G. Ramanathan belonged to the first generation of music directors of Tamil cinema. Along with S. V. Venkataraman, who created waves with Kannagi (1942), he shares the status of a star music director of the forties. GR could be said to be the most significant music composer of the fifties.
He scored music for about 90 films, among with are Mandhiri Kumari (1950), Veerapandia Kattabomman (1959), Uthamaputhiran (both 1940 and 1958) and Kappaloattiya Thamizhan (1961). GR died in 1963.
Though the reputation of GR is skyhigh, the catchline being that he was good at making hit tunes out of ragas, not much is known about him. As a writer, it was a challenge for me to dredge up the details about his life and eventful career. I was lucky to meet a few musicians who had worked closely with him and also gained the confidence of a few intimate friends. GR's oeuvre is more or less intact, and I was all set into the heart of the great composer.
The result was Sangeetha Chakravarthy G. Ramanathan...published by Manivachagar Pathippagam, Chennai 108 (phone 044 - 25361039). I was also prileged to get some rare photographs of his as well as rare stills from forgotten films. In a recent function in Chennai, former supreme court judge S. Mohan released the book with R. M. V, the former minister and film producer as well as T. M. Sounderarajan receiving the copies. TMS was bowled over when he saw the book...and saying Anna...clasped the book to his heart. TMS, it may be said, was moulded into a bold singer by Ramanathan and TMS has told me in the past...that it is Ramanathan who lives in his heart!
After Thuglak, wrote about my book on GR, I have been getting calls from all over...Thamizh Kooru Nallulagam...It is a fine feeling. Years ago, even as I was researching the book on GR, but was involved more directly in writing other books, I returned to Central station after a visit to Calcutta...I have a love for the city...perhaps that...and perhaps something else too...I saw Ramanathan on the Chennai horizon...playing his harmonium...he was asking me...When are you going to take up my story?
Well I have taken it up and handed it over to you..my dear Tamil folks...I am not one of the bright sorts who has a plum packet from office, and also an itchy pen...I have to live out my writing...I am happy that GR lived with me. He is leading me to other things...
Though the reputation of GR is skyhigh, the catchline being that he was good at making hit tunes out of ragas, not much is known about him. As a writer, it was a challenge for me to dredge up the details about his life and eventful career. I was lucky to meet a few musicians who had worked closely with him and also gained the confidence of a few intimate friends. GR's oeuvre is more or less intact, and I was all set into the heart of the great composer.
The result was Sangeetha Chakravarthy G. Ramanathan...published by Manivachagar Pathippagam, Chennai 108 (phone 044 - 25361039). I was also prileged to get some rare photographs of his as well as rare stills from forgotten films. In a recent function in Chennai, former supreme court judge S. Mohan released the book with R. M. V, the former minister and film producer as well as T. M. Sounderarajan receiving the copies. TMS was bowled over when he saw the book...and saying Anna...clasped the book to his heart. TMS, it may be said, was moulded into a bold singer by Ramanathan and TMS has told me in the past...that it is Ramanathan who lives in his heart!
After Thuglak, wrote about my book on GR, I have been getting calls from all over...Thamizh Kooru Nallulagam...It is a fine feeling. Years ago, even as I was researching the book on GR, but was involved more directly in writing other books, I returned to Central station after a visit to Calcutta...I have a love for the city...perhaps that...and perhaps something else too...I saw Ramanathan on the Chennai horizon...playing his harmonium...he was asking me...When are you going to take up my story?
Well I have taken it up and handed it over to you..my dear Tamil folks...I am not one of the bright sorts who has a plum packet from office, and also an itchy pen...I have to live out my writing...I am happy that GR lived with me. He is leading me to other things...
