They walked, cycled, travelled by bus, bike and car. To meet K. Balachander who has touched each of their lives in his inimitable way.
The director extraordinaire, known for creating unforgettable characters on stage, cinema and television, has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2010, and Sri Krishna Sweets organised a function, “Noorandu Kaalam Vaazhga”, to honour him.
The spacious Sarojini Natraj auditorium was packed, with all the seats taken. Even the aisles were full, and some even stood through the proceedings.
It was Balachander's first-ever felicitation function after the announcement of the award. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan chairman Krishnaraj Vanavarayar spoke of the difficulty of standing apart, succeeding, lasting the course, and making the journey meaningful. “Only those who reach the last stage are honoured with the Phalke,” he said. “Those in the film industry have a responsibility to improve society and bring about attitudinal change. In this field, you can entertain or enlighten. Balachander did the latter.”
Krishnaraj Vanavarayar enlisted KB's characteristics — he welcomed technology but never became its slave; always strove to raise the quality of viewers; left his stamp on every film; and was a bridge between the old and the new. He concluded with the wish that a film institute be set up in KB's name.
When poetry poured forth from Isaikavi Ramanan's lips, language was truly a barrier. How on earth does one translate lyrical verses that captivated the legend called KB and his every creation ever so beautifully? We'll leave you with just a sample: Avaradhu athumeeralum kavidhaiaanadhu (even when he overstepped his limits, it became poetry). When Ramanan finished, there was hardly a dry eye in the auditorium.
Speaking as a fan, Kanagavalli Shanmuganathan (Ganga Hospital) recalled how his films left a lasting impact. “They were women-centric and analysed issues from so many angles. They brought about a silent change.”
Actor Sivakumar, who has been part of some of KB's masterpieces, spoke about how his films are still relevant. Citing the example of Gemini Ganesan-starrer “Punnagai”, he said that in today's scandal-ridden times, seeing the film was necessary to understand the need to follow Gandhi's path.
Talking about “Agni Saatchi”, which celebrated a heroine who was part-woman, part-child, part-philosopher, part-eccentric, Sivakumar recalled how the director was crushed when the film failed. “Who can forget the pudhu kavidhai in ‘Agni Saatchi'?” he said. As he recited Kosuve Unakku Kodi Namaskaram , many in the audience joined him.
“Everyone talks about Bharathidasan and his love for Bharathi. But, we have a Bharathi dasan in our midst too. Bharathi's songs and thoughts form a vital part of all KB movies.”
Visu, whose first film as director, “Manal Kayiru”, came out of the KB stable, said: “When I was in a dilemma over leaving my job and taking up cinema full time, he gave me Rs. 5,000 and offered to replenish the amount whenever it ran out. But, I never had to dip into it!” Visu also spoke about how KB worried about video piracy long before it became an issue.
Lyricist Vairamuthu's verse kept the people in thrall. “Ninety per cent of film songs can be used in any film. Not in the case of KB's films. He knows how to use songs and lyricists. In his films, songs are like the pulse, the skin, the nerves… you can't separate them from the movie. He was known to be a taskmaster, but he extracted work like a bee would take nectar from a flower. You lost nothing, he gained everything!”
Said Vairamuthu, “He bequeathed the Tamil film industry with two great treasures — Rajinikanth and A.R. Rahman. As a director (“Aboorva Raagangal”), he saw the magnetic spark in Rajini, and as a producer (“Roja”), he provided a wonderful platform for Rahman.”
Vairamuthu also said that the credit for his own sixth National award for best lyricist should go to KB. “Somewhere down the line, they stopped awarding lyricists. In 1985, when he was jury member for the Awards, he insisted that the category be reinstated. The very next year, I won my first award for ‘Mudhal Mariyadhai'.”
Accepting all the accolades showered on him, a visibly moved Balachander said he'd already lived many lifetimes on this stage. “I am overwhelmed. From Tanjore to this day, it has been a fascinating journey. I hope I prove a worthy successor to Sivaji Ganesan (who also won a Phalke).”
“I'm proud to be middle-class in my sensibilities. That has kept me sane and content. I've been more admired than admonished. I've tried to jolt society out of its stupor, but never went against its tenets. You people have travelled with me all through; I thank you for that. And, also for making my apaswaram a Superstar!”
