A collection of Hindi Music Director (Bombay) Ravi's compositions for Malayalam movies
(2 hours and 15 minutes of audio only, no video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Cdb5QPQ5g
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A collection of Hindi Music Director (Bombay) Ravi's compositions for Malayalam movies
(2 hours and 15 minutes of audio only, no video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Cdb5QPQ5g
K. Raghavan (Master) who was a pioneer of Malayalam drama and movie music
composition passed away yesterday at a hospital in Thalassery.
Here are a few of his popular movie songs:
"kaayalarikaththu valayerinjappOL..."; Raghavan Master composed and sang this one for his
first movie NEELAKKUYIL (1954):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7oRd...91DC3&index=13
"aaru nee en maarivillE...": fromUNNIYAARCHA (1961) sung by A.M. Raja:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t09Y5...491DC3&index=7
"karimukil kaattilE..."; from KALLICHELLAMMA (1969) by P. Jayachandran:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNFGc...491DC3&index=4
"kaNNante kaviLil nin..."; from POOJAIKKEDUKKAATHTHA POOKKAL (1977) by M. Balamurlikrishna:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWKcOdripSo
"shyaama sundhara pudhpamE..."; from YUDHDHA KAANDAM (1977) by K.J. Yesudas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeIss_hld54
For those who like sad melodies, here is one in ஆபேரி ராகம்; classic lyrics by ஸ்ரீகுமாரன் தம்பி;
set to music by the not much known வித்யாதரன்; from the movie வீண பூவு (1983); and sung by
the one and only கே.ஜே. யேசுதாஸ்! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXwoIPtTGQs
Music Director K. Raghukumar no more...
"He may never have become the busiest composer in Malayalam cinema, but he continued to create beautiful music."
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...cle5713371.ece
Here are some of Raghukumar's compositions:
பொன் வீணே...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4dEefHBSA
செம்பரத்திப் பூவே சொல்லு...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot1WBhiQvoc
பொன்முரளி ஊதும் காட்டில்...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb1PDiGywRs
நீயென் கினாவோ பூவோ நிலாவோ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53-VxcdX8_g
மெல்லெ நீ மெல்லெ வரூ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg-WwYDRe80
raagadevan,
Didnt check in here for a long time.. Thanks :clap: :clap:
Here's my evergreen favorite.. Was listening today after a while
Orangalil
Film-Thaalolam , (1998),
Lyrics / Music- Kaithapram,
Singer-Sudeep Kumar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-K4aXfsr3Q
Very good choice, RR! Kaithapram (Damodaran Namboothiri), the lyricist/composer of this song, is a very talented and multifaceted artist. In addition to writing poetry, movie lyrics, stories and screen plays, he is also an established music director and actor. He also performs live Carnatic music concerts. As you likely know, he plays the role of the classical singer Ananthan Kutty in the movie His Highness Abdullah; and M.G. Sreekumar sings "naadharoopini..." for him. ( youtube.com/watch?v=KA1ANTEWTTY )Quote:
Originally Posted by RR
RD, yes I have seen the HHD movie (and its inspirations in tamil) and noticed him.. Also sings the competition song, rt? Actually 'orangalil' bears strong resemblance to 'pramadhavanam' (more than just the raga). I use it to think this too is by Raveendran until someone told me it is not. The question still lingers though: who is the real composer for both..
Anyway pls keep posting your malayalam song picks..
Hi RR: You are right. Kaithapram is the actor for the competition song "dEvasabhaathalam raagilamaakuvaan...", which is sung by Raveendran himself along with Yesudas and a small portion by Sharreth. Another version with Sreekumar instead of Raveendran was also recorded, but was not used in the movie.
The real composer for "OrangaLil..." is Kaithapram, and for "pramadhavanam veeNdum..." it is Raveendran. Both the songs are in Jog raaga and sound very similar, as you pointed out. It is also likely that K got some inspiration/guidance for his earlier movies from R ! :) To add to the confusion, Kaithapram wrote the lyrics for both songs!
