First Superstar of Tamil cinema!

[NOV]

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[NOV]

MKT Song List

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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[NOV]

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 T R Mahalingam,
MKTB and a few others trained their 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 called "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 G Ramanathan,
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.

[NOV]

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 implicated 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 was 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. Amarakavi

He then tried taking the film Amarakavi, using uvamai
kavignar Suratha to write dialogue. Another flop. This
film had good songs like ellaam inbamey, sevai
seithaaley vaazhalaam.

3. Puthu Vaazhvu

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 sang
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.

4. Sivagami

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".

[NOV]

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.