இரவின் பயணம்
Dear all,
Can you think of a song that describes and brings in the mood of the early morning? I am sure each of you can think of one. “காலைத்தென்றல் பாடி வரும்”,
“மலர்கள் நனைந்தன பனியாலே” – just to recollect a few.
How about the next interesting and happening time of the day – the sunset ? – “இது ஒரு பொன் மாலைப்மொழுது” immediately comes to our mind.
The next common theme of the day used in songs is the moon and moonlight. Although the moon and the mood associated with it had been used in numerous songs to create the flavour of romance or the emotion of loneliness and separation, has anyone bothered to pen a song describing the events of the late evening and night. A rather boring period you would think. The moon shines alright, but often apart from the full moon day, it’s got nothing to write about. The sky is often dark with no colours or character. Stars far off blink slowly often like an ignorant clueless student.
This week picked a song that in its entirety just happens to describe all the above bland happenings. It’s also a song that should be written about and should not be at the same time. It’s an everlasting classic in many ways and hence should be written. At the same time any words will fall short of doing justice and under sell it that, may be it’s best to leave it alone as perceived by the mind of the individual listener. After much contemplation, decided to write this up as it would be a small way of expressing my immense admiration, respect and gratitude to all the creators involved.
The song starts with SPB and the guitar softly echoing each other. As the volume picks up so does the tempo – but the melody and the cheer of it all stays undiluted.
Vairamuthu starts the pallavi introducing the two main elements he proposes to use to progress the song – நிலா and மேகம்.
“இளைய நிலா பொழிகிறதே
(How can the moon be young? Either it is just early in its lunar cycle in which case it may not be able to shower (“பொழிகிறதே)it’s shine. My supposition is that it hence has to be close to a full moon but early in its day – hence “இளைய நிலா” – just a unique adjective for the moon)
இதயம் வரை நனைகிறதே”
Next the clouds – they just seem to wander aimlessly dreaming as they amble along – beautiful imagination:
“உலாப் போகும் மேகம்
கனாக் காணுமே”
Because of these two the sky looks festive :
“விழாக் காணுமே வானமே”
Can a singer be more smooth, emotive, melodious and effortless? SPB just melts your heart with his soothing rendition.
Then there’s the first interlude – probably the most popular one ever in tamil cinema in the past 4 decades or so. Have you ever felt your hands and fingers automatically playing an imaginary guitar when you hear this ? Well you are not a weirdo. You are just one among the thousands who do it every-time they listen to this bit. How seamlessly the flute takes over from the guitar not dropping the tempo or the beat even a bit? Pure bliss that only a master like Ilaiyaraja can produce.
Vairamuthu now delves deep into the two main natural elements that fill the body of the song: first the journey of the moon:
“வரும் வழியில் பனி மழையில்
பருவ நிலா தினம் நனையும்
( As the night slowly unfolds, “இளையநிலா” grows in prominence becoming “பருவ நிலா”)
முகிலெடுத்து முகம் துடைத்து
விடியும் வரை நடை பழகும்”
(As the moon gets a bit moist and cold from the cool wind, it uses the clouds to gently wipe its face!!!)
Remember it’s an adolescent moon (பருவ நிலா). Hence it walks gently with grace – “விடியும் வரை நடை பழகும்”.
Now the other component – the clouds:
“வான வீதியில் மேக ஊர்வலம்
காணும் போதிலே ஆறுதல் தரும்
பருவ மகள் விழிகளிலே கனவு வரும்”
The drums finish each Charanam with three beats that almost sound like exclamations acknowledging the beauty of it all.
The second interlude guitar is divine:
Now the reason for the wandering clouds:
“முகிலினங்கள் அலைகிறதே
முகவரிகள் தொலைந்தனவோ
முகவரிகள் தவறியதால்
அழுதிடுமோ அது மழையோ”
(Do the clouds cry in the form of rain because they lost the address of their destination? – Poetry at its best ).
SPB chuckles in the middle for only half a second, but that chuckle has stayed in our minds for ever. So much impact with such a small improvisation!!!!
Now bringing the boring “ignorant” blinking stars into the narration:
“நீல வானிலே வெள்ளி ஓடைகள்
போடுகின்றதே என்ன ஜாடைகள்
விண்வெளியில் விதைத்தது யார் நவமணிகள்”
The “ignorant stars” elevated by the legendary poet to “ விண்வெளியில் நவமணிகள்”.
A mundane night described with so much imagination and grandeur. Three geniuses at their best unveiling their magic.
இசையில் இளமை!
வரியில் புதுமை!
குரலில் இனிமை!
இரவின் அழகை
வெளிச்சம் போடும் பாடல்!!
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