Given That Title Or Not, They're Our Treasures--Sangitha Kalanidhis...

[rajeshnat]

Vaali article part 1

Sketch- Mani and Courtesy-Vikatan - Slap for Vaali

[arasi]

This segment is from a series of articles written by VAli in Ananda VigaDan.

[kvchellappa]

Maha Kalaignan Somu
by
Tiruchi Selvendran

Somu at Sampurna Ramayanam shooting: The version from the above book
(translation of post 76 by kvijayan)
(The other version appeared in post 69)

Salem M A Venu was a famous film producer. He was general manager in Modern Theatre before becoming producer. One of his major productions was Sampurna Ramayanam. Sivaji Ganesan, N T Rama Rao, T K Bhagavthi, a galaxy of actors, acted in it. According to the storyline, Ravana, a chief character in it, was a great musician, a gifted singer, one who mesmerised God himself by his music. It was desired that Somu should sing some of the songs to be sung by Ravana. Though he declined it first, he relented when Sivaji requested him. Sivaji had deep interest in music though he would not sing himself. He was an ardent rasika of Somu.

The recording commenced. The music director was Nagerkovil K V Mahadevan. He was also a seasoned musician. Somu sang the song tuned by him, also improvising on his own. Everyone enjoyed and applauded it during rehearsal. But, when Somu sang again, he brought new sangatis, did not sing like a tape-recorded version. That was his innate ability, not many have it. It did not fit into film music which must be contained within a given time frame.
It is said that Sivaji sat with eyes closed and his make-up on, and enjoyed his singing during the rehearsal. When he heard new and newer sangatis each time Somu sang, his ecstasy knew no bounds. He removed from his neck his costly gold chain with the tiger nail tied to it, and placed it on Somu’s neck. M A Venu and many others who saw it were wonder-struck. For, Sivaji was thrifty. He would not let any friend take even one cigarette from his costly State Express (555) cigarette box.
What happened to the recording? Somu was not able to contain his imagination within the time limit set by the composer though he tried many times. Fearing difference of opinion, the producers wanted to take out a particular song. Somu told them to take out all the songs and left in a huff. Then, he was determined not to sing for films.
It is not correct as is generally believed that T K Bhagawathi was not able to make lip movements to synchronise with the song. Bhagawathi was a great stage actor who acted from the days of Boys Company plays. He was the brother of T K Shanmugam. Though he would not sing, he had training in singing.

[kvchellappa]

Snippets collected from Tiruchy Selvendran's book on Somu.

(http://maduraisomu.com/somu_varalaru.html
Life History of Madurai Somu by E. Angayarkanni, Professor of Music in Tamizh University)

1. It was not a trait of Somu to sing in proportion to the money paid. For that reason, Kripananda Variyar has praised Somu, “Somu does not sing looking at maNi (time) because he does not sing for money.” “What he dishes out is not a mere concert, it is nadopasana (worshipping god by music with thought, word and action being pure) in meditation of Muruga.”
2. Once Somu’s concert was scheduled in Srirangam. The organiser was Somu’s ardent rasika, Sondararajan, minister and a CM aficionado. Coming to know of this, the Jeer and the Bhattacharyas opposed it and wanted to stop it. The minister pacified them and apprised Somu of his predicament. Somu just nodded his head.
When Somu appeared on stage, all were taken aback. He had on his forehead sandal paste in the ‘namam’ fashion with kunkumam. He began the concert with ‘suklAmbaradharam vishnum..’ Then he sang alapana of Brindavana saranga followed by Rangapura vihAra of Dikshithar and it reverberated from every pillar of the temple. Everyone was moved and chanted ‘Ranga, Ranga, PerumALe, PerumALe.’
After the concert at midnight, the Jeer who was past ninety years asked for a tape of the concert and blessed Somu for long life.

