NT with Sowcar Janaki in Uyarndha manidhan
We have discussed at length Nadigar thilagam songs but the focus was mainly on those which he himself sang or along with others……
Wish to pick one of my favourite actress & A DIFFERENT SITUATION SONG from another NT movie
Sowcar Janaki , acknowledged by all as a veteran , smart, intelligent, versatile artist . The movies she had paired with NT were all gems like :
1.Pudhiya paravai
Who can forget the flashy, stylish, arrogant lady who sways NT during the song Paartha nyabagam illayo
2.Motor Sundaram Pillai
A loving wife , grooming a big family
3.Paar magalay paar
A low profile character, a devoted wife
4.Paalum pazamum
Second wife , tries her best to convince NT and forget his past life with Sarojadevi but finally gracefully withdraws
Sowcar also plays a very interesting role as second wife in UYARNDHA MANITHAN ( though she comes to know the truth during climax )…..
Actually Sowcar character is shown at length when both NT and Sowcar reach the 50s age group
While Sowcar is full of enthusiasm and youthfulness in her traits and approach, much to her disappointment and frustration , she finds her loving hubby NT in a different league of his own
A very dominating wife , a perfectionist to the core, also expects the same levels from others including her hubby NT !
While NT dwelves ( a dignified rich business man ) , repenting & recollecting with bitter memories of his past love life with Vanishree, poor Sowcar unaware of his history, tries to imbibe discipline and youth into his life & in the process tries to dominate his day to day life on every aspect which irks NT…..
One day NT finds it a bit too much , loses control and slaps her and leaves the house……
( Despite his past life being a miserable one, NT tries to behave normally and be good with Sowcar but for once he finds her dominance frustrating )
Shocked by this , she becomes restless ………however while meeting her women’s club friend, she realizes what love life is all about
Returns back home with the same cheerfulness back , she now takes the slapping as a happy moment & sings a classic from PS :
ATHANIN MUTHANGAL ATHANAYUM MUTHUKKAL
AZAGANA KANNATHIL ADAYALA CHINNANGAL
I presume the lyrics must be Valee’s as Andha naal nyabagam was by Valee only !
Looking at a table top framed photo of NT ( a majestic looking ! ), Sowcar enjoys every moment now , eagerly awaiting the return of NT in the evening….
The ultimate MD for usage of Piano, once again takes off with Piano preludes & PS has thoroughly read the situation ! listen to the soft & sweet manner she starts in a low tone …… Athaanin muthangal ……athanayum muthukkal…….azagaaaana kannathil…….adayaala chinnangal……. ( here MSV adds his customary melody by a subtle improvisation , repeats the same words ) Azagana kannathil, adayaaala chinnangal !
This is another song where Piano dominates totally & the interludes are no exception….Its piano everywhere
THUYILVADHUPOL ORU BHAVANAI
THODUMVARAYIL SIRU VEDHANAI
ANUBAVITHAL ADHU OODALO
ADHAN PINNAL SUGAM KOODUMO
MSV does a new experiment here ….. he makes PS just sing first without BGM support & then repeats the same with bangoos support !
Great !! how did he learn all these nuances ! & improvisation ?
ENGENGE THOTTALUM THITHIKKUM ENNANGAL
ANGANGE SORGTHAI SANDHIKKUM ULLANGAL
MSV never spares his tabla …he switches over to tabla for the above 2 sentences ……….and comes back to bangoos for the pallavi again !
The lyrics are poetic :
MALARANAYUM AVAN NENJAMO
THALAYANAYUM IRU KAIGALO
SILAYAZHAGUM ANGU KONJUMO
KALAYAZHAGUM ADHAI MINJUMO
PATTADAI MOODI VARA
PALLAKKU AADI VARUM
KANNANA KANNANIDAM
SALLABAM THEDI VARUM
A common reader of the above lyrics without knowing the situation will interpret it as somewhat vulgar but if one sees the movie and the situation wherein the song is positioned, it looks poetic !
When we compare the 2 legends NT and MGR, UM could is a classic example for the difference in the kinds of themes MGR and Sivaji chose . While MGR was the one who could never even think of something wrong , this movie portrays NT as a someone who is unable to even save his own wife and spends his life repenting for it despite being forced to marry another woman.
