Melodies floating from memories

When I look back and ask which was that one singer who had influenced my love for hindustani music, I could say without hesitation it was the one and only Kundan Lal Saigal. He was and is my favorite male singer till date. I was just a boy of ten when I heard K.L.Saigal for the first time from a gramophone record in my relative's house. At that age I was wondering why my aunt (a lady doctor) was wiping tears while hearing the song “Soja Raajkumari Soja” coming from the gramophone.. Later I understood it was the magic of Saigal's songs, that brought tears to all listeners who heard his songs That was the power of his music.

Kundan Lal Saigal was born on April, 11, 1904 at Nawa Shahar in Jammu as the fourth child to Kesar Kaur and Amarchand Sehgal, a Tehsildar. they were Punjabis from Jullandhar. Even from his childhood Saigal evinced more interest in music at the cost of his studies. K.L.Saigal did not have a formal training in classical music under any teacher, Pundit or Ustad, but he was gifted with extraordinary talent of musical perception that made him to absorb the notes that he heard and responded to all technical musical needs as a singer. He was a natural singer and his voice was born with him. When he was young his mother Kesar Kaur, deeply religious lady, used to take him to various religious functions where Bhajans, Keertan and Shabads were sung in traditional styles. Similarly Kundan Lal often accompanied his father to the interior parts of the State where he was exposed to the folk music of Punjab and Kashmir straight from the shepherds and wandering minstrels. Later he worked for Remington Typewriters as a salesman, for a few years, which allowed him to tour to several places in India. These gave him the opportunity to absorb and learn music in a natural way. The following incident may show the impact of his observations.

While he was working as timekeeper in The Punjab Railways offices in Delhi K.L.Saigal had to pass through Delhi's Fathepuri Bazaar on his way home . There he used to stop for a few minutes to listen to a blind faquir who was singing the same Bhajan every day . The song was so enchanting that later when he bacame a great singer Saigal sang this Bhajan “Radhe rani re daro na” in his movie “Puran bagath” in 1933 and all his four Bhajans in that film created a sensation throughout India.

Veteran Music director and actor Pankaj Mullick who had worked with K.L.Saigal described that “Saigal's voice was a tenor with a true pitch and a three-octave span.” Saigal could use his tenor voice with telling effect in a number of songs even though his forte was soft, soothing tunes rendered in his inimitable baritone .

When K. L Saigal worked as a salesman before he chose music as a vocation, his singing was limited to his friend's circle. During one such occasion of his singing, a sales representative of Hindustan Record Company happened to be present in the congregation. He recognized Saigal's potential and persuaded him to sign a contract for recordings with the company. All his non-film songs were invariably issued during his lifetime, under the Hindustan label, though in later years his records of film songs appeared under H.M.V. Iabel. (Hindustan was a sister concern to H.M.V.). His first recorded song “Jhulna-Jhulaye-rii” set in Raag Gandhari was released by Hindustan Recording Company.Then onwards, there was no looking back for him, the fame of Saigal as a singer spread to every corner of the Country. But it was B.N.Sircar the founder of New Theatres, Calcutta, who discovered the potential of Saigal in the field of Cinema and gave him the contract for acting in his Films. Saigal was lucky to work under great Music Directors of that time . His style of film music was shaped by famous Music Directors like R.C.Boral, Timir Baran and Punkaj Malik. His was a leisurely music rendered with ease, struck to the discipline of Raagas. Clarity in his diction was his asset. He never stooped to musical acrobatics. In those days orchestration was simple with few musical instruments, they never intervened with the voice of the singer.