Here is "dEvasabhaathalam..." (I probably have posted this one long long ago!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvbMvGqwgSI
What a song! I think the performances are also wonderful (esp. Mohanlal. Not for moment that KJY came to my mind!). Only in malayalam movies, the key actors do the 'thaalam podaradhu' properly. Even the music playing is acted professionally. In most of the tamil/hindi movies, the instrument playing will be like koundamani keyboard typing..
Sharath singing - is it the Nedumudi venu part?
This is my pick for today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rdbZw4qBm0
--- Got this article about the making of the song from web ---
Devasuram was a wonderful movie under the direction of I.V.Sasi and it was scripted by Ranjith. The hero was Mohanlal and heroine was Revathy and both them were acted brilliantly . Like the script, the music was also very important in this film. The music and lyrics has been done by M.G.Radhakrishnan and Gireesh Puthanchery respectively. Each and every song in this film were excellent and still it has not lost a single element of freshness.
In the song ‘’Angopankam’’ the heroine Revathy did a wonderful job. Her dance and expressions were so high in all aspects. The song has been recorded in the Prasad 70 MM Studio. The officials approached Chithra to sing this song but Chithra couldn’t reach at time as she was having an another recording which has been committed earlier. But it was an emergency situation for the team of Devasuram and they finally decided to record the song with any other female singer. Even though they decided to go for an another singer, the lyric writer Girish Puthenchery was in confusion that who can sing this particular song by giving the sufficient feel and emotions instead of Chithra ?
They did the recording with some other singers but nobody could deliver the feel as they wanted. The time was already 10 PM. Music director M.G.Radhakrishnan sir called Chithra. She was in a recording of a Telugu film. Chithra gave the word to Radhakrishnan sir that she will come there just before 12 AM. She reached there at 12.15 AM and Radhakrishnan Sir gave the song and she begun to study. Chithra was ready just after 15 minutes and they started the recording of that tough song !!
The recording completed and it was ok with one and only take !! . Dr. Omanakkutty, the teacher of Chithra, M.G.Sreekumar and singer B.Arundhathy were in that studio on that time. Both Omanakkutty teacher and Arundhathy sung the chorus for this song with Chithra. (M.G.Radhakrishanan and M.G.Sreekumar are brothers and Omanakkutty teacher is their sister).
According to the singer M.G.Sreekumar ‘’ While the composing of this song we all are having a feel that this song should be sung by Chithra. She couldn’t come. But god’s destiny wan another. God has already decided that its Chithra’s song. Our happiness was endless when the first take was ok. While Chithra sung the swaras we all felt bristling !!. That day also we could see a normal Chithra who always come with a beautiful smile and sing the heavy and tough songs with ease and go with another smile. I was stunned to hear her impossible singing. Only Chithra can do this !!’’.
Just after the song M.G.Radhakrishnan Sir and Omanakutty teacher came inside the cabin and hugged her. The director of the film I.V.Sasi said this song might be a mile stone of Chithra’s career. Also we felt some piercing voice from Chithra in this song. This song needed that kind of a feel , as the heroine was dancing with an anger due to the behaviour of the hero. As all expected, this song, the dance of Revathy and the acting of the great actor Mohanlal was simply amazing. The film Devasuram is an evergreen hit in Malayalam.
---
Following Raj's idea, guess the raga of the song.. :D You can try before googling
Yes, it is. Sujith Vasudevan, now known as Sharath (Sherreth), sings the lines starting with "mEgharaagangaLe...". In many places, the singer's name is still listed as Sujith, causing some confusion!Quote:
Originally Posted by RR
"angOpangam..." is a great composition by the late M.G. Radhakrishnan. He was an amazingly talented musician, but could never make it big in the movie industry. "oru murai vandhu paarththaayaa..." in MANICHITHRATHTHAAZHU was his creation.
I may have raaga in my name; but that doesn't mean I know too much about raagas! :) I am still an amateur (novice) in that area. Is "angopangam..." set in Chandrakouns?