Featured galaxy of stars like Asokan, Vanishree , Major Sundarrajan , V.K.Ramasamy, Barathi and a young and aspiring candidate Shivakumar !
ABOVE ALL SPLENDID SONGS BY MELLISAI MANNAR.
The movie runs at a nice pace. A young NT’s romance with VS, his shortlived married life , VS’s death and NT’s marriage with Sowcar …. All move at hectic pace and before we know it, some 20 years passes by ! It is only after the meeting between Sivaji and Sivakumar ( NT’s son through VS ) that the movie slows down a bit .
Nadigar thilagam character , inspite of being the hero, has his flaws and it is surprising to see him being subdued by his father's vice like grip and autocratic approach . The movie also shows the social imbalances despite his continuing friendship with childhood friend Major Sunderrajan, the car driver who was forbidden to attend school by Ramdas ( NT’s father ) illustrates his character well. Asokan , the doctor friend who ( loves VS ) hides his own feelings for the sake of his friend.
The married life of Sivaji and Sowcar Janaki is one of the highlights of this movie …very well depicted . Her concern / care for her perfectionist way of living and later happiness at being slapped by Sivaji are quite interesting characterization .
NT makes a very classy rich business man, proves his class during the climax when he breaks down on seeing VS’s photo with Shivakumar
The movie is studded with some outstanding songs :
1.Andha naal nyabagam – fond recollection of past life by two 2 childhood friends
2.Velli kinnam dhaan – NT with VS during a brief honeymoon ( top 100 of TMS )
3.En kelvikenna badhil – Shivakumar & Barathi
4.Naalai indha velai paarthu – PS solo for VS , got national award & it says all
Superb portrayal by Nadigar thilagam once again , allowing himself to be underplayed & dominated by Sowcar Janaki but shows his class in the climax....
Andha naal nyabagam song....this type of songs are reserved exclusively for Nadigar thilagam only
NT’s Political Career – Phase III – 1975 Oct to 1988 Jan
A phase that should have been the most active and decisive part of NT’s political innings but that didn’t turn out that way. Rather it became an anti climax.
When PT passed away, suddenly everybody felt a void in TN Politics. PT was unlike other leaders. He strode like a colossus in the political arena of TN for more than two decades except for a brief period of 3 years when he was the AICC President. But he had groomed the younger generation in taking up leadership responsibilities. There were quite a few people like Kumari Ananthan, Nedumaran, Thanjai Ramamoorthy, Dhandayuthapani, Kudanthai Ramalingam who had come up well in the party hierarchy. Not to forget PaaRaa (P.Ramachandran), a low profile man but nevertheless he was doing a good job as TNCC President. But still when PT left, a vacuum was felt as it is bound to happen when such a tall leader falls. Doubts begin to rise in the minds of people whether the party can sustain itself in the absence of PT. Added to this, journals like Kumudham started writing editorials that the Congress in TN should merge with Indira Congress as it was futile to continue alone, it argued.
There was divided opinion on this issue. A section of the people wanted Congress to maintain its identity and moreover they were opposed to Indira Gandhi for bringing in the Emergency and arresting all opposition leaders. So they ruled out merger. The other section was for joining Indira Congress. They were arguing that in the absence of PT and with two strong political personalities (i.e.) MGR & MuKa around, Congress will have a tough time to survive and sustain. If the Central Government headed by Indira also becomes hostile, it would become difficult. They said that Emergency has done no harm to TN and PT was not arrested. Indira Gandhi sensing her chance now put her men on move. This was the juncture that would have been the most defying moment of NT’s political career had he heeded to the wishes of majority of his fans.
The simmering and the dual between the pro and anti merger groups stared to come out openly and people were seen identifying with the group of their choice. PaaRaa was firm in keeping the identity intact and Kumari Ananthan, Dhandayuthapani and likes joined him. Nedumaran, Thanjai Ramamoorthy etc were for merger and this group openly revolted against the official party and they started working as a separate group under the leadership of Mahadevan Pillai, a Congress leader from Kanyakumari District.
