Ponkathir (1953), Lata Mangeshkar, Br.Lakshmanan and Jikki’s liveliness.

It was the passing away of Adoor Pankajam that was the reason that made yours truly sit and watch Ponkathir (1953) one more time. Of the 13 songs, (actually 12 excluding the traditional Anjana Sreedhara), by the Br.Lakshmanan-Thirunayinaarkurichi Madhavan Nair team, there is this one, Padoo Maanasame Padoo that sounds suspiciously close to Lataji’s classic Laage Jabse Nain Laage from Daag (1952) !

The songs output of the Malayalam films from the early 60’s have always surprised me, specially the creative output of the Br.Lakshmanan-Thirunayinaarkurichi Madhavan Nair team, with most of their movies averaging at least 10 songs or more.

Raagendu Kiranangal and Shabana Azmi.

Pix credit : Filmi Geek

Swami (1977 ), directed by Basu Chatterjee and produced by Jaya Chakravarty (mother of Hema Malini) had the melodious Pal Bhar Main Yeh Kya Ho Gaya , composed by Rajesh Roshan and rendered by Lata ji, brought alive on screen by Shabana Azmi.