RD,
Thanks for the info. I liked one Sharath's song in 180.. His comments in music competitions are very sharp.
On the raga, you are close. :) It is Lalitha..
Why don't you post some sharath's songs for today?
Thank you RR.
I too like Sharath's song in 180 (சந்திக்காத கண்களில் இன்பங்கள் செய்யப் போகிறேன்), and have posted the lyrics and video on the
"Songs that have Emotional Impact" page. He has composed some good ones for Malayalam movies too. This is what comes to mind right now.
"ராவில் வீணாராகம் போலே..." from the 1995 movie SINDHOORA REKHA, a KJY/Sujatha duet, with lyrics by Kaithapram:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNdLByKi2ZU
RD,
Took a while for the song to grow on me. Still I feel the raga overshadows the song. I like it if it's the other way. Anyway I think Sharath's compositions are a bit too unconventional sometimes. Need to listen more..
For today..
Song: mamakam palakuri kondadi
Album: Vasanthageethangal
MD: Raveendran
Lyrics: ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjatR9usBQE
I'm hooked on this song since Saturday.. why? I simply don't know. That I guess is the beauty of the song.
Very popular song indeed! The lyricist is Bichu Thirumala. By the way, the song is from a light/folk music album Vasantha Geethangal (not a movie) released in 1984 by Yesudas' Tharangini Studios. All the songs in the collection were enticingly written/tuned and sung by various artists. Vasantha Geethangal is/was one of Raveendran's several such popular non-movie compilations.
:) RR: This is for you; a rare video of Raveendran himself singing a shortened version of "mamankam palakuri koNdaadi..." on stage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk4eyD9pZgk
Thanks, RD! Raveendran is a great composer of semi-classical songs, especially those that can go beyond mallu audience.. I hope he was recognized nationally.
I'm curious what is the meaning..
RR: I shall write later about Raveendran and the song "maamaankam..."
A review shows that raaga based melodies became popular in Malayalam movies in the early 1970s. This may sound too simplistic, but the arrival of the young singer K.J. Yesudas had a lot to do with this "new" trend. Until then, carnatic based songs came only in religious (puraanam) movies. The new trend was to have at least one classical or light classical song in most movies; irrespective of the movie being of comedy, family, tragedy, thriller, musical or any such genre! Music directors including V. Dakshinamurthy (Swami), M.K. Arjunan (Master) and Devarajan were trend setters in this early development.
Here is an example of this phenomenon... from the 1975 comedy movie HELLO DARLING, Yesudas singing a charming composition by M.K. Arjunan; lyrics by Vayalar Rama Varma; featuring comedian Bahadur... "anuraagamE anuraagame..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX6hj9bxP-o
Isn't this Hamsadhwani?
Yes hamsadhwani.
Very interesting to hear about the history. Always wondered why such a trend. Now I know, tks.
I like to hear more such early days KJY. Do post more..
Continuing with the early Yesudas days; here is a ராகமாலிக composed by V. Daksinamoorthy (Swami) for the 1965 movie
kaavyamELA, sung by P. Leela & Yesudas. I am told that movie songs were composed in a different style (sequence) in the
"good old days"! The director decided where in the movie he wanted a song and what the song would be about. The lyricist
would then write the lines that would match the situation, and then came the music director who set the lines to appropriate tune(s).
It is my understanding that music was set to pre-written lyrics until the mid 1960s. Needless to say, a lot of those songs were
raagamaalikas! I remember Swami telling an interviewer that the only time he thought of the raaga(s) of a composition was
when others would compliment him for using this or that raaga! The arrival of Salilda and other North Indian musicians initiated the
process where lyrics were written to fit tunes/music that were already composed.
Coming back to today's song, here are Prem Nazir and Sheela serenading each other in Sahana, Shanmukhapriya, Kalyani, et al!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_4Ui7oUWlQ
I had posted a different version of this song featuring (live) the "young" musicians P. Leela,
P.B. Sreenivas, K.J. Yesudas ("new kid on the block"), M.B. Sreenivasan and Swami himself.
