Nostalgia re-visited
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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A plethora of programmes, which included presentation of Kannadasan awards to Nagesh and Mukta Srinivasan, marked the 81st birthday celebrations of the poet-lyricist.
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PHOTO: R. Shivaji Rao
Remembering the king of words: At the Kannadasan Vizha
“Only two actors can pull the scene away from under my feet when we face the camera together — one is M.R.Radha, the other, Nagesh — I’m wary of them,” Sivaji Ganesan is said to have remarked, even as he w
as listening to an audio version of Nagesh enacting the role of Dharumi in the film, ‘Thiruvilaiyaadal’ — a milestone in the inimitable comedian/character actor’s remarkable career.
Filmmaker A.S.Prakasam made the observation at the 81st birthday celebrations of poet-lyricist, the late Kannadasan, on the occasion of which Kannadasan Awards – 2007 were given away to producer-director Mukta Srinivasan and actor Nagesh. Veeramani Raju’s music that preceded the main event stood out for the wonderful choice of numbers and clarity of the singer’s diction. All the same, the acoustics could have been better.
It’s raining accolades for Nagesh this season — the veteran was honoured twice in the past week. The evening at Vani Mahal, Chennai, also marked the completion of the 16th year of Kaviarasu Kannadasan Tamizh Sangam (Ph: 22631496; 98413 79229), which organises the event every year. “The members of the Sangam are diehard admirers of Kannadasan,” said S. Jagathrakshagan, former M.P. Profundity and veracity were the highlights of his address when he said, “Till there’s cinema Nagesh will live,” and also when he added: “If M.S.Viswanathan is present at a Kanndasan show, it only means that Kannadasan is with us on stage now. Such was their bonding.” The observation made MSV emotional. After congratulating the recipients, composers MSV and T.K.Ramamurthy took leave.
“Probably even we think of our father only when his ceremony approaches, but the Kannadasan Sangam’s attachment for the writer is touching,” began Kannadasan’s son and poet, Kanmani Subbu. “As far as I
can see, there’s no other lyricist in cinema who has brought in his personal experiences and beliefs into the songs as my dad has done. The story could be based on anything and so could the situation for the songs, yet he managed to weave in his personality into them,” said Subbu, and quoted a pertinent example that was received with a huge applause. “A Kannadasan Square in his honour is a must. I plan to take it up with the Chief Minister, who is also an ardent friend of the poet,” assured Jagathrakshagan.
Sentimental notes
“I’ve no words to describe the honour. It is the ultimate that I could have received,” said Nagesh about the award. It was a solemn moment for the audience when the actor recalled that there had been times when he had gone without food for even 10 days. “I’d learnt to win over hunger early in life,” he said. Again a sober mood prevailed when he touched upon the telepathy he and his wife shared. “One day on my way back home I had just thought of a particular delicacy and suddenly felt like having it. Imagine my surprise when as I entered the house my wife received me with the same. The truth in Kannadasan’s words ‘Naan Paesa Ninaippadhellam’ came to my mind then,” he recalled.
Mukta Srinivasan, who had shared a room with Kannadasan for more than a year, noted: “He would just relax most of the time with his legs on the table. Not once have I seen him read a book. But then where did he acquire the exhaustive literary knowledge from? God’s gift, I’d say!” Levity was the mainstay of his opening words. The speeches of both Jagathrakshgan and Prakasam, though very interesting, went on beyond the time frame prescribed that the crowd and dignitaries got visibly restless. “Being the last speaker is a curse and it’s been my lot on quite a few podiums. Even now, right before my eyes I see people walking out, but I have to continue unaffected!” Srinivasan’s quips ought to be taken note of by those at the mike.
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