Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
Melody was the bottomline
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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OCCASION The evening celebrated the memory of Gemini Ganesh and Savithri. The felicitation to P. Suseela was the crowning glory.
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Photo: B.Jothi Ramalingam
Befitting honour: P. Suseela being feted by K.J.Yesudas.
Two aspects set Y.Gee. Melody Makers apart — true to the name, they restrict themselves to melodies of the past, and their shows are always theme based. This time round the recent ‘Yaar Yaar Yaar Ivar Yaaro’ evening in memory of yes
teryear greats Gemini Ganesh and Savithri, at the Kamarajar Hall, Chennai, included a third dimension, and a very timely one at that. With the felicitation to singer P. Suseela on her being chosen for Padma Bhushan recently, it turned out to be a twin celebration. The nightingale was honoured by none other than K.J.Yesudas, her colleague from the fraternity and her ardent admirer.
“Comparisons are odious. Don’t refer to her as the Lata Mangeshkar of the South. I’ve always told her not to allow it. Suseela has her individuality and greatness as a singer. Let’s remember that, please!” exhorted Yesudas. Informal exchanges between the two enlivened the event, and exhilaration pervaded the ambience when they sang a couple of lines from their memorable duets.
Positive vibes
What struck you most about the evening was the camaraderie among the singers, emcees YGM and ARS, and the musicians. And rarely have you come across such a jubilant threesome — Kalpana, Prasanna and Madhuvanthi — who sang and danced for the famous mental asylum medley from ‘Navaratri.’
The microphones did wreak havoc now and then, but Y.Gee.Mahendra’s wit and humour made amends. Of course, you could make out that it was quite an effort for him to laugh away the impediments. With his casual remarks and light-hearted innuendos, the man has a way with the crowd. He proved it yet again at the ‘Yaar Yaar’ evening.
As was promised at the last Melody Makers event some months ago, the typical A.M.Raja voice of singer Raja was commendably showcased. If you closed your eyes it was as though you were listening to the original ‘Meenda Sorgam’ strains and other AMR hits. Raja’s voice was incredibly perfect.
“Gemini Ganesh was an educated, suave and sophisticated hero of the time,” eulogised YGM. It was as though the King of Romance and his inimitable actor-wife had sprung back to life on stage with their songs. Besides making the audience traverse nostalgic terrains, telling scenes from the couple’s films were beamed.
Tastefully chosen and enjoyably presented, each ‘Yaar Yaar’ number was a treat. Glitches there were, but when viewed as a whole, they were minor. Ananthu who so easily brought in the voices of Ghantasala and P.B.Srinivas, was a pleasure to listen to.
“Director Vasanth who is seated here should do his mite. Why do composers have to go Mumbai-ward when a plethora of talent waits here? And why do we have to put up with old songs being spoilt in the name of re-mixes?” YGM rued. So did we.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