The million-dollar question was what NT is going to do? There were no firm answers from him. To his credit, NT was totally dumb struck in the initial days. He cancelled all shooting for13 days at the time of PT’s death and was down with a somber mood. Since Deepavali came immediately afterwards (Nov 2nd), he had to finish his commitment as two of his films (Dr. Siva & Vaira Nenjam) were scheduled to release for Deepavali. Close on the heels of Deepavali he had another film Paatum Bharathamum that was nearing completion and NT had to finish that also. That got released on Dec 5th. By this time the battle lines were clearly drawn and fans and public wanted to know on which side will NT take guard. Both the factions wanted NT on their side and both the factions were claiming that NT indeed is with them. The fans were confused. There was another news that was doing rounds. NT is not at all interested in politics and he is quitting. He would allow fans to choose as per their wish. But fans were not for this. Majority of the fans were of the view that NT should be in the faction that opposed Indira Congress. Somehow the fans couldn’t digest Indira’s brand of politics and they were ready to carry over from where PT had left. There was another section of Fans who maintained that they would abide by any decision that would be taken by NT. Still no clear signals were forthcoming from NT. He had to start shooting for Balajee’s Unakaaga Naan and moreover, like every previous year he had started viratham for Sabari Malai. When fans who had been meeting him in stream and trying to find out what lies in his mind, persisted with the question, NT replied that he would announce his decision after coming back from Sabari Malai. The tone and tenor of his wordings hinted that NT would remain with PaaRaa. He had traveled by train and when he reached Madurai (Quilon Express), a section of the fans met him and handed over a letter which stated that they would abide by his decision and it was signed in BLOOD.
In the mean time all the Prime Minister’s men had been moving around and they were meeting and convincing cats on the wall. Some special people were deputed to meet some important figures of Old Congress and our NT was also targeted. The man on the mission was Maragatham Chandrasekar. The grand old lady of Congress who was close to Indira met NT and till today what transpired between them and what made NT to choose Indira Congress has not fully come out. In fact NT after coming back from Sabari Malai had left for Delhi along with MC. Only when the photo and the news came out that he had met Indira Gandhi and pledged support to her, the fans and the public came to know of it. It was heart breaking for the fans and coming close on the heels of PT’s death, it was a twin blow. Most of the fans did not accept the decision and this was the first failure for NT in the political arena. Unlike MGR fans who had whole-heartedly supported his political move, NT’s fans were a thinking lot and they did not endorse his move. That was a major setback and this indecisiveness proved costly for his films. I had myself personally heard fans saying that they still continue to be NT fans but when it comes to politics, they have their own way. In fact I remember, when we had gone to see Unakaaga Naan on the opening day (i.e.) Feb 12th of 1976, there was this Indian News Reel shown before the movie started. There was a news item that showed Indira laying wreaths on the Amar Jawan memorial (normally done on Jan 30th,Gandhiji’s death day) and inside the theatre the fans had divided themselves into two groups wherein one was clapping for and the other was shouting against Indira.
Meanwhile arrangements were going on full swing for the merger of Congress faction with Indira Congress and the date had been fixed as 15th Feb 1976 at Marina. Before this another incident that shook TN had happened. Yes, the DMK government of MuKa was dismissed on Jan 30th 1976. Even prior to this Indira had decided on this but due to the unexpected demise of PT and the subsequent developments delayed this move. DMK unmindful of the public ire against it was again acting in an authoritarian manner. On the eve of dawn of 1976, DMK conducted a conference in Coimbatore on Dec 30 & 31st and the expenditure was so heavy. Again scant respect was shown for public feelings and the callous nature that was evident in their behaviour was the last straw on the camel’s back. The Governor KK Sha was contacted and the report against the Government was obtained and by using article 356, the Government was dismissed and MuKa’s government bagged the dubious distinction of being the first government to be dismissed in TN and that too for corruption charges. The memorandum given by MGR way back in 1972 was dusted and taken up and a Commission of Inquiry was set up under Justice Sarkaria to probe the charges of corruption based on MGR’s memorandum. There was large scale of arrests under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) and many DMK men were put under arrest and that included MK Stalin. DMK’s top-level leaders were spared. Seeing the writing on the wall many DMK men began denouncing their party affiliations. There was a group that was contemplating to resign from the party.