Though K L Saigal started acting in 1931, and the real break through came with the Film “Devdas” in 1935, in which he acted as Devdas, which established Saigal as the first Super Star of Indian cinema. His song “Baalam aaye baso more man meii“ was a trend setter in cinema music. This tune was so charming it was used in many Indian languages. In Tamil Smt. D.K.Pattammal has rendered a song “Poonkuyil koovum pooncholayil oru naal”(பூங்குயில் கூவும் பூஞ்சோலையில் ஒரு நாள்) set to this tune. Many people may not know that K.L.Saigal had rendered two Tamil Songs in the Tamil version of Devdas released by New Theaters. .They are “Koodiye paduvai komalak kiliye” (கூடியே பாடுவோம் கோமளக் கிளியே) and “Madana undanmel maha moham” ( மதனா உந்தன்மேல் மஹா மொஹம்) .Then on the magic of Saigal left its imprint in every film that he acted by a number of immortal songs. “Duniya rang rangeli baba” in Dharthimatha (1935), Ek bangala bane nyara in Prasident (1937), Then the film Street singer (1938) came with his unforgetable “Babul Mora Naihar Choto Hi Jaay“followed by “Aas Karon Kya Aas Niraas Bhayi” in the film Dhushman.(1939). Kundan Lal Saigal rendered his immortal classic “So jaa Rajkumaari So jaa“ in the film Zindagi (1940). Saigal ended his New Theatre era by shifting to Bombay in 1941

Saigal joined Ranjit Movietone, Bombay owned by Chandulal Shah on regular contract in December 1941. Here also his songs“ Madhukar shyam hamari chorr” in pictures Bakhta Surdas (1942) and “Diya Jalao Jagmag Jagmag” in Tansen (1943) were big hits.He did a film My Sister (1944) for New Theaters, Calcutta. His song “Do Nainaa matware tihaare hampar zulm kare“ in the film was a big hit.

In the mean while Saigal fell sick and his last film “Shahjahan“ (1946) was a memorable one. In spite of his failing health, Saigal gave wonderful music under the direction of Music director Naushad Ali in that picture. His last song “Jab dil hi toot geya, hum jee ke kya karenge” said to have been rendered rendered by him sitting on his bed.

Saigal was a good person, dependable friend and had a heart of gold who gave all that he had to the needy. But unfortunately he fell to the clutches of alcohol, which together with his diabetes killed him ultimately. Kundan Lal Saigal died in his home town Jullandar on January, 18, 1947 at the prime age of 43.

K.L.Saigal was married to Asha rani and had two daughters and a son. Not much is known about them.

Saigal has recorded 185 songs in his career spanning about 13 years. The period from 1933 to 1946, is known in the Hindi film world as the Saigal era of music. The list of his songs include 142 Film songs and 43 private recordings. Saigal has rendered songs in Urdu/Hindustani, Bengali, Farsi, Tamil and Punjabi.Many singers who entered the world of film music later , could not resist emulating his style, of singing.. That includes Talat Mahmood (“Sab din ek samaan nahin thha“) Mukesh (`Dil jalta hai to jalne de“.) Kishor Kumar (“Jagmag jagmag karta “). C.H. Atma (“Preetam aan milo”) and Surrendra (” Aawaaz de kahan hai“)..

Well, what is special about Saigal's music? His simplicity and relaxed mode of rendering his songs were his magic. Behind it lies his utmost devotion and hardwork. Lata Mangeshkar an ardent admirer of Saigal has brought out two albums “Shradhdhanjali“ by singing the songs of Saigal as a mark of her tribute to him.

to continue. . . .

Servarayan Hills and Yercaud.

He is only one and half feet tall. His name is Lord Servarayan. Etymologically the word 'Servai” is a sir name used by one of the major communities in Tamil Nadu known as “Mukkulathor“ and “Rayan“ is chieftain. But the tribal people living in these hills do not belong to that community. Thus this deity must have been that of family deity of a chieftain of a community living in the hills. .He is also known as “Kari Raman” and stands with his consort Kaveri Amman in his niche at the end of a narrow and dark cave on the highest peak (5,342' ) on the mountain range with an area of 395 sq. miles. which carry his name “The Servarayan Malai“ better known as Shevaroy Hills in Salem District of Tamil Nadu. The deities' abode of about thirty feet long narrow dark cave is a natural formation in the bauxite rich hills. Inside it was cool and dark. All that could we see in the diffused light of oil lamp was a dark figure with bright Vaishnavite religious symbol of white “Namam” on its forehead. He is the family deity of the tribal community known as “Malayali“ who live in sixty-seven villages spread over in the hills. The annual festival of Lord Servarayan in the month of May attracts thousands of Malayalis living in this mountain range.

