Song: Buddhi Ulla Manitharellam
Composer: R Sudarsanam
Lyrics: Kannadasan
Actors: JP Chandrababu
Singers: JP Chandrababu
Film: Annai
Today is JP Chandrababu’s death anniversary. As a tribute, here’s one of his most popular songs featuring the on-screen style that made him famous during the best years of his career between 1940s and 1970s.
He was a comedian, actor, singer and dancer, who was self-taught and picked up the Madras bashai that soon became his signature. He worked with BS Ramiah, Vasan, Gemini Ganesan, KV Mahadevan, TG Lingappa, MS Viswanathan. In films like Maiyappan’s Sahodari, his comedy track helped make the film a hit. He faced financial problems in his life, but was the first comedian to ask for a salary of Rs. 1 lakh per film, something unheard of in those days.
He played the supporting role as Dhayanidhi in Annai, and in this super hit ‘Buddhi Ulla Manitharellam’ he sings that not all intelligent people are successful, the rich don’t have a big heart and those who do aren’t always rich. He sings into the camera, and song proceeds as women and men go about their work. With violin and a mild percussion, the music is light and lifts the mood. The song is sharp and like many of his other hits, has lived through the years with a message still relevant.