The Congress (both the factions) was not exactly sure how to react to the Government dismissal. MGR welcomed the move and said it had vindicated his stand. The Indira Congress also welcomed saying that PT had fought for the removal. Congress (O) reaction was muted. In this background the merger took place on Feb 15th and Indira Gandhi had flown in to attend the meeting. Our NT was there but as usual reserved and away from centre stage. Indira spoke of PT and the threat to the country and TN and the reasons that prompted her to dismiss DMK government. Everybody was awaiting one announcement and that came at the end. Indira announced that GK Moopanar would be the new TNCC President. Moopanar was the DCC President of Tanjore at that time and he was hardly known outside Tanjore District. That was sad news for some aspirants and on that day the seeds of factionalism in TN, that today’s Congress is famous for, was sown and it continues till date. NT who always said that he would be a loyal soldier of the party said that he would strive for its pre eminence.
Congress (O) by now had chalked out its strategies and it organized a conference in Cuddalore. The mammoth crowds that it drew surprised many and the fact was the mass mainly composed of NT fans. In that meeting the group’s leaders pledged to dedicate
themselves for fulfilling PT’s dream. In between there was another issue that was bone of contention between the two factions. It was none other than Satyamoorthy Bhavan. The Congress (O) was occupying the Bhavan and Indira Congress was staking its claim. PaaRaa thundered in that meeting that even if Satyamoorthy Bhavan were to be taken away from them, he would run the party sitting under a tree. Actually Satyamoorthy Bhavan belonged(s) to Congress Trust and it had several members on it. The trust members were divided and it continued to remain with Congress (O) though the property was under dispute. The clamour for the property was also another reason for Indira to say yes to the merger. Mohanlal Sukadia as Governor replaced KK Sha.
After the spate of events that happened, TN politics continued to remain as it was and the only scene of activity was the hearings of Sarkaria Commission. News was coming out how corruption was carried out in Veeranam Scheme, Nathan commission giving Diamond necklace for showing favours to them for printing School Books, the illegal transport of Rice from Tanjore to Kerala on a single night by relaxing rules and reinforcing them after the entire quantity was shifted, the selling of Samayanalloor coal based power project to private sector etc. Other than these not much of a political activity was taking place. The political parties were also not sure when the elections would take place as the emergency was in force.
On the movie front MGR had a disastrous calendar year in the sense that all his three films Neethikku Thalai Vanagu (March 1976), Uzhaikkum Karangal (May 1976) and Oorukku Uzhaippavan (Nov 1976) met with Luke worm response. Only NTV was somewhat able to scrape through and the other two sank without a trace.
NT on the other hand had a mixed response. He had 6 releases. His change of political affiliation also affected the BO success. His films were like this.
Unakaaga Naan – 12.02.1976. Remake of Namak Haram (*ing Rajesh Khanna & Amithab) which itself was inspired from Becket (English movie). Great acting by NT with coloured wig and contact lens and good songs failed to carry the movie.
Grihaprevesam – 10.04.1976. Nice family story with KRV as heroine and which also had Sivakumar & Jaya was a successful NT movie after a gap of 8 months and 5 films.
Satyam – 06.05.1976. Again a family story in the rural background saw NT & Devika coming together after a long time and so was NT- Kamal combo after Paarthal Pasi Theerum. But all this along with great songs by KVM failed to make the cash registers ring. Sort of disappointment crept through fans who had expected something special.
Uthaman – 25.06.1976. Remake of Aaa Gale Lag Jaa, this VB Rajendra Prasad movie was an instant hit. Songs by KVM were hit and the movie had a 100-day run.
Chitra Pournami – 22.10.1976 (Deepavali). This movie, which was in the making for a long time and its story out of tune with the times failed. Again good songs were the saving grace. Statistically speaking, this was the last movie in NT-JJ combo.
Rojavin Raja – 24.12.1976. Also in the making for a long period this movie because of screenplay and great NT acting, got lifted and it was successful commercially and appreciated for its content. Superb songs by MSV [the unforgettable Alangaram Kalayatha Silai & Janakin Magalai (Balaji & Ramesh- expecting your comments)] made the film a memorable one.
Thus 1976 which ushered in many political changes came to rather a tame end and
On the political end, one was only hearing the 20-point programme of Indira Gandhi and the 5-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi. Sanjay the second son of Indira had shot into prominence with his promise of 1 Lakh car had by now firmly settled in his political role and there were news leaks of his extra constitutional role in the affairs of Government. In TN, significant happening was the renaming of ADMK as AIADMK. There was a rumour that all regional parties were going to be banned and MGR added All India. Another move by MGR that drew widespread protest was his diktat to his followers that they should inscribe the party flag in their hand (Pachai Kuthuthal). It was one rare occasion that many MGR followers failed to obey their leader. Other than this, the death of DMK functionaries Chittibabu & Sattur Balakrishnan in prison who both were detained under MISA was the other political news that led to debates.
