Potpourri of titbits about cinema - Sirkazhi Govindarajan

Sirkazhi had more than 8,000 songs to his credit. The figure included film songs, devotional songs, Carnatic music and patriotic songs. I can share with you readers some interesting portion of my interviews with this great musician:

Q: T. M. Soundararajan produced his own film ‘Kallum kaniyaakum’ and did a major role in the same. Did you ever have the inclination to produce films?

A: (laughing heartily) I founded a production company and named it ‘Isaimani films’. I even titled my first production as ‘Kadavul enge” and started the work. S. S. Rajendran was selected as the hero and Rajasulochana as the heroine. G. Ramanathan was to score the music. The other artistes were also finalized. The film was to be directed by R. R. Chandran. The theme was ‘Service to people was service to God’. But my ‘guru’ Swaminatha Pillai and my family were very much against my becoming a film producer. I shelved the project due to their opposition and gave up the idea forever.

Q: Your son Sivachidambaram is accompanying you in your concerts …

A: He used to mimic the voices of other singers including TMS, P. B. Srinivas, Chidambaram Jayaraman and others. In my absence, he would sing my songs in their voices to my family members. During his schooldays, he had won many prizes for singing at the school functions. I advised him to concentrate on his studies before trying his luck in the field. But he didn’t listen. So, I arranged Krishnamoorthy as his music teacher. I am taking him along with me for my concerts after making sure that it doesn’t affect his studies in any manner. My fans appreciate his performance. If he has the grace of Lord Muruga, he’ll reach heights.

Sirkazhi – Sulochana have one son Sivachidambaram and one daughter Gnanavalli. Both are practicing physicians. Sivachidambaram is simultaneously a Carnatic musician as well as a playback singer. Around 11 p.m. on 23-3-1988, Sirkazhi complained of chest pain and breathing problem. On his way to the hospital, he swooned and fell on his son’s lap chanting Lord Muruga’s name. In spite of intensive treatment, he breathed his last at 12.50 a.m. When he died he was only 55 years. God snatched him away at such an early age, may be that all the gods and celestials wished to hear him sing! A special postal cover bearing Sirkazhi’s photo was released by the Government of India on behalf of ‘Isaimani Foundation’ on 11-12-2010 in commemoration of this great musician.