K. V. Mahadevan: Vasantha Maligai (1973/1972)

When most people think of popular South Indian cinema they generally think of historical epics or religious dramas. But unlike what I have posted up to date Vasantha Maligai is an attempt to really bring out the hip modern urban Indian funk of the 70's inspired by R. D. Burman (but not quite taken to Burman's level.) It's the beginning of the retro Indian kitsch that we know so well; the suits, the hair, the bad dancing, the pastel colors, the over the top acting, the sometimes good music...I love it! (Sometimes I really do and other times I love it in a kitschy way).

The first tune is a Vamp song "Kudimagane" in which the main character, get’s drunk. Shivaji Ganesan plays a rich but unhappy "Devdasish" type of hero. Yet he still falls for temptation to a woman who just constantly take off her clothes (as seen in many vamp dance sequences). My favourite song on the album "Irandu Manam Vendu". Next, if you like the classical stuff then "Kalaimagal Kai Porule" and "Yaarukkaga" (the second if my fave of the two) are the closest you are going to get on this album. They use classical bell and string instruments that resemble most of the work that I have previously posted. "Mayakkamenna" has nice musical moments that are a fine mixture of modern and classical music, even more so than most Hindi soundtracks. R. D. Burman would use bongo instead of a traditional Indian drum. Also, I enjoy "Oru Kinnathai" most for it's music interlude and "O Manitha Jathiye"for its interesting use of guitar. Finally, "Adiyamma Rajathi" is folk song that sounds as if it would have worked in a film from the 50’s.

Even though I very much enjoy listening to this album, the melodies or even the notes are a bit confusing for my ears at times. I enjoyed it more as I got used to it. I much more enjoyed the vocals themselves than the melodies.

Enjoy!

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Tracks:

Side 1

1. T. M. Sounderarajan & L. R. Eswari: Kudimagane
2. P. Susheela: Kalaimagal Kai Porule
3. T. M. Sounderarajan & P. Susheela: Mayakkamenna
4. T. M. Sounderarajan & B. Vasantha: Oru Kinnathai


Side 2

5. T. M. Sounderarajan: Yaarukkaga
6. T. M. Sounderarajan: Irandu Manam Vendu
7. T. M. Sounderarajan: O Manitha Jathiye
8. T. M. Sounderarajan & P. Susheela: Adiyamma Rajathi

Lyrics: Kavinger Kannadhasan


Stella_1's score: 3/5


Get the music now: Vasantha Maligai K. V. Mahadevan

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K.V. Mahadevan: Aathi Parasakthi (1971)

Aathi Parasakthi is the soundtrack to a religious film about the divine wisdom and truth of goddess and mother to all. The film shows different short stories related to the Devi in her many forms.

So the genre of the film affects the style and content of the songs, which are, in this case, all devotional. And I think just by looking at the cover of the album , you just know that the funky music of the 70's won't be coming trough in this one.


I have two favorite songs on the album. Firstly"Kokku Parakkum" which is supposed to be sung by a small boy poet in the film. Secondly, "Nan Aatchi" because it was a song I instantly liked from the beginning, it must be because of P. Susheela's voice. The song is about how all goddesses are all one and the same (Shakti (Aathi Parasakthi)) whichever name or shape they have.


The rest of the songs are ok, but nothing special, I prefer hearing them while watching the film. The title track, "Aathi Parasakthi", is good, it is also sung by my favorite, T. M. Soundararajan. "Azhagaga Kannukku" is probably the less religous based song on the album and is ok. The fisherman's song, "Aathadi Mariyamma", is fine when you listen to it but is a little funny when you watch the clip. In "Aayi Magamayi" the goddess in human form (played by Padmini) heals the englishman. The voice in this song is rougher than P. Susheela's which I am more used too. "Solladi Abhirami" is a dramatic song who's purpose is too call out for the help of Aathi Parasakthi.


Overall a good but not great album. Most of the songs on the record are used too re-explain and re-explain the concept of the supreme power and unity of Shakthi. But since I don't know how to speak Tamil I simply rely on the melodies, instruments, vocals, or just basically on if it sounds good, not if it expresses something important. But since I got to watch the movie with subtitles I understood that all the songs are similar in theme. Anyway, if you have any comments just type away and enjoy the album!

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Tracks:

Side 1


1. P. Susheela: Aayi Magamayi
2. Radha Jayalaksmi: Vandaar Kuzharkanni
3. Radha Jayalaksmi: Kokku Parakkum
4. T. M. Soundararajan: Solladi Abhirami
5. P. Susheela: Nan Aatchi


Side 2


6. T. M. Soundararajan: Aathi Parasakthi
7. S. Janaki: Azhagaga Kannukku
8. P. Susheela: Varugave Varugave
9. Sirgazhi Govindajan: Aathadi Mariyamma


Lyrics: Kannadhasan


To Watch the entire film (engl. subs.) follow this link to Rajshri


Get the Music Now: K.V. Mahadevan Aathi Parasakthi

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Padmini in "Nan Aatchi" portraying different regional goddesses.