Here is the link to that version:
youtube.com/watch?v=xCaLvV7oSGU
RD, love the KJY voice and the song. Thanks!
The 5 singers version if of course a treasure. the PBS part :thumbsup:
I have been searching for the first line of this song, and finally found it in this thread itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0PvfL1Lku0
Evergreen! Now we need RD to give us the details and the background (and meaning if possible) of the song :)
RR: What a choice!... "அல்லியாம்பல் கடவில்..." is almost like an anthem for most Mallus! :) It has simple but sweet lyrics by P. Bhaskaran,
depicting young lovers in a rural central Kerala community; set to music by K.V. Job. Senior singer Udayabhanu was slated to sing the song,
but fell ill the week of the recording. Because of time compulsions, the movie makers wanted the song recorded right away. Yesudas who was
still the new kid on the block happened to be in the same studio. He was initially very reluctant to sing it because of respect for the senior singer.
Udayabhanu himself was reported to have telephoned Yesudas to ask him to record it. The rest, as they say, is history!
This song has transcended decades and generations, and I'm sure it will remain evergreen probably forever. This song used to be the most
popular song on college campuses year after year, decade after decade!
I will start working on the transliteration and the meaning part later.
K.V. Job was primarily a composer of songs for stage plays (drama) and has also directed music for a few movies. I haven't listened to most
of his compositions! For those interested, here is some info about him:
http://www.hindu.com/2003/10/06/stor...0606890400.htm
By the way, a 2009 Mammootty starrer (LOUD SPEAKER) had a scene where an elderly person reminisces his teenage love; how aampal poo
(ஆம்பல் பூ) reminds him of his childhood sweetheart... The conversation leads to the song alliyaambal kadavil, sung by Vijay Yesudas! Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO1hxfDdk50
RD, interesting tidbits.. thanks! I wish MS was here. Must thank him for introducing this song to me. The first time I heard, the melody and the feel of the song (after he explained the meaning a bit) instantly hooked me in. I guess it's one of the few songs where everything worked perfectly!
Thanks god, vijay yesudas didn't spoil it in anyway. Actually a good effort.
Something funny: when I googled for this song, I often ended up 'alliyaambal Loud speaker song'. I thought the mallus call it a 'loud speaker song' since it's so famous..
I agree. One of the few occasions where the lyrics, the tune, the singing, the situation in the movie, and the listeners' sentiments vibrated at the same frequency and "everything worked perfectly"! Very simple words intertwined in a very colloquial but romantic style instead of the highly sophisticated lyrics of those days, set to music by a relatively unknown music director; but something about the finished product hit a nerve on the listening public! By the way, I miss Murali (MS) too. The last I heard, he was in Australia. I have a feeling that he will be reading this! Murali, we want you back; and this is a good thread for you to get rebooted and restarted! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RR
I remember watching a video of KJY and Vijay singing this song together live on stage. I will post it if and when I can find it.
Very interesting, and really funny! Oh, those Mallus! :-DQuote:
Originally Posted by RR
This is a collection of Youtube videos of most, if not all, of the songs from the movie GAANAM.
Do not miss the two versions (Yesudas/Janaki and Yesudas) of "aalaapanam aalaapanam...",
Dakshinamoorthy Swami's masterpiece!
http://www.malayalachalachithram.com...ngs.php?m=1329
Thanks to "Malayalachalachithram" for uploading the songs.
RR and others:
I do not remember detais regarding the movie GAANAM; not even the names of the characters (other than Ambareesh’s role of Aravindakshan). Based on what I can recall, I have prepared the following scenario. By the way, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the events or sequences described! :)
Aravindakshan is a young Harijan boy who was somehow “different” from the rest of the kids, showing no interest in the chores and duties that he and others in his community were “supposed” to be doing. He would spend hours outdoors, listening to the chirping of birds, the rhyming of the river and the natural (jala) tharangam created by rain drops falling on the leaves. His parents have given up on him as a hopeless case!
