Sirikkinrom inru sirikkinrom
Sinthiya Kanneer Mariyathale
Sirikkinrom inru sirikkinrom

So we could see words like Ethayum Thangum Idhayam(Anna) and Udayasooriyan(DMK) proposed by Anna. Some other words were cut by the censor board.

6. There situations where MGR could not dominate, especially before the release of Nadodi Mannan. When Madurai Veeran was in the production stage, the producer of Krishna pictures Lena Chettiar wanted a song reflecting ancient literature. Kannadasan gave such a lyric, and it was, for G.Ramanathan an easy job to give excellent tune. Lena heard the recorded song of "Nadakamellam Kanden Unthan Aadum Vizhiyiley- aadum vizhiyile-geetham paadum mozhilyiley" This beautiful song was sung by TMS and Jikki. Lena was so impressed that he sent for Kannadasan. At the same time he sent for a garland. When Kannadaan arrived, Lena Chettiar garlanded Kannadasan and gave him some cash, saying that the words in the lyrics were excellent. Then came the filming stage. Lena made sure that the scene was very well taken. Many techniques were used to come out with an excellent song scene, where Padmini and MGR gave life to the movie. Every word in the lyrics was well acted out. We have advanced very much in cinema technology, but it is still doubted if such a scene could be shot these days. And Madurai Veeran became the first Tamil movie to be released in 4 theatres in Chennai where the film ran for 100 days in all the 4 theatres. Personally speaking I will always forget myslef whenever I play this song scene.


7. There was an accustion on MSV. In about 1970 MSV was blamed by Sivaji unit that MSV was composing better music for MGR movies, but did not bother much about songs in Sivaji Ganesan's movies. This seemed to be the actual situation. Not that MSV wanted that way, but while MGR squeezed MSV whenever it came to composing of songs, Sivaji Ganesan only concentrated on acting. Close associates of Sivaji fanned up Sivaji, and Sivaji Ganesan confronted MSV. MSV denied the accusation. At that time the film Ponnoonjal was being produced. MSV made sure he did the best for Sivaji, and according to an interview MSV gave in Malaysian TV, in 1973 the records of Ulagam Sutrum Valiban and Ponnoonjal achieved a new record in sale. MSV made sure the song Aagaya Panthalile in Ponnoonjal alone stole the show. That pacified Sivaji's fans for that moment.

8. We know that MGR would squeeze MSV in all the films of MGR for good music. It was easy to bully MSV, but not that easy with KVM. Altogether MSV had composed for 37 movies of MGR while KVM composed for 34 films. MGR had the habbit of approving the tune while in the studio, but upon going home he would phone up and express dissatisfaction and demand for even better music.In Ulagam Sutrum Valiban MSV could not tolerate MGR's insistence for better and better music. Finally he sent off the cassette to MGR. MGR saw the irritation of MSV and paid him off with words of appreciation.

Next was Amalraj Pictures Netru Inru Nalai, where MGR could never get satisfaction whatever MSV composed. Finally MSV did one thing. He hired a taxi and sent the harmonium box to the house of MGR. MGR received the harmonium box and phoned up MSV to ask what this was all about. MSV replied that he had brought out all the best he could from the harmoinum box, and if MGR wanted anything better he was to try himself. Then MGR cooled down and accepted the tunes for the film Netru Inru Naalai. And true enough the songs of the film were good and the film ran quite well. Asohan, the producer died soon of debts. The profit received was not sufficient to cover the debts.

9. KVM was assigned to compose music for the film Thozhilali. 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 song written by Alangudi Somu is:

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

10. There are many scenes in Tamil films where mistakes have been made. The mistakes were only discovered too lalte- after the movies had been released. The song scenes are also inculded in this category. In so far as MGR films are concerned mistakes have been minimal.

In the film Thaai Makalukku Kattiya Thali, there is a song "Onralla Irandalla Thamby" MGR and Thangavelu were shown riding a horse cart. While the cart was moving the hat of Thangavelu does not seem to be the least affected by the wind movement. But that is not the main mistake. As the cart moves in one direction the shadow of the branches above their head should be falling on them in the opposition direction. But a mistake has been committed in this song scene. As the two of them move in one direction, the shadow also move along with them.
In Kudiyiruntha Kovil, there is a bull fight scene in the song Thulluvatho Ilamai. (The bull is Rajshree) MGR comes with a cloth with two colours. One side is navy blue colur, and the other side is signal red. The red side should have been waved towards the bull (Rajashree) Instead MGR shows the blue colur. This is just a small error. But both songs mentioned above were so enchanting that these small errors faded away in their sweetness.


Vanakkam.

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simply Wonderful details

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What a thread ?!! Manisegaran... Dhool !! Dhool !!

Of late the forum has decent, interesting threads going on. Atleast for now no word wars and accusations... Good going.

I am enjoying every bit of this thread.

Nandrigal Pala

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Mani, I was told by MSV that Vali was infact on the verge of committing suicide, when he heard the sumaithangi song. MSV then narrated another incident where he had to put his foot down at the risk of offending MGR and made PBS sing a song for him in Mannathi mannan. The song was "Neeyo naano yaar nilave...", a beautiful melody. MGR had wanted TMS to render this song as this was the case with the rest of the songs in the movie picturised on MGR like aadaatha manamum uNdo, achcham yenbathu madamayadaa, kaniya kaniya mazhalai pesum kaNmani etc.
Another piece of information, MGR had actually forced Devar to approach MSV with a request to compose for his movies thereafter. If you would have all noticed, all movies produced by Devar had KVM as the composer. MSV refused stating that it would be tantamount to stabbing KVM Mama on his back. MSV had been helped by KVM in his initial poverty stricken days and hence the wonderful gesture.

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manisegaran,

Fantastic Job!! Hats Off to your knowledge and gripping presentation.

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Sriram,

neengaLum inga thaan sancharichchindu irukkELaa?

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Manisegaran:

All of us are enjoying the info that you are
presenting in a very interesting fashion. Please
continue.

The sirikkindraaL song that Manisegaran
mentioned is here...
http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/ppp/sirikkindraal.ram