There is no structure of a Temple as such, but an ugly modern concrete Mandapam devoid of aesthetics built in front of the cave hiding the opening could be seen. Above and behind the cave you come across a couple of acres flat “bald” area where some communication towers are built and maintained by Madras Aluminum Company, who are denuding the hills for the bauxite ore. Unless some immediate corrective steps are taken by the Government or MALCO to stop this rape, the next generation will not have this ancient Cave to visit. In spite of this the view from the “plateau“ is magnificent, which ever direction you turn you could enjoy the view of valleys and hills, except for the ugly red patches of ore mines interspersed.. Also you experience heavy winds there. This place is just 6 Kms from Yercaud, popular summer resort 29 Kms from Salem (Tamil Nadu)..

In contrast it was the Scotish Collector of the then Salem District between 1820 and 1829 Mr.M.David Cockburn discovered the place i and developed the hills as a summer resort around the village called Yercaud ( or Yeri Kadu in Tamil meaning Lake forest). He was instrumental in developing the natural resources of Shevaroy Hills. He introduced cultivation of Coffee seeds, Pears, Apples and other hill fruits in the hills. And it was Mr. Cockburn who built the first stone building in Yercaud named “The Grange“. But it was another British Collector of Salem Mr. David Arbuthnot who was responsible for demarcating the Plantations in the Hills. Apart from this he took care to reserve enough lands exclusive for the “Malayalis” for their cultivation.

We had been to Yercaud last week (February 21) during the Shivarathri holidays to spend our weekend sojourn at Sterling Resorts. Here the Sterling Resorts rooms are perched on the precipice of western slopes of the Shevary Hills giving a wonderful view of the sunset in the Salem plateau below. Yercaud is a small village developed around a medium size Lake with few roads (lanes !) and offers nothing special except its salubrious weather. It is a place for rest and recuperation. You can walk down entire Yercaud in two hours. Proximity to Bangalore (260 Kms) attracts a lot of IT employees from there to Yercaud on weekends. The road from Salem to Yercauad which has 20 hairpin bends is good and motor-able.

There are not many places to see in Yercaud. Boating in the Lake is the main attraction here. There are a few vantage places with exotic names like Gent's Seat, Lady's Seat, Pagoda Point from where you get a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys. Time permits you can visit thw Water falls at Killiyur just 3.2Kms from the lake.But the motorists are cautioned about the narrowness of the road which allows one car only. Also there is a place called Bear's cave in a private plantation.It was said there were Elephants and bears in these hills. But now only bears were sighted apart from bison and other minor wild animals. There are a number of coffee plantations in Shevaroy hills.

Yercaud is known for several Christian Institutions dating back the British time, which run some reputed Seminaries, Retreats and Schools. Montford Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School founded Rev. Bro.Eugene Mary (Julien Marie Le Pevedic) named after the founder of the Order of St.Gabriel. St. Louis Marie Grignoin de Monfort.in 1917 has a glorious history is well known residential institution in South India.. And Sacred Hearts School run by Cluni Sisters for girls.

Yercaud is a wonderful place for taking a short break from the routine monopoly. You can use your own transport other wise very convenient buses are available to Salem and from there to Yercaud. Youngsters who want to trek can enjoy the hills from Yercaud. But it is important to make prior reservation of accommodation in Yercaud, since few Hotels are available in the town. Vegetarians have to content with few selections from the three vegetarian restaurants. Restaurant attached to TN Tourism Lodging, Malar Restaurant (Behind Shevaroy Hotel) and the small Venkateswara Holtel opposite to Bus Stand.