A Hero With Thousand Steps - Part 3

Hi , Welcome

Before reading this part, would suggest to read the previous parts to connect this.

Part -1

Part -2

To stat with Today I want to start with another favorite childhood moment.

While restrospecting,I have often wondered what do I look forward in a Vijay song. Songs in Hero centric movies are targetted to entertain or elevate or to feel the love. (For Rajni - its Oruvan Oruvan Mudhali or Singam ondru purapattathey).

For vijay, Do you need a full fledged song to entertain? 

Around 2000s ,Vijay has ventured into the ads.My personal favorites are Coca cola ads or Docomo ads. There are 10 different ads created by Rajiv menon during that time (Along With Shreya,Amrita Rao and Katrina kaif).

For me, his screen presence of 30seconds was sufficient. I have attached the 2 of favorite ads below. 

       

The multi segmented song was wrapped up in a nice bundle and comprised into an ad. Every second of this ad was enjoyable, hope you too liked it.

Maatu Maatu Nee - Youth 

Most of the vijay songs are instant mood elevators. Likely examples are Kutti Puli Kootam or Kodambakkam or Alapooran Tamizhan area.

Now coming to this song, the song choregraphed within a village Thiruvizha setting the mood. Energy levels of Vijay and Priyanka were complementing each other along with Imman and Anuradha sriram's voice.

I personally enjoyed the karagam sequence and the sequence where Vijay's Ghilli transforms into Rose on Priyanka. Though film didn't fare well ,this song stands out in his filmography.

• Another notable song in this movie -Ullathai killathe.

On a similar tone, there are 2 more favorite numbers,

• One which is mostly forgotten now - Mississppi Nadhi Kulunga from Priyamanavale. As a song its average but I love the pairing of Vijay- Radhika choudhary. Often heard during childhood, I feel this rarely gets mentioned.
• Another is Thimsu Katta from Thirumalai 

Throughout his journey, Vijay is the only hero who has focussed on the entertaining dance numbers to the level that he doesnt even require vocals/singers.Prior to this, only other hero to do this is Kamal hassan.

Lets take on below song numbers -"Beat Of Sachien" or "Bigil Bigil Bigiluma" or "Thalaiva Thalaivaa - The Ecstasy Of Dance" or Varisu Dance theme. Only a star with self confidence on his dance can pull out these steps.

Bigil Theme

My most favorite is the 2 min dance sequence in Thalaiva. This is on par with Kamal & Revathi in Punnagai Mannan Theme, similar choreography around the piano (not sure if its coincidence)

                                                   Thalaivaa - The Ecstasy Of Dance Video 

Nilavu Pattu -Kannukul Nilavu

The entire movie is set in an unconventional space and as the movie didn't fare much that time, even the songs were faded without recognition. This is my favorite composition here in the album.

Song is set out as a challenge in the movie and moves on the slow pace 

Especially in the middle, there'll be a Jazz played along with various dancers and finally Vijay rocking at the end. Its a visual treat.

• Another notable song in this movie -Oru Naal Oru Kanavu

Finally i would love to conclude this session with another comfort song from Udaya.

I am skipping Kushi ,Shahjahan and Bhagavathy as they are everyone's favorite.Whatever I would add will be repetition as of Youth or Thirumalai. 

So am adding an another hidden gem here 

Enna Enna - Udhaya

I believe this was the last song before Vijay's career transformation and this movie was so delayed, that in the entire movie Vijay will be in prior to Thirumalai getup except this song.

Another Trivia: Vijay will be dancing in same shirt as he wore in a Ghilli scene.(Think he would've shot them both in same day).

My favorite portion of the song comes around -"நட்சத்திரப் பூவையெல்லாம் கூந்தலிலே சூடிக்கிட்டா"

                                                                       (Ghilli Scene)

• Another notable song in this movie - Thiruvallikeni Rani.
• The song is paired with Vijay and Vivek . This is featured as the Intro song. I think Vijay is the only actor  in the recent times. who has shared screen presence with a comedian entirely in a dance sequence even allowing Vivek to perform in the song.".

I believe that I have covered most of the nostalgic songs that has been part of my childhood.In upcoming series, I'll be sharing the songs post Thirumalai , Ghilli in another 2 blogs.

A Hero With Thousand Steps - Part 2

Hope you have enjoyed the Part-1 series, if havent read, read in below link

Part -1

In this blog, we are going to explore the signature steps and also some of the less remembered songs of Vijay and the aspects I liked in these songs.

(Again not in sequence)

Oodha Oodha Poo

A forgotten rendition in the recent times, 

Before Vijay -Simran , Vijay -Trisha there was an OG pair called Vijay -Rambha.

