Kannum Kannum Kalanthu

"Kannum Kannum Kalanthu" is a Tamil song from the 1958 film Vanjikottai Valiban, directed by S. S. Vasan. The song was composed by C. Ramchandra, and R.Vaidyanathan, lyrics penned by Kothamangalam Subbu and sung by P. Leela and Jikki.[1] The song was remade in Hindi by C. Ramchandra "Aaja To Aaja" from Raj Tilak composed by written by P. L. Santoshi with Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra rendered their voice. The song was picturised at the Gemini Studios at Chennai. The song was well received along with the dance number picturised on Vyjayanthimala and Padmini was a super success.[2]

"Kannum Kannum Kalanthu"
A still of Padmini (left) and Vyjayanthimala (right) in the song
Song by C. Ramchandra (composer) (and R.Vaidyanathan) and P. Leela, Jikki (singers)
from the album Vanjikottai Valiban
Released1958
Recorded1958
Gemini, Chennai
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length5:32
LabelGemini Music
Composer(s)C. Ramchandra
Lyricist(s)Kothamangalam Subbu
Producer(s)C. Ramchandra

Production

Both Padmini and Vyjayanthimala, trained classical dancers, vied with each other. They were at the height of their careers and there was professional rivalry between them! Interestingly, the real-life envy did creep into the reel-life dance drama which added its own sugar and spice to the impact of the sequence. [sic]

Randor Guy[3]

The song is picturised on Vyjayanthimala and Padmini and choreographed by Hiralal, brother of B. Sohanlal and grandfather of Vaibhavi Merchant.[3][4] During the making it is said that both Vyjayanthimala and Padmini had professional rivalry between them which add to the impact of the song.[3] Vyjayanthimala who is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer was known as "twinkle toes" and was also known as the one who establish dance number in Indian Cinema along with her songs which predated the concept of item number in Indian films.[5] Similarly, Padmini who was also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, cited as "Natiya Peroli" in Tamil cinema made the song easier to choreograph with minimal shot.[6]

Legacy

The song was well received by audience and critics, where the popularity garnered by the song surpasses the popularity gained by the film. The song was regarded as the best dance sequence in Indian cinema.[7] Along with the song, the catch line used by actor P.S. Veerappa, "Shabhash, sariyana potti!" which means "Bravo, an excellent competition!" during Vyjayanthimala's introduction also became famous and still used by the people of Tamil Nadu.[3]

References
  1. K. Santosh (1 November 2005). "South India loses its favourite voice". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  2. Malathi Rangarajan (3 December 2010). "Differently yours…". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  3. Randor Guy (26 March 2011). "Vanjikottai Vaaliban 1958". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  4. Arthur J. Pais (12 October 2010). "Tracing Bollywood over six decades". Rediff.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  5. Dinesh Raheja (6 May 2002). "Bollywood's Dancing Queen". Rediff.com. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  6. "Popular actress and danseuse Padmini laid to rest". IndiaGlitz. 26 September 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  7. Randor Guy (9 September 2006). "Beauty, charm, charisma". The Hindu.

An attempt at doing a classical version of the dance for this song [1][2]

  1. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: VANJI KOTTAI VAALLIBAN kannum kannum. YouTube.
  2. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Kannum Kannum Kalandhu - Vanjikottai Vaaliban. YouTube.
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