"Chinna Ponnu Singari" - Paasavalai (1956)

Author: Vicky Iyengar

Composition Extraordinaire & Voice Immortal

Series - 3

"Chinna Ponnu Singaari” (Paasavalai - 1956), Voice: P Susheela & Composed by Viswanathan-Ramamurthy

  

A Racy Number by VR Duo Coupled with Ma’s Incredible Vocals.

It was a Saturday night (One of those Harsh Canadian Winter) a few months ago and I decided to watch an old flick under the covers. The first flick that came to my mind was "Paasavalai". I always heard good reviews about Modern Theatres “Paasavalai” (MK Radha, Gopalakrishnan, Rajamani, G Varalakshmi) including the musical score of Duo Viswanathan Ramamurthy. I was quite familiar with “Anbinale Undaagum” by the great poet Pattukottai and sung very graciously by C S Jayaraman from the same movie. Jikki had her chance too in the form of “Lol Lol Lol”.

Since our beloved Ma was given Title Credits, I swear I was not aware of her songs in “Paasavalai”. As Amma's devotee, how did I ever miss this masterpiece?. I should not be forgiven for this slack.

Curiosity brimming and almost half way into the movie, a pretty woman (Rajamani) showed up on the screen lipping the mentioned song. The song lasted approximately 3+ minutes are so. I was glued the entire duration with amazement. The song was immortalized in my mind and heart.

It took me a few minutes to figure out this racy composition and VR’s genius, let alone Ma’s incredible babyish vocals (reminds of early Lata's renderings for Anil Biswas). She is in glorious voice with a golden throat and ease of vocalism - getting more refined to handle complex pieces later in her long musical innings. Foot Note: No one today can soar as confidently into high Cs with as much gorgeous tone as our Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma. (Paal Polave).

This song is almost 60 years old now. Ma was probably in her early tees (21 to be precise) when she rendered this particular piece. She also sang another one “Mathippu Ketta Mama”. The other songs were by Jikki, Jamunarani and probably A P Komala. No one knows why the Composer chose Amma for this racy number. Usually Jikki sings racy and vampy numbers in those days and some good melodies were given to Vasanthakumari and Leela and we all know how it turned out. Listen to “Koovamal Koovum Kokilam” from Vairamalai – MLV/TLN/VR and draw your own conclusions. Would the song be any different had Amma collaborated? I bet it would be.

The initial Waltzy humming by Amma (Soprano) tells you that the Pallavi & Charanams are going to be impressive as well. Due credit is to be given to the orchestration here especially the woodwind & violin interludes (operatic) that bridges the Pallavi and first Charanam - are mind-blowing. I see the brilliant handprints of the great Violinist T K Ramamurthy here. Ma’s voice is pure, innocent, mischiefy, clear and light floating up in the higher notes.

You can almost visualize her as she places the notes in her throat and sets them out in the air to vibrate – "Anna Nadai Azhagodu Aadi Paadum Alangaari" “Ennai Nee Paarayo..Aruginil Vaarayo..Mannava Naam Magizhndhu Vaazhvom Idhayam Kalandhu” with her millionth of a second signature pause. That is the high point of the song, VR & Ma mesmerizes you.

Believe it or not, I just froze and melted and replayed it god knows how many times – those lines alone. phrasing, color, dynamics, language – she did it with perfection. Kudos to Maruthakasi as well. Look at the rare speed (bhrigas) she gets into when she recites "Alangaari". She alone and only she alone can get this job done.

Again the VR duo bridge the second charanam (slightly different meter) with Ma’s alaap and interludes only worthy of them. The orchestra plays magnificently, making you feel as if you are in attendance at your favorite Ma’s recording. “Minnidum Kangal Maththappu..Kannam Irandum Rojapoo…Ennum Pothe Inbamalikkum Kanni Endhan Santhippu”. Listen to how Ma lands the sound “ppu”. These Tamil words should be blessed to pass through Ma's Vocal Chords. Diction & Clarity are the hallmarks of Ma’s repertoire. Who can compete with her?

In the second charanam Amma asks "Thanimayil Endrum Inimai Thaan Edhu - Samayam Un Vaazhvile Meendume Varaadhu.. But, listening to your masterpeices alone behind closed doors is a captured blissful experience in itself......Amma.

This composition is a classic, passionate and an addictive number. It would be almost a sin to allow this piece to become stale and tired. Finally, I loved every minute of it and saw the song sequence several times over and over.

If, like me, you have heard Ma’s several thousand stellar renderings/compositions, give this one a try. It may not turn this into one of your favorite songs, but it will change the way you think of Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma, the Legend.

Koti Pranams to Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma

"Daliya Pookkale Chumbichu" - Nizhalattam (1970)

Author: Vicky Iyengar

Composition Extraordinaire & Voice Immortal

Series - 2

"Daaliya Pookkale Chumbichu” (Nizhalattam - 1970), Voice: P Susheela & Composed by G. Devarajan

A Rare treat to our Ears & Inner Soul. That is exactly what I would call this Composition. Though I originally decided to pick Rare Hidden Gems from the 50’s and 60’s, I couldn’t resist this extraordinary meditative/trance like number. Hereon, I will also cover Ma Saraswathi’s Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada repertoire as well. I am not quite sure as to how many of us out there are quite familiar with this silent masterpiece. I discovered this piece by accident a while ago and since then I have become addicted to this song.

