Ottakambinadam

A tribute to Late musical mastero Raveendran. I'm incited to write up on this genius since it was his songs which made me listen to music and got rid off my hatred towards malayalam film songs during my adoloscence. I still remember how i heeded to the song 'Aarattukadavingal arakkoppam'...from the movie 'Venkalam'.There began my passion for Raveendran which always kept leaping.The raagas he chose for the songs made it more easy to listen than to sing.He has given life to over 450 songs including his musical albums.Ravi,the popularly known "Raveendran Master" was born in 1943 at Kulathupuzha;Kollam Dist.He had his musical education from Swatithirunal sangeeta college Trivandrum and later tested his vocal cord under various noted music directors including Baburaj.But unfortunately or fortunately due to lack of opportunities he ended up as a music director,with the support from Dr.K.J.Yesudas. He in between had to play roles of,a dubbing artist and singer in Ganamela.As a music director he made a majestic entry through the film "choola" in 1979 directed by I.V.Sasi,the fresher rose beyond Mr.sasi's expectations and created the tune for 'Tharakamizhiyithalil kannerumaye' The song "Pramadavanam" set in Jog,a hindustani variant of natta made people to become his ardent fans.Vaarmukile from the movie mazha gives me a feeling of mohana raga.The Ottakambi nadam,vikaranaukayumayee(Amaram) etc: are excellent works giving feel of madhyamavati.mesmerising song chandanamanivathil paathi chari(hindolam) by Venugopal and'Cheerapoovukal' from the movie dhanam are still hummed commonly.The wizard gave his charming touch to songs in his last film Vadakkunnathan. I remember one programme in Tv in which Raveendran Mash sang his famous 'Mamankam palavuru'.. and the song along with his gigantic figure still lay imprinted in my memories.Raveendran mash-dasettan-Lalettan trio is the best combination i've yet seen.Aaramthamburan,devasuram,Bharatham,His highness Abdulla,etc are notable movies by the all in all without any film in parallel. " he could sing his composition and singer did not have to produce a rabbit out of thin air at any time" says mere-awaz-suno fame pradip somasundaran.The personal life of Raveendran still remains under cover for me even after a good search through google!Any way his loss has created a wedge in the bridge connecting the classical and film-folk music."Pulare poonthoniyil Ethonidrathan chempaneerpovaye eerakkombinmele vazhuthi veena ee saptaswaropasakan brahmakamalam sreelakamakunnaA devasabhathalathil ezhuswarangalum meetti sangeetha sreelavasantham pakarukayavum".A salute to the master of music who indeed sounded unique as Ottakambinadam.