The unfathomable

Dear all,

Having celebrated Bharathiyar’s birthday just two days ago, wanted to pause the கண்ணம்மா series this week and write about a song that vividly showcases the great human and thinker he was. He was way ahead of his time in his thinking and vision.

The anger that comes across with his inability to change the world the way he envisions, the purity and precision in his wants, the boldness with which he demands them and the undertone of frustration throughout this song convey his intrinsically highly driven nature. He comes across as a visionary who was in a hurry to finish each of his set goals and move on to the next as fast as possible. It’s as if he lived his life in fast forward mode.

The song is “ நல்லதோர் வீணை செய்தே” and I picked the version from the movie “வருமையின் நிறம் சிகப்பு” purely for the musical delight it is and the expressive voice of SPB. Have always felt that MSV and L.Vaidyanathan ( in ஏழாவது மனிதன்) did the best justice in bringing out the emotions from Bharathi’s lines. SPB as always lives the song with his voice. The lines, tune and singing makes it one of my all time favourites.

The song starts with intense lines that convey his exasperation ruing his wasted potential.

நல்லதோர் வீணை செய்தே –
அதைநலங்கெடப் புழுதியில் எரிவதுண்டோ
( Why would you want to make a beautiful Veena and let it rot in the dust?)

சொல்லடி சிவசக்தி
எனைச்சுடர்மிகும் அறிவுடன் படைத்துவிட்டாய்
(சுடர்மிகும் அறிவுடன் – sparkling intelligence)

His insight into his abilities although may come across a bit maniacal at times, it is easy to understand the self belief he had – a rare striking trait.

வல்லமை தாராயோ
வல்லமை தாராயோ
இந்த மாநிலம் பயனுர வாழ்வதற்கே
Look at the scale of his wish – he wants the ability and strength to benefit the entire community.

சொல்லடி சிவசக்தி –
நிலச்சுமையென வாழ்ந்திடப் புரிகுவையோ
Will you make me live as a useless burden to this soil? (A beautiful Tamil word that is so potent – “நிலசுமை – burden to the soil”). If he can’t be of help to his people and land he feels he will be a burden to them!!’

To enable him lead the purposeful life in the magnitude he desires, he demands certain qualities from Godess Sivasakthi. Just the forcefulness of his wish and the exactness of his wants leave you awestruck. All this without compromising the rhyming of the song and simultaneously teaching us plentiful new words and adjectives.

விசையுருப் பந்தினைப் போல் – உள்ளம் 
வேண்டியபடி செய்யும் உடல் கேட்டேன் 
(விசையுரு – விசை + உரு – Forceful)

(Like a ball thrown with a force I want my body to be able to do anything my heart asks of it ) – essentially he wants unlimited physical stamina to keep working tirelessly.

நசையறு மனம் கேட்டேன் – நித்தம் 
நவமெனச் சுடர் தரும் உயிர் கேட்டேன் 
(நசையறு – நசை + அறு – Desireless)
Give me mind that doesn’t desire anything – no distractions!!
(நவம் – Freshness)
Give me a life that radiates fresh wisdom or ideas or thoughts (fire) every day.

தசையினைத் தீச்சுடினும் – சிவ
சக்தியைப் பாடும் நல் அகம் கேட்டேன்
Even when my flesh is being burnt, I want my mind to praise the creator – Sivasakthi. He wants to have unflinching devotion and the spiritual strength it would offer to drive him forward against all odds.

The next line is my favourite – typical பாரதி – an amalgam of his accuracy and audacity.
அசைவறு மதி கேட்டேன் – இவை
அருள்வதில் உனக்கெதும் தடையுள்ளதோ
(அசைவறு – Unwavering/ still)
Give me an unwavering steady mind.
Does anything prevent you from granting all this? – he asks Sakthi. It’s almost as if he has taken all this for granted and queries her intent with impertinence. Such is his faith and devotion to her.

Can some one better the purpose he has laid out for his life? Can anyone seek the physical and mental tools needed to achieve them with more focus?

No wastage of words or thoughts in this song. No repetition of ideas. No adding decorative beauty to his lines. No exaggeration of his views. Just plain and blunt – yet profound and honest – And sublime in its rhyming (விசையுரு ; நசையறு; தசையினை ; அசைவுறு).
A true masterclass by the முண்டாசு கவி!!!

பாரதி எண்ணமும் எழுத்தும் என்றும் புதிதாய் வாழும்!!!