BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

Hi dear supporters who share my ‘mission possible’. Since songs are an Adam’s rib to our films, I thought best way to announce the glory of our lyricists, choreographers, costume directors, music composers, cinematographers and our talented actors is to subtitle our songs and thereby make them global. And of course the director, captain of the ship whose vision in real life merges into reel life and reaches out to the world.  I want to emphasize especially our (g)oldies which would be an eye opener to our own children in India. Besides, there must be zillions of ‘review rajas’ out there not even aware of our content and caliber. I’d like those who watch this to share it with your friends please.

This gem of a song is from ‘Nizhal nijamagiradhu’ directed by my all time favorite director K.Balachander in 1978, composed by ‘Mellisai mannan’ MSV (King of nectarine melodies) and lyrics by none other than Kannadasan our own dear ‘Bard’.  It is sung in his inimitable style, including the loud chuckle at the end, SPB in one of his many unforgettable solo avatars!

Indumathi (Sumitra) rejected by a man years ago, is an ardent feminist and man-hater which amuses Sanjeevi (Kamal Haasan) who is Indu’s brother’s friend (Sarat Babu). Kamal revels in teasing her at the slightest flimsiest excuse.

So my dear present generation youngsters, don’t grimace and say ‘how male chauvinistic’ and shut your minds! I’d call this one of the earliest Mills & Boons on our silver screen.

Watch it here without bias or bigotry please!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHT1IRzQH4

The lyrics with subs:

Kamban aemaandhaan
Thamizh poet Kamban was deceived

Kamban aemaandhaan,
iLam kanniyarai oru malarendraanae

Tamil poet Kamban was deceived
when a girl as flower he perceived

karpanai seidhaanae
Kamban aemaandhan

His illusive plan
made him a misled man!

Kamban emaandhaan,
iLam kanniyarai oru malarendraanae

Mistaken was medieval poet Kamban
when he compared a floret to a woman

karpanai seidhaanae
Kamban aemaandhan

Kamban’s imagination
was purely a delusion!

Ambuvizhi endru aen sonnaan
adhu paaivadhinaal dhaanO

Why did he praise her eyes as arrows?
Since they shoot sharply across?

Ambuvizhi endru aen sonnaan
adhu paaivadhinaal dhaanO

Why did he proclaim her eyes as arrows?
Since they dart pointedly across…?

Aval arunchuvaippaal ena aen sonnaan
adhu kodhippadhinaal dhaanO

Why liken her to milk simmered sweet?
Since like her temper it boils over, is it?

Kamban aemaandhaan
Kamban taken for a ride so neat

Deepathin jothiyil ThirukkuraL paditthaal
Dheepatthin perumai andrO

If Thirukkural is read by a lamp’s light
the credit goes to the lamp, right?

dheepatthinaal oru nenjatthai eritthaal
Dheepamum paavam andrO

If same lamp to burn a heart is utilized
isn’t the light also to be sympathized?

Kamban aemaarndhaan,
iLam kanniyarai oru malarendraanae

Ramayana’s author was duped
when a lady with posy he grouped

karpanai seidhaanae
Kamban aemaandhaan

Kamban’s supposition
was a grave misconception

VaLLuvan ILango Bharathi
endroru varisaiyai naan kandaen

Renowned poets like Ilango,
Valluvan, Bharathi I know

Andha varisaiyil uLLavar mattumalla
ada naanum aemaandhaen

With such intellectuals lined in a row
I got conned along with them also

Aatthiram enbadhu peNgalukkellaam
aduppadi varaidhaanae

A woman’s realm is her kitchen
where she can reign as queen

Oru aadhikka naayagan saadhikka vandhaal
Adangudhal muraidhaanae!.

When Mr Right claims her love assertively
isn’t it only right she relents submissively?!

Kamban aemaandhaan,
iLam kanniyarai oru malarendraanae

Acclaimed Kamban was tricked however
when he equated a young girl to a flower

karpanai seidhaanae
Kamban aemaandhaan

His creative spirit
was fooled complete

Kamban aemaandhaan
Kamban’s insight took a back seat!

The reason why I dedicate every song in this series ‘rekhs underscore’ is : sometimes we take whoever is closest to our heart or whatever we can easily access completely for granted.

Our Thamizh cinema has a glorious history and we should pass on the torch of appreciation and acknowledgment to the next Gen.

How weird and wonderful is this…when my mind was see-sawing whether to dedicate this song to the great legend MSV or the equally prolific poet Kannadasan…oscillating I googled their age. Imagine to my surprise both share a birthday- June 24^th and just a year apart! With absolute humility I dedicate this song to Shri MSV and Shri Kannadasan.

This song also happens to be a request by 5 Indians and 1 American!

May Kamban never be disappointed!

rekhs
09.04.2013