After Annakili was released, Ilaiyaraaja, who composed the music for the film but was then not known to the outside world, along with his brothers Gangai Amaran and Baskar, would visit Rajakumari Theatre to gauge the audience’s response. Initially, the reception was lukewarm. One of the film’s directors, Devaraj, stood outside the theatre in Chennai, crestfallen, as only a handful of people had turned up to watch the film.
Impact of AIR
But by then, the songs had begun to echo across the State. All India Radio (AIR) broadcast them repeatedly, and listeners were captivated. Soon, crowds started queuing up outside theatres. Such was the popularity of the songs that “Sonthamillai Bandhamillai,” which had been removed after the first few days, had to be reinstated following repeated demands from audiences.
The song itself had its roots in a tune often rendered by Ilaiyaraaja’s mother, who would sing it with different lines on different occasions. Even the Thiruppugazh hymn “Erumayil Eri Vilaiyadu Mugam Ondru” was sung in the same tune.
Similarly, “Annakili Unnai Theduthey” was also based on a tune sung by his mother, who would render it with the line “Pullipotta Ravikkaikari.” “Annakili Unnai Theduthey” became the beginning of the song.
