On Feb. 9, S Rajam – India’s only Mozart and Michelangelo rolled in one – who turned 90, close relatives and family friends gathered to wish him and take his blessings at the ancestral home at 41, Nadu Street, Mylapore, Chennai.

Rajam recollected many anecdotes in life – about musicians as well as family members. Relatives also shared aspects of the brothers, Rajam and 'veenai' Balachander and their sisters as well. It was also moment to look back into the old family archival pictures that brought back memories alive, reflect many frozen seconds to posterity for the young kith and kin to relish the values of the never changing Indian families!

The 1933 film’s Child hero, now a music maestro and artist Rajam is an old resident of Nadu Street in the Mylapore area in Madras, now Chennai and he is still able to spend good deal of time to teach music (classic carnatic vocal) to his disciples and also render work of art – for some 5 to 8 hours a day!

In October 2008 film historian Randor Guy had written a piece on the film ‘Seetha kalyanam’ in the Friday supplement of The Hindu. It is believed that there is no poster or literature on the film – not even a film print / copy exist of this Shantaram hit.

Sometime recently, cousin SBS Raman managed a copy of the ‘leaflet’ or ‘bill’ that was used for propaganda of the film for screening at Lakshmi talkies – Devakottai from 10th march 1937. A look at the rates / slab and special price offer to ladies is very interesting and amusing! At a time when ladies at pubs are being harassed, here was a time when they had found ‘a more welcoming offer’ to be a part of the fine social fabric!

Rajam contributed paintings for a unique calendar, 72 melakartha calendar , brought out by Larsen and Toubro.

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