1977 dawned without anyone realizing that this is going to be a watershed year for India and TN. No one was sure when things will normalize. By a constitutional amendment (if my memory serves me right it was 42nd amendment) by which the term of Parliament had been extended to 6 years from 5. So it was to expire by 1977 but still there was no hope for an early election and many thought the term of Parliament may be further extended. Suddenly on Jan 19th, Indira Gandhi took everyone by surprise when she announced that Parliament is being dissolved and fresh elections were ordered. She also said that all political leaders were being released. Suddenly India came alive.
Before going into the political happenings let us briefly see the cine front. NT before elections had 2 releases and both were in January. Avan Oru Sarithiram was released on Pongal (14.01.1977) and as you know it failed. A movie which was more political in nature with NT playing as collector, failed to enthuse fans and again lovely songs [Vanakkam, En Manathu Ondruthan (though it appeared in another movie) etc] were the saving grace. Another NT movie that was released on 26.01.1977 was Deepam and it needs no explanation. Great story and acting was the hallmark of this movie and statistically this 100-day movie was the first movie of NT for which IR scored music. MGR had only one release Navarathinam in March and it was a flop.
Again on the political front, all opposition leaders were released and they decided to join hands together. JP (Jayaprakash Narayanan) was the pivotal in which all forces rallied round. The conglometer of parties, which comprised of stalwarts like Morarjee, Vajpayee, Charan Singh, George Fernandas, H.M.Patel, LK Advani, was named as Janata Party. Suddenly as a bolt from the blue, Jagajeevan Ram the veteran politician from Bihar and champion of downtrodden resigned from Congress and joined the opposition. Though this man was famous for his quote of forgetting to pay the income tax, his was a welcome addition for the opposition. The incumbent President at that time Mr.Fakrudin Ali Ahamed who signed the infamous midnight proclamation of Emergency passed away and the President election was also necessitated.
In TN, as expected Indira Congress alligned with AIADMK. But the Congress (O) had to take a tough decision. If it had to allign it had to do with DMK and for this the Congress was very much hesitant. But finally it had to give in. While the Janata Party contested on a common symbol (Err Uzhavan), the Congress (O) was allowed to contest in women with Charka symbol. From the point of electioneering interest, the meeting addressed by Indira and MGR at Madurai Tamukkam drew mammoth crowd and till today it is described as one of the biggest crowd ever to have assembled for a meeting. On his part NT addressed a meeting with Indira in Tiruchy. The other interesting bit was the coming together of NT & MGR on the same political stage and the joint meeting addressed by them at T.Nagar took a place in the record books.
The election was held in March 1977 and when the results came out it sent shock waves throughout. Indira and Sanjay were defeated in their own constituencies [in fact Congress failed to win a single seat in UP and Bihar. (85 + 54 seats)] and Janata Party was swept to power. In TN, the ADMK- Congress- CPI alliance swept the polls. Out of 40 seats the alliance captured 36 seats. Only Congress (O) candidates PaaRaa at Central Madras, Kumari Ananthan at Nagerkoil and Dhandayuthapani were successful and AVP AsaiThambi of DMK won from North Madras defeating Nanjil Manoharan of ADMK.
The assumption of power by Janata saw the dismissal of Congress ministries in 8 states in one go and elections were ordered and along with them TN & Jammu Kashmir was also scheduled to go for election. The elections were to take place in June and now with Janata in power at the centre, MGR detached Congress by offering them nominal seats and he had an alliance with communist parties. So Congress went alone and now Congress (O) in power did not need DMK also went alone and so DMK also contested alone. The elections were held in June and its result was a foregone conclusion. ADMK captured power with 126 seats, Congress (for which NT campaigned in select constituencies) won 27, Janata took 10 seats but he surprise packet was DMK which contrary to all expectations won 48 seats. MGR after completing his pending shooting works for Meenava Nanban & MMSP became the Chief Minister on 30th June 1977.
Friends again break and will continue.
Regards
