A Small Tribute to a Legend

 To talk about a legend, a musical wizard, a person loved by almost everyone across the country, especially when I didn't know him personally nor a musician myself, borders on sacrilege.  Also, as they say in Kannada, it is like holding a candle to the Sun.  However, SPB - Shri/Dr Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubramanyam - was a singer par excellence who touched everyone's life and heart in the South (if not the entire country).  

This post is not to eulogise and write about his life and qualities.  I am no expert.  Nor do I want to copy information from Wikipedia and post here. As a small tribute to the man who sang thousands of songs in Kannada - both film and non-film - I would like to enlist songs that were watershed moments either in his career, or those of actors, or stood out musically.  This is not an easy task at all, considering the body of work and immense popularity of so many of his songs; yet I am sticking my neck out and making a list of just ten gems.

SPB first sang in Kannada in 1967 - his second ever song was in Kannada.  M Ranga Rao made him sing in the movie, 'Nakkare Ade Swarga', a duet with P Susheela.  For an industry that was awed by the voice of PBS - Prativadi Bhayankara Srinivas, it took a while to warm up to SPB.  Between 1967 and 1972, SPB did sing many songs, and some of them became immensely popular too.  But, then came a breakout performance that made him a star singer. The list is not organised chronologically, except for the first number.

1.  Havina Dwesha Hanneradu Varusha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKmE7D_bx2M

1972.  Puttanna Kanagal, ace Kannada director, was launching a new hero Sampath Kumar,with the movie, "Naagara Haavu" based on a novel by the same name penned by literary great, T R Subba Rao (otherwise known as ThaRaaSu).  He wanted a fresh voice to lend vocals to an angst-ridden song.  Vijayabhaskar, one of the best music director Kannada has seen (and Puttanna's favourite) suggested SPB.  The song - penned by Vijayanarasimha - was composed more like a slow, dramatic monologue, than a typical song.  

The movie, its hero (and heroine), and this song were all runaway hits. Sampath Kumar became the new star of Kannada cinema as Vishnuvardhan. And, SPB became the go-to voice of every hero from then on.  And, this marked the end of the peak of PB Srinivas as a playback singer in Kannada.  

2.  Naliva Gulaabi Hoove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrTvmCyGjvo 

SPB arguably has sung his best numbers in Kannada for Shankar Nag.  His mannerisms, the energy he would bring in all epitomised what Shankar Nag reflected on the screen.  I could even make an exclusive SPB-Shankar Nag anthology of great numbers, from across many movies, starting from Seetha Ramu to SP Sangliana.  

Auto Raja, the movie in which this song plays, catapulted Shankar to a superhero status, and to this day he is the demigod that every Kannadiga auto driver swears by, even though he died three decades ago. Rajan-Nagendra, the most successful/popular music duo of Karnataka composed music for this number; the lyrics are by the word maestro, Chi Udayashankar.  

3.  Entha Marulaiyya Idu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X10mWHSrURg

1970s in Kannada Cinema stands out because of new-wave and art-house films.  P N Srinivas was one such talent; his movies though were neither completely art-house nor fully commercial.  Even though he made very few movies, they all have stayed in the minds of connoisseurs of good movies.  He began with Spandana, and the music composed by C Ashwath, feels fresh to this day.  This song sung by SPB is one of my all-time favourites.  The lyrics are by the poet, N Lakshminarayana Bhat are soul-stirringly poignant, if you understand Kannada.  

4.  Nammoora Mandara Hoove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRGK6PVz3Q 

Another talent that emerged in Kannada in the late 70s was Suresh Heblikar.  He specialised initially in suspense and mysteries, and later branched out to make movies on psychological issues.  There are amazing songs from many of his movies, like  'Aparichita'(Ee Naada Anda Ee Kaala Chanda), and 'Amara Madhura Prema' (Naaleyu Barali Santasa Tarali), and yet I thought I'd chose only one. This song is from, 'Aalemane'.  The lyrics  are by Doddarange Gowda, an underutilized powerhouse wordsmith.  Music is by the extremely talented Ashwath and L Vaidyanathan.  The duo were known as Ashwath-Vaidi, and gave music to several movies in Kannada.  This romantic number and its intensity of emotion could only be brought alive by the vocals of SPB.  None else can be imagined to sing it. Through out the 80s, almost everyone sang this song at school competitions, college fests, and every possible occasion!

5.  Bhale Bhale Chandada Chandulli Hennu Neenu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNrG2uFtPmQ 

Ramesh Arvind arrived in late 80s and soon established himself in playful roles which earlier were earmarked for Ramakrishna.  But, then he turned up in an intense, psychotic movie role in 'Amritavarshini', directed by Dinesh Baboo.  It was a break-out performance that helped him cement his career. The music helped in no less measure, and without doubts, SPB's vocals in this song composed by Deva, and penned by K Kalyan.  The lyrics are fresh, romantic, and make you think of spring in intense summer, and the singing gives you goosebumps.  

