Naan Kadavul Maangandi Saamy's life captured in a film

At 70, SR Krishnamoorthy is a bundle of energy and full of zest for life. This Coimbatore-based vocalist has absolutely no qualms about the fact that he is limbless (he is known as the no hands & legs musician) and his physical handicap hasn���t deterred this ace Carnatic vocalist from performing over 2,000 music katcheri���s across the country. He is a sought-after motivational speaker, artist and has even tried his hand at acting, courtesy director Bala, who cast him in the critically-acclaimed Naan Kadavul.And now, a Coimbatore-based filmmaker has chosen to chronicle his life in a documentary titled, Kurai Ondrumillai, which will be released by the Aram Foundation on February 13 in the city.
���I was director Bala���s assistant on the sets of Naan Kadavul and he was looking for a powerful character who could play Maangadi Samy. But there was a pre-set condition that the person should be disabled (sans hands and legs). We were really apprehensive if we would be able to find someone like that. That is when we heard about Vidwan Kovai Krishnamurthy. When he broached him the idea, he agreed. Since both of us hailed from Coimbatore, Bala made me in charge of his food, activities and work. As I got to know him personally on the sets, I decided that his story needs to be told. The idea was firmed up when Krishnamoorthy Sir travelled all the way to my house in Sulur to visit my mother, who was battling cancer. She was awe-struck by his grit and determination,��� says SR Ravikumar, director of the documentary.
Krishnamoorthy was born in 1946 in Mettupalayam to a railway employee and his wife; and they moved to Coimbatore a few years later. His tryst with Carnatic music began during his childhood. He is also well versed in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit and Marathi. ���That was the time when television had not made its entry into households and we had plenty of time to spare. My brother used to play mridangam and I sang along. I have been singing for over 40 years now. Whenever I needed a break, I would learn a new language. I soon started singing Kabir and Meera Bhajan & Carnatic songs in other languages. When I got the offer to act in Naan Kadavul, I was quite hesitant as I believed that it would distract me from my first love, singing. But my family urged me to take it up as a challenge. Bala is a mature filmmaker and if given a chance to work in movies again, I would like to work with a director like him.���
Ravikumar pitches in, ���When we began research on the documentary, we realised that he didn���t have proper documentation of many aspects of his life. We delved into his achievements and unearthed details like his first music recital that was performed on the occasion of RamaNavami in Kolar Gold mines in 1963. He was only 17 years then.���
But then, how did his stint with motivational speaking begin? ���I was attending an international conference in Ernakulam and we were waiting for the event to start. During that time, I just happened to dole out a few words and the audience was impressed. And within no time, I began giving motivational speeches across the country. When I need inspiration, I turn toward the speeches of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Swami Vivekananda.��� His most cherished moment was when he got the opportunity to sing at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2007. ���Kalam Sir was very proud of my work and would also talk about me during his speeches. I miss him,��� he says.
But the journey has not been a cakewalk for this singer. ���There were times when I was not given a mike to sing. Few years ago, when I had to perform the Thyagaraja Pancharatna Krithi in Thiruvarur, the organisers did not provide me a mike. It was after the intervention of saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath that I was given one. After Naan Kadavul, I wasn���t called to sing during the December music season. However, I never considered these incidents as a setback.���
Ravikumar sums it up, ���It���s sad that despite having so many accomplishments to his credit, many in Coimbatore do not know about him. It���s time we brought the achievers in the city to the limelight. Moreover, youngsters of the current generation give up on life easily. The documentary is intended to motivate them as well.���