SOUTH INDIAN CINE MUSIC DIRECTORS [OLD] –XIII

 MD VII -  R. GOVARDHANAM [21-02-1918—18-09 – 2017]

Ramakrishna Govardhanam was the younger brother of Shri. R.Sudharsanam; like his brother R G too has had a stint of association with Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala movie song composing, conducting and recording them. When 10, he went with his brother R S to Saraswathi stores song recording session. There RG’s ability to decipher the characteristics from ‘swara pattern’ came to light. On another occasion the noted Nadhaswaram expert Thiruvaaduthurai Rajarathnam played his pet ‘THODI’ in Nadhaswaram and RG, like a well trained expert gave out the notations for that piece; everyone around was stunned. This ability of RG was in exuberance all through his sessions of assistance to song recordings of MSV during the best part of RG’s career.

The general opinion on RG’S ability as a composer has been one of wide acknowledgment in recording studios in the state. Instead of running around looking for opportunities, RG was contented to stay as an assistant and enjoy a range compositions then being churned out for a variety of movie situations --romantic/ comic/ display of valour and so on.

Besides his ability to grasp the structure of a tune and decipher the notations thereof, he had a phenomenal memory of every subtle note through the entire song. This ability of RG was a huge advantage to MDs who availed of his services as a conductor, for recording songs.

RG had been an excellent composer himself and movie producers did not widely utilize his talent. In the few movies that RG had scored music for, has given brilliant songs well remembered for their elegance.

‘KAIRASI’ [‘anbulla aththaan’, ‘kadhalenum aatrinile’,  ‘kaththirundhen kaathirundhen’]

‘POOVUM POTTUM’ [‘ennam pola kannan vandhan’, ‘nadhaswara osiyile’ ‘ un azhagai kandu kodal’]

‘PATTANATHTHIL BOOTHAM’ [ ‘Andha sivagami maganidam’ , ‘kannil kanda dhellam kaatchiya’  ‘ulagaththil sirandhadhu edhu’ ]

His final days were rather harsh with no resources to support life. Based on a journal report, the then  TN CM Jayalalithaa sent a purse to the tune of RS 10 lakhs as gratis + a monthly dole of a steady support for decent living . RG’s wife had gratefully acknowledged it as RG was in bad health then.

We wonder, at times how even the talented are unable to rise up in life to the deserved level.

I salute R G for his wide ranging talent in cine music.

Prof. K. Raman