But playback singer Malathi of Aa ante Amalapuram fame swept up the impact of all other events by making the city dance to her peppy numbers.

High-decibel music and fast-beat songs enticed youth to the musical night organised by The Guntur Tamil Cultural Association, to mark its inception.

What better beginning could they ask for than a Tamil singer, popular for her numbers in Telugu film industry, performing in the presence of a large gathering of Tamilians and Telugus.

She was introduced to Telugu cine goers by music director Devisri Prasad in Abhi with a peppy number Vangathota malupu kada... Ever since then, there was no looking back and the singer has been entertaining her fans by belting out popular trendy Telugu songs. What really sets her apart is her unique voice.

Her fans compare her with L. R. Eswari of yesteryears, who incidentally doled out some popular numbers from the same dais in Guntur.

Setting the tone

Aa Ante Amalapuram from Arya set the mood for the evening. Geethanjali music troupe scored the music and junior singers like Venugopal, Rekha, and Pooja joined her in dishing out some scintillating numbers.

Even while animated songs like sayyo re sayyo Orugallake pilla and Devudaa... Devudaa from Chandramukhi provided a high to her fans, she took them to new heights by crooning a heady number like Manmadharaja.. manmadharaja.

Born and brought up in Tamil Nadu, Malathi finds Telugu as one of the sweetest languages.

Felicitating Guntur district Collector G. Jayalakshmi, also a Tamilian, on the occasion, Malathi says she is indebted to people of Andhra Pradesh for extending their patronage to all her songs.

Referring to the great Tamil poet Bharatiyaar's love for Telugu, she reminded that the poet had called it Telangi. She said she was happy to leave an impact even in devotional songs. 

Courtesy: The Hindu, Jan 6, 2007