Yesudas has put his mellow, honeyed voice to good use singing about a wide variety of things in his decades-long career. And in this age of capitalism, some canny souls thought it best to make compilations out of his songs. We’ve all got those CD’s don’t we?
Eternal Love. Check.
Parental Devotion. Check.
Regular Devotion. Check.
But, one completely ignored compilation of Yesudas songs has to do with something humans definitely cannot exist with. And it’s quite weird, really, the way this genre has gone completely unexplored.
At a time when Hip Hop Tamizha and his ilk seem to be too interested in songs about women, water and clubs, here’s a list of songs that will transport you to a time when thanni just meant one thing.
Vaigai Karai Kaatre Nillu – Uyirullavarai Usha
Singer – KJ Yesudas
Lyricist –
Music Composer – T Rajendar
Director – T Rajendar
Starring – T Rajendar, Nalini
A subdued Yesudas lets the guitar and tabla take precedence in this song about love lost. A haunting melody, this song is a fine example of Rajendar’s skills as a composer.
*****
Kaayal Kanni – Vasanthageethangal
Singer – KJ Yesudas, Chithra
Music Composer – Raveendran
A song that is all things gentle and mellow. It brings together three of the finest talents ever to grace the music industry. Yesudas’ baritone flows smoothly over Chithra’s sweetly melodious voice as music composer Raveendran introduces violin – tabla segments that make this a finely textured song.
*****
Gangai Karai – Varusham 16
Singer – KJ Yesudas
Lyricist – Vaali
Music Composer – Ilaiyaraaja
Director – Fazil
Starring – Khusboo, Karthik Muthuraman
A very young Khushboo dances onstage as Karthik (in an iconic red shawl) tries to do his best Balamuralikrishna impression. Yesudas makes this rather intricate carnatic-based song sound very easy. But, really, try singing this at home.
*****
Erikkara Poongaatre – Thooral Ninnu Pochchu
Singer – KJ Yesudas
Lyricist – Chidambaranathan
Music Composer – Ilaiyaraaja
Director – K Bhagyaraj
Starring – K Bhagyaraj, MN Nambiar, Sulakshana
This track is at once a rousing romantic song for MN Nambiar and a sad one for Bhagyaraj and Sulakshana. It is to Ilaiyaraaja’s credit that this number is an apt one for the comic as well as the tragic.
*****
Naan Erikkara – Chinna Thaayee
Singer – KJ Yesudas, Swarnalatha
Lyricist – Vaali
Music Composer – Ilaiyaraaja
Director – S Ganesaraj
Starring – Vignesh, Padmashri
A love triangle between Padmashri, Vignesh, and Vignesh’s goat, this film divided the audience much like the lake that divided the lovers. Yesudas, Swarnalatha give voice to all that longing and love that reportedly occurs during the first few stages of romantic love.
*****
Kadaloram Kadaloram – Anandha Raagam
Singer – KJ Yesudas, Ilaiyaraaja
Lyricist – Panchu Arunachalam
Music Composer – Ilaiyaraaja
Director – Bharani
Starring – Sivakumar, Radha
A folksy tune about how the sea goddess (Amma) is Sivakumar’s world. Listen for Yesudas’ energetic rendition, stay for Sivakumar’s fisherman act.
