When does a film lyricist get disheartened? When his song, written with great passion for a given situation, is deleted at the editing table. During a recent conversation, popular lyricist Bhuvanachandra revealed that in his 38- year career as a song writer, he did face such a situation 10 to 15 times. “It is disheartening. But you cannot blame the director for that. While conceiving the situation for the song, he might have had a particular vision. And if the preceding scene had come in a different mode, either due to the performance of the actors or on account of the changes made on the sets, then he might feel, at the time of editing, that the song could be an obstacle to the smooth flow of the narrative.”
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Veteran song writer Kosaraju Raghavaiah Chowdhary had expressed similar views 35 years ago, pointing out that such happenings were common in the industry, but there were a couple of production houses which were an exception. One such banner was Prasad Art Pictures, helmed by AV Subbarao. “Once the script was finalised, the lyricist was assured that there would be no alterations in his song and it would be there in the movie in its original form.”
Kosaraju was signed to write a light bantered satire on the playing cards game for PAP’s Kulagothraalu (1962). The film’s producer AV Subbarao, director Pratyagathma, music composer S Rajeswara Rao and Kosaraju had assembled for the music session at PAP’s office in T’ Nagar, Madras. “Rajeswara Rao said that he would compose the tune to my lyric,” Kosaraju recalled.
“I am not a cards game player. So while I was searching for the words, the producer asked for a Hindi song, which he liked, to be played. Rajeswara Rao was reluctant as he had composed original tunes for all the other songs and he wanted to compose one for this song too. Finally, the Hindi song was played — jia o jia ojia kuch bole do … from Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai . It sounded good. Rajeswara Rao also liked the Shankar- Jaikishan composition. And I immediately came up with suitable words — Ayayo chethilo dabbulu poyene . Pratyagathma was excited and said ‘very good, proceed.’ I gave the next line — Ayayo jebulu khaalee aayene . Rajeswara Rao played on the harmonium and was pleased with the opening lines ( pallavi) . For the rest of the lyric, he composed an original tune. Within an hour the song and the tune were ready.”
The song was filmed on Ramana Reddy, Relangi and others at Orakkadu village near Chennai. Madhavapeddi Satyam lent voice for Ramanaiah (played by Ramana Reddy).
Ayayo chethilo dabbulu poyene/ Ayayo jebulu khaalee aayene/ Unnadi kaastaa oodindee/ Sarva mangalam paadindee/ Pellam medalo nagalatho sahaa tirukshavaramai poyindee/ Ayayo…
His fellow gambler Sadanandam (Relangi) consoles him in the subdued voice of Pithapuram Nageswara Rao:
Mahaa mahaa Nala maharajuke thappaledu bhaayee
Ramanaiah blames him: Mari nuvvu cheppaledu bhaayee
Sadanandam: Telivi thakkuvaga cheetla pekalo debbathintivoyee/ Babu nibbarincha voyee/ Ayayo…
Ramanaiah: Niluvu dopidee devudi kichhina phalitham dakkedee yentho punyam dakkedee
A fellow card player Ramakoti joins: Chakkera pongali chikkedee
Ramanaiah: Electionlalo kharchu bedithe MLA dakkedee
Sadanandam: Manakoo anthati luckedee/Ayayo…
And the song progresses further with Ramanaiah lamenting for his ill luck and Sadanandam encouraging him not to lose hope.
Gelupu votami deivadheenam cheyyi tiragavachhoo mallee aadi gelava vachhu
By now realisation has donned on Ramanaiah: Chivaraku jole kattavachhu/ Ayayo…
The scene
Sadanandam (Relangi), nephew of a rich man Bhushaiah (Gummadi), and Ramanaiah (Ramana Reddy) are chronic playing card addicts. Ramanaiah pledges his wife Anasuya’s (Sandhya) jewels and loses all the money in the cards game. With nothing left, he expresses his despair through the song.
Kosaraju was the most preferred writer during those days to pen songs on social or political issues creating awareness. And he also tasted success in that genre. Ayayo jebulo dabbulu poyene was one such hit song from him which is popular to this day.
