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An evening of music and masti

Source: The Hindu, May 19 2005 by K. JESHI

More than the melodies, the anecdotes that SPB shared about some popular compositions made Music Masti a fiesta for music lovers.

Come June 4 and the singer turns 60. So what? S. P. Balasubrahmanyam has the amazing ability to lift an ordinary show into an incredibly exciting one even at this age.

The familiar verve, ebullience and imaginative improvisations, associated with the veteran's stage appearances over the years, weren't missing at Music Masti, — an evening of music and masti — organised by BPL Mobile to popularise its My FX caller ring tunes.

The event was a resounding success with the crowds filling the V.O.C Park Grounds to capacity.

The stage was set and the audience waited with bated breath.

And, S.P.B. spread the energy of music with a mix of classical and fast beat numbers. It was an unforgettable bonanza for the middle-aged and an enjoyable treat for musically inclined youngsters.

Picture of humility

On stage, SPB was humility personified. He went around to the percussionists' side clapping and guiding them and appreciated budding talents when they took to the stage.

The programme started off with Sangeetha megam from Udhaya Geetham. For the audience, it was a trip down memory lane. SPB turned nostalgic when he recollected the composing of Vaikaraiyil... Vaikai karayil from Payanangal mudivathillai. "As this movie title suggests, life is still an ongoing journey for me," he said.

The singer thoroughly enjoyed the performance of the Laxman Sruthi orchestra for the peppy `Secret of success' number from Boys. "It's amazing to watch the youngsters sing and dance. They kept the tempo alive though there was distraction due to the fireworks display."

Balu and melody

SPB's art of captivating audiences with melodious strains came to the fore at the show with numbers such as Vandanam en vandanam from Vazhvaey maayam and Athinthom from Chandramukhi. "Contrary to what people think, Vandanam was composed by Gangai Amaran," SPB said.

He also gave interesting background information on popular songs such as Sankara nadha shareera and how it continues to enthral audiences even 25 years after it was composed.

He next chose to sing the poignant Naan Unna Nenachaen number composed by Shankar Ganesh.

"I was apprehensive about the audience response to this slow number. But, you have been very receptive to melodies too."

When budding singers, Mahati and Srilekha Parthasarathy, expressed nervousness on sharing the stage with the veteran, he said: "Even today, I have a thousand butterflies in my stomach before every song."

When a singer in the orchestra came up with the melodious Lambi judaai from the Hindi movie Hero composed in Sufi style, SPB was quick to congratulate and honour the singer with a silk shawl presented to him by the organisers. "There is life in his song and he enjoyed singing it, and it needs to be appreciated."

The zest and energy of SPB was incredible. And it was a delight to watch the manner in which he enjoyed the improvisation for the lilting and romantic Panivizhum iravu from Mouna Raagam.

The tempo of the musical extravaganza reached its peak, when he rendered the melodious Tere mere beech mein from Ek dujhe ke liye. "There was widespread opposition from the Mumbai music industry when K. Balachander, its director, wanted me to sing the song. The song fetched me my second National award in 1981," he recalled. His first award came in 1979 for the "Sankara' number in Shankarabharanam.

When SPB took a brief break, it was the turn of Paravai Muniamma to entertain the audience with her popular Singam pola nadanthu varan from the Vikram-starrer Dhool.

She won a big round of applause for her lively performance along with the Edwin's dance troupe.

As a fitting finale, SPB sang numbers such as Andhi mazhai (Raja Paarvai), Manram vandha thendralukku (Mouna Raagam) and the crowd favourite Devuda devuda from Chandramukhi.

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