After the Tamil movie Annakiliwas released, Ilaiyaraaja, who composed the music for the film but was then not known to the outside world, along with his brothers Gangai Amaran and Baskar, would visit Rajakumari Theatre to gauge the audience’s response. Initially, the reception was lukewarm. One of the film’s directors, Devaraj, stood outside the theatre in Chennai, crestfallen, as only a handful of people had turned up to watch the film.

Impact of AIR

But by then, the songs had begun to echo across the State. All India Radio (AIR) broadcast them repeatedly, and listeners were captivated. Soon, crowds started queuing up outside theatres. Such was the popularity of the songs that “Sonthamillai Bandhamillai,” which had been removed after the first few days, had to be reinstated following repeated demands from audiences.

The song itself had its roots in a tune often rendered by Ilaiyaraaja’s mother, who would sing it with different lines on different occasions. Even the Thiruppugazh hymn “Erumayil Eri Vilaiyadu Mugam Ondru” was sung in the same tune.

Similarly, “Annakili Unnai Theduthey” was also based on a tune sung by his mother, who would render it with the line “Pullipotta Ravikkaikari.” “Annakili Unnai Theduthey” became the beginning of the song.

Fifty years have flown by like a moment. But the songs of Annakili continue to haunt generations of music lovers. With the release of Annakili began the extraordinary musical journey of Ilaiyaraaja, whose career would rise to unparalleled heights.

Gangai Amaran, who worked closely with his brother during the composing sessions, recalls those memorable days. He was the rhythm guitarist for the film.

“The higher octaves in the humming of the song ‘Annakili Unnai Theduthey’ symbolically foreshadowed the great heights Ilaiyaraaja was destined to achieve,” he said.

Ilaiyaraaja once said he often walked between the Lighthouse and the Anna Mausoleum in Chennai, improvising the humming of the tune in his mind during those journeys.

“Machana Paathheengala,” another hit song, was originally written by Gangai Amaran and tuned by Ilaiyaraaja even before they were signed on for the film. Subsequently, Panchu Arunachalam, the producer of Annakili, who introduced Ilaiyaraaja as a music director, rewrote the lyrics while retaining the first two stanzas.

The popularity of the song can be gauged from a scene in the Sivaji Ganesan-starrer Kavarimaan, in which the daughter, when asked by her parents whether she preferred Carnatic or Western music, replies that she was interested only in learning “Machana Paathheengala.”

When asked about the need to change the lyrics of the song, he said those making the film had the right to modify them. “Panchu Arunachalam’s brothers had no faith in us. But he brushed aside their objections and made it clear that Ilaiyaraaja would compose the music,” said Gangai Amaran, who was 28 when the film was made.

Ilaiyaraaja’s native village

The story of Annakili was written by R. Selvaraj, who had visited Pannaipuram, Ilaiyaraaja’s native village, and drew inspiration from its characters, including Annam, the midwife who became the film’s heroine. It was Selvaraj who introduced the team to Panchu Arunachalam, whom he had known since their days working with music director G.K. Venkatesh.

“He had no instrument. He just tapped on the table and rendered the song ‘Machana Paathheengala,’” he recalled while singing the number. “After he sang all the tunes, Panchu Arunachalam was satisfied and said a story could be built around it. Mr. Selvaraj then narrated a story that suited his idea, and the film was conceived,” he said.

Panchu Arunachalam also changed the name of the Pavalar Brothers — Ilaiyaraaja’s music troupe, which included Gangai Amaran and Baskar — and introduced Ilaiyaraaja as a music director.

To convince Arunachalam’s brothers, Illaiyaraaja arranged a full orchestra at a marriage hall near Natesan Park, where singers, including S. Janaki, rendered the songs. Only after this demonstration did they approve Ilaiyaraaja as the music director.

“If there had been no Panchu Arunachalam, there would have been no Ilaiyaraaja or Gangai Amaran. He was our first god. He lit the light in our lives,” he said.

But the troubles were not over. They resurfaced during the recording sessions. Well-known music director Govardhan Master conducted the orchestra. Just as the recording was about to begin, the studio was hit by a power cut, leaving the film industry — known for its deep-rooted superstitions and sentimentality — stunned.

Despite all the odds, the film became a huge hit. Ilaiyaraaja and his brothers travelled to many places to celebrate its success.

“At Thamukkam Maidanam (Madurai), there was a massive event where we performed all the songs from the film and even played tunes we were planning to use in the next film,” he said.

A woman who had watched the film the highest number of times was also presented with an award by Ilaiyaraaja.

Fifty years have passed, but Ilaiyaraaja continues to work tirelessly and compose symphonies.

“It is his life,” he said.

50 years of ‘Annakili’ movie and the extraordinary journey of maestro Ilaiyaraaja | Video Credit: The Hindu