Tuesday, August 25, 2015

P.Susheela Sings for Saluri Rajeswara Rao - Part1

Write-up Coutesy: Srividya Sanjay, United Satates       

                    Melody King S. Rajeswara Rao’s tryst with cinema came unexpectedly in the form of a talent-scouting Huchins Recording Company to his native Vizianagaram in 1934. A child prodigy, he could identify the ragas at the tender age of four and by the time he was seven, he started giving stage performances. His father, Sanyasi Raju, was a famous miridangam player for the concerts of Dwaram Venkatasamy Naidu and was also a lyricist. Huchins spotted "master" Rajeshwara Rao when he was only 13 years old and took him to Bangalore along with his father from where his life as a musician and stage actor started. Though he acted in stage plays and earned appreciation for his work , his heart was only on music and so he learnt Hindustani classical from Saigal and Mullick. He had already mastered playing the tabla, dholak, and miridangam without the help of a guru. Later he learnt the piano, harmonium, mandolin and the electric guitar too. By this time he had acquired the knowledge of orchestration, of how to mix the sounds of different instruments. 
                                                           
                            S.Rajeswara Rao’s entry into films began with the tamil film “Vishnu leela” in 1938. From then on he went on be a music director for films like Illalu, bala nagamma, chandralekha ( famous for drum dance), Jayapradha, etc. He mainly worked for gemini studios during this time (1940’s -1950s) and gave many hits. Later after quitting gemini, he began to work with B.N.Reddy and teir first successful combination was “Malleswari.“Aakasa vidhilo(Ghantasala, bhanumati), pilichina (bhanumati), manasuna mallela(bhanumathi) are some memorable hits which are heard even now.The female singers used in this era were Balasaraswathi, Jikki and Leela. Apart from the film music, he was also successful in creating private albums with his father as his lyricist.              
                           Some light music numbers include “paata paduma Krishna”, ummeda Oka saari", "Kopamela Radha", "Podarintilona", "Rave Rave Koyila", "Challo Gaalilo"(which is very popular). Among the classical ragas, Rajeswara Rao likes Bhimplas, Sindhu Bairavi, Kafi, Kalyani, Pahad, and Malkauns, which he has used most in his songs. Some of the memorable films for which he composed music are: "Vikramathithan", "PremapAsam", "Paanai Pidithaval Pagyasali", "Amaradevi", "Iru Sagotharagal", "Aval Yaar" besides "Chadralehka". Tamil-Telugu bilinguals: "Allauddin Adbhutha Deepam", "Mangamma Sabatham", "Apoorva Sagotharaagal", "Missiamma", and "Chakradhari". Telugu: "Chenchu Lakshmi", "Bheesma", "BhaleRamudu", "Iddaru Mithurulu", "Kulagothralu", "Baktha Jeyadeva", "Amarasilpi Jakkannachari", "Baktha Pragalatha", "Rangula Ratnam", "Vipranarayana", "Dr Chakravarthy", and "Chitti Chellue". Hindi: "Chandrelehka" and "Nishan", Thandra Paparayudu, Kurukshetram etc. Rajeshwara Rao was awarded the honorary doctorate "Kalaprapoorna" in 1979 by the Andhra University. He was appointed "Asthana Vidwan" by Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams, during which period he composed music for Annamacharya Keerthanas sung by Ghantasala. These are a few interesting details about lalitha sangeetha samrat S.Rajeswara Rao.(Details – extracted from “The Hindu”). In this article we are going to have a look at PS-SRR combination which was a super hit in the late 50s, 60’s and early 70’s. He has composed music for around 150 movies in all languagaes. It is estimated that PS could have rendered about 800 numbers for SRR in all the languages he composed music.

