The Sathyan Tribute | Ravi from Mooladhanam (1969)

All the characters Sathyan played on screen were of strong men, all imbued with the special “Sathyan” touch which made them unforgettable. Most roles were, in my memory, tragic. However, one memorable character that he played, with the story ending on a positive note, was in Thoppil Bhasi‘s Mooladhanam (meaning Capital, as in Wealth). The story is based on Thoppil Bhasi’s own life experiences as a Communist Party worker during 1944-1946, of the sacrifices he had to make, in order for the mass struggle against the unjust rule of the Diwan be a success.

Susie’s Fab Five | Songs on the Travails of Women

In life humankind faces many situations; life in general is fraught with trials and tribulations. In Malayalam films such situations call for a heart-rendingly sad song sequence. Women and men seem to face adversity with different mindsets. From a woman’s perspective, almost always someone is to blame.

Susie’s Fab Five | Songs on the Plight of Man

1.Ekaanthathayude  from Bhargavi Nilayam (1964)

Kamukara’s voice has always had this special ability to convey the despondency-philosophy combination really well, as it does in this song from the movie Bhargavee Nilayam (1964).

Songs with poetic beauty | My Fabulous Five

Malayalam cinema has innumerable classic hit songs bursting with soulful lyrics,and many, many brilliant lyricists. But some songs just stand head and shoulders above the rest, when the words, music and voice comes together as a splendid, magnificent creation. They just grab you, and never let you go. The opulent imagery these songs open up in my mind is matchless.  I would like to share some of them here with you.

Of Death, Desolation and Dogmas | Philosophy in Malayalam Film Music

Malayaalees (and most Indians, for that matter) seem to have a fascination for philosophy in general. Almost every hit movie of yesteryear seems to have atleast one philosophical song in it. Most were very popular among the masses. Among these, I have several favourites, and as usual, it is extremely difficult to pick five of them.

Remembering MS Baburaj, on his birthday today

It is so rare, no, pretty much impossible, to love all the creations of a musician. There is an exception. The great MS Baburaj. I would like to dedicate this to his memory.

Songs of Love in Malayalam Films | My Fabulous Five

Welcome to Surasangeetham.

I would like to share with you here, a few of my favourite Malayalam movie songs of love. When we pick favourites, the ones that come first to mind invariably turn out to be from our young, teenage years. I have yet to work out whether it is because the songs of that time were genuinely great (which they undoubtedly were) or because we are extremely impressionable at that age (which we are). It may even be a potent combination of the two. In my case that period turns out to be the early 1960’s to 1970’s. There were no televisions to watch the video clips, there was freedom to visualise these songs however I wished. In later life, when I actually got to see some of the original video clips of these songs, some were disappointing. It made me wish I should have just stayed with my music player. But there were some which did live up to my expectations.