A Word of Caution: The songs that I pick are based on my tastes, although a listener's personal preferences may vary. No hard feelings!!!!!

No introduction is needed on Maestro Devarajan’s body of work (Pithamaha or Grand Sire of Malayalam Cine Music), as he has widely experimented with Carnatic Ragas in his Compositions for over 300 films, a feat indeed. Our Beloved Susheelamma was his favorite singer and the two have collaborated to produce many immortal gems that still rules the heart of the masses and many modern day composers consider him their Guru. Somewhere in a reality show the Maestro's name is mouthed at least once a day. Such is the profound impact of a man who scaled the peaks of Malayalam Film Music with his sheer brilliance and command over the Carnatic Ragas. He had an uncanny knack of blending the carnatic ragas and light music thereby creating monolithic orchestral melodies. Listen to "Sravana Chandrika" when time permits.

In the mentioned song, three genius (s) are at their work meticulously sorta friendly battle- Vayalar Rama Varma, Ma Saraswathi & of course G. Devarajan.

What is that I am addicted to in this song: It's simple. Music, Voice & importantly the Lyrics with a dose/tinge of sanskritism. G. Devarajan let Amma and Vayalar play around each other with their own extraordinary abilities and there was born a hidden masterpiece.

For a veteran like G. Devarajan, he chose to keep his orchestration simple, nothing complex or out of the ordinary, but yet very creative - an atmospheric ambience. However what astonishes me is the way he had extracted the essence of nectar from our Ma’s voice word by word & syllable by syllable (audibility-diction-clarity). She carries the weight of the song on her shoulders. One is blown away, the way she croons "Mundhiri Paathramo" or "Priya Manoraadhyame" or "Hemantha Rathri" or "Kamukha Manthramo" or "Moorgha Soundaryame" or "Vidhyadhara Sthreegal" or "Maahendra Neela Ratnangalum". Oh boy, how did she get them right everytime? Once Vayalar's words passes through Ma's vocal chords, they acquire a special tonal significance (reverberations).

How can we ever repay this Ma Saraswathi for her contributions? Never.....we will always be indebted to her.

Some may argue that G. Devarajan’s measured tempi may be a little bit slow. But he shows his meticulosity in this recording by showcasing all of Vayalar’s poetry and Ma’s trance like vocals making it nothing less than magical.

At the end of last charanam, the music stops and Ma recites the pallavi - this is one of the composition’s most touching moments. Suffice it to say that Ma ultimately sings well and brings this piece to a melodic and affecting conclusion.

I don't know what else to say except that all the cosmic elements are here. Every component of the recorded cinematic experience - composer, lyricist, musicians, and a songstress with an ultimate divine voice - exercising mastery at world-class levels. If one cannot appreciate the genius (s) of these three, there is something stubborn inside us. It feels like listening to Puccini’s “La Boheme”…all over.

Now, you know what to do……..Try to recall Ma’s feelings, sincerity and intentions in her rendition.

Koti Pranams to Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma

"Malargal Nanainthana Paniyale" - Idhaya Kamalam (1965)

Author: Vicky Iyengar

Composition Extraordinaire & Voice Immortal

Series - 1

"Malargal Nanaindhana Paniyale" (Idhaya Kamalam- 1965), Voice: P Susheela & Composed by K. V. Mahadevan

                              

A Beautiful Aria with orchestral accompaniment set to tune in Raga Mohanam by Swara Brahma K V Mahadevan.

K V Mahadevan's conducting is rather on the slow side, with plenty of orchestral detail but with a good deal of dramatic drive as well. He sure does emphasize the sheer beauty of the score, but that works marvelously in tandem with Amma's signature voice - depth, clarity, balance, presence, dynamic range. In every respect,

Ma's voice suits the character with the right blend of vocal equilibrium and she is simply beyond comparison. I vividly recall this song as this one really touched my heart and relaxes my soul whenever I am down. The pallavi and charanams are wonderfully sung by Amma in her usual style and with emotional connection under KVM's baton.

Who wins in this race? Undoubtedly it is our beloved Ma Sarasawathi Susheelamma. The opening prelude sets the mood of the song with the perfect orchestration. Then comes Amma with her voice ripe, full and with vigor, right from the entrance to Pallavi and it flows like liquid sunshine. Amma's diction & Phrasing is phenomenal and makes this song truly delightful. This composition will outlive us all.

Just listen to 2nd Charanam "Iraivan Murugan Thiruveetil En Idhayathinaal oru Vilakketri" and that's where I melted like a Candle. The "eee" sound with which she ends the lines is so pronounced, it leaves you awestruck and only Amma and Amma alone can make that line memorable. You will hear her at her peak (1965) and absolute prime when those ringing high notes just take your breath away in this song and no one else not now and ever can come closer to this ultra perfect rendition.

I have to confess that once her voice stopped crooning, I could feel a hardened salty drop of tear after a few minutes. Susheelamma is a gift to Tamil Cinema as Maria Callas was to Italian Opera. She truly is a legend and an inspiration to upcoming singers. Now sit back with closed eyes and enjoy this best ever collaboration of Amma & Swara Brahma and don't bother to try to seek out blemishes....there absolutely are none.

Koti Pranams to Ma Saraswathi Susheelamma.