Dear all,
Kannadasan was getting unwell and was about to leave to US for his medical treatment. The day before leaving, he called Ilaiyaraja and wrote three Songs for him back to back within minutes to honour his commitment. Then turned, smiled at him – said “ You are a Lucky guy. I won’t be writing songs for movies anymore!!” and left. He never came back from US and his words came true.
Will fail in my undertaking if I don’t highlight the beauty of his very last song – “கண்ணே கலைமானே” from the movie மூன்றாம் பிறை.
Amidst the physical and mental fatigue an illness brings, uncertainty of its outcome, the worries about inadequate finances, unfulfilled duties to family, the pressure of limited time, the desperate need to keep his promises to music directors and the general anxiety expected of someone at that situation in life, can one produce a product of such immense beauty and value ? Only the great Kannadasan can and did so.
Unlike other songs, the lyrics of this song are well known to all. So will try and call attention to his use of some key words in this song :
“கண்ணே கலை மானே கன்னி மயில்லென்ன
கண்டேன் உனை நானே
அந்தி பகல் உன்னை நான் பார்க்கிறேன்
ஆண்டவனை இதை தான் கேட்கிறேன்”
( As seen in many songs – Kavignar expresses love of the character in so many beautiful words in pallavi – “கலைமான்” and “கன்னிமயில்” are special).
The hero sees the person in front of him both as a child and his love (a child’s mind in a woman’s body – குமரி உருவம், குழந்தை உள்ளம்).
Now the mastery of his poetry – When you closely look at the lines you realise that
காதலிக்குள் இருக்கும் குழந்தைக்காக முதல் சரணம்.
குழந்தைக்குள் இருக்கும் காதலிக்காக இரண்டாம் சரணம்.
Brilliant !!!!!
First Charanam – காதலிக்குள் இருக்கும் குழந்தைக்காக:
“ஊமை என்றால் ஒரு வகை அமைதி
ஏழை என்றால் அதிலொரு அமைதி
நீயோ கிளி பேடு பண்பாடும்
ஆனந்த குயில் பேடு
ஏனோ தெய்வம் சதி செய்தது
பேதை போல விதி செய்தது”
Although the word “பேடு” has a few meanings – here it implies a female bird. Kannadasan carefully inserts this word after calling her “கன்னி மயில்” earlier in the pallavi and adding the words “கிளி” and “குயில்” in front of it. In the process made us (atleast me!!!) research a new word.
A girl aged 5-7 is called “பேதை”. Kannadasan again picks the right word to describe the mental state of the character.
“ஏனோ தெய்வம் சதி செய்தது
பேதை போல விதி செய்தது” couldn’t better describe actress Sridevi’s unfortunate ill fate.
Kavignar’s poetry turned prophetic again.
Now the second charanam – குழந்தைக்குள் இருக்கும் காதலிக்காக :
“காதல் கொண்டேன்
கனவினை வளர்த்தேன்
கன்மணி உனை நான்
கருத்தினில் நிறைத்தேன்
உனக்கே உயிரானேன்
எந்நாளும் எனை நீ மறவாதே
நீ இல்லாமல் எது நிம்மதி
நீ தான் என்றும் என் சந்நிதி”
( “கருத்தினில் நிறைத்தேன் – filled you in my thoughts” – a remarkable phrase to showcase his love).
The enchanting music of IR and the melody of KJ Yesudas’s voice, stirs your soul, wrings your heart and leaves you feeling heavy making this an everlasting classic.
Is this song a lullaby ?- Yes
Is this song a love song ? – Yes
Is this song a soothing balm to a restless soul? – Yes
Does this song accurately express the emotions of the character ? – Yes
What a way to finish a career?
His lines
“உனக்கே உயிரானேன்
எந்நாளும் எனை நீ மறவாதே”
seem to remind us never to forget him and his work. A chapter in தமிழ் literature and a saga in Tamil film music ended with the lines “நீ தான் என்றும் என் சந்நிதி”. He lives and will live in us forever. P.S. Having written about songs penned by Kannadasan for the last 6 months (yes it’s been that long), felt it’s only fair I highlight some amazing songs scripted by many other talented lyricists in the coming months.
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