Makkal thilagam's flair for music
Shall we analyse some of the songs that featured in Makkal thilagam’s movies …….
Its an established fact that MGR had a wonderful flair for music . This also had made legendary composers like MSV-TKR, KVM benefited to a larger extent.
Another classic example is 2 splendid compositions that Shankar Ganesh duo did for :
1.Naan yen pirandhen
2.Idhaya veenai
From an above average standards , ShankarGanesh’s fame rose to dizzy heights after the 2 movies…..and they are still being remembered today for the above 2 movies ! and such was the extraordinary musical sense by MGR !
Rarely we have come across MGR’s songs not being popular…….
The late 60s and early 70s witnessed some incredible music from Mellisai Mannar .
KANNAN EN KAADHALAN
I restrict myself to the songs only as MGR was ahead of times on picturisation ( Makkal Thilagam did wonders despite the not so advanced stages of cinematography )…probably to overcome his limitations as an actor ( say like Shivaji ) he focused on other finer aspects of making a movie and established himself as a model for future generation. ….sheer survival instinct must have made MGR successful in life …after all when he became a dominant hero, he was already in his late 30s !
The greatness of the 2 legendary personalities MSV and IR stems from the fact that they studied the whole storyline , at times guide the Director as to how and when a song can be positioned so that it will have maximum impact which ultimately will contribute to the overall success of the movie…..such was their professional commitment ….there were instances where both had made mind boggling changes at the last minute to make a tune or a BGM more meaningful …..
There is a reason for highlighting this fact as, in this movie too , a song was needed to PROVOKE and ENTHUSE A HANDICAPPED PERSON TO STAND UP AND DANCE ….
How to make one handicapped character cheerful and stand up , dance ??
The tune, the rhythm and the background music should be so scintillating that it automatically triggers passion and enthusiasm ……..
Here comes a brilliant, imaginative composition from the LITTLE MASTER OF MELODY
PAADUVOR PAADINAAL AADA THONDRUM….
This song was finalized after several tunes by MSV and finally shorlisted and finalized by MGR……
True ….. when TMS is the singer , the pulling power of his voice will make even someone down physiologically and psychologically, to get thrilled and stand up to dance !
And when it gets associated with stalwarts like Mellisai mannar, Makkal thilagam ….its something special…….
Its no wonder that JJ will start dancing …. At times twist dance also …..
The situation ….. MGR , in a birthday party, in suit , sitting proudly with a piano and starts …….
TMS starts with somewhat like a virutham…slowly singing Paaduvor paadinaal ( a gentle piano background )
After a brief pause , there will be splendid combination of Piano and violin with tabla and drums and bangoos once again ! ( with just these support instruments MSV created a magic those days ) finally with clapping…..
There will be parallel shots showing a cheerful MGR, the party members , JJ’s foot , trying to control but gradually getting tempted by the pull of the song’s rhythm, shaking of head acknowledging the splendid rhythm and finally will storm in to dance…..
Paaduvor paadinaal aadathondrum…..
The interludes before the charanam …..paatil suvaiyirundhaal aatam thaanay varum…..its a virtual war between flute , piano, violin, tabla again !
One gets tempted to rewind several times when TMS reaches the stage ….Thannai marandhadhu kandu , thulli ezundhadhu vandu…..nooladarndha idai dhaan neliya…nooru kodi vindhai puriya…….nooru kodi vindhai puriya……. A big pause …….and TMS resumes again with a clapping
The tune, the rhythm pattern will all be exact match for the situation…. MG trying to enthuse cheer and audio delight …. will make everyone dance automatically
Also, as the scene warranted Makkal thilagam to sit and play Piano, he was totally restricted from making his routine mannerisms…..Kayyayum kaalayum asaikaamal MGR illai ! but as if he is tied to the instrument, MG will respond to the song ……at times using one hand to run through the piano while using the other hand for demonstrating his expressions ! quite a fascinating character Makkal thilagam is !
The same song will get repeated and this time the scenario will be totally different as Vanishree will be tempted to stand up and dance…..
SIRITHAAL THANGA PADHUMAI…adada adada enna pudhumai…..koduthen endhan manadhai ……. A song which will speak volumes of MSV melody…. Its another gem of a duet from PS – TMS…..This is a typical Makkal thilagam song , loaded with melody….this type of song , one can hear quite regularly in his movies….few examples are Unnai paarthu kondirundhaal paatu varum, Chinnavalai mugam sivandhavalai….
MINIMINAY KANMANIYAY KONDAVALAY ENNIDAMAY…… a song with a difference….rhythm pattern will be different …..TMS this time with LRE …its one of the best of LRE
One reason why MSV songs are still being cherished now , could be that of his long association with Makkal thilagam…..who must have made MSV work overtime and stretch to the maximum so that the best output comes….the more you ignite a gold and more will be its shine …..
I have heard that some of MSV - MGR’s rejected tunes were used for other movies and they also became hits later !
I continue to wonder the enchanting melodies of Makkal thilagam’s movies which have stood the test of times and are still being heard at large …….
For those who question Makkal thilagam’s limitations as an actor should look at other positive sides ……his flair for music, the picturisation, the manner in which he instituted basic discipline through his movies , the way he positioned himself smartly to capture the hearts of the entire Tamilnadu
Lets appreciate the fact that anything that is conveyed through a movie gets the attention of an ordinary citizen and its paramount that positive messages are communicated and MG took care that they are presented in the most ideal manner
Lets also forget and forgive his off screen image on personal front with fellow stars …..Are we 100 % pure, clean and sincere in our personal life ?? lets ask this question to our inner consciousness and you will get an answer ….