PS-SRR(1950’s)
In this article and the following ones, we are going to have a look at the wonderful numbers of PS-SRR beginning from late 50s, to mid 80’s. It is estimated that PS could have rendered about 800 numbers for SRR during this span. PS started singing for SRR since mid- fifties beginning with a small number “Naariga nayana” from Raju Pedha(1954). During the fifties, P.Leela and Jikki were at the peak in female playback singing and PS had just started off. However, within a few years PS was able to establish herself as a top singer due to the songs she was offered from stalwarts like SRR,MSV, Pendyala,Adhi Narayana Rao etc. PS started off slow for SRR by singing for child characters ( Raju Pedha, Chenchu Lakshmi, etc) and second heroines (Appu chesi pappu koodu, missiama etc), in the early fifties. However she was offered songs consistently by SRR during this period ( even though not for lead characters) and by late fifties she became one the main singers for SRR and their combination resulted in creation of golden classics and melodies which lasted until early seventies. We are going to look at some songs of PS –SRR decade wise with also some comments on certain songs from PS fans. Let’s have a look at few songs during the 1950’s. “Naariga naayana” could be the first song rendered by PS for the movie “Raju Pedha” in 1954. She was offered two songs for the second heroine Jamuna in the 1955 bilingual (Telugu –Tamil) film Missiamma by SRR. Balanu raa madhana (ariya paruvamada) song set in karaharapriya ,a solo dance based classical number sung to perfection and brindavanamadi andharidhi (brindavanam in tamil), a duet by PS and A.M.Raja became very popular. Hemanth kumar was so impressed with the tune of “Brindavanam” that he retained it when he composed songs for the hindi version of Missiamma. Missiamma was one of the Super-hit movies of those days. It was remade in malayalam as "Miss Mary" in mid 60's.



     
   

       


P.Susheela’s voice during this period could be compared to that of a fresh blossoming flower in the garden of music endured with great fragrance and beauty. Her voice, so fresh and sweet like a downpour of nectar created a soothing and relaxing feeling in the minds of the listeners. Her songs became instant hits and many MD’s and directors in the South started comparing her to Latha Mangeshkar (which of course is not considered apt by her fans). Heroines like Savithri were mesmerized by her numbers and wanted PS to be the prime singer for them. Some other songs in the early fifties include 1956 film charanadasi(notable numbers like murisenu lokalu a duet with ghantasala,oho viyogini, a sad solo, some padhyams etc). Charanadasi was dubbed in tamil as “Madharkula manikkam”.  The classical based dance songMaruvakuma mano ramana” is set in "kafi" Raga heared in Tamil as “Isai arase kalanidhiye”. 



     
 
     
Allauddin adbhuta deepam(1957) had 6 numbers of PS in telugu and also the dubbed version in tamil ( manasantha needhira (kannukku nerile in tamil), ninu valachi (aasaiyudane en rasa varuvar), andhala konetilona (selodum neerodai) , "Pilla Pilla Raa ( Kannippenne vaa )"



     


     
Aada petanam (1957) had 4 songs sung by PS(nee korake, rara,tara sasankam, evaro cheppindi).Bhale amayeelu ( dubbed version in tamil Iru sahodarigal)(1957) had savithri and Girija in main roleswith PS singing 7 numbers(some notable numbers- andalu anubandalu(kadhalinal,muddulolikevoyi (thanga silaiye vaada, a beautiful lullaby,etc). Telugu devotional “Chenchu Lakshmi”(dubbed version in tamil)(1958) is one movie which had rare gems in the form of songs and padhyams sung by PS for the child character Prahaladha. Each and ever song is an example of finest composition and rendition. Who can forget Palakadalipai seshathalpamuna(Deva deva), Kanalera kamalakanthuni (kann edhire), Srinadhuni (narayanan thiruvadi malar), the padhyams from potana bhagavatham (mandara makaranda, endhu kaladu etc.) She also rendered “Chettuleka galava” a folk duet with PBS in telugu which was popular on vividh bharathi even though the movie version had Ghantasala, jikki version of the same song. Each and every song creates a devotional fervor taking the listener to a state of divine joy and ecstasy. What an amazing rendition!!!!!!!!! Appu chesi pappu koodu (ka vangi kalyanam in tamil) (1958) had 3 numbers from PS for the second heroine Girija (kalam kani kalam (kalam ella in tamil), ( neeku vinipincha leda(un cheviyil) to name a few. Nammina bantu(1959), a social awareness movie set in the backdrop of rural village had ANR and savithri palying the lead roles had beautiful melodies composed by SRR. “Chengu chenguna”, a solo on farming animals and their contribution towards development of society rendered by PS with a whiff of innocence and purity totally suited the great actress Savithri playing the role of village belly.One more beautiful melody “Entha manchi vadavu ra” by Ghantasala and PS is memorable. The song “Raithu meri patti” by PS and ghantasala is a song dedicated to the plight of farmers. In this article we have covered the songs sung by PS in telugu and tamil in the 1950’s. We will continue our journey through the 60’s with some extraordinary and soul stirring compositions of PS-SRR combination, which by the way haunts us to this day in the next article.

