When the beloved is a star in the lover's sky

1980’s, in many ways, has been a turning point in Indian cinema. Battling new technology like the video cassette player/recorder which carried portable entertainment into middle-class homes and eating into its fickle box-office revenue, the film industry saw the old guns fade out or retired in all sectors- acting, directing and music composing. In came new names, fresh faces and a re- oriented form of film making, watching and experiencing.

Some things never changed however. One among them was the close bonding between a musically-inclined director and an apt counterfoil of a composer who could weave magic and mesmerize listeners with his melodies. The Telugu film industry too, having been blessed with such fruitful associations thus, in its march ahead, got one more added to its kitty – one that of Vamsy, aka Nallamilli Bavireddy and Ilaiyarajaa, the boss of all that he tuned in over the entire southern filmdom at that period.

Gossipy, it may sound now, but the fans of film director Vamsy, who continue to write syrupy blogs extolling his skills in the social media, were privy to the ’mentor in love with his muse’ syndrome affecting this gentleman too as he came up with his first set of films. Today, the 58-year-old film maker, having lost much of his golden touch may have been confined to the back rows. But back then, Anveshana his third film , starring Karthik Muthuraman and Bhanupriya was the first of the three films in a row in which the doe-eyed buxom beauty, with whom he was in love was featured. In 1985 itself all the films were released, a gushing tribute to his lady of the heart, one can surmise.

The song, however, in vintage Rajaa style, begins with the sapthaswara, with the ascent and descent et al before it falls silent for a brief pause. It resumes as the energetic move of the hero (Karthik) as he makes a mess of the room in which the heroine (Bhanupriya) pretends to be doing something of worth is aptly captured by the male singer, SPB as he intones “Keeravaaani”…. with the lilt of the tabla beat making one get involved right immediately with it.

Trust the maestro’s tapestry to take over soon after, as the proceedings move outdoors! The electric guitar blends seamlessly with the base beat, the violin enmeshes itself with love and hey presto! The jean-clad hottie too decides to join her beau. Undoubtedly, the man in question pulls no stops in describing his beloved as the beauty in the flowers and the perfume in the air (Ee pulalo andhamai, ee galilo gandhamai) while she returns the compliment very prettily, in S Janaki’s voice: “Me, the tiny star of your sky and the smile on your lips” (nee gagananalo, ne chirutaranai, nee adharalalo ne chirunavvunai). No prizes for guessing, the listeners are swooning by now.

Aided largely by a sweeping view of the ranch and the farmhouse setting, the cinematography adds in its share into the enjoyment of the song, gently moving back and forth, light and shade, mid-profile and close-ups included. The young pair is put through the motions, running to and fro, across from each other with jumping sheep and windmills for company.

When the time comes to take rest, the close-up reveals music notes, a harmonium and a heroine who clearly mimics Sridevi by and large, rolling her eyes for effect! There is no stopping the camera as it pans on the faces of the happy couple through leafy backgrounds, as they both run into each other’s arms with the sun setting at a distance!

K Naresh Kumar