Remembering Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan - Birth Anniversary Special

March 03, 2024

Dr Charulatha Mani recalls her interactions with the legendary violin artist and composer Sri Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan including several of his film songs.

Film Songs composed by Kunnakudi Sri Vaidhyanathan:

“Marudamalai maamaniye” from the film “Deivam” sung with a plethora of stunning sangatis by Madurai Somu) is an evergreen treat in Durbarikaanada. In the phrase “kulam kaakum velaiyya ayya” the notes “G,M, RSD,,” take our breath away. We can soak in the raga’s complete rasa throughout this imperial piece.
In “Andavan darisaname” (Agasthiyar) T. R. Mahalingam seamlessly scales the raga, adorning it with many a sangati. This song also begins in the upper Sadja, true to the character of Jonpuri.
“Isaiyai Tamizhai” from “Agasthiyar” is a lilting piece in Kharaharapriya, complemented by the voices of Seerkazhi Govindarajan and T R Mahalingam, makes this complex piece an aural treat.
‘Bhairavi Thunaivan Paadam Paninthu Unnai Vendriduven...,’ sings Seerkazhi Govindarajan in the popular ragamalika duet ‘Vendriduven...’ (the other singer being TMS), as he dons the title role in the film Agathiyar . This phrase begins with the characteristic prayoga “PG,RS NRSNDP”, the Pancama-Gandhara connection being vital in this raga. The song gains tempo and at the crescendo the Bhairavi swara repartee is attractive and the jugglery of swaras gripping. ‘Vendriduven’ starts brightly in Gambhiranattai, and the raga mudra finds place in ‘Nattaiyum Nadathal Vendriduven’.
“Ezhumalai irukka”, sung boldly by K. B. Sundarambal in the film “Thirumalai Deivam”, is an example of how Hamsanandi ragam can be adapted to the silver screen, using its inherent poignancy to maximise the devotional appeal.
In the film “Namma Veettu Deivam” the song ‘Unakkum Enakkum Isainda Poruttam' is composed in Charukesi raga. A lyrical handling of this raga, this song uses staccato phrasings to merge with the metrical and rhythmic flow.
In the film "Tiruvarul" of Devar, the song ‘Kandukondain Naan’ begins brightly in Kedaragowla with the phrase that heads towards the upper octave rishabha. Sung by TMS, this piece has pleasing orchestration.
The film "Thodi Ragam" starring T. N. Seshagopalan, also produced by Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan, has several instances featuring this raga. The song ‘Thodiyil Paada Vandhen’ merits mention and has numerous flowery sangatis and indulges the adventurous trait in the composer, singer, and listener.