6.  Yaava Hoovu Yaara Mudigo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nQ8rmu5ZFU

Srinath was known as King of Romance (Pranaya Raja) during his heyday in Kannada cinema.  But, SPB had not sung a song for him until Shubhamangala (1974).  This song is from 'Besuge', another romance with his best onscreen heroine, Manjula.  SPB's contribution is immense in sustaining the image of Srinath as the perennial lover.  Most of the songs that made a mark and became popular were duets ('Nille Nee Nalle', 'Besuge Besuge..', 'Ee Sambhashane', and so on).  SPB and Srinath built a lifelong friendship from the days of Shubhamangala, even after Srinath moved away from being the lead to character roles. 

Geethapriya debuted as director with this movie, and even penned the lyrics.  Music is by Vijayabhaskar. 

7.  Noorondu Nenapu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJgrLFDr5vE 

'Bandhana' (this song features in it) was the most successful film of Vishnuvardhan ever.  Even though he had the tag of an angry young man, and played to the masses as a tough action hero, this was a completely romantic movie, not essentially matching his image.  But, SV Rajendra Singh Babu, the director, produced a masterpiece that enchanted the entire state's audiences. Based on a novel by Usha Navaratnaram by the same name, the movie retains a cult status in romantic movies.  

The music for this movie was scored by M Ranga Rao, and the lyrics were penned by RN Jayagopal, the son of R Nagendra Rao, a doyen of Kannada cinema.  

8.  Santhoshake Haadu Santhoshake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbvU2qscN9g 

Will there be any 'all-time best' lists be complete without an Ilayaraja number? Most probably not.  

Shankar Nag was a multi-faceted personality.  He though debuted through stage, he went on to become an actor, director, script-writer, producer, and even established a sound recording studio in Bengaluru.  He made the eponymous 'Malgudi Days' for DD, based on RK Narayan's works. 'Geetha' was one of the early movies he directed, and dealt with the travails of a man in love with a cancer patient.  Even though the movie was not a great success, its music continues to stay on the minds of people; Ilayaraja used one of his compositions from this movie in 'Cheeni Kum', 30 years later!

9.  Karunaada Taayi Sadaa Chinmayi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDUzQJMY0ug

If it is Kannada song list, it will stay incomplete without a Hamsalekha number; or for that matter, a song featuring V Ravichandran, the crazy star.  This song from 'Nanu Nan Hendti' was only penned by Hamsalekha; it was set to music by Shankar-Ganesh duo.  This movie also started one of the longest and successful associations of actor-musician resulting in a series of musical hits, Prema Loka, Ranadhira, Anjada Gandu, and so on, over the next decade and a half.  Ravichandran gave a big break as a music director (and lyricist) to Hamsalekha; Hamsalekha made a star out of Ravichandran, with his dialogues, lyrics, and music.  And, it was the voice of SPB that brought all those compositions to life. 

Hamsalekha often repeats everywhere, 'a singer like SPB takes birth only once in 500 years'.  

10. Umandu Ghumandu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMM9TBrpbTA 

Chindodi Bangaresh and Chindodi Leela, two stalwarts of Kannada theatre always had a dream to make a movie on Panchakshari Gavai, a gifted blind Hindustani Classical musician  from North Karnataka.  Surprisingly when they chose to make it, they chose Hamsalekha to compose music.  The entire industry circles were shocked - one, the movie was about Hindustani Classical music; two, Hamsalekha was known to break every musical tradition and come up with crazy numbers.  Some even used to call him, 'Dhwamsalekha' (meaning, the pen that destroys). Yet, the result was no less than outstanding.

Gana Yogi Panchakshari Gavai, not only brought National Award to SPB - his fourth - for singing, it even fetched the Best Music Director Award to Hamsalekha, a much needed validation of his music talent!

A1. One for the road - Mamaravello Kogileyello

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6jrsgJxNAI 

SPB used to sing one particular song in most of his musical concerts.  He used to refer it to as the ideal song for 'Kantha Shuddhi', in his programmes.   

This song is from a movie, Devara Gudi, featuring Vishnuvardhan and his wife, Bharati.  The music was by Rajan-Nagendra, and lyrics are by Chi Udayashankar.

SPB not only sang, but also gave music to several Kannada movies, 'Sandarbha', being the first one. Strangely, in one of the movies where he acted and scored music, someone else was his playback singer! Dr Rajkumar gave the vocals for SPB on screen in the movie, 'Muddina Maava'.  When the request was made to Rajkumar he is believed to have exclaimed, "it is like the river Ganga has come asking for a cup of water!" Incidentally, Rajkumar is the only star for whom SPB didn't playback. 

