BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

Dear visitors to this column, some whom I’ve never met, but bound by our common love for Thamizh and music, thank you for taking the time and effort to see the you tube link AND to mail me. I chose this song from Chandramukhi for the simple reason I think this must be one of the pearls in both Vidyasagar’s (music composer) and Yuga Bharathi’s (lyricist) casket of memories.

Sung by Asha Bhonsle and Madhu Balakrishnan it made Mr Vidyasagar’s life time dream of making Asha-ji sing a song for him come true!

Yuga Bharathi said, “When the music director gave me the tune I had no idea this was for super star Rajini sir. He just asked me to write presuming it was a song meant for MGR! I was so pleased is an understatement when I realized it was for this film and for superstar.”

Apparently Asha-ji was finding it tough to pronounce this beautiful ThamiZH letter ‘zha’ (sad to say even many Tamilians murder it!) And the common practice in Bombay was for the lyricist to be present during the song recording. Maybe at that time here it was not the order of the day, I’m not sure. So Yuga Bharathi was patiently waiting at the recording studio. Producers Ramu and Prabhu (Ganesan) were inside the studio. When Asha-ji said ‘call him’ technicians thought she meant the director or Rajini sir…but actually she meant the lyricist!

Yuga Bharathi added,”Konja neram (a little while) was actually recorded for many a while to get the flavor right”!! This is a classic example of age being no barrier to following a dream, Asha-ji sang this when she was 72!

Do watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITeHzRvyQ50

The élan and elegance of our dear superstar Rajinikanth along with Nayantara svelte and sari-clad in lovely colors, both are a treat to sore eyes!

F:
Konja neram konja neram
Konji paesa koodaadhaa

For a while…to flirt in style
Can’t you be lovey-dovey?

andha neram andhi neram
anbu thooral pOdaadha

That time…at sunset prime
won’t love drizzle gently?

Konja neram konja neram
Konji paesa koodaadhaa

For a while…to flirt in style
Can’t you be lovey-dovey?

andha neram andhi neram
anbu thooral pOdaadha

That time…at sunset prime
won’t love rain indulgently?

M:
Konjum neram konjum neram
ellai meera koodadha

For a while…to flirt in style
can’t I cross my limit?

indha neram inba neram
innum konjam neelaadha

This moment in time…sublime
Can’t it stretch to the summit?

F:
Konja neram konja neram
Konji paesa koodaadhaa

For a while…to flirt in style
Can’t you be lovey-dovey?

andha neram andhi neram
anbu thooral pOdaadha

That time…at sunset prime
won’t love sprinkle softly?

F
kannil ore azhagu
kaiyil noor azhagu

Beautiful eyes sparkle
Hands manifold out-do

M
unnaal bhoomi azhagae
World is wonderful
because of you!

M
unnil naan azhagu
ennil nee azhagu

I bring the best in you
In me you are beautiful
nammaal yaavum azhagae

We both as a duo
make life meaningful

F
kannadaasan paadal vari pOla
konda kaadhal vaazhum nilaiyaaga

Like laureate, Kannadasan the poet
our love will last beyond eternity

M
kamban paadi pOna Thamizh pOla
endha naaLum dhegam nalam aaga

Like the classic, Kambar’s Tamil epic
forever we will be hale and healthy

F
mazhai neeaaga
vayal naan aaga

You as the summer rain
Me as the green field

vellaamai ini

It’s harvest-reign
Let’s both yield

M
Konja neram konja neram
Konji paesa koodaadhaa

For a while…to flirt in style
Can’t we be lovey-dovey?

andha neram andhi neram
anbu thooral pOdaadha

That time…at sunset prime
won’t love shower daintily?

la la la la la

M
Kokki pOdum vizhi
koththi pOgum idhazh

Eyes that eye to entice
Lips that clasp to seize

niththam kOlam idumaa

Daily will it exercise
and sign a masterpiece?

F
makkal yaavaraiyum
anbil aaLugira

You charm everyone
With love you rule

unnai pOla varumaa

Superstar…A1
You are incomparable

M
velivesham pOda theriyaamal
enadhaasai kooda thadumaarum

Unable to disguise or tell lies
even my desires often stumble

F
palakOdi paerin abhimaanam
unnakaaga aengum edhirkaalam

Zillions admire you, eulogize
Future yearns to be hospitable

M
nee en naadu
naan unnodu

You are my territory
I belong to you

mei dhaane idhu

Not imaginary
Isn’t this true?

F
Konja neram konja neram
Konji paesa koodaadhaa

For a while…to flirt in style
Can’t you be lovey-dovey?

andha neram andhi neram
anbu thooral pOdaadha

That time…at sunset prime
won’t love cascade tenderly?

M
Konjam neram konjum neram
ellai meera koodadha

For a while…to flirt in style
can’t I cross my limit?

F
indha neram inba neram
innum konjam neelaadha

This moment in time…sublime
Can’t it stretch to the summit?

If you notice, I’ve tried a different rhyme format in this song to suit the beauty of Yuga Bharathi’s lyrics.

I’d like to dedicate this song to my dear friend Prabhu Ganesan. Success has not turned his head at all, his feet are so firmly planted to the ground…ever courteous, refined, finds time to reply to text messages(!), wonderful actor and the most graceful dancer ever…who treats all humans as humane beings without fear or favor!

Prabhu, this one is for you!

May April shower good films at the box office and the glory of Thamizh and South Indian cinema spread far and wide,

rekhs
01.04.2013