SOUTH INDIAN CINE MUSIC DIRECTORS – TAMIL - [OLD VERSIONS] – VI

 MUSIC DIRECTOR –I

G. RAMANATHAN [Gopalaswami Iyer Ramanathan ] [ 1910- 20-11-1963]

G. RAMANATHAN was born in Bhikshaandar koil, near Srirangam and could not have successful schooling beyond 5^th standard or so. Despite his ‘not so high educational attainment, GR enjoyed abundant skill of learning by observation. By sheer listening, he had developed keenness of perception- an asset for anyone. He learned all the nuances of music by listening. This facet of Shri.GR has been widely acknowledged. Probably, his family background silently tuned him into the mechanics of classical music. In those days, even in cinemas, music had to present itself in classical format. His prolific imagination in handling ‘classical ragas,’ made him a distinct achiever then. At the age of 18,  Shri. G.R  joined ‘Bharatha Gana sabha’ –a drama troupe as their harmonist. Later, he switched over to another Drama troupe ‘Chellappa company’ and was singing songs and playing harmonium for their shows.

In 1938, when Shri. MK THIAGARAJA BHAGAVATHAR produced ‘sathya seelan’ a tamil movie in Bombay studios, GR became the music director for that movie. He never looked back there after in his journey as an MD. In fact he was the ‘Company MD’ FOR Salem Modern theatres, and also for Central studios, Coimbatore. .He was a pioneer in modifying classical ragas to suit and mollify the aesthetic element –a typical need for film songs. That way , GR paved the way for ‘semi classical’  treatment of film songs. He was tireless innovator in that game. Curiously, in the 1940s G Ramanathan had a career parallel in movies and stage as a music composer. He took the music lovers by dstorm when he un leashed the MKT Bhagavathar song ‘Manmadha leelaiyai vendrar undo’   in HARIDAS. GR HAD A VERY STRONG CONVICTION THAT ON A ‘CLASSICAL BASE ANY SONG COULD BE TUNED and make audience relish such numbers.

His penchant for MKT’S voice is too well known to be reiterated. However, it was GR who fine tuned TMS’s VOICE THROUGH SEVERAL EARLY FILMS WHEN THE TWO HAD TEAMED UP. Films- THOOKKUTHOOKI, AMBIKAPATHY, AMARADEEPAM, VANANGAMUDI, UTHTHAMAPUTHTHIRAN, are some instances where TMS had the advantage of shaping by a doyen like G Ramanathan. GR was himself a good singer and has sung in movies Alli petra pillai [KVM] and his own composition in PONMUDI. .   

Though an independent MD himself, he had co-opted with different other MDs for some films. For both Tamil and Telugui version of AMARADHEEPAM, GR scored music with T.Chalapathi rao [1956]. For MKT starrer PUDHU VAZHVU, he worked alongside Shri. CN Pandurangan [1957].For the Telugiu movie KATHAVARAYANU KATHA[1958], he coordinated with G.Aswathama.

His kit of ‘hit songs’ is full. [Amara dheepam had many hits ; among them ‘then unum vandu, Jaalilio ghymkana, nanayam manushanukku’ were popular. From ‘AMBIKAPATHY’ maasila nilave nam’. Sindhanai sei maname were hits.Uthama puthiran had several hit songs, yaradi nee mohinee , unazhagai kanniyargal, Mullai malar mele were exceptionally brilliant pieces that sustain the elegance after several decades even now,   His outstanding work in VEERAPANDIYA KATTABOMMAN stays energetic till date and the songs ‘inban pongum vennilaa’, Singara kanne stay youthful to date.     

GR has scored music for several films, without any blemish or grapevine on his work. He had a simple style of orchestration; but had the strategy of captivating musical notes, backed up by vivid orchestration. In several aspects of song scoring, he was quite experimenting and leaping forward without getting bogged by tradition. Though in consonance with the then practice of using limited instruments, his orchestration has all the time been quite brisk, novel and absolutely fresh.

Look at ‘yaaradi nee mohini’ song especially the incessant clapping that turns infectious and possesses everyone on the scene including the rigidly negative villain MN NAMBIAR. GR refused to sit through an English movie [taken there by Venus group] and said to Uththamapuththiran producers [Venus pictures] “let us not waste time here, we can score better beats , come on let us go” . Then he showcased his imagination in the song ‘yaaradi nee mohini’ and provided excellent scope for dance movements. All songs in Uththama puththiran were run away hits.

His last work was with KS Gopalakrishnan for ‘DEIVATHTHIN DEIVAM’. When working for the movie ARUNAGIRI NAADHAR’ IN THE STUDIO, G Ramanathan instantly died of massive heart attack; the pending work was completed by TR PAAPPA. Such a grand doyen was G. Ramanathan, whom I salute for his innovative brilliance.

Prof. K. Raman