Madras bashai songs are the flavour in K-town

Mersalayitten, Adhaaru Adhaaru, Dangamaari��� These are the words that are on the lips of youngsters today, even though most, especially those outside Chennai, might not know their exact meaning. Such distinctly Chennai words ��� or Madras bashai, to use the proper term ��� being used in Tamil film songs is the fad these days. While songs in Chennai slang are not new (how can anyone forget Manorama���s Vaa Vaathyaare Ootaanda from the 1968-film Bommalattam?), they have been sporadic.But now, the case is different.
Director Ranjith, who has made Atta Kathi and Madras, says that this trend is because of a combination of reasons ��� people wanting something fresh, the increasing number of films set in Madras (north Madras to be specific) and the revival of gana songs. ���During one phase, we had songs in the Coimbatore slang, which was then followed by songs in Madurai slang. Audiences expect something new every now and then, and it was during this time that we started having films like Polladhavan, Atta Kathi, and the films of Mysskin, which dealt with the typical Chennai characters. Earlier, there was a wrong notion, especially in the minds of people outside Chennai, that the Madras bashai was a cheri mozhi (language of the slums) because in films, it was used by either villains or the laymen (like a rickshaw puller, idli seller, or so on). And, gana, which Deva sir introduced in Tamil cinema, had, over time, come to mean some sort of an item number. When I used gana songs for romance in Atta Kathi, people started realizing that there is more to gana. That is why today we have Gana Bala singing in almost every film,��� he explains.
However, he cautions that while trying to gain mileage from this trend, filmmakers should not ruin the Madras slang by leaving room for misinterpretation.
Lyricist Kabilan, who has written such songs including I���s Mersalayitten and the title track of Madras, agrees that this is a fad, but adds that he is glad that people who are from the region are singing these numbers. ���Earlier, the leading playback singers would be asked to sing these songs as well, but now, singers like Gana Bala or Marana Gana Viji or Anthony Dasan are being used by composers, adding to the authenticity of the songs,��� he says.
He says that some directors request the use of such terms because success spawns imitations. ���The industry repeats something that has become successful. So, lyricists like me, who do not belong to these regions, indulge in pure wordplay after learning some slang words. But now, filmmakers have started using people living in these places ��� like KV Anand did with Anegan ��� and it is heartening,��� he says.
Recent songs with Madras slang
Adhaaru Adhaaru ��� Yennai Arindhaal
Mersalayitten ��� I
Dangamaari ��� Anegan
Kakidha Kappal, Madras, Irandhidava ��� Madras
Aathangara ��� Yaan
Royapuram Peter ��� Maan Karate
Nadukadula, Aadi Pona ��� Atta Kathi