Monarch of melody
UMA S. MAHESWARI
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T.M. Soundar Rajan’s voice made every musical note radiant and it changed the concept of film music in the Tamil film industry.
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Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
Down melody lane: T.M. Soundar Rajan is celebrating his 61st year in playback singing.
T.M. Soundar Rajan (TMS) the monarch of melody, whose emotion-laden voice once reigned over the length and breadth of South India, is celebrating his 61st year in playback singing. His fans aver that words are insufficient to shower encomiums on
this unassuming singer. M.K. Tyagaraja Bhagavathar, P.U. Chinnappa and P.A. Chellappa were TMS’ predecessors but TMS’ entry into tinsel town changed the scenario. His voice made every musical note radiant and it changed the concept of film music.
Recently, TMS was in Thiruvananthapuram to regale music buffs and to receive an award in the name of music director M.S. Viswanathan (MSV). The programme was organised by Unistar and Forum of Art and Cultural Events, a cultural organisation of employees of Kerala University.
In an interview, the veteran singer talked about his golden era and the legends who were his colleagues in the film industry.
“In my childhood, the film industry was dominated by songs based on classical music; it was rendered in a slow relaxed manner. I have tremendous grasping power and a magnificent musical memory. I could sing, within no time, songs rendered by MKT and PUC. I am a disciple of Karaikkudi Ramunaj Iyenagar, nephew of the legendary Pucci Sreenivasa Iyengar. Within two years, I learnt many varnams and kirthanams. I could notate any piece of music and could sing all the three octaves with ease,” he said.
Struggle for a break
He recalled that it was a struggle to get a break. “I knocked the doors of destiny and I got my first assignment in ‘Krishna Vijayam,’ released in 1946. Initially, my songs were in the Bhagvathar style and then I adopted open- throated high pitch singing and that became a hit,” said TMS. The rest is history. He conquered the the Tamil film world in no time.
However, this veteran singer is yet to receive any recognition from the Government of India. Undeterred, TMS continues to be immersed in what he enjoys the most – music. As he said, “I am not concerned. I have a vast ocean of fans, which no award can match.”
His songs have stood the test of time because TMS gave a unique touch to those songs. In the four decades between the Fifties and the Eighties, his songs, especially with MSV, Kannadasan and Vaali, ruled the waves. “MSV is a great creator of music. His tunes are matchless and it is very difficult to imagine such a flow of music,” he remarked.
TMS has the uncanny gift to delve deep into the mood of the story and the composer. The way he imbued each song with the exact mood and meaning, which went beyond the lyrics, caught the attention of actors like Sivaji Ganesan and M.G.R.
“When sruthi and layam are maintained, emotion comes automatically,” he emphasised. “I cannot sing in a false voice. I think of the actors and the mood. The voice generated from the mooladharam is ‘controlled’ below the abdomen for Sivaji (‘Ponal pokattum poda’), above it for Nagesh and others (‘Madras nalla madras’), and at the throat for MGR (‘Naan Aanayittal’). I could personify all the human feelings and emotions in my songs because of God’s grace. Every song was a fresh one. The freshness can be felt even after many decades,” explained TMS.
TMS was introduced to AIR, Thiruvananthapuram, by mridangam maestro Palani Subramania Pillai, in the late Forties. He rendered a Malayalam song for the film ‘Raaga Sangamam.’
A 52-episode documentary on TMS, called ‘Imayathudan’ is in progress. “It is laborious work. I visited all the old studios and my memoirs were recorded at these spots. It is directed by Vijayaraj, a native of Palakkad,” he said.
What is your opinion about today’s songs?
“Dharmam will not speak about Adharmam,” he quipped. “I still improvise on old songs. My two sons Balaraj and Selvakumar are accomplished singers. I am proud of my birth,” he added.
* * *
Immortal songs of TMS
* ‘Pattatthu Rani…’ – (Sivanthamann)
* ‘Yengay Nimmathi…’ – (Puthiya Paravai)
* ‘Manithan maarivittan…’ – (Paava Mannipu)
* ‘Pattum naanae bhavavum naanae…’ – (Thiruvilaiyadal)
* ‘Madhavi pon mayilal…’ – (Iru Malargal)
* ‘Yaarukkaka…’ – (Vasantha Maaligai)
* ‘Puthiya vaanam puthiya bhoomi …’ – (Anbe Vaa)
* ‘Olimayamaana ethirkaalam …’ – (Pachhai Vilakku)
* ‘Devanae ennai paarungal …’ – (Njana oli)
* ‘Madras nalla Madras…’ – (Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi)
* ‘Paalum pazhamum kaikalial aenthi…’ – (Paalum pazhamum)
* ‘Paar makalae paar …’ – (Paar makalae paar)
* ‘Malarnthum malaraatha …’ – (Paasamalar)
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