Dear Rahmaniacs, Singer Manickavinayagam has sung for Vidai Kodu Engal Naade ( Kannathil Muttamittal), and Markandeya ( NEW)
He has sung about 700 songs for Tamil Cinema, and is aspiring to become a Music Director himself. His Interview is as follows "Basically, I had aspired to become a Music Director, and have been taking efforts in that direction. In my period, myself, T.R.Pappa, Deva, have been singing non devotional songs. We have sung a lot of such songs. I have scored Music for about 15,000 songs ( devotional ) during that time, and had also received Tamil Nadu's Kalaimamani Award. Rahman hasnt played Keyboard in my Music troupe, but I know him before that itself. YOu were all children at that time, when I had come to your home. You were all about 11 years old. Myself, and Sudarshan's son, by name Sada ( Guitarist ) had come to enquire abt your father's condition, when he was not well. That was how I came to be known to be introduced to Rahman. I play Haromonium, Mridangam ( learnt it from Vinayakam) . I had assisted Pravinmani for Poovukane song in Little John for Pravinmani. I got a chance with Rahman Sir, 6 months immediately after my song " Kannukulla kelathi" became a hit from Dhool. I sang the song " Vidai Kodu Engal Naade". Most unforgettable song in my career. That was the first time that I met Rahman Sir as a Music Director in his studios. Otherwise, I have seen him in some functions. I had a fear seeing him in the studios. My music idol was M.S. Viswanathan. He was also sitting in the studio, and I was told, that he is going to sing with me. The fear doubled for me. And adding to it was Director Maniratnam who was sitting in the panel. I know that your brother ( ARR ) starts his work in his studio only after 8 PM , and the AC there also made me grow more nervous. The Intitial pitch for that song was very high. But fortunately, MSV Sir asked them to reduce the note a little bit. Because in Charanam, my bit was to be sung, and in high pitch. If it would have been the original pitch, I could not have sung that song, for sure Vishwanathan Sir, asking the shruti to be reduced was beneficial to me. Viswanathan Sir, after singing his bit, didnt want to leave the recording. He wanted to see, how I am going to sing my bit for the song. That also added to my nervousness, and I was shivering and singing that song. I received tremendous response from people, for that song. The appreciation that I got for the song, could not told in just a few minutes. ONce, when I went to Sri Lanka, to a Hill Station called Nuraleya..Majority of the crowd there were estate labourers , ( for the Concert ) . The pain that they face in life is intolerable. During the interval of the function, they were giving snacks to everyone. At that time, an old woman came backstage , and hugged me and started crying . She is saying, " You have sung that song , as if you have seen all the situations in front of you. Where were you for so much of time, having such a wonderful voice??". I couldnt control my feelings, as I felt like getting a Padmashri Award. The way Rahman Sir had composed the song, the way Maniratnam has picturised the song, and the way Vairamuthu Sir had written the lyrics, are mind blowing.. I received a lot of phone calls across the globe for that song, and wherever I travel, I sing that song. ( PART II will be next week ) -- regards, Vithur Whatever God wants to give, no one can deny; Whatever God wants to deny, no one can give. Be happy always
