Film music in Tamil begins with Papanaasam Sivans days there were no film music directors in Tamil. It was only then the music directors came to the forefront. Ramanathan, for instance, composed scores with classical ragas, light music and what is known as Ragamalikai. Carnatic music was the predominant feature
It would be authentic if a learned academic’s views (written in Tamil) is given in English rather than my observations on Tamil music for the readers. I wish, therefore, to give briefly what Professor S Mownguru has written in a foreword to a Tamil book titled ‘Inspired Tamil Film Music’ written by T. Sounthar.
It is pertinent that non-Tamil readers should know the story of the growth of Tamil music for better understanding among the communities.
The music of the Tamil people has a long history, but it had not been recorded in an authentic or scientific manner.
Nevertheless, through literature and inscriptions, there is evidence that the continuity could be discerned. Information regarding ancient Tamil music could be picked up from some texts of yore.
In ancient times, the word “Punn” was used for music (Isai). Those who sang this Punn are known as “Paanar”. Their wives were dancers and called Viraliyar. There was also folk music (Koothu, Kuravai were akin to folk music). The women that engaged in sex were called Parathaiyar.
They also had a tradition of music. The music prevalent then was called Karana Isai, Naaddar Isai, Paanar Isai and Parathaiyar Isai. The ancient Tamils had Karana Isai and Naaddar Isai (folk music).
They used primarily two musical instruments: Parai and Kulal. Yaal came to be used later.
Social changes
During the 8th and 9th centuries AD, there were great social changes in Thamilaham. The Bhakti cult began to evolve. The revolt against Jainism and Buddhism led to the revival of Saivaism and Vaishnavism. By the 10th century, music came to be linked with the temples. Folk music and Paanar music began to develop outside the temples.
During the 10th century, music and dance were performed in temples. When the Chola dominance began to wane, the Nayakkar rule began to ascend in Tamil Nadu. It was then Carnatic music got introduced to the Tamils. The Royal Court encouraged Sanskrit and Telugu hymns or keerthanais.
India’s movement for independence started when Sanskrit music and Telugu music held sway among the Tamils.
The reaction to that came in two ways: Propagation towards using Tamil keerhanais instead of Sanskrit and Telugu keerthanais and also reviving the Punn Isai.
With the advent of Westerners into Tamil Nadu, western music came to the fore. Instruments, such as guitar, violin, drums, saxophone and piano came to be used.
Nineteenth century
In the 19th century, popular music included film music, Carnatic music, Hindustani music, western music and folk music.
Besides, there was what is known as light music.
Soumthar in the second section of the book stated that film music in Tamil begins with Papanaasam Sivans days there were no film music directors in Tamil. It was only then the music directors came to the forefront. Ramanathan, for instance, composed scores with classical ragas, light music and what is known as Ragamalikai. Carnatic music was the predominant feature.
This was followed with folk music used by Subbiah Naidu Venkat Ramanathan and R. Sutharsanam.
The third section speaks about the rise of S. Rajeswara Rao, who introduced western music and African drum beats in the film Chandralekha.
C.R. Subbaraman
The new wave of film music with C.R. Subbaraman was another turning point in Tamil film music history.
The trend in using western music continued with a cocktail of film music comprising music in harmony, folk music, light music and others with music directors, such as Visvanathan-Ramamurthy, T.G. Lingapppa, T.R. Paapaa, Ghantasaala, Thachanamoorthy, Govardhana, S. M. Subbiah Naidu, S. V. Venkatraman and C. A. Subbarayan.
The writer Sounthar writes about Ilaiyarajah in detail, Maunaguru said. Ilayarajah’s music is what came out from the inspiration of great masters of North and South of Indian music directors. But his basic ingredient is folk music.
Ilaiyaraja
From 1976, it was Ilaiyarajah who started a new trend in film music, according to Sounthar. In view of the exigencies of space, I had stated in brief what Prof. S. Maunaguru had said in his Foreword to the book by T. Sounthar. The title of the latter’s book is “Thamil Cinema Isaiyil Akath Thonduthal” (Inspiration in Tamil Film Music).