Shankarabharanam

Ever since I stumbled on this gem on Jio music, has been wanting to write about the songs from the movie. I prefer slightly classical touch on movie songs accompanied by good lyrics to go with as well. K.V Mahadevan has composed most of my favorites from the Puranam/ Raja-rani series of movies. Be it Thiruvilaiyaadal or Konjum Salanagai or numerous other instances where the songs are class apart and are evergreen even 7 decades after. I vaguely remember hearing these songs growing up. During that time there was no recorder or player in our house and the tenant next door used to play these songs at a high volume, much to the chagrin of my parents, as it would disturb our studies. Recently, while going back home was song hopping across genres and landed up with KVM hits. I didn’t realize at first that the playlist was a mixed bag of tamil and telugu as well. So when “Omkara naadhaanu” song started, I was about to switch over to the next one. Sensing some familiarity around the song I decided to stay on it for a bit more and wow!! What followed next was the literal equivalent of “inba then vanthu paayuthu kaathiniley”.

I immediately googled for details about the movie, song and for trivia around it. Apparently Balamurali Krishna was roped in to play the songs and last minute KVM chose SPB to deliver, who basically was untrained on classical music. For the initial portions of the song “Omkara naadhanu” I almost felt SPB was trying to mimic Balamurali or maybe the audio was poor. But after that, it is his show all the way. There is a duet segment on the same song voiced over by S.Janaki. I couldn’t understand a word of the lyrics but from the emotions voiced, I believe it is about the admiration of the lady over the prowess of the singer. She gushes out and even continues with the song. The amalgamation of both their voices, crown the glorious song and one could almost visualize the claps in auditorium. Surprisingly, this song is indeed picturized on an auditorium and is the opening song with title credits running.

I decided to explore the other songs on the album and landed with “Bro che va” song. S.Janaki has this mesmerizing quality in her voice, which she manages to portray for heroines, mouthing sensuous lyrics and for kids as well. This song I believe is set for a student-guru scene, where SPB sings for the tutor and Janaki for the pupil. You could almost make out the aged person, trying to teach from the slightly trembling and tired voice of SPB. That guy is a sure genius who can make his voice act!!! It’s a short song and that set me all the more curious about the movie and the album. “Ragam thaalam pallavi” is your standard Carnatic song and almost has a stamp of familiarity about it and the voice similarity with Balamurali is unmissable. I almost thought it was the latter and on googling only got to know SPB has sung this one as well. Apparently it seems “Thaalam” is pronounced as “Thaanam” in telugu it seems(??!) Finally  the “Dorakuna” song. If you keep listening to the whole album in sequence mentioned, by this time, the versatility of SPB’s voice modulation would’ve made you realize that the male lead is ageing and probably on his last days. The song begins with an aged and tired sounding SPB’s voice accompanied with a soul stirring veena( or tambura??) sound. Halfway through the song, SPB’s voice throws up a rage of cough and Vani Jayaram’s voice pitches in for company. I don’t know how to describe voices in general. But there is something ..hmm…shrill/strong sense about vani jayaram’s voice and especially in this song, it is almost as if the voice/person is calling out for (god’s)help. A cry for support or help. I guess it is the song where the male lead breathes his last may be.

I’ve been listening to these songs on loop since almost a month now and the songs seems to switch on by default inside mind, even if I am not connected to any device!!! Eternally grateful for such artisans for having composed and created such magical numbers. Blessed are these musician folks, for they can transcend any boundary – be it language or otherwise. If you guys haven’t given this album a try, even though it is highly improbably and the movie itself is like 40 plus years old, plus if you are a semi Carnatic songs fan, do give this a try. I wish I knew a bit of these raga’s and swara’s to appreciate these songs better. Inspiring stuff.