One day, a Carnatic guru from the higher caste sees young Aravindakshan sitting near a brook listening to the water drops. He was surprised to see how musically inclined the young kid was. He decided to take the boy under his wings and teach him music...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNRgyom8HcA
Those were the days of untouchability, and the higher caste community couldn’t accept a Harijan boy being taught Carnatic music in one of their households. The community objects and threatens the Guru, but he does not relent. He is excommunicated with his family.
Aravindakshan grows up (Ambareesh) and becomes a great singer. He meets another singer from the higher caste (Lakshmi), and they become attracted to each other...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNbYNp1eGUI
Aravindakhan is known to have a big ego. Instigated by a few people who don't like him, Lakshmi plays a trick on him during a concert just to tease him; but he takes it as a personal insult. He fights with her and stays away. Shortly thereafter, the Guru dies. The higher caste community refuses to arrange or participate in his funeral, and Aravindakshan and the Harijans in the village have to conduct the ceremony themselves...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8bIe13Z3Sk
Poornima is left alone with nobody for support. Aravindakshan feels obliged to take care of her, and eventually they get married. This causes an upheaval in Lakshmi's life...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfxxQC7Oz40
Aravindakshan and Poornima have a son who grows up to be a trouble maker (Shanavas, who is actor Prem Nazir’s son), disrespecting his father and classical music, listening to only rock music. Aravindakshan’s dreams of making his son a musical prodigy come down with a crash. The son runs away from home. Aravindakshan is under a lot of stress, and he gradually loses his voice. He leaves for Guruvayur temple and spends his days there praying to regain his voice. Lakshmi comes to know about this. She visits the temple and tries to convince Aravindakshan that he should return to the village. After a lot of arguments, he agrees. They return home; and suddenly they hear someone singing Aravindakshan’s favourite song “aalaapanam"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KL9oscUv2M
He runs upstairs to see his son singing it. He can’t believe what he sees; and tries (struggles) to sing with him… and slowly regains his voice! They sing the song together...
I am pretty sure that it was Lakshmi who convinced the boy to to correct his ways and then taught him classical music.
The End! :)
I think I forgot to mention in the above post that the little girl sitting next to the Guru and young Aravindakshan during "adri sudhavara..." is the Guru's daughter, who grows up to become a beautiful woman (Poornima).
RD,
:clap: I almost visualized the whole movie, and relived it. Wonderful! How nice it will be, if people could post such video-textual summaries of good movies.
I will post a song from the 1986 movie RAAKKUYILIN RAAGASADASSIL (ராக்குயிலின் ராகசதச்சில்)
Directed by Priyan (Priyadarshan), the movie had Mammootty and Suhasini in the lead. The movie had a
Thyagaraja krithi and a Swathi Thirunal krithi in addition to four other songs written by S. Rameshan Nair.
Music for the movie was by the late Shri M.G. Radhakrishnan.
Here is "shaNmukhapriya raagamO..." sung by K.J. Yesudas...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1AD8zSEoO8
A brief narration and the rest of the songs to follow...
RAAKKUYILIN RAAGASADASSIL (ராக்குயிலின் ராகசதச்சில்)(1986)
Viswanadhan (Mammootty) and Janani (Suhasini) were college sweethearts.
He was a talented musician and she was a very good dancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy6sL03KhkI#t=25
"shri gaNapathi nee..." - Thyagaraja / M.G. Sreekumar & Chorus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03k_NKItOEk
"raagamE swararaagamE..." - S. Rameshan Nair / M.G. Radhakrishnan / M.G. Sreekumar
The families were against their relationship because of caste differences.
The youngsters overcame all the difficulties and got married with the blessings of everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgb2hca2QT0
"poomukha vaathikkal..." - S. Rameshan Nair / M.G. Radhakrishnan / K.J. Yesudas
They realize that married life is not as easy as the romantic fantasies while in college! Personal
ego and petty jealousies disrupt their lives. They have a baby son, but the relationship breaks down...
