Song: ‘Vaa Vennila’
Movie: Mella Thiranthadhu Kadhavu
Composers: MS Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja
Singers: SP Balasubrahmanyam, S Janaki
Lyrics: Vaali
On World TV day, a throwback to the days of ‘Oliyum Oliyum’ and ‘Chitrahaar‘ – the only programmes on television – then synonymous with Doordarshan – where one could watch the latest songs. This melodious number courtesy MS Viswanathan-Ilaiyaraaja for Mella Thiranthadhu Kadhavu, was apparently inspired by an old song. Here, Ilaiyaraaja reminisces about the making of this composition – he’d requested MSV for a song similar to that of ‘Vaan Meedhile’ from the 1953 movie Chandirani, and MSV had arranged a lovely tune – a little full-throated when compared to the original, but identifiable all the same.
Mella Thiranthadhu Kadhavu marked the coming together of MSV and Ilaiyaraaja. Starring Mohan, Amala Akkineni and Radha, the movie was what you would call one of those geometric love stories.
[Correction: a geometrically-fluid love story]
It could be a straight line too, now that we think about it.