"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.
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
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