List of songs in 50's

YearLanguageMovieSongs
1954Teluguraaju pedanaariga naayana
1955Tamilmissiammabrindavanamum nandha
1955Tamilmissiammaariya paruvamadaa valar
1955TelugumissiammaBalanu ra madhana
1955TelugumissiammaBrindavanamadhi
1956Tamilmadharkula manikkamoho anadhaiye
1956Tamilmadharkula manikkamkaadhalin jyothiytidhu
1956Tamilmadharkula manikkamisai arase kalanithiye
1956Tamilprema paasammuralidharaa hare
1956Telugubhale ramuduendunnavo madhava
1956Telugubhale ramudunaa bratukena
1956Telugucharanadasiasalu poosinavi
1956Telugucharanadasidustudu joocheninnu
1956Telugucharanadasiinti vinumu purushudeti
1956TelugucharanadasiMurisenulokalu
1956Telugucharanadasiparama dayakara patita
1956TelugucharanadasiGulabila tavuleene
1956Telugucharanadasimaruvakuma manoramana
1957Tamilalavudenum arputha vilakkumjamukku jamukku
1957Tamilalavudenum arputha vilakkumasayudane en rAsa varuvar
1957Tamilalavudenum arputha vilakkumkanni penna vaa
1957Tamilalavudenum arputha vilakkumkannukku nerile kalai enta
1957Tamilalavudenum arputha vilakkumsEladum nErodai meedhu
1957Tamiliru sahodarigalkaadhalinal pedamilla
1957Tamiliru sahodarigaljorana roopame maratha
1957Tamiliru sahodarigalmanadhai kavarntha malar
1957Tamiliru sahodarigalthangachilaye vaada
1957Teluguaada pettanamtarasasankam
1957Teluguaada pettanamrara sudhakara
1957Teluguaada pettanamevaro cheppindi
1957Teluguallavuddin adhbhutha deepamtillalangadi tillalangadi
1957Teluguallavuddin adhbhutha deepamAndhaala konetilona
1957Teluguallavuddin adhbhutha deepammanasantha needhira
1957Teluguallavuddin adhbhutha deepamninu valachi
1957Teluguallavuddin adhbhutha deepampilla pilla raa
1957Teluguallavuddin adhbhutha deepamjamakku jama jamakku
1957Telugubhale ammayeeluAndhala roopamu
1957Telugubhale ammayeeluMuddulokilevoyi
1957Telugubhale ammayeeluanandalu anubandalu
1957Telugubhale ammayeelulokamuna yevvanulaina
1957Telugubhale ammayeeluparijatha kusumalaga
1957Telugubhale ammayeelucheekati maatiki
1957Telugusathi savitri(old)challaani thalli
1957Telugusathi savitri(old)dharmaa edhi
1957Telugusathi savitri(old)ya vidyaa sivakusavaadi
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmipaadu paadu
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmipaal kadal thanile
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmiundhanai pol deivam
1958Tamilkadan vangi kalyanamun cheviyil cherathatheno
1958Tamilkadan vangi kalyanamkallamilla kaadhalilE
1958Tamilpanai pidiththaval bhagyasalisOlaikkuLLe
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmiingiruppano-sample
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmichenkamala kannanukku
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmiDeva Deva thEnathayala
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmikanbEre kamalakanthan
1958Tamilchenchu lakshminarayanan thiruvadi malar
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmithakamudan viyagana
1958Tamilchenchu lakshmivaan ulagin manthaara malar
1958Teluguchenchu lakhsmimandara makarantha
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmichettulekha galava
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmiindugaladu -padhyam
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmibaavapaavana -padhyam
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmikanjashunku -padhyam
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmisativinchina guruvulu
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmisreenadhu nee
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmiye deva divyaprabava
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmiChilaka gorinka uluke
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmikanalera kamala
1958Teluguchenchu lakshmiPaalakadalipai sesha
1958Teluguaada pettanamPasidi merugula balallara
1958Teluguaada pettanamPriyuda birana
1958Teluguaada pettanamKavu Kavu mani
1959Teluguappu chesi pappukoodumoogavainaemile
1959Teluguappu chesi pappukoodukalam kani kalam
1959Teluguappuchesi pappukooduneeku vinipinchane leda
1959Telugunammina bantuChengu chenguna ghanthulu
1959Telugunammina bantuEntha manchivadavura
1959Telugunammina banturaithu meri patti
1959Telugunammina bantuhey jawaadi
1959Telugunammina bantuaalu magalu pondu


(Part 2 )  (Part 3 )

2 comments:

G.Ragavan said...

Wonderful as usual Kalai! Well done.

kalaikumar said...

Actually This article is written Sree Vidya Sanjay, a ardent fan of Smt.P.Susheela.