Andrum, Indrum, Endrum MSV - felicitation to melisai mannar M.S.VISWANATHAN by presenting 'GEETHAMUDHRA' award and Endrun iniya MSV hits by Sridhar Navraags
Mellisai Mannar M.S.Viswanathan was honoured in a grand function by Mudhra on 19th September in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film music. Dr.S.Jagathrakshagan, Honorable Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting conferred the "Geethamudhra" award on this living legend. Dr.Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti and A.Natarajan felicitated MSV. In his speech, Dr.Jagathrakshagan said that the songs of MSV stood the test of time and would remain for all times. He added that as he sat listening to MSV's songs sung by the orchestra, his eyes became moist and his heart was filled with emotions. Dr.Nalli recalled his fifty years of acquaintance with MSV and said that MSV-Kannadasan was an inseparable pair who had contributed gem compositions to film music. Natarajan too mentioned about the richness in the songs of MSV and that by honouring such a veteran, Mudhra was indeed honoring itself. MSV was choked with emotion when the overflowing audience in the hall gave him a standing ovation and he said in his speech, "the greatest award that I have received for my service to music is the appreciation of my rasikas and I am overwhelmed to see so many of them in this hall today." In fact, earlier, the Minister also made a remark that he was surprised to see the hall full of rasikas even though the function had been preponed by an hour due to his official commitments.
P.B.Sreenivos who graced the occasion said that if he was on stage today, receiving the applause and affection of so many fans, it was because of the opportunity created by MSV for him to sing so many beautiful songs. The highlight of the show was the moving gesture by Vani Jairam who came on stage and in her evergreen, vibrant voice did a "Geethamaala Samarpanam" to MSV by singing eight hit songs in a medley.All the songs she sang like Ezhu swarangal, Pongum Kadal osai, Ninaivaale silaiseidu unakkaga vaithen etc. brought tears into the eyes of every rasika in the auditorium. .How she is able to maintain the same voice quality even at this age is really unbelievable! Especially when she took the high pitched song Pongum kadal Osai and created minute vibrations through her crystal clear voice, the range traversed was unbelievable. The best part of it was the smooth transition from one song to another, all without the aid of any Sruti in the background!
Sridhar Navraags troupe presented some golden hits of MSV and all the singers did an excellent presentation, very near to the original version of the greats like PBS, Susila, TMS, Vani Jairam etc. The grand finale which really shook the audience and left unforgettable memories of the programme was the song from the film Karnan sung by Kovai Murali. The success of the programme was evident in the faces of the audience who left really happy with very fond memories of the "Golden Era of Film Music" created by the living legend MSV through his innumerable, unforgettable melodies.
Truly, the evening's programme titled " Andrum, Indrum, Endrum MSV" bore testimony to the fact that MSV and his music will live for all times.
Geetha Mudhra Award to Popular Cine Play Back Singer Dr.P.B.Sreenivos with a Grand Musical Feast of PBS Melodies
Date: 21st September 2008
Venue: Infosys Hall, Ramakrishna Mission School Campus, Bazullah Road, T.Nagar
Old film melodies still retain their charm and captivate the hearts of one and all. This was truly evident at the special function organized by Mudhra on 21st September to felicitate the veteran playback singer Dr.P.B.Sreenivos for his yeoman service to the field of film music. Noted music troupe Sridhar’s Navaraags took up the challenging task of giving a musical feast of PBS melodies to the audience.Sridhar had indeed made painstaking efforts to choose the singers whose voice matched that of PBS and every singer did his best in the song allotted to him.
Among the hit songs of PBS presented were Mouname paarvaiyaal, Roja Malare rajakumari, Mayakkama kalakkama, Oruthi oruvanai ninaithu vittal, Nilave ennidam nerungathe, Nenjam marappathillai, Azhagiya Mithilai, Madura Nagaril, Viswanathan Velai Vendum, manithan enbavan Deivamagalam, Anubhavam Pudhumai, Indha Mandrathil Odivarum, Nilavukku enamel ennadi kovam and many more.
Noted singer A.V.Ramanan who was in the audience also joined on stage for a song. Y.Gee.Mahendra, the chief guest of the evening surprised everyone by spontaneously coming up and playing the table for yet another song. O.S.Arun held the audience spellbound by singing a few lines of the Ghazal “Kadaloram naam dinamum” penned and composed by PBS. S.Janaki and Vani Jairam joined in felicitating PBS and also spoke about their long term association with him. PBS’ sons were also present and one of them sang a beautiful song and mesmerized the audience (though he did say that it was ages since he had practiced the song, music seems to be in his genes and he did a great job of presenting it flawlessly). Actors Sachu, ARS, Issai Mazhalai Ramji and many others joine4d wholeheartedly as if it was their very own function – that is the charisma and fine rapport that PBS shares with all his co-artists, well wishers and fans.
When PBS entered the hall, all his fans engulfed him and it was indeed an emotional moment. Later, Dr.Nalli Kuppuswami Chetty presented the “Geethamudhra” award to Dr.PBS and A.Natarajan and actor Y.Gee.Mahendra felicitated and spoke about the distinct contribution made by PBS to the world of film music. In his reply, PBS in an emotional note said that this was one of the most memorable functions and that he was truly touched by the large turn out of his fans. One of his friend B.N.Rao. who has been associated with PBS for more than 70 years also made it to the function and presented a beautiful write up on PBS which was read out by Dr. Radha Bhaskar.
Many fans of PBS who came a bit late could not find a place inside the hall but they managed to pull up a chair and sit in the open. This too was a unique experience as they could see the programme and also have the advantage of the natural cool breeze blowing softly over them. To top it all were the wonderful sweets, snacks and coffee arranged by Mudhra Bhaskar – an evening of good food for the soul as well as the stomach.
It was past 10.30 p.m. and the enthusiastic audience was still not satisfied and kept asking for more. But the curtains had to be dropped and every member in the audience felt that this was one evening to be embedded in their hearts.