NOT SANGEETHA SOMEGEETHA
Veteran RNJ's Dig At Poor Music/Lyrics

Interview - CNB          Photos - Manu         Date 09-10-2005       Time - 10-00 AM

Chitraloka mega portal saluting the renowned lyricist of Kannada cinema R.N.Jayagopalji on the occasion of his 70th birthday gives his thoughts in a chat with the giant at Janardhana Hotel. This chat is held prior to the two days seminar on 'RNJ 70' in Bangalore. When Chitraloka mega portal met him, RNJ was finalising the translation of 'Roja' song to Kannada Sangaathiye Prakruthiyalli ellallu ninna mukha… for A.R.Rehman musical evening on 9th October at Palace Grounds.

• How is music today?
  There is more noise than music. It is not 'Sangeetha' but 'Somegeetha'. Like how myself and Chi.Udayashanker maintained the foot steps of Kura Seetharama Sastri and Kanagal Prabhakara Sastri in those days it did not further continued. 12 lines of lyrics would explain the whole story in those days. 

• What is the medicine we can inject to bring back the old glory to film music?
  This is not a one man job. The discussion that was going on in those days is missing today. Intricate team work is not found. When giant Ku Ra Si wrote Yeni Vinuthana Madhuve….., persons like me we used to work out how best we can make the lyrics simple. Following him I wrote Udugoreyondha Thanda…… The rhythm was never missing. The lyrics were clearly understandable. We used to work more on already existing good things. When you churn the butter milk then only you get butter. 

• You are in a position to advice. The outcome of workshops what is taking place for two days on the occasion of your 70th birthday can be taken seriously…..
  A workshop is required today to manage the things, rectify the errors. Like how a workshop of a doctors takes place similar workshops should be made in all segments. Doctors cannot go to workshops to have dinner and come back. There would be some serious discussions. When I wrote the song Yelu Swaravu seri Sangeethavayithu…. I have brought in physics. From music education is possible. Look at how songs are composed and picturised. The close ups are missing while songs are on the screen. The mid and long shots are more. That is the reason why lyrics are not carrying. 

• Any such attempt is going on…..
  We have mathematician genius Shakuntala Devi. They want maths subject in the screen format. For those who are poor in maths this would be an interesting factor. With some dreams added to it I am arriving at something very novel. 
• Do you have any other unfulfilled ambition?
  I intend to make 'Seetha Swayamvara' with children acting in it and singing. After I finish this I feel some what fulfilled. This is a long standing dream of mine. Not only lyrics are becoming weak even the story content is so……
  That is true. There are several subject even today of Tarasu, Triveni and others. Some have to be made with big canvas. But ingredients were there in those days. See how the spark in 'Aptha Mithra' has worked out. In literature also there are many those who write for making films. They are not worthy. Every good opportunity should be carefully transformed. We have some plays of Girish Karnad and others that goes over head. 'Jollu Jasthi kanasathe'.

• How do you feel at 70?
  This is just a passing phase in life. As long as you go on working nothing disturbs you.

• Have you written any song for your wife?
  The point is that my wife did not pay. That is the reason I did not wrote any song for her. But when I saw her for the first time for director Vadiraj film I wrote Manase Nagadeke Harasali…..

• Which is the song you immediately get on your tongue?
  There are so many. But spontaneously comes Hoovu Chaluvalle Nandenthitu…., out of 1600 songs I have written in 40 years.
  There is a complaint. You are sitting at Chennai and not accessible…..
  That is wrong. I have reasons to stay in Chennai. I run a school Vidya Vinaya Vinodha. There are more than 1000 children studying. I am four hours drive away from Bangalore. In those days the films were made with Rs.20 lakhs budget. Now the minimum budget is Rs.1 crore. For such producers inviting RNJ is not a big deal.

• What is the truth you have seen in cinema business?
  When you are wanted they give all comforts and get to their side. When you are not wanted if you are just next no one will inquire about you