This story is from June 30, 2016

Tribute to MSV: Last song to get satellite release

Three years ago, when G Venkatesh Kumar was shooting for ‘Neelam’, a film based on the plight of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy, the young filmmaker faced the wrath of the police. Considering the sensitive nature of the issue, police raised objections to some tents put up at Medavakkam.
Tribute to MSV: Last song to get satellite release
Three years ago, when G Venkatesh Kumar was shooting for ‘Neelam’, a film based on the plight of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy, the young filmmaker faced the wrath of the police. Considering the sensitive nature of the issue, police raised objections to some tents put up at Medavakkam.
Chennai: Three years ago, when G Venkatesh Kumar was shooting for ‘Neelam’, a film based on the plight of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy, the young filmmaker faced the wrath of the police. Considering the sensitive nature of the issue, police raised objections to some tents put up at Medavakkam.
The film set appeared similar to isolation camps where the fishermen were detained in the island nation.
Kumar later dropped the idea, but he finished recording all the five songs for the film. The one sung by veteran music director and composer M S Vishwanathan when he was 85 stood out. Venkatesh Kumar is planning to release the song “Alayae O Alayae’ sung by MSV through satellite channels as a tribute to the musician on his first death anniversary which falls on July 14.
MSV was initially reluctant to the idea when the young filmmaker approached him, but he agreed to sing after he heard the film’s story line in detail. “I was a bit worried and never knew how he would respond. He asked me to narrate the story and once I finished, he agreed to sing. And it was done in a single shot,” said Kumar, director of “Unakkul Naan” and “Kannadi Bommaigal” (children of light).
Although Kumar was disappointed that he could not complete the project, he knew the song would be a big hit. Written by Tamil poet and lyricist Yugabharathi, “Alayae O Alayae” is composed by young music director Satish Chakravarthy. “I once played the song to veteran film director Balu Mahendra at his office. He was thrilled and immediately called MSV and told him he liked the song. All this happened in front of me and it was a great moment,” said Kumar.
Kumar said it was the last time MSV sang for a film. “MSV never sang for any film after this and “Alayae O Alayae” was the last. I still remember the day. Although he was 85 then, he looked so lively when he started singing. It was a great feeling,” he said. MSV sang the song with young musician Haricharan. A beautiful and vibrant song could have been lost with the project if Kumar hit upon the idea of releasing it online and on satellite channels.
“I am releasing the film on his birth anniversary as a tribute to the great musician. Even though I couldn’t complete the project, I am proud that I could produce a great song from a great musician. I am sure the song will become popular,” said Kumar.
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