The Golden Era of Dr.IR and Dr.SPB

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#227 கட வீதி கல கலக்கும், எங்க அக்கா மக, அவ நடந்து வந்தா
(அம்மன் கோவில் கிழக்காலே, 1986 )

The standard galAttA number for masAlA as well as village-type movies of 80's, especially when a popular hero is in the mix. One loses count as to how many such numbers rAsA had done during his career - with mELam, shenoy, flute & other standard repertoire, making them racy , dance-worthy and catchy. The lyricists possibly had a tougher time as they had to match the speed of rAsA in coming up with tunes / arrangements for such numbers. SPB obviously is at ease here, belting out the number effortlessly with his thuLLal and kEli tone. (MV too had done a number of similar songs credibly without much ado. These two are unmatched in IR-era in this area. TMS ruled in days prior).

A typical rAsA fan of 80's was getting weary with such numbers over a time period. Most chose to listen to the other 'novel' or 'melodious' numbers by recording them. OTOH, the public (or whoever were "broadcasting" to the public by loudspeakers) always favoured such numbers and one had to listen to them mostly involuntarily. Personally, though I won't go great lengths to stop & listen, record etc such type of songs, I never found them boring. Simply because, there were ingradients that IR mixed in cleverly to keep one amused. For example, I love the great energy in the first line of the saraNam of this song and wait to listen to it Also, the song overall never bored me that I had to turn mind off. In addition, all rAsa themmAngus are 'ear-friendly' - unlike those made by others that are sheer noise - and one gets to listen to some sweet sounds / melodious portions even on such numbers.

Interestingly, not all such numbers became as famous as this one. Obviously the success of the movie & star involved were the reasons for the popularity / playback it enjoyed.