SPB is no more.  But his voice and songs are forever alive, making us come alive, shed tears, romance, believe and live!

A Friend No More

 

 

Guru, holding me. At our last alumni meet; in front of our old MBA campus

Guru doing his favourite thing; dishing it up in his kitchen

One of the oft-shared/received message on WhatsApp/Facebook or any social media is about staying in touch with people in our lives - our families and friends.  Lest we regret that we didn't do enough while they were alive.  The regrets that one is left with whenever someone dear passes away are immense.  "I wish I had called him", "I wish I had met her one last time", "I wish I had apologised", and so on. Yet most of us do not practice it.  

Guru belonged to our quartet of friends.  He, Sumi, Benny, and I were the four who had formed this group in the very first semester of our MBA days.  And, we had continued to be the ones who always hung out together.  We were four truly disparate people, coming from different backgrounds, languages, places, and interests, and yet who had formed a deep bond of friendship.  

 It all started with Guru asking us if we would want to take private tuition for accountancy.  None of us had studied accounts in either undergrad or Plus 2, and the lecturer who handled accounts in the course didn't know what he was teaching.  So, we had readily consented - the fee was affordable too, for me.  Just Rs 300 for the entire duration.  Within a week of joining the classes we had warmed up to each other immensely, and would spend loads of time chatting post the tuition.  Everyday we would hang out together - over two rounds of tea, each time ordered, '2 by four' - at one of the rooftop restaurants near Kalidasa Road, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore.  Sometimes - when our budgets permitted - our conversations moved to the Pelican Pub.  Guru would regale us with stories from his salad days; it was difficult to separate facts from fiction in his narratives.  And, his laughter would make us forget to ask him how much of it should be believed!

In those two years of MBA days, our quartet became famous in the University Campus, and travelled together, learnt some new life lessons, celebrated our birthdays and new years, worked on projects, shared our dreams. Soon after the course Guru was instrumental in me getting a job too.  For a good six months we were colleagues, working in the same location, pursuing same clients, and drinking together regularly.  We all stayed in touch until our paths began to diverge in different directions.  Sumi realised her dream of going to the US., Benny left for the Middle-East, Guru started working on his dream to combine water sports with tourism.  I joined the Civil Services.  Every now and then our paths crossed, and we met. Each time the connection was as good as it was when we were at the college.  

Guru was a multi-faceted personality.  He was a national-level swimmer, diver, and wind-surfer during student days.  He also was an accomplished painter, and an innovative chef.  He made his own wines too.  I still remember drinking gooseberry wine that he had brewed at home.  Guru was gregarious, and loved telling stories of his accomplishments; loads of exaggeration was invariably there, but never any hint of malice.  He told tall tales of his efforts to set up resorts in Australia to Andaman to Andalusia.  

In the last few years - after his father too had passed away, and on insistence from his mom - he had settled down in Mysore.  Ever creative, he had converted his home into a 'go-to' destination for all the foreigners coming to Mysore to learn yoga.  It helped the house was in Gokulam, the bustling yoga hub; his 'Pink House' had gained immense popularity.  

As a group we celebrated our 25 years of friendship going back to where it was all sealed. Malpe.  The four of us flew in from different destinations into Mangalore and drove together - with a pitstop at some roadside eatery which we converted to a bar - to the beach and stayed.  It felt we four would be together forever.  And, no fate would intervene. 

Even though we were so close, in the last one year we had hardly met after our alumni meet in August, 2019.  He had once come to Bengaluru and stayed with me after that; and always cribbed that I didn't call him and remember him as much as he did.  We spoke last in the aftermath of another demise last month of a dear friend and classmate, Bharathi.  We talked how we must stay closer, more in touch, and meet often.  And, yet, none of that happened.  

The new this morning - the first message on Whatsapp - jolted me (and continues to).  In the MBA Group, Guru's handle had sent a message:

'Guru Prasad no more'

I was the first to react.  What? Who's this please?

Soon, another friend from the group confirmed that Guru indeed was no more, and he had succumbed to Covid.  He was taking treatment at home for the last 15 days.  We didn't know Guru had tested positive; he hadn't shared this news with any of us.  His last message was a wish on Onam to Benny.  2020 was so far disastrous; it just turned a calamity with this news. Losing one friend was terrible; losing two is indescribably horrifying.

Rest in peace, dear friend.  I hope we will meet someday soon.  And carry forward the conversations and chats that are left unfinished.  Your smile and laughter will always be missed.  A drink will taste never as good anymore.  Nor Mysore will be as welcoming.  Will miss you, Guru, always.

