BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

Dear readers,

On March 27^th 2011, I started ‘Talkie with rekhs’ thanks to Behindwoods supporting my dream and believing in it as much as I do; to take Thamizh cinema worldwide through effective subtitles…and talking about stalwarts, stars and those who are the toddlers of today, makers of tomorrow.

Today, Behindwoods again has given me a lovely podium to nurture my dream, one more step closer to realizing my ‘mission possible’.

‘rekhs underscore’ intends showcasing classic gems, evergreen songs that the younger generation missed out…each with some trivia and a dedication…once a week, so non Thamizh viewers can now enjoy the joy of our songs in their purest form. One has to be (s)tone deaf not to appreciate these nectarine melodies and the lyrics that garnish the aural feast. My muse is Dhool.com’s SOTD which gave me hours of happiness and seemed like the sun shone brighter every day. Thank you guys, let me try my best to provide the same to Non-Thamizh audience across latitudes and longitudes.

My first in this collection is ‘iyarkai enum iLaiya kanni’ from the film Shanthi Nilayam, released 23^rd May1972 directed by G.S.Mani and written by Chitralaya Gopu.

(http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-celebrity-column/Gopu-is-Gold-29-06-12.html)
 

Music by legendary composer Shri MSV, lyrics by the Bard of Tamil film songs Shri Kannadasan, sung by Shri SPB, my all time favorite and P Susheelamma  whose ‘nightingale’ voice is still as lilting as ever…please watch this song with subtitles in this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPShMtv0Igg

This film was a mixture of Sound of Music and Jane Eyre. Gemini Ganesan as Bhaskar the strict disciplinarian, a la Christopher Plummer and Kanchana as the governess Malathi (Julie Andrews) play the lead and this song is the jewel in its crown. I believe, it remained at the top of the charts for a long, long while; and rightfully so (Thank you Dhool Saravanan for your valuable comments on our (g)oldies)

I can never do justice in subtitling any song by Shri Kannadasan, this is just the red cherry on top of the cake. Cake per se is every Thamizh film song connoisseur’s delight. I am hoping it will provide the same gourmet feast to the Non Thamizh listener / viewer too.

Iyarkai enum iLaiya kanni
aengugiraaL thuNaiyai eNNi

Mother Nature’s young incarnate
She yearns for her soul mate

Iyarkai enum iLaiya kanni
aengugiraaL thuNaiyai eNNi

Mother Nature’s junior advocate
She craves for her soul mate

ponniraththu mellidaiyil poovaada
pottu vaiththa vaNNa mugam neeraada

On her gold-hued midriff, waltz flowers
My sparkling face blushes and showers 

ponniraththu mellidaiyil poovaada
pottu vaiththa vaNNa mugam neeraada

On her gilded waist, whirl fresh flowers
Her kum-kum face laced in April showers

thaamaraiyaaL aen sirithaaL
thalaivanukO thoodhu vittaaL

Why did she smile, lotus-eyed?
Message to her Lord she specified

Iyarkai enum iLaiya kanni
aengugiraaL thuNaiyai eNNi

Mother Nature’s fresh designate
She hankers for her soul mate

thalaiyai viriththu thennai pOraadudho
edhanai ninaiththu ilai neeradudho

Is the palm, head-pondering, rebelling?
What’s the leaf while showering reveling?

kanni unnai kandadhaalO
thannai eNNi kondadhaalO

Girl! Is it my eye-talk with you?
Or deep introspection true?

ilaigaL maraththukenna maelaadaiyo
idaiyai maraithu kattum noolaadaiyo

Are the leaves a dress to drape the tree?
Is it to hide the nuances of femininity?

katti konda kaLvan yaaro
kaLvanukum enna paero?

Who is this thief who hugged me?
What is his name, tell me, please?

Iyarkai enum iLaiya kanni
aengugiraaL thuNaiyai eNNi

Mother Nature’s child appropriate
She hungers for her soul mate

malaiyai thazhuvikoLLum neerOtamae
kalaigaL pazhaga chollum thaerOttamae

You’re the waterfall that caresses the hill
And chariot inducing me to hone my skill

manjal veyyil naeram thaanae
manjam ondru pOdalaamae

Only the twilight hours for company
Let’s make a bed to accompany

tharaiyai thadavi chellum kaatrotamae
kaalai nanaiththu chellum maatrottamae

You’re the wind that touches the water bed
Upsurge of tide that teases my feet instead

innum konjam naeram dhaanae
andhi pattu pesalaamae

Just an hour or so, orange-ish red
Let’s talk till the golden rays go to bed

Iyarkai enum iLaiya kanni
aengugiraaL thuNaiyai eNNi

Mother Nature’s green incarnate
She thirsts for her only soul mate

hahahaa lalalalala hahahaaa

With utmost humility I’d like to dedicate this song to P. Susheelamma who was awarded Life time achievement award by Raindropss on March 9th, 2013. Let us start this series with an ode to the 5 times recipient of our prestigious National award, our very own melody queen.

From the 70s-80s, I request you to search, research and suggest your favorite gems for the world to rave and recommend. I’ll do my best to subtitle these songs I grew up with; to satisfy and stimulate your aesthetic needs.

Until next week,
march your days with a smile,
rekhs

11.03.2013