Another July 6.. Ever since 2021, Shruthilayadeeptham has been offering tribute to the Indian music legend Dr M Balamuralikrishna a.k.a BMK on his birth anniversary on July 6th and death anniversary on Nov 22nd.
Credits:
Song: Oru Naal Podhuma (from the movie Thiruvilaiyadal)
Singing, Audio, Video editing and mixing: Deepak Varma
Original Credits:
Music: KV Mahadevan
Lyrics: Kannadasan
Sung by: Dr M Balamuralikrishna
This year, the song selected for the tribute is “Oru Naal Poduma”, the song from the movie Thiruvilaiyadal sung by him, one of the toughest ever Tamizh language film songs.
This has been in our “wishlist” for a long time but due to the toughness of the sangathees, this kept being procrastinated. But we are glad that the dream has come true.
It has been discussed manytimes that what makes BMK different from other carnatic singers is that the “melody” , “feel” aspect that he brings forth in any song that he renders - be it Carnatic or non-Carnatic. He takes the same approach of giving utmost importance to sahitya, bhava, pronounciation in Carnatic music as well, which is rarely seen in other musicians.
In this video, we take a semi-classical song sung in his trademark style but with an extra “arrogance” because the situation in the movie demanded it.
In the movie,the song is about Hemanatha Bhagavathar, a famous singer, who tries to conquer the Pandya Kingdom when he challenges its musicians. Bhagavathar, who has travelled through out the length and breadth of the country, apparently has won all the challenges with other kings so far. THIS song is the challenge to the (Pandya king.)
This song is a ragamalika, a garland of the ragas “Maand”, “Thodi”, “Darbar”, “Mohanam” and “Kanada”. Lets look the connection between the ragas, lyrics, situation and a possible explanations on why these ragas may have been used.
1.⁠ ⁠Maand - This is a raga that was born and nurtured in Rajasthan. We believe that this raga might have been selected for the first portion of the song, because Bhagavathar wanted to prove that he is an accomplished singer who has travelled extensively especially in North India. Even the words like “Puthu Naadama”, support the usage of the raga, as Maand may not have been a very popular raga in South India during that period when Pandya ruled.
2.⁠ ⁠Thodi - Look at the lyrics “Isai Kekka Ezhunthodi Varuvarendro” - meaning - “when people hear my music, people will run and come towards me”. The word “Thodi” is hidden in the line and moreover Thodi being a heavy carnatic raga, would be apt for a super singer like the Bhagavathar in the story. He even does a Grahabhedam to Kalyani to show his prowess.
3.⁠ ⁠Darbar - In order to tell the audience “Enakkinayaaka Darbaaril Evarumundo? - Who can match me in this (King’s) Darbar”, what raga is more apt than the Carnatic raga Darbar?
4.⁠ ⁠Mohanam - To say that his singing is beautiful/Mohanam, this raga is the natural choice.
5.⁠ ⁠Kanada - This word has the meaning “Hey look” too, in Tamizh. The use of raga Kanada in these words may not seem straightforward but BMK has sung that phrase with lot of force to display the arrogance of that singer. Then the next phrase “En paattu Thenada” - “My music is honey” is sung in a melodious soft manner. And, icing on the cake “Isai Daivam Naaneda” (I am the god of music) is sung with the same emphasis which is a marvellous end to this great song.
Note: If anyone is curious about what happened in the story after this song: Pandya King asks his main singer Banabathirar to accept the challenge and compete with Bhagavathar. But Banabathirar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, knowing that he cannot win, prays to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva saves the Kingdom of his devotee king by singing only one raga, Gowri Manohari (the song “Pattum Naane.. Bhavavum Naane”) that too indicative of the beauty of his wife Gowri- Parvathi.. . Just one Raga from the lord was enough for driving away the ragamalika... When in the dead hours of night when Lord Shiva clad as a village man appears to sing lazily but much attractively . Bhagavathar is amazed with the singing and learns that the person who sang was a shishya of Banabathirar, with whom he is supposed to compete the next day.. The Bhagavathar runs away that night itself to avoid a disaster to his name,fame and wealth, as he thinks if the student can sing like this, then how great the Guru would be.