"Mic" Mohan - Birthday Special with Dr. Charulatha Mani

A musical dedication by Dr Charulatha Mani on the birthday of actor Mohan Rao, popularly known as "Kokila Mohan", after his debut in the 1977 Kannada film "Kokila", and later as "Mic Mohan", thanks to the numerous times he portrayed microphone-wielding singers on-screen.

Film Songs mentioned in the video (composer: Ilaiyaraja):

Ilaya nila - Payanangal mudivadilai

This was the first Indian film to have "larger-than-life cut-outs" of the composer (Ilaiyaraja). The song is picturised on Mohan, Poornima Jayaram, S.Ve.Sekhar, and Rajini (whose expressive eyes, the director R.Sundarrajan, believed, were enough to carry the story!)

Nilavu thoongum neram - Kunguma chimizh

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki

Starting off with a Mohanam-like feel, moves to the major scale with the introduction of the madhyama note.

Paadu nilaave - Udaya geetham

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Based on Vaasanthi ragam.

For more on Vaasanthi ragam:

Vaa vennila - Mella thirandadhu kadavu

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki

Thogai ilamayil - Payanangal mudivadilai

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Begins a bit like Hamsadhwani, but moves gradually into Lathangi in ‘kaatrodu kalyanam seigindratho...’ ‘GPGD,D P’. In the charanam, the last line is very attractively tuned – ‘MPDN SRGR S, NDPMG’ traverses the octave and suggests Lathangi — ‘ival nadai asaivinil sangeetham undaagum’. 

Thendral vanthu ennai thodum - Thendrale ennai thodu

K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki

Hamsanadam literally means ‘call of the swan’. It is a peaceful evening raga exuding divinity, bhakthi rasa. Joy and love brim in one’s heart as one listens to this raga. The notes include Sadja, Chatusruti Rishaba, Prati Madhyama, Pancama, and Kakali Nishada. Traditionally, Hamsanadam is sung with the Shatsruti Dhaivata, and this version of the raga is indeed beautiful and intriguing. Sarangatarangini is an allied raga while Shuddh Sarang in Hindustani music closely resembles Hamsanadam albeit with certain differences (the presence of Chatusruti Dhaivata, Suddha Madhyama appearing in descent).

K.J. Yesudas and S. Janaki have lent their raga expertise to make this memorable. In this piece, the Chatusruti Dhaivata is used cleverly. In the line ‘Panneerai Thoovi Oyvedu’, the harmonic notes ‘RSNSRN / DPMPDM / RSNSRSN’ are dabbled with in descent, making for interesting listening.

Malaiyoram veesum kaatru - Paadu nilaave

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

A refreshing take on Kiravani ragam, the dhattu swaras (jumping from one note to another) are used liberally in this piece — ‘PDSNDPM,G/ RGDPMGRS’, with the opening itself bringing together harmonic phrases. 

Rajaraja chozhan - Rettai vaal kuruvi

K. J. Yesudas

Nila kuyile - Magudi

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki

Set in Rasikaranjani ragam, whose phrases will remind Carnatic listeners of Purvikalyani ragam. 

Thaene thenpaandi - Udaya geetham

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam