A New year wish list to work for

Dear all,

Wanted to start this year with strong பாரதி lines and positive thoughts. Picked a song that unlike the usual பாரதி songs is easy to decipher and is unanimously relatable. Many of us would have wished and desired for at-least a few of the things he lists. It is neither the Tamil nor the wishes that make the song special. It’s the width of the spectrum of his ideas – from personal gains to societal upliftment that he seeks in this song that makes him unique. Although simple, clarity and the strength of his lines don’t fade even a bit.

Wishing each of these for all of us and for our country in the coming year(s).

The song this week is from the movie “சிந்து பைரவி” – music composed by IR and very beautifully rendered by KJ Yesudas.

மனதிலுறுதி வேண்டும் வாக்கினி லேயினிமை வேண்டும்; நினைவு நல்லது வேண்டும், நெருங்கின பொருள் கைப்பட வேண்டும்;

(“வேண்டும்” – in this song can be construed as a a goal to achieve, a target to reach, a wish/prayer to seek or merely as his instruction for us to get ahead in life.)

Lines in the first paragraph are personal wishes. Here I am translating them as personal goals to achieve this year (at least let us work on each of these qualities consciously, to become better humans)

“Be resolute in your mind
Be polite and courteous in your words
Harbour good thoughts consistently
Let what we have strived for, be ours”
(Persevere till you reach your goal)

The second part of the song are in effect prayers to be fulfilled. In a way, I feel பாரதி nudges us to aim and work on the traits enlisted in the first paragraph to make ourselves worthy for the following wishes to be granted:
கனவு மெய்ப்பட வேண்டும், கைவசமாவது விரைவில் வேண்டும்; தனமும் இன்பமும் வேண்டும்
தரணியிலே பெருமை வேண்டும்

“ Let dreams become reality
Let our work bear fruit faster
Let wealth and happiness be endowed

பெருமை – among other things means both eminence and excellence.

“தரணியிலே பெருமை வேண்டும்:
“Grant me eminence (Perfection arguably doesn’t exist but excellence does – work towards excellence – that will be the path to eminence)”

For all that to happen,
“கண் திறந்திட வேண்டும்,
காரியத்தி லுறுதி வேண்டும்”

“Have a broader vision with an open mind
Be relentless in your efforts”

In the last few lines, பாரதி் now speaks for a better society and inspires each one of us to contribute to make these possible:
“பெண் விடுதலை வேண்டும், பெரிய கடவுள் காக்க வேண்டும், மண் பயனுற வேண்டும், வானகமிங்கு தென்பட வேண்டும்; உண்மை நின்றிட வேண்டும். ஓம் ஓம் ஓம் ஓம்”

“Women’s liberation is needed
Let the almighty guard us always
The land should reap benefits (from our actions)
Earth should become heavenly
Let the truth always triumph”

This song may not be as grandiose as his other songs and the write up fairly straight forward. But it’s views and reach make it one that is so apt for a wish list that goes beyond the trivial. Hence a song that I certainly didn’t want to skip.

To new beginnings – and journey upwards and forwards!!!

பாரதி வழியில் வாழ
கனவுகள் மெய்பட
இனிய புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்.