Remembering a musical genius
W. Chandrakanth
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In the golden era of black-and-white Telugu films, Bhanumathi's voice made a difference. And the fragrance of that voice still continues to waft across the land.
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MULTI-FACETED A vintage beauty
Bhanumathi is no more.
She is `entitled' to be so.
Dare question her?
* * *
Circa 1500:
In the dark recesses of Anthahpuram , Malleswari asks, "is he going to come. Sure? Will he?"
She asks her chelikathe, a servant of a different order - a slave's slave. By then Malli herself has become a member of the raanivasam retinue.
"Yes, he would".
After all, the rendezvous was a pre-fixed affair. Malli was in love with her kothi baava (Nagaraju) and was eager to hold his hand once again. On the banks of river Tungabhadra, in the foreyard of an ancient temple, during the times of Emperor Krishnadevaraya, Nagaraju seeks raanivasam for his ladylove. It was all in a playful mood. Just a Telugu baava teasing his maradalu.
The raanivasam pallaki arrives soon and picks her up. A forlorn Nagaraju left back in the village pines for her and in the anthahpuram, Malli waits endlessly for their reunion. Along with her, innumerable Telugu audience waited, with bated breath! Will he come or won't he? Will they be caught?
On seeing her baava, Malli's heart breaks into a song Manasuna Mallela Maalalugena, Kannula Vennela Dolalugena. Entha Haayi Eee Reyi Nindeno, Yenni Naallaki Bathuku Pandeno... .
Bhanumathi with N.T.R. in `Malleswari'
Movie buffs closed their eyes to their worries to live the moment. Generations that followed did the same.
Bathe in the soft moonlight in bliss, unaware of the surroundings, wondering how nectar could take the shape of words and flow from her voice. That one voice made all the difference to the Telugu film world ever since.
Many talented playback singers followed and people may remember some of the great songs. When it comes to recalling those one would say: so and so has written the song. This one was the music director, etc. When it comes to Bhanumathi, it is simple and plain "Bhanumathi's song", that's all.
A lyricist who would write the song for Bhanumathi would lose his own identity. Be it Oho ho Paavurama in Swarga Seema or Saavirahe Tavadeena of Vipranarayana.
Bhanumathi with A.N.R in `Laila Majnu'
Audience judged the heroes, the heroines and the directors. In case of Bhanumathi, no one ever did. You got to accept whatever she did. (A few may have called her haughty, let us ignore them, just as she did.) One does not judge her. Those who attempted it were proved wrong. She was the best in whatever she did. No questions asked.
Mothers continue to hum Srikara Karunaala vaala... as in Bobbili Yuddham and playful girls keep teasing their cousins Kothi Baavaku Pellanta, Kovela Thota Vididhanta.
Actor, singer, writer, director, editor, studio owner, visualiser and composer... the list is endless.
Is it necessary to recall all that? Shall we roll all these and much more into one word and find out what would it be — Bhanumathi! The fragrance of her voice continues to waft across the land!
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