Rare musicals
The article, ‘True proponent of Tamil Isai’ (Friday Review, June 29), depicting a vivid picture of Sri Dhandapani Desigar, the outstanding musician and musicologist of the last century, was interesting to read. He had re
ndered monumental service in the field of Carnatic music and rose to gain fame.
I had the unique opportunity of watching his first film, ‘Pattinathar’ in 1936, at Bangalore. Thereafter, ‘Thayumanavar’ in 1938. It was a matter of inexpressible joy and happiness, when I saw the famous ‘Nandhanar,’ a box-office hit in 1942, which ran for more than a year. This was the best musical picture I have seen in my life. There was a contest on the choice of the best songs and lucky winners were presented with fabulous prizes.
Sri Desigar’s melodious voice, with vibration in three octaves, mesmerised the audience. Such musical films are not produced now-a-days. It is an earnest appeal to the authorities concerned, to screen such rare and old pictures on television.
Arcot Easwaran,
Chennai.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