Irrfan Khan: The Forever Struggler

It was in 2003 that a new director burst on the screen with a fresh movie, Haasil.  Even though the movie was headlined by Jimmy Shergill, Tigmanshu Dhulia had ensured that another actor in a negative role had an equally meaty character.  Irrfan Khan made an impact.  And, the director-actor then went on to collaborate in many successful ventures.  Irrfan won his first Filmfare award too for his performance. The same year Maqbool released and I couldn't take my eyes off Irrfan Khan.  The movie was an amazing adaptation of Macbeth by Vishal Bhardwaj.  In a powerful role, a relative nobody playing the titular role had managed to outshine Pankaj Kapur and even Tabu in the movie.  An actor at last had arrived on the scene.  Someone who didn't look like a regular hero.  No chocolate looks.  No chiseled features nor a body to stare at.  Yet here was someone who could mesmerise the viewer with his effortless acting and amazing voice. 

Another movie in 2007, 'Life in Metro', established the versatility of the actor beyond doubts.  In another author-backed role, Irrfan shone as a bachelor desperate to get married.  Many movies happened, Irrfan made a transition from being an art house actor to even a commercial one; Billu, produced by Shah Rukh Khan, made decent money.  He managed to keep even a mundane 'Gunday' alive with his acting chops - and the movie surprisingly made money.  He also smoothly crossed seas and appeared in acclaimed movies in Hollywood.  He teamed up with Tabu again in 'Namesake', based on Jhumpa Lahiri's Pulitzer winning novel of the same name. He went on to become the most well-known Indian actor overseas.

Irrfan won hearts with Pan Singh Tomar, another Tigmanshu Dhulia direction.  He went on to win the Best Actor trophy at the National Awards.  His turn in 'Lunchbox' tugged at everyone's heart.  2015 saw him appear in two of his best works, 'Piku', and 'Talwar', the movie that brought the murder of Aarushi Talwar to screen.  There were other Hollywood movies along with the way too.  'Life of Pi', 'Jurassic World', 'Inferno', and so on.  In 2017 he starred in his biggest hit of the career, 'Hindi Medium', a laugh-riot with a message. 

What most did not know was Irrfan began his acting career with 'Salaam Bombay', a movie rated one of the best ever, and features regularly in World Top 100.  That was in 1988.  And, it had taken a good 15 years of struggle for Irrfan to be noticed. Between  And for over a decade he had not received an offer to appear in any cinema in that period. And, again, just when he was at the height of success and popularity, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  He was barely able to finish shooting for 'Angrezi Medium', after his treatment for the disease.  While he was under treatment he even wrote poingnantly about the struggle to come to terms wth his illness.  

From 2003 for just over 15 years Irrfan stayed in the limelight.  He was one of the rare performers who never was in news for any reason, right or wrong.  It is just his work that spoke to the auidence.  He made the mundane appear endearing.  His acting gave a new meaning to the word, 'effortless'. Every role came alive and became utterly believable because Irrfan became them. Unlike the stars who would be themselves in every role, movie after movie.  Among the many shining zircons, Irrfan was an unassuming diamond. 

It was no less than a miracle that Irrfan had risen from obscurity to become a star. There was no further miracle in store for him.  His struggle with the fate occurred again and it claimed him this time.  

Farewell Irrfan! May you rest in peace.  May you never be troubled by the struggles you faced again.

Obituary

The King is dead. The King of Pop that is. None perhaps had dreamt during his heyday that MJ would die the way he did – embattled and embittered. Least of all Michael Jackson himself.

The man arguably created some of the best music the pop world has ever seen. His work also saw him catapulted to stardom that wasn’t probably heard ever before (ah, barring a certain Elvis of course). Records were broken with impunity by the Jackson numbers. His album ‘Thriller’ to this day perhaps holds the record for the highest sales ever. Dangerous and Black or White succeeded Thriller with super sales, albeit criticism that they weren’t as good. I remember all my classmates waiting eagerly for the release of ‘Dangerous’ in the late 80s with such infectious keenness, when I’d not even heard of him!

Michael Jackson’s personal life made more news than his music in the 90s. Or perhaps, his popularity resulted in so much media hoopla about his life. The accusations of pedophilia, the umpteen numbers of legal tangles, the loss of money and almost-bankruptcy filled the pages. While it was only his obsession with his skin-tone (and the hushed multiple plastic surgeries) and the rifts in the family were the only talk of the gossip mills earlier. A make-believe marriage to the King’s daughter, Lisa Mary, didn’t help things much. Lisa went on to reveal later that the couple never had sex (wasn’t that obvious?).

MJ’s death doesn’t come to me as a surprise. Possibly it’s a welcome relief for the wonder who created some of the best foot-tapping music coupled with equally mind-numbing dance moves. Hope his soul has found the solace it never had in its mortal life.