BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

Dear friends of mine, far and wide, near and dear,

The response for ‘rekhs underscore’ made my week! Thanks a ton for every single mail /sms that flooded my inbox and suggestions for songs to be subtitled. Our 2^nd ode to Thamizh songs is an all time favorite of mine and am sure many, no, almost all music lovers will agree.

Valaiyosai kalakalavena from the film Sathya, is a love song which matches the expectations of our ears and eyes equally. Released in 1988, this song shows the rapport between Amala and Kamal Hassan that’s so endearing…which youngsters today can identify with…without making a grimace or shrugging their young shoulders! It is the 3^rd home production of Kamal Haasan after Rajaparvai and Vikram. Vikram Dharma was the stunt master (who is no longer with us today). SPB-ji has lent his voice for the villain Kitty in this film.

I spoke to Suresh Krissna, who directed Sathya, his debut film, in his long innings of 50 and still going strong! Suresh is a humble human being, very likeable from the 1^st instance that you greet him with a ‘hiiii’ and extremely down to earth. He shared an interesting trivia about this particular song.

“I was Asst. director to KB sir in Ek dhuje ke liye (1981) where I was present when Lata-ji was teaching Balu sir how to pronounce certain Hindi words for his debut Hindi song. Life sure is a circle…5-6 years later, tables turned and it was now Balu sir’s turn to teach Lata-ji how to get the words in Thamizh right for this song! Apart from Kamal who wasn’t in the recording studio I was the common factor for both hit songs.”

When maestro Ilaiyaraja asked Suresh if they could ask Lata Mangeshkar to sing, since she was coming to Madras, his immediate response was “born and brought up in Bombay, it would be the ultimate pleasure for me, no 2^nd thoughts”

As soon as the song was recorded, Suresh knew this was a sure-shot winner. And it remains ‘top of the charts’ in minds young and old even today! Lyrics by Vaali-sir and just hear this song, the words tumble out of Balu-ji and Lata-ji’s lips so mellifluously.

Here are the lyrics, in Tanglish with my subs alternating. Please watch the video, thank you Selva for spotting it for me.

This is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXNpEuXTjoY

Valaiyosai kala kala kalavena
kavidhaigal padikkudhu
kulu kulu thendral kaatrum veesudhu

From the jingle of your bangles
poetry spangles, also cool breeze rambles

sila naeram silu silu silu ena
siru viral pada pada thudikkudhu
engum dhaegham koosudhu

Sometimes when our fingers graze
goose bumps ignite desires blaze

chinna peN peNNalla
vanna poondhoattam

Not a girl…this maiden
but a verdant garden

kottattum maelam dhaan
andru kaadhal thaeroattam

When the drums beat to rejoice
it’s a chariot of love filled joys

Valaiyosai kala kala kalavena
kavidhaigal padikkudhu
kulu kulu thendral kaatrum veesudhu

From the chinkle of your bangles
poetry spangles, sea breeze scrambles

sila naeram silu silu silu ena
siru viral pada pada thudikkudhu
engum dhaegham koosudhu

Sometimes when our fingers caress
trembling magnifies…touch electrifies

oru kaadhal kadidham vizhi poadum
unnai kaaNum sabalam vara koodum

Eyes flutter a love letter
Temptation to see you takes over

nee paarkkum paarvaigaL poovaagum
nenjukkul thaikkindra muLLaagum

Your glances bloom into flowers hued
Thorns sewn in my heart as interlude

kannae en kaN patta kaayam
kai vaikka thaanaaga aarum

Love, when you’re bruised by my eyes
my hands will be the healing device

munnaalum pinnaalum thaLLaadum
semmaeni en maeni un thoaLil aadum naal

My front, back and all sides quiver
anticipating the day we’ll be together

Valaiyosai kala kala kalavena
kavidhaigal padikkudhu
kulu kulu thendral kaatrum veesudhu

From the jingle-jangle of your bangles
ballad spangles, summer breeze ambles

sila naeram silu silu silu ena
siru viral pada pada thudikkudhu
engum dhaegham koosudhu

Sometimes when our fingers play footsie
in tumultuous lilt, body becomes woozy

chinna peN peNNalla
vanna poondhoattam

Not a girl…this maiden
but a vibrant garden

kottattum maelam dhaan
andru kaadhal thaeroattam

When the drums beat to rejoice
it’s a chariot of love filled joys

Valaiyosai kala kala kalavena
kavidhaigal padikkudhu
kulu kulu thendral kaatrum veesudhu

From the tin-tin-tinkle of your bangles
verse spangles, dainty breeze dazzles

unnai kaanaadhurugum nodi naeram
pala maadham varudam ena maarum

Even a nanosecond without you, dear
prolongs like many months or a year

neengaadha reengaaram naan dhaanae
nenjoadu nenjaara nindraenae

Honeyed buzz I’ll always be
Heart to heart stand out soulfully

raagangal thaalangaL nooru
raaja un paer sollum paaru

Tune and music’s meter in toto
dance in unison to you, maestro

sindhaamal nindraadum senthaenae
sangeedham undaagum
nee paesum paechil dhaan

Perfumed honey, so pure, my dear
Music to my ears are your words I hear

Valaiyosai kala kala kalavena
kavidhaigal padikkudhu
kulu kulu thendral kaatrum veesudhu

From the jin-jin jingle of your bangles
poem spangles, summer breeze bedazzles

sila naeram silu silu silu ena
siru viral pada pada thudikkudhu
engum dhaegham koosudhu

Sometimes when our fingers touch
love stirs an intensity that’s too much

chinna peN peNNalla
vanna poondhoattam

Not a girl…this maiden
but a fragrant garden

kottattum maelam dhaan
andru kaadhal thaeroattam

When the drums beat to rejoice
it’s a chariot of love filled joys

Valaiyosai kala kala kalavena
kavidhaigal padikkudhu
kulu kulu thendral kaatrum veesudhu

From the jingle of your bangles
poetry spangles, also cool breeze ambles

sila naeram silu silu silu ena
siru viral pada pada thudikkudhu
engum dhaegham koosudhu

Sometimes when our fingers graze
goose bumps excite desires blaze

I’d like to dedicate this song to our maestro, the music genius Ilaiyaraja sir, for his versatility, which I am not even qualified to appreciate!

Until the next ‘rekhs underscore’ wishing you a finely-tuned week, as pleasing to the ears

as ‘valai osai kala kalavena…!

rekhs
18:03:13