"Kondagali Thirigindhi Gunde" - Uyyala Jampala (1960)

Author: Vicky Iyengar

Composition Extraordinaire & Voice Immortal

Series 11

“Kondagaali Thirigindhi Gunde” – (Uyyala Jampala - 1960), Voice: P Susheela & Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao & Composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao

In the Waters Vast Expanse, Arudra’s Poetic Verses! - An Aphoristic Melody with Ghantasala & Legendary Vocal Remnants of Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma!

Uyyala Jampala (1960) was a Melodrama produced by Anupama Films – G Veerabhadra Rao and had Kongara Jaggaiah & Krishnakumari as the main lead with Gummadi & Chalam in supporting roles. The Musical Score was composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao with lyrical support from Arudra & Kosaraju. Hailing from Vanukuru, Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, Pendyala learnt to play the “Harmonium”, while accompanying his father, Sitaramiah to Stage Dramas. In the early 1930’s he played the characters of Jambavathi, Rukmini & Narada “Tulabaram” a mythological stage play along with Jonnavithula Seshagiri, Rushyendramani, Lakshmirajyam and got rave reviews.

It was the yesteryear actress, the legendary Pasupuleti Kannamba’s Producer-Director husband Kadaru Nagabhushanam who spotted the young Pendyala’s talent and asked him to join his orchestral team as an Assistant headed by S. V. Venkataraman (“Meera”, “Manohara”, “Singari”, “Kodeeswaran”, “Irumbuthirai”) & S. B. Dinakar Rao (“Tingu Ranga”), the duo were then composing the musical score for the Telugu Film “Thalli Prema (1941). Later he was hired by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam to work for “Mayalokam” (1945) as Harmonist & Arranger under the lesser known composer Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao. However, it was the acclaimed Director, Producer & Cinematographer Kovelamudi Surya Prakash Rao (K. S. Prakash Rao) who signed the young and promising Pendyala as a Independent Composer for his film “Drohi” (1948). Thus began the illustrious career of Pendyala, who went on to score music for 100 films (Modhati Rathri, Kannathalli, Jyothi, Menarikam, Donga Ramudu, Muddu Bidda, Bhagya Rekha, M.L.A, Sri Krishna Garadi, Jayabheri, Uyyala Jampala, Bhatti Vikramarka, Mahakavi Kalidasu, Sri Venkateswara Mahathmyam, Vagdanam, Mahamanthri Thimmarasu, Kula Gothralu, Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham, Ramudu Bheemudu, Sri Krishna Thulabaram, Bandipotu Dongalu, Ananda Nilayam, Bhoomikosam, Deeksha, Suprabhatham, Chanakya Chandragupta & Priya Bhandavi to name a few) over a span of 21 years and gave some memorable hits including the mentioned song.

Composer Pendyala was also officially credited (in 1952) for introducing our own Susheelamma as a playback singer for the Telugu film “Kanna Thalli”which was also incidentally directed by K.S. Prakash Rao. But evidence indicate that our Gana Saraswathi Susheelamma had already recorded a duet “Jaya Jaya Sri Malvaraja Kulamani” with A V Saraswathi for the film “Adhrusta Deepudu” (1950 – HMV/Columbia N28781) & in “Sri Lakshmamma Katha” (1950 – A Short Verse) for the legendary C. R. Subburaman which was confirmed by Susheelamma in an interview to the National Daily “The Hindu” a few years back.

The soundtrack consisted of 9 songs voiced by Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, Ghantasala, P Leela, B Gopalam (Azhagar Malai Kalvan), Jamuna Rani & P Susheela. The songs are “Etaloni Keratalu” (M Balamuralikrishna), “Nilone Ughe”(P Susheela), “Amdala Ramudu” (P Leela), “Umgaral Juttu Vadu” (P Susheela), “Rukminamma”(P Susheela), “Kondagali Tirigindhi” (P Susheela/Ghantasala), “Dachina Dagudu Valapu” (P Susheela & Ghantasala), “O Poye Poye” (Ghantasala), “Kayam Dadu” (Jamuna Rani/B Gopalam).

