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Salil Chowdhury

Devdasi (1978)

An incomplete Malayalam film project featuring exquisite compositions by Salil Chowdhury, including one of the most stunning reinventions of a Bengali evergreen classic.

Devdasi Poster

Film Information

Language: Malayalam

Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup

Devdasi (1978) was unfortunately never completed. However, the songs that were recorded represent some of Salil Chowdhury’s most remarkable melodic work.

The song "Orunaal" (DV4) is a Malayalam adaptation of the unforgettable Bengali classic "Kono Ek Gaanyer Bodhu", featuring a breathtaking new arrangement with a modern harmonic vocabulary and a superb guitar-led introduction.

Salil performed this updated arrangement in his late–1980s and early–1990s US & UK concert tours along with Sabita and Antara Chowdhury.

Songs

Nr Song Singer(s) HndMalTamTelKanBngOth
DV1 Ponnalayil K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam & Chorus SS5------
DV2 Padarenu K. J. Yesudas -------
DV3 Manaseswari S. Janaki -----AN5-
DV4 Orunaal K. J. Yesudas -----HM1-
DV5 Varu Varu S. Janaki -----SC35-
DV6 Ini Varu Sabita Chowdhury AD1---SL5SC48-

Notes & Background

Devdasi was never completed, yet it remains an important entry in Salil’s Malayalam legacy. The recordings that survived are cherished among collectors for their expressive depth.

The Malayalam version of "Kono Ek Gaanyer Bodhu" titled "Orunaal Vishenare" (here listed as DV4: Orunaal) has one of Salil’s most sophisticated arrangements, with added modern chords and an unforgettable guitar prelude.

Salil carried this arrangement into stage performances in his international tours in the late 1980s and early 1990s, performed memorably by Sabita and Antara Chowdhury.