Malayalam Film Music

[raagadevan]

Sharath singing - is it the Nedumudi venu part?

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!

"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?

[RR]

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?

[raagadevan]

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:

[RR]

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..

[RR]

For today..

Song: mamakam palakuri kondadi
Album: Vasanthageethangal
MD: Raveendran
Lyrics: ?



I'm hooked on this song since Saturday.. why? I simply don't know. That I guess is the beauty of the song.

[raagadevan]

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.

[raagadevan]

RR: This is for you; a rare video of Raveendran himself singing a shortened version of "mamankam palakuri koNdaadi..." on stage:

[RR]

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..

[raagadevan]

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..."



Isn't this Hamsadhwani?

[RR]

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..