Unsung artistes behind classic musicals

‘Endowed with flying fingers,’ their performance held audiences in awe

Thavil playerPerumpallamVenkatesan.Photo: SpecialArrangement

hillana Mohanambal , a star-packed film, a blockbuster hit even during its days, not only showcased Sivaji Ganesan's method acting as a nagaswaram player, but also equally the brilliant performances of T.S. Balaiah and K. Sarangapani as thavil vidwans.

Whether playing the interlude for Thiyagaraj Swami's keerthana, Nagumomu or the prelude for the nagaswaram- dance competition, the furious movement of fingers playing on the thavil at a breakneck speed continues to hold audiences in awe.

The two

thavil players who played behind the scene are Thevur T.S. Santhanam for Balaiah and Thiruvidaimarudhur T.V. Venkatesan for Sarangapani.

They were part of the

nagaswaram troupe of Madurai brothers M.P.N. Sethuraman and M.P.N. Ponnusamy. “They were with us for 10 years and had a clear understanding of our style and played accordingly. After the release of the film they pursued a career as special thavil artistes,” explains Mr. Ponnusamy, the younger of the Madurai brothers.

Both Venkatesan and Santhanam belonged to an era when most of the thavil players were content to be part of a troupe, and followed the nagaswaram player like a shadow in life and music.

“They played the instrument in a way that elevated

nagaswaram to a different level. They never sought to dominate the

nagaswaram player,” says clarinet maestro A.K.C. Natarajan.

Anyone who listens to the old recordings of great nagaswaram players will realise the sharpness of Mr. Natarajan’s observation. But unlike today, the thavil players of yore did not get their name mentioned in recordings, even though All India Radio used to announce their names.

“If you want to know the style of thavil playing of yesteryear, the performances of Venkatesan and Santhanam will offer a glimpse,” said thavil player Thanjavur T.R. Govindarajan, who also learnt from Mr. Venkatesn for a short period.

Another film that speaks volumes about nagaswaram music is Konjum Salangai . The song Singaravelane Deva , rendered together by nagaswaram player Karukurichi P. Arunachalam and playback singer S. Janaki will remain an evergreen number.

The thavil for the song was played by Perumpallam P. Venkatesan, who was part of Karukurichi Arunachalam's team till his death. A student of Natchiarkoil Raghava Pillai, he accompanied Karukurichi in most of his commercial recordings. He would play effortlessly even for the tough rakthi melam of Semponnarkoil brothers.

“He was a very intelligent player, thorough with every aspect of thavil playing. It was he who improvised for the end of the song in the film,” said thavil player T.K. Selvaganapathy.

Known to have been endowed with flying fingers, the artistes’ performance held audiences in awe