The pair rocked the multiple albums and favorite includes - Vanna Nilave , Ennavale (Ninathen Vandhai), Jalakku Jalakku (Endrendrum Kadhal) &  Sathi kadi (Sukran)

Set in dream sequence, Vaali has penned complex lines just like that with legendary

Hariharan and Bhavathrini providing the soul for the song & beautifully carried by the lead actors. 

Anytime I happen to listen to this song , I would stop by to enjoy Vijay's dance in this entire song.

I loved the lines 

"உன் மழை கூந்தல் மீது

என் மனப்பூவை வைத்தேன்

ஓர் உயிர் நூலை கொண்டு

இரு உடல் சேர தைத்தேன்"

Another notable song in this movie :

• Kangala Minnala(Endredrum Kadhal) - This is also a dream sequence and kind of reminiscient of above song but nevertheless its also packed with enjoyable moments.

 Lellalauku Lela -Aadhi

One of my comfort songs of all time. This is along the lines of the Ella Pugazhum, filled with positivity and fun.

When I even hear this song, I immediately get carried to Vijay's dance automatically like an unknown shoulder consoling next to us.This sequence is set like a drama with Manivannan's interruption and then moving onto next sequence.

when I hear the below lines, it reminds me how gracefully Vijay has carried the entire sequence.

"வெண்ணிலா ஒன்னே ஒன்னு சூரியன் ஒன்னே ஒன்னு

வாழ்கையும் ஒன்னே ஒன்னு வாழ்ந்து பாரம்மா

பூவென்றால் வாசம் எடு தீயென்றால் தீபம் எடு

எதிலுமே நன்மை உண்டு ஆழ்ந்து பாரம்மா"

Another notable song in this movie :

• Olli Olli Idupe  - A bubbly song carried by Vijay -Trisha Pairing. Though Trisha isn't a trained dancer like Vijay, together they make a lot of cute expressions spread across the entire song. It doesn't stick out in any mood of the song be it melody like "Kannum Kannum than" or fun song like "Olli Olli" or "Kattu Kattu" or high intense number like "Appadi Podu" or "Matta" song.

20 Kodi Nilavugal koodi

This is the definition of how a love song album should be, In other movies, i like one or two songs but this is the only vijay movie where I love the entire album.

Legendary Vijay Simran in lead role. The song is set in breezy note with Simran enjoying the rendition.

Most of my favorite Vijay songs has Simran as the co-star -Althotta Bhoopathi or Enna Enna (Udhaya) or June July Madhathil and Ennavo Ennavo (Priyamanavale)

I enjoyed this particular song so much that below lines will almost melt you.

"மானிட பிறவி என்னடி மதிப்பு உன் கால் விரல் நகமாய் இருப்பதே சிறப்பு".

One more moment i loved watching in this song is Everytime when vijay sings 

"நூறு கோடி பெண்கள் உண்டு உன் போல யாருமில்லையே ,ஆனால் கன்னி உந்தன் கண்கள் கண்கள் மட்டும் காணவில்லையே".

There'll be a rain only around Vijay while he's singing these lines.

Another notable song in this movie :

•  Thodu Thodu enave - I equally love this song along with earlier song, especially when the Rickshaw transforms into the chariot or the moment when the below lines come over,

நீச்சல்குளம் இருக்கு

நீரும் இல்லை

இதில் எங்கு நீச்சல் அடிக்க.?

அத்தர் கொண்டு

அதை நிரப்ப வேண்டும்

இந்த அல்லிராணி குளிக்க.!

The scene then shows water from plastic pot transforming into shower. Watch in Youtube to experience this vintage song.

• Megamai Vandhu Pogiren and Innisai Paadivarum are other mandatory mentions here.

Oru Kadhitham Ezuthinen (Rasigan)

Vijay's earliest song often being forgotten with recent hits. I remember this being the first song to feature the iconic hand hook step of vijay.

This version of vijay is even prior to Poove Unakkaga or Kadhaluku Mariyadhai.

Combined with SPB's soulful singing that matches with the minimal sequence that would only be appropriate for that period Vijay is what makes this song so special especially when he sings "Kadhali ennai kadhali".

The Adolescent Vijay especially in Rx bike is the forgotten version of him which I would like to revisit, Wish they would've recreated this vijay in GOAT movie in flashback.

Akkuthe Akkuthe - Nilave Vaa

To be frank, I love the Nilavee Nilavee song to the core but this song I love to mention as this song explores the mischievous side of Vijay compared to other songs. When he sings "We are Bad, Bad ,Bad boys". There's no other song during that time that would've connected with youth than this.

Everytime i hear the lines - "லேடீஸ் கேரேஜில் டராவல் பண்ண வேனும்,

அதுக்காக டி டி ஆர் ட்ரைனிங் எடுக்க வேனும்".

