I’ve a playlist of about 3000 songs and counting, which gets a daily addition, as and when I stumble on something interesting. Today, the app algorithm decided to treat me with IR hits. Dhalapathi movie (yesteryear Rajini hit) being the prominent of the lot.
It may or may not been his best, but I’ve a special memory about this movie, for it was one of the very few movies that I saw in theater with my dad. He had got a pass for the 90th day celebration of that movie and we had balcony tickets. Since the theater owner was his close friend, I got free popcorn too J Just like Roja and Indian for Doordarshan, to slot them for Independence day or Republic day special runs, Pongal festival would always be associated with the songs from this movie. “Maargazhi thaan odi poachu bogi aachu” song was a longtime favorite of mine. I remember pestering my mom for that “thappu” molam instrument to play for bogi only to get it played on my backside by her with rhythmic beating. Kids from nearby streets used to gather all waste materials and would’ve “customized“ bon fires. Some would throw in “buss” aana vedi, which would suddenly realize their pent up emotion and would explode, throwing nearby cyclists out of their balance. Slowly pollution became a big topic and despite all those black soot and smog covered lanes, probably being the most colorful part of any childhood, the realization that it is a bad practice to burn things, more or less killed the joy around that festival. The song which was a tribute to that festival is now a requiem.
The next one, the most famous one, being the dance duet of Rajini and mammooty – kaatukuyil song. Right from the percussion beats that kick start the song, there is an infectious energy associated with it and it remains even decades after its launch. It is not just picturized on the two megastars, but the playback involved probably the best of voices from south india, ever. SPB Jesudas combo is no less a match than the actors on screen. The youthful punch in SPB’s voice, in tango with slightly matured and nuanced rendering of jesudas is something that can’t be explained in words. Just listening to that song will refresh any tired mind. Picturization of the song though is a whole different level altogether. With slow motion effect all throughout, the segment where Rajini dances with one paati would be too cute. Age wise they might’ve been just couple of years apart is a different discussion. In my school days the in between section of “raakkama” song having a Devaaram interlude, was in our memoriter section. With some portions of the song hitting way high notes and some falling into whisper level, with the now famous violin interludes, the song was an epic from composing perspective. Sounds as fresh today as it was decades back.
“Yamunai aatriley” was my immediate favorite from very first listen itself, of the entire album. With its recent claim to remembrance and additional fame, owing to its repeated reference in the hit movie “96”, I always wished it was bit more lengthier as a composition. Probably nectar is best enjoyed in small quantities. Same goes for this song as well. And “Chinna thaai aval” song is something that I would try to avoid and yet listen to each time with moist eyes. There is something in Janaki’s voice and that song. Guess that song as well would’ve been picturized in slow motion. There is a scene where a tear drop would fall from Srividya’s eye and the composition for that scene – poetic. As if ilayaraja knew she was going to cry in that scene and the lyricist as well or was it picturized that way after hearing the song composition?!! Whichever was the reason, it sure is a classic shot. And that single jasmine flower, that falls from her head which Rajini picks it and places on his enormously big palms (the close up shot would’ve make it look like a saucer!!) would be a touching one as well.
There were some more songs on that playlist that triggered lot more memories. Will share a separate note on them J
It may or may not been his best, but I’ve a special memory about this movie, for it was one of the very few movies that I saw in theater with my dad. He had got a pass for the 90th day celebration of that movie and we had balcony tickets. Since the theater owner was his close friend, I got free popcorn too J Just like Roja and Indian for Doordarshan, to slot them for Independence day or Republic day special runs, Pongal festival would always be associated with the songs from this movie. “Maargazhi thaan odi poachu bogi aachu” song was a longtime favorite of mine. I remember pestering my mom for that “thappu” molam instrument to play for bogi only to get it played on my backside by her with rhythmic beating. Kids from nearby streets used to gather all waste materials and would’ve “customized“ bon fires. Some would throw in “buss” aana vedi, which would suddenly realize their pent up emotion and would explode, throwing nearby cyclists out of their balance. Slowly pollution became a big topic and despite all those black soot and smog covered lanes, probably being the most colorful part of any childhood, the realization that it is a bad practice to burn things, more or less killed the joy around that festival. The song which was a tribute to that festival is now a requiem.
The next one, the most famous one, being the dance duet of Rajini and mammooty – kaatukuyil song. Right from the percussion beats that kick start the song, there is an infectious energy associated with it and it remains even decades after its launch. It is not just picturized on the two megastars, but the playback involved probably the best of voices from south india, ever. SPB Jesudas combo is no less a match than the actors on screen. The youthful punch in SPB’s voice, in tango with slightly matured and nuanced rendering of jesudas is something that can’t be explained in words. Just listening to that song will refresh any tired mind. Picturization of the song though is a whole different level altogether. With slow motion effect all throughout, the segment where Rajini dances with one paati would be too cute. Age wise they might’ve been just couple of years apart is a different discussion. In my school days the in between section of “raakkama” song having a Devaaram interlude, was in our memoriter section. With some portions of the song hitting way high notes and some falling into whisper level, with the now famous violin interludes, the song was an epic from composing perspective. Sounds as fresh today as it was decades back.
“Yamunai aatriley” was my immediate favorite from very first listen itself, of the entire album. With its recent claim to remembrance and additional fame, owing to its repeated reference in the hit movie “96”, I always wished it was bit more lengthier as a composition. Probably nectar is best enjoyed in small quantities. Same goes for this song as well. And “Chinna thaai aval” song is something that I would try to avoid and yet listen to each time with moist eyes. There is something in Janaki’s voice and that song. Guess that song as well would’ve been picturized in slow motion. There is a scene where a tear drop would fall from Srividya’s eye and the composition for that scene – poetic. As if ilayaraja knew she was going to cry in that scene and the lyricist as well or was it picturized that way after hearing the song composition?!! Whichever was the reason, it sure is a classic shot. And that single jasmine flower, that falls from her head which Rajini picks it and places on his enormously big palms (the close up shot would’ve make it look like a saucer!!) would be a touching one as well.
There were some more songs on that playlist that triggered lot more memories. Will share a separate note on them J
Comments
Lots to comment on. Dhalapathi is not a "yesteryear" Rajni hit. Its a "recent" hit ! Yesteryear would be Apoorva Ragangal :)
Don't you have any classics in your song list ? The few you have mentioned are all "recent" ones. What about pre Ilayaraja days ? You know, music existed even then :)