Song: Poongatru Thirumbuma
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja
Lyrics: Vairamuthu
Actors: Sivaji Ganesan, Radha
Singers: Malaysia Vasudevan, S Janaki
Film: Muthal Mariyathai
Today is Ilaiyaraaja’s 76th birthday. He has composed close to 7,000 songs for over a thousand films. As a tribute, our song of the day is one of his all-time favourites sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and S Janaki for the 1985 film Muthal Mariyathai.
In ‘Poongatru Thirumbuma’, Sivaji Ganesan sings of his heavy heart, and asks if the wind will turn its course to listen to his song. Radha hears this and sings back to him.
Ilaiyaraaja’s music and the interludes between the lines stand out. KJ Yesudas is said to have first auditioned to sing this song, but Ilaiyaraaja felt that Malaysia Vasudevan would be a better fit; this song went on to become a huge hit. The same film features another classic Malaysia Vasudevan and Janaki song in ‘Vetti Vaeru Vaasam’.