MS Viswanathan performing in ‘MSV on the Grand Piano’ at the Museum Theatre, Chennai on September 29, 2008. | Photo courtesy: Ravindran R
A series of programmes titled ‘MSV Isai Vizha’ is being organised by Mohan Nair, son-in-law of legendary composer MS Viswanathan. The series will feature thematic renditions of MSV’s tunes. The inauguration (programme supported by Abbas Cultural; orchestra Udaya Ragam UK Murali Inisai Mazhai) gave the audience a glimpse of the Kannadasan-MSV collaboration.
TMS’s son Balraj sang ‘Pulanguzhal Kodutha Moongilgale’. Gandhi Kannadasan explained how the song came to be. AVM’s Saraswathi Stores wanted to make an album of songs about Krishna for HMV. When AVM Kumaran approached Kannadasan, the poet wrote eight songs one after the other. It took MSV less than a day to compose the music. One of these songs is ‘Amarjeevitham’ – Kannadasan’s first song in Sanskrit, which MSV sang. The album is titled krishna ganam It turned out to be a huge success.
Gandhi said A.V. Ramanan’s light music troupe Musiano took ‘Pullanguzhal Kodutha’ to every nook and corner of Tamil Nadu by making it the opening song in all concerts.
With Kannadasan and Sridhar during the composition sessions for MSV Sumaithangi
| Photo courtesy: The Hindu Archives
‘Agayapandalile’ was performed by Balraj and Mathangi Ajithkumar. The background music, which shows two people running to meet each other, plays a major role in the appeal of the song. In the film PonnujaalBefore the song starts, Shivaji and Usha Nandini fall into each other’s arms and gasp while walking through the fields. Full marks to Murali’s orchestra for bringing out the beauty of the background music.
Kavitha and UK Murali take the stage with the film ‘Yadum Ore’ Ninaithale InikkumKannadasan starts the song with this famous line Purananuru,
TM Soundararajan with MSV during recording at Kothandapani Studios, Chennai on December 10, 2008. | Photo Credit: SS Kumar
Balraj sang the TMS song ‘Paramasivan Kazhuthilirundu’ (movie) solar radiance) The film shows Kannadasan singing this song on stage. Annadurai Kannadasan shared an anecdote about this song. Major Sundarrajan was supposed to be the singer in the film. But Jayalalithaa insisted that Kannadasan should play the singer’s role. The poet had a fractured collarbone and appeared on screen with a black shawl draped over his shoulder to hide the bandage.
MSV with his orchestra | Photo courtesy: The Hindu Archives
OS Arun recalled that he was in the audience during a programme when MSV called out his name and asked him to sing. Arun sang the Sindhubhairavi bhajan. When Arun finished singing, MSV sang ‘Raman Ethanai Ramanadi’, a song that he (MSV) had set to tune in the same raga. As Arun sang ‘Adhisaaya Ragam’ (film) Apoorva Raagangal), one cannot help but marvel at MSV’s talent. The song is in Raga Mahathi, with the charanam ‘Oru Puram Paarthal’ in Bhairavi. Who would have thought that Mahathi with only four notes could create such a wonderful song?
Music director Bharadwaj said he and MSV performed a programme called ‘Andrum Indrum’. When Bharadwaj sang ‘Unnodu Vaazhda’, which he (Bharadwaj) had tuned, MSV wanted to play the harmonium, as he liked the tune. Bharadwaj said a song is nothing but dialogue in the form of music. Every song has to convey some message. This is possible only if the music is apt, and MSV made it that way. “MSV’s improvisations were amazing,” said singer Srinivas, who sang MSV’s ‘Nilave Ennidum’ in a low voice without any background music.
From the inaugural edition of the ‘MSV Isai Vizha’ series | Photo Courtesy: Special arrangement
Srinivas said, “Though what I sang was what we all heard, I wonder how many versions MSV must have made before finalising the tune.” All the songs selected for the programme had Kannadasan’s lyrics, but some songs were composed by MSV and TK Ramamoorthy together.
Sapna Sundarrajan, who sang ‘Andru Vandadum’ (music by MSV and TKR), deserves a special mention for her melodious voice.
MSV’s right hand man Chandru was given the cash prize. Jayanthi Thangabalu who did a series on MSV for Mega TV got the MSV award.