Or during the song closure, they are shown in professional tie but turns into a goof up moment

This is what i define as enjoying a Vijay song. Even a bad mood/day is lit up with this song.

Keelamal Kaiyile - Azhagiya Tamil Magan

When it comes to Azhagiya Tamil Magan (referred as ATM) , Rahman has setup a banger album along with extraordinary choreography by Prem Rakshith.

While everyone's favorite will be Ella Puzhagum, Pon magal vandhal and Valayapatti ,so instead am going to explain on other 2 favorite songs from the album that deserves equal love.

First is Melody song - Keelamal Kaiyile

Can a slow melody be this beautiful with cute dance steps and picturization ,especially the inital dance sequence and Vijay's expressions along the lines "En peyarai kuridum Un perum Kokilam"

As an audio song , it feels very slow but when it comes to video, its a 180° turn.

Dance and lead pairing compete with each other in this song that we don't even feel the slowness.

I love the lyrics everytime I listen along with the Vijay and Shreya's Choreography together 

Next time when you hear, notice the dance and the lines during below sequence

 

"மேற்கு திசையை நோக்கி நடந்தால் இரவு

கொஞ்சம் சீக்கிரம் வருமா
தூங்கும் தேவை ஏதும் இன்றி
கனவுகளும் கைகளில் விழுமா"

Next in sequence is Nee Marlin Manroe song.

A special mention for this because If you wanna enjoy Vijay's Swag then this is the song you need to look for.This man changes into complete stylish ,an exact opposite from Keelamal Kaiyile or Ella pugazhum.

You ought to enjoy his dance during the lines , he has owned this song.

"குளிர் இரவினில் கேம்ப்பைப் போட்டு
சுடச் சுடவென காய்ச்சலே ஊட்டு
வானரங்கள் ஆடிடா போலாம் வர்றியா"

This song is another dimension of Vijay being explored and if I recall, this song images were the wallpapers and posters of the movie as well.

...To be Continued in next blog 

A Hero With Thousand Steps - Part 1

"Follow your Bliss and the Universe will open doors, where there were only Walls" -Joseph Campbell

In 1992,  Tamil Cinema opened a door for 18 year old Vijay (also known as Thalapathy now).

In this blog, am exploring the gracefulness of the Actor Vijay and how he transforms the difficult steps on screen with an ease and the dance moments i enjoyed personally.

Vijay ~ The Journey

When Vijay entered the movie industry , the Senior actors -Rajini &Kamal  had moved onto experimental/ limited movie releases.

And his other senior contemporaries namely- Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar,Karthik,Prabhu concentrated more on performance/mass based roles.

Younger heroes that time- Ajith,Prashanth,Vikram,Surya,Vineeth,Vignesh,Abbas were onto Lover image roles.

People were looking for the gap left by Rajini ,The Entertainer who can peform comedy/dance numbers. Vijay utilized this gap with both Kadhalukku Mariyadhai & Poove Unakkaga.

Though above movies cemented the foundation, Thirumalai is the transformation of Today's Vijay.

Often when it comes to Vijay, sometimes his efforts are understated with Nepotism.

If Nepotism was a scale then Actors Vikram Prabhu ,Gautam Karthik & Shantanu would have been the iconic duo in Tamil but the success follows hard work.

Vijay ~ The Dancer

 

Vijay's Journey can comprised in three different steps -Skill,Talent and Intelligence.

As through the Vijay's Dance Journey , there were 4 stages of his acting & dance movement which I  have admired personally.

My Journey with Thalapathy started with Poove Unakaga (similar to all other 90s kids) -Oh Pyari Pani Puri song. From that moment I often watched his movies for the dance numbers.

Stage 1: The Budding Dancer - From Deva to Nilavee Vaa

Stage 2: The Gracious Dancer - From Thullatha Mananum Thullum to Vaseegera

Stage 3: The Energetic Ilaya Thalapathi - From Thirumalai to Bairavaa

Stage 4: Thalapathy ,The Senior - Mersal to GOAT

Through this blog, Am sharing the dance moments that I enjoyed as an audience and the experience on what made that song special.(not in sequence though)

Thamthakka Thimthakka - Thirumalai

This Song lives on rent free in my heart, no matter how many vijay movies can come over, none of them beats this song.

But why this song is so special ?

This is set as the Introduction Song for Vijay in Thirumalai alongside with Lawrence Master(Choreographer of this song).

The entire song setup is in Fast Forward moment with 4:27 Mins (if slowed to 24 frames, it'll be little be over 6+ mins).

It features 2 unique dance movements, Iconic "Veena" step is featured 3 times and the Hand movement step is presented multiple times throughout the song.

