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Gangai Amaran combines humility and popularity
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"Kollywood has been shirking its responsibility of producing good movies" - Gangai Amaran
Photo: M. Moorthy
Multifaceted Gangai Amaran
RIDING HIGH on the crest of popularity, men with humility are a rare breed perhaps. But then, exceptions like Gangai Amaran are also found.
Kollywood's multi-faced personality, Gangai Amaran combines simplicity with humility and possesses an iron will to fight for values. Isn't it surprising to know that a popular film director, lyricist and music director of his stature is striving hard to succeed in his fight for retaining humaneness in movies?
Deteriorating standards
Slightly irked over the present-day film formulas, Gangai Amaran points an accusing finger at Tamil film industry and holds it responsible for the deteriorating standards in films.
"Kollywood has been shirking its responsibility of producing good movies." "The taste of the audience and filmgoers will never change. There has been an ever-growing urge among the masses to patronise good films, quality lyrics and humanistic themes," he insists.
Every human being, he feels, has a tendency to love naturalism and enjoy what he or she comes across in daily life.
India dominated more by villages than metros, every Indian has an admiration for rural environment and life-style.
"There is always a village in our hearts," he says convinced. "Quality films can be produced, if rural themes are meticulously chosen and vividly presented. A movie like `Karagattakaran' bears testimony," is his argument.
What worries him more is the fact that lyricists, actors, actresses and directors besides producers, are equally responsible for lack of quality in present day films.
"Many sequences in new movies thrash family values and domestic dignity," he laments.
Besides disappointing the audience, the dilution of the standard is not only seen in film making but even in the artiste's talents.
"Kamal Hasan is now starring as a comedian or villain, adapting himself to the dictates of tinsel town. Why should his capabilities be brought to such a doom?" wonders Gangai Amaran.
Solution, in his opinion, lies in the hands of youths.
"It is the youths' responsibility to watch only those films with an element of realism and make them a success...not just any trash movie.
"Making a comparison of lyrics authored by `Kaviarasu' Kannadasan and those in today's films, Gangai Amaran points out that situation-specific songs have become history.
"Nowadays, there is no relation between the lyrics and the sequences or storyline of a film.
Nor, is there anything thought provoking or infused with values lyrics to ponder over."
"On the other hand, Kaviarasu presented high philosophy contained in epics like the Bhagavad Gita or the religious scriptures like Tiruvasagam in a simple, direct and lucid form. `Oruthi maganai piranthavaram' (from Tiruvasagam), `Kalangalil aval vasantham' (`Spring I am' — Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita) etc. are evergreen hits because they were both situation-specific and thought provoking," he says.
A staunch devotee of The Mother, Gangai Amaran is currently busy preparing an audio compact disc on Her.
President Abdul Kalam, is expected to release it.
M. Balaganessin
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Pondicherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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