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The Re-Mixer

Also read - CineGoer.com Copy Cat Crown

APK | July 31, 2006

The coveted CineGoer.com Copy Cat Crown is strictly given to only those contenders who trace out a song in some other language, and in a divine stroke of inspiration copy the tune and create a 'New' Telugu song. Look at the effort involved! First, you need to trace a song, then you need to get inspired (or be forced by the producer/director-whichever) and then you need a lyricist to write the wordings carefully and finally (Whew!!), record it.

It's not just mere lifting we are talking about here. It's the 'Divine Stroke of Inspiration' that we need. And it takes talent to copy a tune and create a new song, tactfully. That's why the CG.com CC Crown exists. Hey, we are not always sarcastic. When we say Crown, we mean Crown.

But there are a horde of songs out there that were simply lifted from an old Telugu flick, remixed and dished out apparently brand new. The Copy Cat Squad dug out a couple of them, but unfortunately, there's no Crown waiting for them. Let's look at it this way. Today we have a hit, say, 'Dole Dole' from 'Pokiri'. Mani Sharma gets full credit for this composition. Makers these days have become remixes-savvy and choose to copyright their songs, stories and movies. But even a decade ago, we had no such thing here. Supposing a composer takes 'Dole Dole' and remixes it and takes credit for it 50 years later.

Like Sharma did with the beautiful composition 'Gala Gala' from Krishna-starrer 'Gowri'. A new set of lyrics from Stanza 2, some new instruments, unique vocals and Viola! We have a hit here. But he's not the first composer to do that, nor will he be the last. After Hindi remixes have literally been exhausted for the lack of old songs which have not been remixed yet, it was the turn of Tollywood to catch the trend.

We had 'Roop Tera Mastana' (Aaradhana) remixed as a video in Hindi with the popular Shaan as the playback. But way back in 1976, it was remixed in Telugu as 'Muthyalu Vastava' in the movie 'Manushulantha Okkate' and later the song was also remixed in the movie 'Maavi Chiguru' (Remember 'Ranju Bhale Ramchiluka'?) with the unforgettable dance performance of the late Allu Ramalingaiah.

The song 'Nede Eenade' of 'Bhale Tammudu' was remixed in the movie 'Allari Pidugu' to suit the needs to hero NBK. Similarly, the song 'Ettago Unnadi' of 'Dasara Bullodu' was remixed in the movie 'Nennunnanu' starring Nagarjuna.

Pawan Kalyan admitted that the song 'Avunante Kaadanile' of the old 'Missamma' movie was one of his favorites. So it was no surprise then that it was remixed in his super hit 'Khushi'.

The most popular rain song of all times in South movies starring the inimitable NTR-Sridevi (in the mandatory transparent White sari) 'Aku Chatu Pinde Tadise' (Vetagadu) was remixed for grandson NTR (Jr.) picturized in a similar fashion with heroine Aarti Agarwal in Allari Ramudu. Another NTR hit 'Aaresukoboi Paresukunnanu' of 'Adavi Ramudu' was remixed and picturized on Prabhas-Aarti Agarwal in the movie by the same name.

Apart from 'Gala Gala' of Pokiri, another recent release 'Devadasu' also has a remix song. 'Mayadari Chinnodu' of the movie 'Amma Mata' has been remixed by Chakri to be picturized on Ram-Ileana.

All the above remixes were also acclaimed as hits, the biggest successes being 'Ranju Bhale Ramchilaka', 'Aduvari', 'Renduvela Rendu Varaku' and now 'Gala Gala'. Who takes the credit? The present composer of course-or should we say, the Re-mixer?

Remember ages ago when our grandmothers used to grind everything with a bowl and stone? It would take loads of time and energy. Now people have mixers and grinders to do that work in a jiffy. The difference between copying a tune from another language and creating something else, and simply remixing an old Telugu number is similar. Not that there is a justification for either of them.