Vijay isn't the first actor to feature these moves, Chiranjeevi has attempted the "Veena" step in Daayi Daayi song (Indra) and the Hand movement performed earlier by Jr.Ntr in Naire Naire Song (Andrawala) but Vijay is the only actor to combine these 2 steps in same song which speaks for his skill and Talent.

Moreover, he does so effortlessly compared to Chiranjeevi or Jr.Ntr. While he's on screen we cant even move our eyes onto Lawrence dancing nearby. 

Not just him, even with Prabhudeva, our focus always remain with Vijay. Such is his screen presence. 

IMO, Vijay is the only actor who enjoys the song and presents cute facial expressions/smile than following the dance steps mechanically. I feel this is the reason why we also get along with his dance. (Love what you do).

You can see this Vaadi Vaadi song or Mersal Arasan or Google Google (the smile at end) as well.

Another notable song in this movie :

• Vaadi yama Jakkama 

Doddabetta Road Mela -Vishnu

One of the blockbuster dance numbers early in Vijay's career (sung by Vijay & Shobha Chandrasekhar). As mentioned above, he flows through the entire song like a river. Though there are cuts in song, you rarely feel it. IMO this song changed the definition of item songs until that moment in Tamil cinema where the focus turns on hero as well.

Another notable songs in this movie :

• Aaja Re (this song is specifically for Vijay's expressions where he's matching Mano's voice).
• Singara Kannuku- Another notable Peppy number from this movie.
• OK OK - Not sure if I compliment Singer Suresh Peters or Vijay here , a Vintage Vijay song.

Oh Pyari Pani Puri -Poove Unakaga

This as well an Hero Introduction song, the song is added to movie in Post production as all other songs are melodies.

Featured in famous Chennai locations in and around Besant Nagar.

Be it multiple dress walk moments, the sequence where Vijay "Thaguma Thaguma",Every movement in this song is specifically choregraphed for Vijay. No other song released during 1997 had this dance movement.

 

Another notable song in this movie :

• Sollamale Yaar parthathu - Vijay proved that even slow paced dance can be entertaining with this song (especially the sequence that starts with Malligai Poo vasam vandhu). Even when Vijay doesnt dance, his expressions carries the entire song.
• Chicklet Chicklet song - Vijay's comic timing infused in choreography would make this song special

Althotta Bhoopathi - Youth

Vijay's Dance numbers will compulsorily contain this. Kabilan's first song for Vijay with Simran in Guest role.

IMO , Vijay has good pairing with Simran ,Jyothika and Trisha compared to other heroines and Simran has highest chemistry while pairing with Vijay.

This song is a pure Theatre Experience 

In this song, Simran would've danced on par with Vijay's energy. 

"Kadhal Kalyana Saami Senjane da , Saami endha saami , andha saami Kandhasamy."

"Thoondil Sikkatha Meenu Onnu"

Simple lines but energetic dance movements

 

Another notable song in this movie :

•  Sakkarai Nilave - Man, this song is bundle of emotional Vijay. The way he dances being rejected along with iconic lines -"Unakum Enakum ellam pidika ennai en pidikathu endrai"
• Santhosam Santhosam - Not particularly for the dance , but for the love and Vijay being in it. I felt this has heavily been overshadowed by Althotta Bhoopathi during that time.

Bombay City -Rasigan

Apart from being the first song of Vijay, the vintage vijay dance moments is what that makes the song so special.

With respect to singing, he would've matched with legendary singer Chitra.

The young Vijay with excited expressions (when he utters "Parthale Kaichal Varume") is what makes the song so special.

This dance had all possibilities of turning into awkward/vulgar moment given the placement in the movie but Vijay's dance is what makes the grace here.

One of my favorite Vintage Vijay movies.

Ennoda Laila -Badri

Vijay's Favorite Peppy number.

This song is a testament on why you should enjoy a Vijay song.

He doesn't just dance, He emotes.

Vijay's dance moment while singing "Manasa valaiya virichen andha maina mattaliye" , Man he's not dancing in movie, he's enjoying 

Also the way he gave thumbs up or lifts the collar, not sure if its choregraphed or added by Vijay while in sequence. 

He adds in additional expressions relevant to the song without spoiling or overdoing it.

Another notable song in this movie :

• Kadhal Sollavthu & Angel Vandhale -No heavy dance sequence , the smiling breezy Kadhaluku mariyadhai steps. The way he smooches Bhoomika while singing "Nee mattum than Sakhiye" adds up the cute moments. Vijay feels Live while performing the sequence

These moments immerse us into Vijay's character within that movie universe not just an external movie audience 

...To be Continued in next blog