He still has fantasies about them singing and dancing together, but they are just that; fantasies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PzyCYNPh2Y#t=47
"vaLLiththirumaNam..." - S. Rameshan Nair / M.G. Radhakrishnan / M.G. Sreekumar, Arundhathi & Chorus
When the home situation became unbearable, Viswanadhan leaves home with their baby son.
As the boy grows up, he teaches the kid music and singing…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwFiY0BDPv4
"gOpaalaka paahimaam..." - Swathi Thirunal / K.J. Yesudas & Arundhathi
Several years later, he returns with his son. The little boy befriends a dancer who is practising
to perform at a show that would give her the Naatysahri title. When Viswanadhan finds out
that the dancer is none other than Janani, he becomes very angry. He makes plans to challenge
Janani to dance to his singing, which he felt she would not be able to do…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1AD8zSEoO8
"shaNmukhapriya raagamO..." (Solo) - S. Rameshan Nair / M.G. Radhakrishnan / K.J. Yesudas
On the day of the performance, however, he changes his mind. He arranges for their son to sing
instead of him. The kid sings; mother dances; everyone applauds; they are all happy; the family
reunites; and they all live happily ever after! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRdb2fB9Uy8
"shaNmukhapriya raagamO..." (Duet - )S. Rameshan Nair / M.G. Radhakrishnan / K.J. Yesudas & Arundhathi
RD,
கலக்கறிங்க! :clap: Still going thru all the songs.. The story context makes a big difference in the song appreciation. Keep them coming!
As an aside, The story sounds like Gaanam meets Alaipaayuthe.
Interesting! In the "good old" days, I wanted to make Part II of Sindhubairavi with Sivakumar's and Suhasini's kid (son) growing up like Aravindakshan's son in Gaanam; and becoming a classical music wizard (like his dad) at the end! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RR
Today’s song was voted the greatest Malayalam song ever recorded in a worldwide survey
of Mallus done in 2006 as part of the celebration of the 50th birthday of the State of Kerala.
It is from the 1964 horror/romance classic Bhargavi Nilayam [பார்கவி நிலையம்] (The House of Bhargavi).
P. Bhaskaran's lyrics set to the Hindustani raaga Bhimpalasi by M(ohammad) S(abir) Baburaj.
Here is K.J. Yesudas and “thaamasamenthE varuvaan...” (தாமசமெந்தே வருவான்)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7MayjJtyH8
RD,
I am back, and let me continue..
Song - bhavayaami
Movie - Meghadheertham
Music - Sharreth
Singers - Sharreth
Lyrics - Gireesh Puthenchery
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BqVR3pHZFI
Movie background to this song ?
RR: Glad that you are back :)
Sharath won the then newly instituted Kerala State Film Award for the Best Classical Playback Singer (for 2009) for "bhaavayaami paadumente..." . For more details, please check the following link to an article from The Hindu:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/cin...icle397921.ece
I tried to sit through the movie (dailymotion.com/video/x17nwse_meghatheertham-2009-full-length-malayalam-movie_shortfilms); but had to fast forward so many times because of the very poor and amateurish quality of the screenplay and the whole movie. It looked like this song was the "grand finale" performance of a yesteryear singer with his erstwhile musical group. Sharath, of course, does an amazing job in composing and singing the song. If anyone is interested in the movie video version of the song, it starts at
1 hour and 55 minutes on the dailymotion link.
Sharath's live rendition of the song on the Idea Star Singer show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfHnHk1C0Qk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbV3MqQNiy0
Director A. Vincent’s movie Bhargavi Nilayam (1964) was based on the short story Neela Velichcham
by the famous Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. A few scenes and events from some of
his other stories were added in the one and only screenplay written by Basheer himself. Music was by
the King of Melody M.S. Baburaj.
The story revolved around a house haunted by the ghost of a young woman named Bhargavi.
A novelist (actor Madhu) and his servant Cheriya Pareekkanni (actor Adoor Bhasi) move into the house
without knowing the history of the house. They come to know from the local people that it is a haunted
house. The story was that it was haunted by the ghost of the previous owner’s daughter who was
murdered by being pushed into a well in the property.
