Balu Mahendra’s beautifully shot Malayalam film ‘Olangal’ (1982) is based on Erich Segal’s novel ‘Man Woman & Child’.
Shekhar Kapur’s Hindi adaptation ‘Masoom’ released next year.
But, the film’s lasting legacy is an unforgettable tune by the king of melody ILAYARAJA. #Thread
This song from Malaylam film ‘Olangal’ is filmed on Amol Palekar & Poornima.
Composer: Ilayaraja
Lyricist: ONV Kurup
Singer: S. Janaki.
“..thumbi vaa thumba kudathin thunjathaay unjaalidam ..”
The second version is in Tamil film ‘Auto Raja’. The soundtrack is composed by Shankar-Ganesh, except this song by Ilayaraja.
Unlike the original, this is a duet, with Ilayaraja himself joining S. Janaki as a singer.
Lyricist: Pulamaipithan
“sangathil paadaadha kavidhai”
Next, Balu Mahendra used the tune again in his Telugu film ‘Nireekshana’ (1986).
Composer: Ilayaraja
Lyricist: Athreya
Singer: S. Janaki
“Aakasham Eenatido..”
Balu Mahendra then used this tune again in ‘Kanne Kalai Mane’, the Tamil version of his Telugu film ‘Nireekshana’ (1986).
Ilayaraja once again got S. Janaki to record the song - 2nd Tamil version, and 4th overall .. so far.
“Neerveezhchi Thee Muttuthey..”
Balu Mahendra & Ilayaraja were well-known for the title of ☝️film long before it was released.
“kannne kalai maane” is Ilayaraja’s song from Mahendra’s ‘Moondram Pirai’, remade as ‘Sadma’ in Hindi.
In the Hindi version, Gulzar wrote “surmayi ankhiyon mein”
Both sung by Yesudas
Getting back to “Thumbi Va”.
The tune is next used in Balu Mahendra’s Hindi film ‘Aur Ek Prem Kahani’.
The makers received criticism for this least memorable version of the hugely popular tune.
All other songs in this film are also Ilayaraja’s old tunes from 3 Tamil films.
In 2004, Ilayaraja presented the ‘Thumbi Va’ tune at a live orchestra symphony in Italy, during the show ‘Ilayaraja musical journey’.
This 7-minute version was titled ‘Mood Kaapi’.
The latest and the 7th version of the song is in R. Balki’s ‘Paa’ (2009).
This time Ilayaraja recorded the song with his daughter Bhavatharini & Shravan. Written by Swanand Kirkire.
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