Om Namashivaya - Kamal Hassan's Dancing Talent

This is a hit song from the movie Salangai Oli starring Kamal Hassan, Jayapradha, Sarath Babu and others. The movie is based on Kamal's dancing abilities. This song show cases Kamal Hassan's versatile dancing talent supported by very good performances by all the other actors. Incidentally Illayaraja won a National Award for this movie. The story is about Balakrishna (Kamal Haasan), a versatile dancer who wants to make it big in the field of art. But he keeps missing chances and his talent goes unnoticed and is ridiculed most of the times. He tries to battle poverty and at the same time realize his mother's dream of him turning into a great dancer. His life changes when he comes across Madhavi (Jayaprada), a beautiful girl who is also seriously interested in classical dance. She is fascinated by Bala's talent and she tries to help him get the recognition he deserves. They both soon become close friends and Madhavi gets Bala an opportunity to dance at the All India dance fest along with the country's best dancers. But a tragedy happens in Bala's life and he misses that chance. Their relationship further grows and Bala falls in love with Madhavi and proposes to her. But due to the unfortunate turn of events, they get separated and Bala sacrifices his love for the well-being of Madhavi. He turns into a drunkard ruining himself and his talent. What happens when Madhavi meets Bala several years after this, forms the rest of the story. (Courtesy Vivek Ranjit)

Vijayakanth Hits - Namma Kada Veethi

This is a hit song from the movie Amman Kyoil Kizhakkaale starring Vijayakanth and Radha. The music for this movie had been composed by Illayaraja. The movie was directed by R Sundarrajan who had given several hits during that period such as Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu. R Sundarrajan had been K Bhaghyaraj's assistant is a fact unknown to many. The lyrics for this song has been written by Vaali. As mentioned already in an earlier post Vaali has been able to adapt and adjust himself to the changing times and has proved to be a success through different generations. Vijayakanth had given a series of hits during that period. Vijayakanth had done well in comedy too. It is only during the latter part of his acting career he has tried to fit himself in to a fixed stereotype as per the expectations of his fans!

Ramarajan Hits - Sorgame Endraalum

This is a hit song from the movie Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu featuring Ramarajan and Gowthami. This is my little daughter's all time favourite song. Is there anything more to say?!

Prabhu Hits - Aagaaya Vennilaave

This is a hit song from the comedy suspense thriller(!) movie Arangetra Vel(l)ai starring Prabhu, V K Ramasamy, Revathy, Jaiganesh, Anju, Janakaraj and others. The movie had been directed (remade from the original Malayalam movie Ramoji Rao Speaking) by the famous Malayalam director Faazil. Faazil was not the director of the original movie incidentally (Lal & Siddique). This particular song features Prabhu and Revathy and V K Ramasamy and has been sung by K J Yesudas and Uma Ramanan. The lyrics have been written by the evergreen lyricist of Tamil Cinema Vaali. Prabhu has a flair for comedy and the comedy sequences involving Prabhu, V K Ramasamy and Revathi are enjoyable. The movie starts with small playful tiffs between Prabhu and Revathi and goes on to take a twist when a wrong call of a kidnapper is received mistakenly by Prabhu. The movie finally ends with solutions to all the twists and turns with the intervention and generosity of the kidnapped girl's father played well by Jaiganesh.  Eventually this movie had been made in Hindi by Priyadarshan and the movie had been a huge hit.

Sivaji Hits - Vetti Veru Vaasam

This is a hit song  from the movie Mudhal Mariyaathai directed by Bharathiraja. The film's music and background score are by Illaiyaraaja who is in his element. The lyrics are by Vairamuthu. The movie had been a huge hit and had received critical acclaim as well. In this movie Sivaji plays the role of Malaichami Devar married to a shrewish wife played by Vadivukkarasi who had given a great performance. She herself had admitted in an interview that she had been reluctant to do this kind of a role but had been convinced by the director. This performance had opened up a new avenue for her and she has gone on to do hundreds of similar roles both in Movies and TV after this performance. Sivaji seeks comfort and solace in his friendship with a ferry girl who has arrived newly to the village called Kuyil played very well by Radha. The friendship raises eyebrows in the village and the story goes on. One can appreciate the subtle inner meaning hidden in the lyrics of the song which portrays the relationships of the two leading pairs in the movie. Sathyaraj has played a brilliant little cameo towards the end of the movie as a villain.

Illayaraja Hits - Poove Poochudavaa

Poove Poochudavaa is a super hit song from the movie of the same title. This movie portrays a sentimental and emotional relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. The movie directed by Fazil had stood out for its superb casting. The grandmother’s role had been portrayed brilliantly and effortlessly by yesteryear’s superstar actress Padmini and the granddaughter’s role was played by the debutant Nadhiya. Her original name is Zarina  Moidu. She had acted with most of the leading actors in Tamil and Malayalam industry. In 1980's, there had been a huge female fan following for her costumes, hair style and ornaments. After marriage she had settled abroad with her husband and two kids, and had recently made a comeback with Jayam Ravi in the blockbuster hit 'M.Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi' This movie had been acclaimed by the critics and the masses for her performance as Jeyam Ravi's mother. In 2008, she signed as the brand ambassador for Arokya Milk. The music had been scored by Illayaraja and the song has been sung both in male and female voices by K J Yesudass and Chitra respectively.