These two ‘Breathless’ South Indian film songs released within a gap of a few months took our breath away

It was an era of south Indian film songs, mostly based on classical and semi-classical music, when in the early 1990s two songs caught public attention – Mannil Indha Kadhal from Keledi Kanmani (1990) sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Ramakadha Gaanalayam from Bharatham (1991) sung by Yesudas. Comparisons were drawn between these two songs, sung by two great legends of south Indian film music. There are so many songs released a year, then why these two songs? Because both were ‘Breathless’ songs which was not used in both these film industries before, to this extent. There have been a few instances in both these industries where ‘Breathless’ songs were used, but not to this extent where one complete Antara (stanza) is sung fully breathless.

What is a breathless song?

For Hindi music lovers, the first song coming into mind will be Shankar Mahadevan’s Breathless, released in 1998 which made him instantly popular. This song is still loved by music lovers, for the special genre or type of singing it belongs to. The appears to be sung in one continuous breath, with no visible pauses. That’s what well defines a breathless song, where a singer sings a few lines or a full stanza uninterrupted and without any pauses for breathing.

Both the songs, Mannil Indha Kadhal from Keledi Kanmani (1990) sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Ramakadha Gaanalayam from Bharatham (1991) sung by Yesudas used this technique in their respective renditions. That’s why both the songs are classified as ‘Breathless’, and own a separate fan base even after three decades of release. Even the singers are repeatedly asked in their stage shows to perform this song.

Ramakadha Gaanalayam from Bharatham earned 2 National awards in music category

Yesudas is the cultural icon of Kerala, and the contributions he has given to Malayalam cinema is immensely huge. If we are asked to choose his best songs, definitely Ramakadha will find a place. Also, it’s one of the most wonderful Malayalam film songs based on Carnatic music. Even a Shehnai piece was added to it, which is music composer Raveendran’s brilliance. Bharatham is definitely one of his best works, which earned him a special mention at National film awards too. He also won Kerala state film awards for best composer.

Yesudas won his 6th National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Absolutely no competition in that. But surprisingly he didn’t receive state awards for the same. When we watch the song, it feels like Mohanlal is singing, not Yesudas. We forget Yesudas for a while. In fact Mohanlal lived that character, for which he won his first National award for best actor. The song was composed in Shubhapantuvarali raga.

The movie is a modern-day adaptation of the great epic Ramayana from Bharath’s perspective. The film was based on Bharathan’s dilemma, hidden sorrows and agonies, how to rule his kingdom and take care of his family in the absence of elder brother Ram. The whole unfortunate incidents happen because of a throne. The film’s title is also perfectly matching it. Same is showed in this film as well, where there is a small clash between two siblings who is best in singing, but the elder brother finally accepts and blesses his younger brother before he sets for a pilgrim journey. He dies on his journey and never returns. When the younger brother knows about it, he has to hide his brother’s death from the family, where all its members are in a happy mood because of a wedding happening in the family. The roles of the siblings were done by Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal perfectly.

Mannil Indha Kadhal from Keledi Kanmani – A classic masterpiece

While a lot talk about how Yesudas’ voice blends well with Mohanlal’s lip-sync, in the case of ‘Mannil Indha Kadhal’ there are no confusions, because SPB himself acted in the film. The song is all about a blossoming love between two mid-aged people, and SPB gave full justice to the song, both as an actor and singer. The song was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, set in Keeravani raga while lyrics were credited to Ilaiyaraaja’s elder brother Pavalar Varadharajan. But the song was actually written by their younger brother Gangai Amaran, who wanted to give credits to his elder brother.

Though the song was not fully recorded as breathless, it was then edited to look like he sang the entire stanza without taking breath. Balasubrahmanyam took 25 seconds to sing the first stanza, 40 seconds to sing the second breathless stanza, and the last 15 seconds after briefly inhaling.

Two songs belong to two genres, set in two situations and mood, and there should be no comparisons. While ‘Mannil Indha Kadhal’ – a light hearted song sets the mood of a blooming romance, ‘Ramakadha Gaanalayam’ is a pure Carnatic song and too heavy, which depicts the agonies of a person losing his father-like elder brother and how he hides this from everyone. Both songs are absolutely matchless and timeless, which will stay in the hearts of music lovers forever. And a big thanks to all those artists who contributed to both these songs.

A few more songs belonging to ‘Breathless’ category

Padakali song composed by A. R. Rahman for Mohanlal starrer Malayalam film Yoddha somewhat belongs to breathless category. Interestingly this song was released one year after Bharatham was released. This song was a jugalbandi between Yesudas and M. G. Sreekumar. One year later, Chithra’s iconic song, “Oru Murai Vanthu” from Manichitrathazhu with mixed lyrics of Tamil and Malayalam was released. Though both these Malayalam film songs can’t be claimed as breathless, both have long and continuous stretches of singing. The Tamil songs – “Ennai Kaanavillaye” from Kadhal Desam and “Kadhale Kadhale” from Avvai Shanmugi both released in 1996 and sung by SPB also belong to this category. “Mazhai Thuli” from Sangamam (1999) is another beautiful rendition, but sung by Unnikrishnan. All these iconic songs were released in the 1990s.