The Spark that ignites
Dear all,
This week picked a பாரதி song that is packed with abundant energy and power. The song has several layers and its inner meaning and what பாரதி actually meant is till date being debated. An enigma of a song – it raises our curiosity and interest and yet at the same time it’s forcefulness and boldness leaves us inspired and speechless.
Bharathi’s words in this song as always bring rigour and pace. They provoke you, stimulate you, empower you and invigorate you.
“அக்கினி குஞ்சொன்று கண்டேன் — அதை
அங்கொரு காட்டிலொர் பொந்திடை வைத்தேன்!
வெந்து தணிந்தது காடு
தழல் வீரத்தில் குஞ்சென்றும் மூப்பென்றும் உண்டோ?”
“I found a small flame and left it in a small burrow amidst the forest. The forest laid waste by the fire. Does it matter if it’s just a spark or a huge blaze ? – its prowess doesn’t differ.”
Now what exactly does பாரதி mean here. The commonest notion is that this was an invitation urging youth to join the independence movement to oppose the British. A spark is just what it takes to bring a big forest down he argues. The words would easily apply to any effort against any form of injustice in the present context.
It could also be perceived that any thought, deed or endeavour, however small will make a huge impact. As much as he encourages us to go forward with anything positive, even trivial in magnitude, he cautions us that even a tiny speck of negativity can gain ferocity and engulf ones lives and lead to destruction.
As if the words alone were not invigorating enough, பாரதி adds a fast verbal rhythm to this song accentuating its tempo and amplifying its potency several grades. It’s interesting that he chose to do this in this song – Brilliant stuff!!!
தத்தரிகிட தத்தரிகிட தித்தோம்!
தக தத்தரிகிட தத்தரிகிட தித்தோம்!
தத்தரிகிட தத்தரிகிட தித்தோம்!
தக தத்தரிகிட தத்தரிகிட தித்தோம்!
One can imagine the fire raging and dancing in all its fury swallowing everything around it – turning them to mere ashes, as one reads the lines.
In the next paragraph he talks about how every element of nature that we are surrounded by, have an intrinsic might and impose themselves when they choose to and are needed. He indirectly derides us for being dormant and not using our full potential and motivates us to get out and make all efforts possible to better ourselves and the world around us.
வெட்டி அடிக்குது மின்னல்
கடல் வீரத் திரைகொண்டு விண்ணை இடிக்குது
கொட்டி இடிக்குது மேகம்
கூ கூவென்று விண்ணை குடையுது காற்று.
சட்ட் சட சட்ட் சட டட்டா
சட்ட் சட சட்ட் சட டட்டா
என்று தாளங்கள் கொட்டி கணைக்குது வானம்;
தாளம்கொட்டி கணைக்குது வானம்
What a line ? – “கடல் வீரத் திரைகொண்டு விண்ணை இடிக்குது”
The word “திரை” here means “ripples”. “The ripple of tides stand mighty and tall nudging the sky” – no limits or boundaries whatsoever.
There are two good versions of this song in Tamil movies. This week I have provided the links of both for specific reasons. One version is by complete newbies- a movie “உரியடி” starring new cast, music composed by a new team “masala coffee” and sung by Sooraj Santhosh – another unknown. Loved the guitar and the mandolin used in this version.
The next version is all about experience and class. From the movie “பாரதி” – composed by IR and rendered by KJY. Look how thoughtfully IR has used the rhythm of Bharathi’s words “தத்தரிகிட தத்தரிகிட தித்தோம்!
தக தத்தரிகிட தத்தரிகிட தித்தோம்!” for the BGM for those lines.
The songs reinforce the message – both songs have a profound and equal impact – does it matter if you are new and young or old and experienced – “தழல் வீரத்தில் குஞ்சென்றும் மூப்பென்றும் உண்டோ?
Please listen to both the versions – one elaborate and other succinct – both bringing out the desired effect.
Recent Comments