The novelist experiences strange happenings in the house; the gramophone plays on its own, objects
move around, etc. He finds some old letters written to Bhargavi (actress Vijaya Nirmala) by her lover
Sasikumar (actor Prem Nazir). The letters give some indication about their love affair and their tragic death.
The novelist has a more or less unexpected encounter with Bhargavi’s ghost…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQO10CdixFY
(“Ekaandhathayude apaara theeram…” sung by Kamukara Purushothaman)
He starts to communicate with Bhargavi. She wants him to write her story. With input from the villagers,
the old love letters and Bhargavi herself, he starts to write the story…
Bhargavi was a happy girl, living with no worries or concerns…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8DsQitkI3k
(“anuraaga madhuchashakam…” Sung by S. Janaki)
She had a cousin Naanukuttan (actor P.J. Antony) who wanted to marry her, but she did not like him.
Shortly thereafter, Sasikumar moved in as a neighbour, and they slowly, but surely fell in love…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4oNjtJZj30
(arabik kadaloru maNavaaLan…” sung by K.J. Yesudas & P. Susheela)
Naanukuttan unsuccessfully tried lots of nasty tricks to separate the two lovers. Sasikumar often
felt lonely, and longed for Bhargavi’s presence…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7MayjJtyH8
(thaamasamenthE varuvaan… sung by K.J. Yesudas)
Suddenly, Sasikumar disappeared from the scene. Bhargavi was concerned and worried…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LwDAvMJFJo
(pottaaththa ponnin kinaavu koNdoru… sung by S. Janaki)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlnWLuwDSQc
(vaasantha Panchami naaLil… sung by S. Janaki)
Bharagavi became furious when she found out that her lover was in fact murdered by
Naanukuttan. She had an argument with Naanukuttan, who in a scuffle pushed her into a well,
killing her. He spread the news that Bhargavi had committed suicide.
Each night, the novelist would read to Bhargavi what he wrote that day, and when necessary,
she would correct him...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_wP1Wqism0
(pottiththakarnna kinaavu koNdoru… sung by S. Janaki)
Naanukuttan overhears one night the story being read out loud by the novelist. He fears that
the truth behind the death of Bhargavi and Sasikumar will be out once the story is published.
He attacks the novelist and a fight ensues. During the fight, both Naanukuttan and the novelist
reach the well in which Bharagavi was drowned. While trying to push the novelist into the well,
Naanukuttan loses his balance. He falls into the well and is killed, while the novelist has a
narrow escape. The novelist then prays for the peace of Bhargavi's soul and the movie ends with
the loud and happy laugh of Bhargavi.
A gem of a gem of a song in my favourite Karaharapriya raagam... composed by the musical genius
V. Dakshinamurthy (Swami) out of the lyrics by P. Bhaskaran, for the movie PRASAADAM. This song
has a lot of "emotional attachment" for me. This was my son's favourite song when he was a little baby,
and wanted to listen to it again and again and again... When we were on holidays in Pondicherry, my
brother-in-law had to scramble to find a copy of the song because my son kept on asking for it.
Great, great memories!
S. Janaki:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM-SnFUaF9U
K.J. Yesudas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ8VubaSsJY
Complete Yesudas version (audio):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQJd6Efxh-0
Song: samayamithapoorva saayaahnam…
Movie: HARIKRISHNANS (1998)
Directed by: Fazil
Actors: Mammootty, Mohanlal, Kunchacko Boban, Juhi Chawla, Nedumudi Venu, et al.
Lyrics: Kaithapram
Music: Ouseppachan
Singers: M.G. Srreekumar, K.S. Chithra & K.J. Yesudas
Raaga: Navarasa kanada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M5ryka4bII
samayamithapoorva saayaahnam amrutham shivamaya sangeetham
haripadhamanaadhi sOpaanam anagha sukruthamee swara hrudayam
ennantharaathmaavil ninnaathma sallaapam ee janmam samboorRNam dhEvi…