[kvchellappa]

From the book of Tiruchi Selvendran
(http://maduraisomu.com/somuvaipatri/aelai.htm)

Simplicity of Somu
Even at the height of his fame, Somu travelled by bus or second class in train. Sometimes, his friend, Morsing Mahadevan, took him in his car. He never demanded any vehicle from anyone.

He lived a simple life as a poor man would. Senior artists who knew him intimately for long wondered how he was simple in choice of food, dress, and lifestyle in general, despite affluence.

Even when the organisers offered to lodge him in posh hotels, he chose to stay with his friends. He would not look for fan, mattress, or other comforts, but sleep on the floor in the bedding he had brought along. He would relish the Spartan food prepared in their houses though a meat-eater. Agoram Gurukkal of Tiruchi would describe how he would relish Vatha kuzhambu, vadakam and sutta appalam. Somu would stay in his house while visiting Tiruchi.

After the end of the concert that would extend to the wee hours of the next day normally, he would not go to any hotel or friends’ house or railway retiring room. He would go with his group to a vacant area of the railway platform and sleep there carefree till the train arrived. His close friends would remark that such a state was possible only for recluses with no desire.

[kvchellappa]

Sri.T.M.Anantharaman, critic, (from a friend of mine)
"One of the most popular musicians from Tamil Nadu had come to give a concert for the first time in the Shanmukhananda Hall, a venue patronized by the well-to-do, mostly Tamilian, Brahmin community in Mumbai. The Shanmukhananda Hall concert by Madurai Somu was remarkable for Somu’s ability to surprise the audience and give them something memorable. He sang the raga Kambodi, and, after essaying it in a brilliant fashion capturing all the nuances of the raga in the upper octaves region with effortless reach and flourish, Madurai Somu stopped and smilingly asked the violinist to continue. The predominantly Brahmin crowd in the audience were fully pleased with Somu’s rendition of raga Khambodi and were eagerly awaiting the kriti. Will he sing “Evarimata” or “Kana Kan Kodi Vendum”? They were speculating. Once the violinist finished playing, Somu smiled once again expansively as if reminiscing on some private, fun-laden anecdote. After clearing his throat, Somu broke the suspense with the astonishing words “Aandavane Illaye!” Then he paused. And, he repeated the phrase “Aandavane Illaye” a couple of times. Clearly, the vast majority of the audience, who were Tamilian Brahmins, was aghast at the irreverence which Somu was showing to the religious sentiments of the people, especially Brahmins! There was the expected `hush-hush’ among some elders muttering whether Madurai Somu had lost his marbles to keep on stressing the phrase “aandavne Illahye”. Somu smiled impishly once again and began the song “Aandavane Illaye, Thillai ambala thandavamadum, Natarajanai pola” and there was spontaneous response from the audience. The entire 2000-strong Carnatic music lovers stood up and clapped their appreciation and gave Madurai Somu a standing ovation."

[Ranganayaki]

What an enjoyable thread! Thanks to Arasi, Rajesh, KVC, and others who've shared.

[varsha]

An old post

I played that part long long ago and wrote about it in a thread on Somu in this forum , before the crash.You can try it out this time around.

Imagine you are asked to visit Somus home -on behalf of a longtime rasika - and to talk to his widow, and other family members.
Imagine that you collect another 10 rasikas in Chennai , pack them in a car like sardines and visit them.
Imagine that you go to their home -a modest flat in ICF Colony-
and do what you think is appropriate- play vintage concerts of him in his Home after the pleasantries...

And Imagine

THAT THE WIDOW WILL HOLD BOTH YOUR HANDS IN A FIRM CLASP AND WAIL ....

And I had thought that the world had forgotten my husband !!!!

Year after year , I was alone in listening to the occasional AIR Broadcasts .My Home which was like a Chatram , with Organisers , fans walking in and out throughout the day -became silent all of a sudden after his death..No one , not even one soul ever entered my home to enquire .
And here you are , young man from a different place , coming with a group of old rasikas on the advice of a man living far far away ... May God Bless you .All of you .And these Cds that you gift me.Thank you.Thank you for giving me back a part of my Somu .