Song: Yaaradi Nee Mohini
Composer: G Ramanathan
Singers: TM Soundararajan, AP Komala, K Jamuna Rani, Jikki
Lyrics: Ku Ma Balasubramaniam
Actors: Helen, Shivaji Ganesan
Film: Uthama Puthiran
‘Yaaradi Nee Mohini’ from Uthama Puthiran, the 1958 Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini-starrer, is our song of the day. It continues to be popular half a century later, and is credited as Tamil cinema’s first rock n’ roll song. Bollywood dancer Helen came from Bombay to Madras to shoot this song, and Kamal Haasan once said in an interview that every actor aspiring to be a dancer at that time learnt Sivaji Ganesan’s steps. The song, composed by G Ramanathan, is a treat to listen to. The film had other remakes and adaptations, and this version, directed by Prakash Rao, ran for 100 days after released and is popular when telecast even today.