2023-06-20 11:17:04
# Ravi Menon 20 June 2023, 04:47 PM IST
Sukumara Pillai was one of the producers of the hit film “Sayujyam” starring Jayan, MG Soman and Jayabharathi and an executive engineer at KSEB.
Sukumara Pillai, Yousafali Kecheri Photo: Special Arrangement, E.V. Ragesh Matrubhumi
CheSukumara Pillai never dreamed that that chance meeting at Nnai Mail would open the way to an unforgettable song festival. When I heard the news of his death today, the first thing that came to my ears and mind was an unforgettable song: “Even though it is hidden in the eyes of the mind, Malarai Vitarum Nee…”
The song was immortalized in the movie Sayujyam (1979) written by Yousafali Kecheri, composed by KJ Joy and voiced by Yesudas and Vanijayaram. There was another beautiful song in that movie: Kalithozhuthil Borne Karuna Pannavane… “I must have listened to those two songs the most times in my life. I heard them yesterday too.” — said Sukumarapilla when we met him for the last time. “I can never forget the songs.”
Sukumara Pillai was one of the producers of the hit film “Sayujyam” starring Jayan, MG Soman and Jayabharathi and an executive engineer at KSEB. I know him as the father of dear friend, poet and lyricist Dr RS Sukesh. It was only later that his role in the birth of songs that Malayalis hold close to their hearts was realized. A story full of contingencies. Sukumara Pillai (75) passed away at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
“I am going by train to Chennai for the initiation of Sayujyam.”– Words of Sukumarappilla. “I was intrigued when I noticed the person who was engrossed in reading in the seat right in front. As if I had seen him somewhere. When I went directly and got to know him, he humbly said: “My name is Yousafali Kecheri.”
“It was amazing to me. I have heard a lot regarding him and enjoyed the songs he wrote.” Sukumarapillai’s memory. “He is going to Chennai to write songs for some film. Kecheri sir laughed when I told him regarding my adventure of coming out with my friends to make a film for the first time; wished me luck.”
That’s when Sukumarappilla gathered all his courage and asked: “Sir, can you write the songs for our film?”
Pillai said that he doubted whether Kecheri, who is also a blessed poet, would be willing to write songs for a mature commercial film. But his response was contrary to expectations: “What is it? Isn’t it a wish of yours? The beginning of the film should not be bad. I will write.” Pillai said that his eyes were filled with happiness.
Yousafali Kecheri wrote the songs for “Sayujya” in Chennai itself. KJ Joy’s name was suggested as the music director by his friend director Sasikumar. It was Joy who composed the super hit songs in his earlier directed “Mukuvane Snechi Bhoota”. It was Sasikumar who suggested his disciple Premkumar as the director of “Sayujya”.
Sukumarapillai cannot forget the moments when the songs of Sayujyam were born at AVM Studio. “I have never seen such an extensive orchestra before or since. A big festival of Western and Eastern instruments. When Yesudas, Vaniamma, Sushila and Jayachandran came and sang the songs, I thought in my mind: Malayalees would take over those songs. But I did not imagine that they would grow beyond the generations. Today, when I think of the movie Sayujyam, it comes to my mind. Not the songs?'”
Joy once said that the melody of the song “In spite of it” was born by chance: while driving from home to the studio. It took only seconds for Yousafali Kecheri to write the lyrics to that tune. There were two versions of the song. Yesudas sang the sad song and Vani Jayaram sang the happy song. Yesudas sang and recorded the song one morning, Joy remembers — on his way to the airport. “You can feel the whole beauty of the morning in that voice. The magic that only Yesudas can do.”
Sukumara Pillai shared another amazing experience. The day following the recording of the songs, Kecheri went and met Sir with the reward. There was a fear that the amount would not be enough. Not a busy songwriter? But the response was totally unexpected. “I will not accept this money,” said the poet. “Isn’t this your first venture? It’s the songs that I love. Just treat mine as a gift. No reward..”
The producer was emotional and did not know what to answer. Only time would prove the true “value” of that gift.
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