The rendition in a way only M Balamuralikrishna could have done, of the song Devaru Hoseda Premada Dara, from the award-winning Kannada movie ‘Muthina Haara’ (1990) has given that number immortality.
Though he has rendered other songs in Kannada, ‘Devaru...’ got the classical status, with his impeccable handling.
Recalling his association with Balamuralikrishna, S V Rajendra Singh Babu, director-producer of ‘Muthina Haara’ told DH, “Balamuralikrishna remains alive in the minds and hearts of Kannadigas through the song from Muthina Haara.”
The lyric compares four seasons of the nature with four phases of the human life. “It needed a special voice and those of S P Balasubrahmanyam and K J Yesudas could not match the spirit of the lyric. It was only Balamuralikrishna’s voice which could do justice to the song,” he said.
Babu and Hamsalekha, the lyricist and composer, met Balamuralikrishna in Hyderabad after much difficulty, but he refused to lend his voice to the song. After repeated requests, he decided to sing, on the condition that there is no vulgarity in it.
“He had promised us that he would call back, but he did not, for two weeks. Finally, he called us, asking us to arrange for the recording,” Babu said. The recording took place at Prasad Studio in Chennai.
“The recording began at 9 pm and concluded at around 3 am the next day. He was not happy with his intonation and wanted to reach perfection. Hence, there were many rehearsals. Myself and Hamsalekha repeatedly listened to the song. We knew then that Balamuralikrishna had converted the lyric into an everlasting masterpiece,” he said.
The song has been picturised on Vishnuvardhan and Suhasini, after they lose their son in the movie. It runs in the background and Babu chose not to make any of the actors lip-sync.