Sujatha’s Birthday Tuesday (March 31)
Chechi called Club FM to find out which number to call to submit a song to her beloved on World Valentine’s Day; On February 14, twelve years ago. After giving the number of the on-air studio, he simply asked, “Which song are you dedicating?”
Without stopping for a moment, he replied: “I have been looking for you for so long, I love you so much, my dear …”. A song sung by Sreenivas and Sujatha in Summer in Bethlehem.
No wonder. It was the most sought after song of the year. Gireesh Puthenchery – Vidyasagar duo’s beautiful melody came first in the survey conducted by FM to find the most popular love song in Malayalam. Even today, that song is still at the forefront of the list of Malayalee love songs.
Curiosity is another matter. Called Chechi is 80.’s so much like ‘husband’s 84. Centurion.
Some may ask, “Why not fall in love at this age? Of course you should. Come on. Seventy or seventy – five year olds call to the radio for their favorite songs, but most of the songs they ask for are old-fashioned melodies. What does love mean?
Chechi, who has retired as a nurse from a government hospital, gave the answer: “Sujatha is your favorite singer. It’s not like today or yesterday. It’s years of love. There’s something special in that Kochi’s voice. Go to bed … ”
Could there be a better example of how a song that is born in such a short time in order to glorify any story context in the film can have such a profound effect on the mind and life of the common man? Age does not even play a role in this romance.
Sujatha did not expect ‘how many births’ to get so much attention or grow over time while recording the song. When the film was released, the other songs in the film were the most talked about. As the title song, it is unlikely that “How Many Births” will appear on television. Naturally the song can be easily forgotten. But the opposite happened. A quarter of a century after its release, Malayalees still cherish that song; Like a friend or acquaintance who has been searching and receiving for so long. That song is even on the latest generation kids playlist. The melody of this song will be one of the most exchanged love messages on Valentine’s day. It’s the soul of all lovers.
Vidyasagar composed the original tune for the song ‘Entroyo Janmamay’ two or three years ago for the Tamil film ‘Nanpa Nanpa’ which was to be directed by Sibi Malayil with Manju Warrier and Prabhu in the lead roles. Vairamuthu’s beautiful lines followed – “Bhoomiye Bhoomiye Poomazhai Naan Thoovava …” Vidyaji remembers that the melody was born in Bangalore.
After shooting only one song, the project ‘Nanpa Nanpa’ was abandoned, but the song and melody did not fade into oblivion. In the Tamil action film Senkottai (1996) starring Arjun and Meena, ‘Bhoomiye Bhoomiye’ features SPB and S Janaki in the lead roles. The meeting of the song was to forget without getting the attention it deserved. The main reason is that the film crashed at the box office.
But how can Sibi Malayil forget that melody? During the composing of ‘Summer in Bethlehem’ (1998), CB asked Vidyasagar to recreate the old melody in Malayalam. “Sibisar liked that tune so much. ” – Vidyaji remembers. This time Vidyasagar did not use the old tune, but made some changes in its composition and style. When Gireesh’s simple and beautiful lines were added together?
Gireesh has said that the song came from the two words ‘Atramel Ishtamay’. Even the beginning of how many births came later. It’s hard to believe that these lines were written in tune. When the Tamil version of ‘Senkotta’ went unnoticed, the Malayalam version became the biggest hit of all time.
Another curiosity. The other two tunes composed by Vidyasagar for CB’s Tamil film CB, which went unnoticed, soon came to us as super hit Malayalam songs. The song ‘Malaikatru Vanth Tamil Pesute’ became the lyric of ‘Summer in Bethlehem’ one more night. The song ‘Nanpa Nanpa’ was sung by Devadoothan and ‘Poove Poove Palapoove’.
Sreenivas and Sujatha’s love for Malayalees with the song ‘Ethrayo Janmamay’ continues to amaze. The audience starts to shake when they hear the music at the beginning of the song. ‘I remember having to repeat the refrain of that song during a function at Tirur Thunchan Param. Each time the packed audience enthusiastically arranged the lines. Such an experience is rare in chants ..”– Sujatha’s memory.
Sreenivas remembers coming to Vidyasagar’s Varshavallaki studio to record a song with a cold. “My doubt was whether it would be right to sing a romantic melody in that situation. No doubt, I wanted that voice to be the same. Vidyasagar later recorded the song and realized how right his decision was.”
Sujatha seems to be a singer who was born to sing love songs. A singer who is full of love in words, letters and even in every corner. Vidyasagar should be the music director who has made the most of this romantic look. Sujatha has twice won the state award for best playback singer for her music. (Romantic, feathery). Melody’s educational touch is present in all of Sujatha’s best love songs.
After a quarter of a century, Sujatha is still lovingly whispering in the ears of a Malayalee:
Content Highlights: Singer Sujatha Birthday Summer In Bethlahem Movie song Vidyasagar Girish Puthenchery
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