ML Narasimham’s ‘Paata Venuka Bhagotam’ is a treasure trove of tales behind timeless tunes in Telugu cinema

Lengthy earlier than the Chiranjeevi-Vijayashanti tune, ‘Vaana Vaana Velluvaaye’ from Gang Chief (1991) turned a sensation, the ANR-B. Saroja Devi’s duet tune ‘Chitapata Chinukulu Padutoovunte’ in Athma Balam (1964) fantastically captured the mysticism and romance of rain in Telugu cinema. If Saroja Devi’s look in a shawl throughout that in style rain tune appeared uncommon, there’s a narrative behind it; she was recovering from a head harm sustained whereas filming a Tamil film, but she bravely continued to shoot, protecting the harm with flowers and a shawl. The tune, composed by Okay. V. Mahadevan, written by Atreya, and sung by Susheela and Ghantasala, turned a large hit, setting a pattern for rain songs in Telugu cinema.

Have you ever ever questioned what impressed lyricists to create these songs? Did the composer have a tune in thoughts first, or was the lyricist already armed with the phrases? Was the tune born from a particular scenario, or did an ideal composition naturally discover its method into the movie? So many such queries are addressed in Paata Venuka Bhaagotam, a e-book by veteran movie journalist and writer M.L. Narasimham.

Paata Venuka Bhaagotam is an enchanting quantity whereby the writer meticulously explores the scenes and circumstances behind 60 songs that turned iconic in Telugu cinema’s 90-year historical past. Printed by B. Vishwanadha Reddy, aka Vishwam of Vijaya Publications, this 292-page e-book revives a sequence by the identical identify that initially appeared within the Telugu movie journal Vijayachitra between 1984 and 1985, by Narasimham, who was the editor in cost. He’s additionally famend for his in style Blast from the Previous column he wrote for The Hindu for almost three a long time. 

The tune ‘Kurisindi Vaana Naa Gundelona’ from the 1972 movie Bulemma Bullodu is an instance of a success tune that doesn’t essentially characteristic prime stars. The tune was picturized on Chalam, a flexible character actor and producer of the movie, and Vijayalalitha, identified for her villainous roles. The lyricist, Indukuri Ramakrishnamraju, aka Rajashri, had struggled to search out the proper phrases till a sudden rainstorm impressed him whereas staying on the Madras Worldwide Lodge on Mount Highway, Chennai. The second the skies opened up, the opening strains ’Kurisindi Vaana Naa Gundelona’ had been born. 

ML Narasimham

It’s becoming that Narasimham begins his e-book with Missamma’s tune, ‘Brindavanamadi Andaridi Govindudu…’ Launched in 1955, the movie starred NTR, ANR, Savitri, and Jamuna. The lyrics had been by Pingali Nagendra Rao, and the music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Sung by P. Susheela and A.M. Raja, the tune turned a sensation in Telugu cinema and surpassed expectations in its Tamil model, ‘Brindavanamum Nandakumaranum’ in Missiamma.  Just a few years in the past, a Chinese language-Malaysian performer introduced this tune to life on stage, and her rendition went viral, incomes worldwide acclaim. Within the Hindi movie Miss Mary, music director Hemant Kumar, whereas composing new tunes for the soundtrack was so captivated by ‘Brindavanamadi’ that he retained Rajeswara Rao’s authentic melody. The Hindi model, `Brindavan Ka Krishna Kanhaiya’, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi, turned a standout characteristic of the movie. 

If there’s one tune that each contestant boldly makes an attempt on music actuality reveals, it’s ‘Shivashankari, Shivanandalahari…’ from the 1961 NTR-starrer Jagadeka Veeruni Katha. On this tune, NTR portrays 5 distinct characters, every enjoying a novel instrument whereas singing. The lyricist crafted a devotional hymn in reward of Shakti, wealthy in literary depth. Composer Pendyala Nageswara Rao set it to the difficult mix of Darbari and Kaanada raga, from Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. The Telugu movie was impressed by the 1944 Tamil basic Jagadala Pratapan.

ANR and B. Saroja Devi within the tune ‘Chitapata Chinukulu Padutoovunte’ from Athma Balam. 
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association

Ghantasala devoted a whole week to rehearsing this tune, placing all different initiatives on maintain. When it got here time to document, he flawlessly delivered it in a single take. Opposite to the misunderstanding that singer J.V. Raghavulu sang elements of the tune, Narasimham clarifies that the rendition was fully by Ghantasala. This was confirmed by the recordist, Vallabhajosyula Shivaram, who was current at Vauhini Studios in the course of the recording. The tracks had been skillfully layered to create the impression that 5 totally different voices had been singing. 

Paata Venuka Bhaagotam is a treasure trove for Telugu film fans, with the writer diligently gathering sources and anecdotes about every tune. The lyrics printed on the finish of every chapter evoke nostalgia, paying homage to the times when one would buy a Paatala pustakam (e-book of songs) exterior theatres. “My connection to my employers, who additionally personal Vijaya Productions, helped me supply my content material,” notes Narasimham. Consequently, each the opening tune, ‘Brindavanamadi Andaridi,’ and the closing observe, ‘Laahiri Laahiri Laahirilo’, from the movie Mayabazar (1957), are from the Vijaya Productions banner. 

(Paata Venuka Bhaghotam, printed by Vijaya Publications, Chennai. Pages 292; Value ₹300.)