Manjari’s eyes fill up when she hears a song by Yesudas while sitting at home or driving a car. Manjari has so much love and respect for that voice. Apart from being a veteran singer in the film industry, Das Uncle is also a guru to Manjri. Manjari is praying to Goddess Mookambika for his long life as the great singer of Malayalam celebrates his birthday in the splendor of seeing a thousand full moons. Yesudas also put Manjari on the right track by lovingly admonishing Manjari, who had tried her hand at acting, by telling her to focus on ‘singing or acting’. Manjari opens up to Manorama Online about Yesudas’ impact on her life as a person and a singer…
Is this child sleeping in front?
I met Das Uncle for the first time when I was six years old. It was the time when he came to Muscat for a concert. When everyone left home to listen to the concert, I went with them. He fell asleep while watching the concert. After the concert, I went to see him with my family. Uncle Das asked, “Is this child sleeping in front?” It is a relationship that started there. It is my mother who tells him that I like to sing and want to sing. A bhajan is first sung in front of Das uncle. After hearing that, he said that the children sing like this, but when we call the Lord, we should call with a little more feeling and learn it.
Afraid to say no…
Das Uncle and I are singing the song ‘Ente Ellamellamalle’… from the film Meesamadhavan on stage. There is some dialogue in front of this song, Das uncle asked if you have learned all that. I said I learned everything.
The song started and the dialogue in between was said. But I’m stuck on the dialogue saying no. Das uncle looked at me. Baki asked why he didn’t sing. I was worried about how I would sing this in the face of someone like Das Uncle. Don’t know what to do. Immediately the music stopped. He started singing again for the second time. When we got there, it was the same again. Everyone listening looks at me. I wondered if it would be disrespectful to look him in the face and say no. After a while, he told the matter to his uncle. When we go on stage to sing, there is no connection between aunty, uncle, father and mother. He said that the focus should be on the song only. Finally got on the stage and sang the song.
He apologized to him many times after that. At that time he said that it was not necessary. He said with a smile that it should be done that way.
A member of the family
We have a guru-disciple relationship. When he used to come to Muscat, he used to teach me singing. Although I had another music teacher, I learned classical music mostly from Das Uncle. I always got his advice as a singer. Das Uncle is like a member of the family. He is number one in any field. It will paint a beautiful picture. Has deep knowledge in Ayurveda and Astrology. If he had been there when we were playing carrom, he would have won that too.
And this gold
He gave me an opportunity to sing in Tarangini’s ‘Ennum Ee Ponnonam’ cassette. That great luck happened when I was studying in 8th standard. Mohan Sithara was the music director. It was Das Uncle who taught and recorded that song. It is usually done by the music director. I have been so lucky in my life. I sang most of the duets with Das Uncle when I started singing in films. It is God’s blessing. She sang with him not only in Malayalam but also in Tamil.
I am entering the film singing field at an age of awareness. It was at the age of 18 that she sang the song ‘Swasathin Thalam…’ with him for the first time in Achu’s Amma. After I sang, Ilayaraja sir said that Das uncle is singing the duet. After he came into the studio and sang, I waited for the mix. I heard it with great thrill. I can’t explain that happiness even today.
I burst into tears…
Recently, while driving the car, I have been listening to these two songs non-stop, ‘Aro Pharmeeti…’ and ‘Pinne Yee Phinei…’. For a different feel. Soon I sent a message to Das Uncle in America that he was listening to these songs. After a while I got a voice call. Uncle’s voice shouting hello to you. When I heard that, I started crying. It was crying after crying. That voice has become such a part of life. He talks a lot about songs.
Peace if you nod
He has taught me to sing a few songs on the occasion of his birthday gathering at Mookambika. It doesn’t say anything special if it’s sung cleanly. Nodding is so peaceful. A few days ago I had released a ghazal and Ganesha hymn composed by myself. Both of these were sent to him. He said that he liked Ganapati Stuti a lot. Say something like that sometimes. The rest will be kept in mind. If we hear good things, we will be happy and proud. I am praying that Das Uncle will be in good health. No matter how old he is, he wakes up in the morning, drinks coffee, talks about songs, sings and reads books. I want it to stay that way.
Hit songs sung by Yesudas and Manjari
Rhythm of breath – Achu’s mother
Mutate Mulle Choll – Mayavi
What a black eye – photographer
Still silence – Notebook
Except for one – the novel
Poove Mehboobe – Weapon
Inni Kadalin – Veeraputra