Pendyala, the mystical composer unhesitatingly chose his favorite songstress during the golden era to render these solo-duet compositions knowing that he would reap the benefits of her repertory – melodic nuance, deep haunting vocals, sterling musicianship and dedicated performance.

One of the finest songs with aphoristic tinge, Arudra’s vivid poetic imagination takes us on minimalist musical ride in a “Padava” (boat) – an astonishing scenic journey to the coastal waters of the Andhra Pradesh and quaint country towns. We get to smell the aromatic and intoxicating fragrances of “Mogali”(Kerwa Flower) & “Naagamalli” (Long Stem Jasmine), have a glimpse of “Pallupitta” (the Indian Blue Jay), and witness the nearness of the distant moon on a daylight sky (Patta Pagalu Siri Vennala Bharatha Natyam Aadindhi).

Though, the weight of the song undisputedly rests on Ghantasala’s vocals, it is the foundational & mesmerising trance-like alaaps of Susheelamma (especially the vibrato portions) that ably support the interludel woodwind columns sways us to explore the sub-continental coastal landscape. Now you know why Pendyala cherry-picked her – the sheer radiance in her voice! Comparisons in a Duet can be interesting – sometimes...

Let us Begin the Ride.....

Kondagaali Thirigindhi, Gunde Uusulaadindhi
Godaavari Varada Laaga Korika Chelaregindhi...aaaaa

Puttamiidha Paalapitta Pongipoyi Kurikindhi
Gattu Meedha Kanne Ledhi Ghamntu Lesi Aadindhi
Patta Pagalu Siri Vennela Bharata Naatyam Maadindhi..aaaa..oooo...aaaaa
Patta Raani Letha Valapu Paravasinchi Paadindhi

In both the first & second verse of the Poem, the melodic part starts incrementally, combining atmospheric vocals of Ghantasala and high pitched melodic sound (Alaap) of Susheelamma for the most part - intertwined for a woodwind pattern. Hear Susheelamma’s short progressive (flute-like melody sort of overtone) vocal dance in “Patta Pagalu Siri Vennela Bharata Naatyam Maadindhi..aaaa..oooo...aaaaa” that captures the essence of Arudra’s verse!

Kondagaali Thirigindhi, Gunde Uusulaadindhi
Godaavari Varada Laaga Korika Chelaregindhi ...aaaaa...aaaaa..aaaa..

Mogali Puulu Vaasanatho Jagathii Murisi Poyindhi
Naagamalli Puulatho Nallani Jada Navvindhi...ahhhh...ahhhh....ahhh
Paduchu Dhanam Amdhaaniki Taambuulamichindhi....aaaaaa.....aaaaa....aaaaa (ending with Susheelamma's vibrato)
Praapta Munna Theeraaniki Padava Saagi Poyindhi

What makes this song so valuable – Firstly, profound, well-balanced & innovative composition and Secondly, is the singing of Susheelamma – resplendent & beautiful. Unfortunately for us, voices like this just aren't around any longer!

Kondagaali Thirigindhi, Gunde Uusulaadindhi
Godaavari Varada Laaga Korika Chelaregindhi....aaaa....aaaaa.....aaaaa

Susheelamma sculpts this song like a master craftsman each time ending in unison with Ghantasala’s vocals. In the end, it was Susheelamma’s voice that made the Indian Blue Jay jealous of her: clean, pure, with perfect intonation and just enough interpretive Alaap to make the composer’s message ring true. And the composers—all of them—loved her. Susheelamma respected the lyric in its true naked sense. Susheelamma—this graceful, legendary professional artist—sang so, so beautifully. See and hear for yourself via this clip. It speaks volumes of her vocal properties & unsurpassed interpretations.

Koti Paranams to Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma!