KOCHI: The lines ‘Pothirangi Kulam Kalakki, Aayiram Paralu pongi..,’ perfectly sync with popular film song ‘Alorungi Arangorungi..’ (from the movie Ente Mamamttikkuttiyammakku)when rendered in the tune of the latter.
The man who created the parody version was often criticised for ‘killing the soul of meaningful songs,’ during the years when he was active. But, V D Rajappan who popularised parody songs through his audio cassettes had an explanation.
“I am not killing the soul of songs. The original tune and lyrics will remain forever in the minds of listeners. In my ‘kathaprasangams,’ I want to create songs based on situations. I believe if it is a popular tune, people would enjoy it more,” was Rajappan’s reply when one of his friends asked him about the allegation.
It was in the mid-80s that kathaprasangam of V D Rajappan became an integral part of stage programmes. Sensing the scope of its market, leading cassette companies released them as albums, the highlight of which was parody songs. Most of the kathaprasangams of Rajappan had unusual characters as heroes.
In ‘Mak Mak,’ the first comedy kathaprasangam released by Rajappan in 1974, the central character was a frog. In ‘Chikayunna Sundari,’ the main character was a hen; in Kumari Eruma, it was a buffalo, while ‘Priye Ninte Kura’ was the love story of two dogs.
In ‘Avalude Partsukal,’ he even told the love story of two buses, which was a super hit album. The other popular albums were ‘Chandanathoppukal,’ ‘Amittu,’ ‘Anamayakki’ and ‘Ennennum Kurangettante.’ Before beginning his programmes, Rajappan used to sing a parody of evergreen Tamil devotional song ‘Maruthu Malai Mamamuniye...’. Rajappan’s lyrics go like this, ‘Kalleduthu Keecharuthe Nattare...’ (Don’t Pelt Stones, O Folks).
Some of the hit parody songs of V D Rajappan and their original versions are: Paakkaran Orikkal Vaarkkakku Poyi (Eeswaran Orikkal); Kottanchukkadi Kuzhambum Thechu (Kaattukurinji Poovum Choodi), Vaakappoo Nirmaulla Vimalinte Saree Vangan (Vakappo Maram), Kochine Nee Pidi Avidiri Kuda Pidi (Oru Kili Iru Kili ) and Makale Nee Odi Varoo (Madhurikkum Ormakale).
His parody songs are part of the nostalgic memories of many of who were born in 1980s.
Even today, his songs have not lost their freshness. It stands testimony to the artist who set the trend of parody music in Mollywood.
Chief minister Mourns Death
T’Puram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Deputy Speaker Palode Ravi and Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan mourned the death of actor and popular Kathaprasangam artist V D Rajappan, who passed away on Thursday. In his condolence message, Chandy said that the state had lost a great actor and a Kathaprasangam artist. Palode Ravi, in his message, said that Rajappan was a great artist who had made people laugh as well as think. His Kathaprasangams were full of humour that were thought-provoking, he said. Radhakrishnan also said that the state had lost a great artist.
Popular Albums
Sensing the scope of its market, leading cassette companies released parodies as albums, the highlight of which was parody songs. Most of the kathaprasangams had unusual characters.
Death Mourned
T’Puram: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan has mourned the death of V D Rajappan. In a condolence message, he said that Rajappan was an artiste ahead of his times. He also said that Rajappan’s death was a huge loss to the entire state.