Song: Chennai Senthamizh from the film M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi
The Artists:
Singer – Harish Ragavendra
Composer – Srikanth Deva
Lyricist – Na Muthukumar
Starring: Jayam Ravi, Asin Thottumkal, Nadiya, and Prakash Raj
Inspiration Alert: Inspired by Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s Mahaganapathim and set to Ragam Naattai. Music director Chakra, who composed the Telugu version, came up with Chennai Chandrama. Owing to the song’s popularity, it was retained by the Tamil production as well.
The Setting: As Jayam Ravi towers over his background dancers, the scenic backwaters of Kerala jostle for screen time with the equally scenic Asin. Also, there are Kathakali performers, and all things bright and beautiful from God’s own country.
The Film: A remake of the Telugu film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, this 2004 film further bolstered the careers of the Jayam brothers, and firmly established Asin Thottumkal as the next Kanavu Kanni. Jayam Ravi was a perfect fit as the boxer forced to confront his estranged father and fulfill his mother’s dying wish. Perhaps an even better fit than his moustached Telugu counterpart. With Nadiya as the strong, no-nonsense mum and a heavy dose of the amma sentiment, M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi went on to bring in huge profits for its producers, and even earned its lead star the TN State Award for Best Actor.
The Song: The Tamil song is a remake of the remake of a classical song. Let that sink in for a minute.
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The track is styled as an ode to the film’s heroine, a dancer from Kerala, thereby providing the makers with an excuse to showcase Asin’s dancing skills. The lyrics are full of adjectives and references to the heroine’s motherland. Na Muthukumar puts his imagination to good use, comparing Asin’s eyes and neck to Kathakali and palm trees respectively. Definitely not what Muthuswamy Dikshitar envisioned when he wrote the original in praise of the big bellied elephant God. Music Director Srikant Deva follows the theme perfectly, infusing his music with a mix of the classical as well as the western. The delightful clash between the electric guitar and the mridangam; the trumpet and a smattering of nattuvangam, all makes the song instantly catchy.
Years have passed, but this song hasn’t lost its appeal. The intended reaction may not be a bout of nostalgia, but Chennai Senthamizh nonetheless evokes memories of a Jayam Ravi and Asin Thottumkal as they were – untouched by fame, and earnest.
*****