Happy Birthday Janaki Amma! - Musical dedication

A musical dedication by Dr Charulatha Mani on the 85th birthday (23 April) of the legendary singer S Janaki Amma. We are blessed to have listened to her music all these years and wish her long life and good health!

Film Songs mentioned in the video:

'Singara velane deva' from 'Konjum Salangai': SM Subbiah Naidu's pièce de résistance in Abheri is sung with the nadaswara accompaniment of Karukkurichi Arunachalam. The line “senthuril ninraadum deva” reminds us of the nadaswara vidvan's typical phrasings.  

'Annakkili Unnai Theduthe' from the film 'Annakkili'. Director: Kalaimani, Music: Ilaiyaraa

'Senthoora Poove' from '16 Vayathinile', composed by Ilayaraaja.

'Chinna Thayaval' from 'Thalapathi', music by Ilaiyaraja, based on Kapi ragam. In classical music, Kapi kritis that are very popular include ‘Intha Sowkhya’, ‘Ramapahi’, and ‘Meevalla’ of Thyagaraja, ‘Janakiramana’ of Jeeyar, and ‘Enna Thavam’ and ‘Radha Mukha Kamala’ of Papanasam Sivan. ‘Parulanamata’, a javali of Dharmapuri Subburayar is a classical jewel in this raga. ‘Jagadhodharana’ of Purandaradasa is sung in a pretty Pilu by M.S. Subbulakshmi. Kafi is very popular in Hindustani music. ‘Balam Ab To Baso…’ by K.L. Saigal from the 1935 film Devdas (music Timir Baran) is a stunner and it is interesting to note that the song ‘Poonguil Koovum’ of Kalki (popularised by D.K. Pattamal) is sung on the kutcheri platform in the same tune as ‘Balam Ab To’. It is ironic that many Carnatic music sabhas and promoters who take pride in sneering at “filmy” music, are often blissfully ignorant of the filmy connections of some of the pieces!

In “Devar Magan” Ilaiyaraja presents a cheerful enjoyable Jonpuri-based melody in “Inji iduppazhaga” sung by Kamal Hassan and S. Janaki. Jonpuri has its roots in Hindustani music and has spread its branches far and wide into Carnatic Music. This attractive raga is said to have been named after the sultan Sharqui of Jonpur. The emotions conveyed by this raga, brought forth beautifully in light classical pieces and folk tunes, are bhakthi, zesty appeal and stunning grandeur.

Ilaiyaraaja is one composer who has explored the length and breadth of Kiravani ragam. One of his best in this raga is ‘Kaatril Endhan Geetham’ in 'Johnny' . The opening alaap by S. Janaki clearly establishes the raga and the sombre mood of the piece. Note the importance given to the Nishada in the charanam ‘Anbulla Nenjil Kaanaadho...’ The varja notes at the end of the charanam are scintillating — ‘RMMDDNNR… NDMGRMGR’. 

‘Sorgame Endralum’ is one of the finest compositions of maestro Ilaiyaraja in the Hamsanadam / Sarangatarangini raga family. in 'Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandhu'. This song captures the essence of the raga and presents it with aplomb to the lay listener; S. Janaki and Ilaiyaraaja give off their vocal best. In the phrase ‘Tamizh Pol Inithidumaa’, the fast ‘RMPNPM / RMPMRMPNS’ is a stunner.

• An exemplary piece in Nalinakanti ragam is from the film 'Kalaignan' in the music of Ilaiyaraaja. The song ‘Endan Nenjil Neengadha’ faithfully adheres to the classical grammar of the raga. This has to be lauded since such ragas have very strict boundaries, which, when crossed would take the composer to a different land, and it is Ilaiyaraaja’s assiduous effort that has made him create a faultless Nalinakanti-based film piece. The opening phrase of the song ‘SGRM GSN / SGRMG’ itself tastefully establishes the raga. In the charanam lines ‘Unakkena Pirandaval Naana...’, the usage ‘PNSG RMGR...’ brings forth the very essence of the raga. The alaap in the interlude of the song is the favourite of many listeners. Sung by Yesudas and S. Janaki, the orchestration in this piece involving rich strings is noteworthy.
• The Thyagaraja kriti ‘Balakanakamaya’ is sung by S. Janaki in the film 'Salangai Oli' and clever interludes using the veena and the mridanga, along with the cymbals, have been crafted by Ilaiyaraaja. The song is crowned by a swara and jathi segment at the end that makes interesting listening.
• A.R. Rahman’s ‘Margazhi Thingal Allavaa’ from 'Sangamam' show varied hues of Sindhubhairavi ragam. Sindhubhairavi is one of the most interesting and colourful of ragas. A melange of swaras finds it way into this accommodative raga. Sindhubhairavi is a derivative of the Asavari thaat. Classical compositions that are often sung in Sindhubhairavi include ‘Venkatachala Nilayam’ (Purandaradasa), ‘Kalyana Gopalam’ (Narayana Theertha), ‘Visweswara’, ‘Bhaja Bhaja’ and ‘Ramachandra Prabhu’ (Swati Tirunal), ‘Manadhirkugandhadhu’ (Tanjore Sankara Iyer), ‘Kantamam’ (Mayuram Viswanatha Sastri) among several others. One may recall Parvin Sultana’s rendition of the Punjabi anga ‘Bhavani Dayani’, Bhimsen Joshi’s abhang ‘Jeekaranjale’, and Kishori Amonkar’s rendition of ‘Koyaliya’, all scintillating pieces in this raga.