Veena is one among many instruments which represents the system of Indian music. Several instruments like violin , guitar, sitar etc have evolved in response to cultural changes in the country. However, the use of veena has been recorded since 1500 B.C. Our ancestors have attributed religious associations to the divine instrument so that the future generations understand the importance and encourage the divine music that flows through it . A few examples: The patron Hindu Goddess of learning and the arts, Saraswati, is often depicted seated upon a swan playing a veena. The great Hindu sage Narada was known as a veena maestro. Ravana, the antagonist of the Ramayana, who is also a great scholar, a capable ruler and a devoted follower of Shiva, was also a versatile veena player.
We are going to discuss about the use of veena in film music especially south indian films and P.susheela’s contribution as a singer to veena based songs.. While Veena is used mostly in south, it’s extended form sitar (influenced by Veena) is used in the North.
Whenever a Veena is played , the immediate thought that arises is “How pure and serene it is ”, “How divine it is ”, “How pleasing”. The sound vibrations and tone from it bring out the deepest intense feelings of one’s soul , be it joy, sorrow , peace, longing etc than any other instrument . So ,the songs which are veena based mostly reflect varied emotions in humans . Other instruments doesn’t produce that lingering and strong effect in the minds of people. When combined with vocal support, they are used in film situations where one needs to bring out that fervor of that character be it like a devotional number , or longing , craving , expressing sorrow , joy from the depth of the heart.
We can draw parallels from sounds emanating from Veena and PS Voice. Unlike other instruments, the waves emanating from the Veena , reverberate for quite some time even when we stop playing it. PS’s voice also has this same quality. One can experience this Déjà vu kind of feeling after hearing to these numbers. In some cases the voice and veena vibrations blend so harmoniously that one ends up wondering is PS veena itself? Or vice versa?. , The effect is scintillating!
Let’s take a few examples depicting different moods and scenarios using our great pair ( PS, and veena):
1) Madhilo veenalo mroge –(aatmeeyulu(Rajeswara Rao) : Bhavam for this song is passion…. Heroine has such strong feelings for the hero that she compares the veena vibrations that are vibrating to that of her desire for him. When the song begins with a humming by PS, one feel s like the instrument is producing that effect (humming)! When the song moves on we are totally swayed by the continous mix and match of instrument and the voice . Are they competing with each other or blending or sharing or what is happening ?to be simple! The final effect is one is mesmerized and get’s involved………
2) Padamani nan(Dr.Chakravarthi : this is a very difficult situation in the movie. (S.Rajeswara Rao)
The scenario is where the sister has to convey both her joy and sorrow (mixed state of feelings) to her brother and family. Her joy is that she has lived such a beautiful life with an adorable brother, has been blessed with peace and harmony. Her sorrow is that her stay is short on earth and so has to leave soon…. The balance (vocal + instrument ) has to be perfect otherwise the essence of it cannot be conveyed to the viewers! When we hear to this number, it is like we are transported to a queer state of joy and sorrow alternating together resulting in an even mixture of pain and sorrow! 50-50! One of the finest songs!
3) Paadithe silalaina karagali : (Gorintaaku, KVM) : A pathetic scene where an about to be groom gets killed and so marriage is cancelled. The girl is in a state of vacuum. The song has to come right !. If the emotion is too less or too intense, the effect could be disastrous! . Again, PS+ veena combination creates magic thereby setting a perfect melancholy stage for the audience!
Like this, the list is endless…. consider the feeling of nature in madhilo virise theeyani ragam from rendukutumbala katha or a feeling of remorse or guilt like in “Ye ragamani paadanu” in jeeva theeralu or one of the finest pathos Yemani paadethano from bharya bharthalu! Simply superb!
Be it any genre or rasa , all PS based veena numbers are a complete blend of harmony ,melody and peace. Total treat for the ears!!
VEENA /SITAR SONGS FROM TAMIL MOVIES
| SONG | MOVIE |
| kalaimagal kaiporule | vasantha maligai |
| gangai karai thottam | vanampadi |
| komatha engal kulamatha | saraswathi sapadam |
| raman ethanai ramanadi | lakshmi kalyanam |
| malarum vaan nilavum | mahakavi kalidas |
| andha sivakami maganidam | pattanathil bootham |
| sonnadhu nee dhana (sithar) | nenjil or alayam |
| Ennuyir thozhi keloru sethi | Karnan |
| idhaya veenai thoongum | iruvar ullam |
| jeeva gaana veenai naan | bhoologa rambai |
| ther kondu sentravan | enakkul oruvan |
| maalai pozhuthin | bhagya lakshmi |
| deviyar iruvar muruganukku | kalaikoyil |
| veenai enadhu kuzhandhai | oonjalaadum uravugal |
| maanikka veenayin | veedu varai uravu |
| sugamo aayiram | Thunai iruppal meenatchi |
| Maharajan vandhan | oru kudumbathin kadhai |
unnai nambinaar kduvathillai panakkara kudumbam
VEENA / SITAR SONGS FROM TELUGU MOVIES
aadinchedi paadinchedi
Bangaru Manasulu
Mrogi mrogi
Sri Vinayaka Vijayam
Marapurani MAruvaleny
Pelli kaani pillalu
oka puvvu poochindi
Sirimalle navvindi
| pillanagrovi manthira ( Keelu Bommalu) MALAYALAM SONGS CHILANKA KETTIYAAL ( ABHIMANAM -1975) Additional Songs : Kondalalo nelakonna ( Alludu kosam ) |
3 comments:
Good collection. Thank you.
A top song with the accompaniment of veenai by Chittibabu, shehnai by Ustaad Bismillah Khan was in the movie Karnan -- ennuyirth_thOzhi_keLoru_sEdhi... (Kannadasan, Viswanathan & Ramamurthy)
Thanks Sunramaniam Narasimman
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