#3 - An ode to Kanmani and her Kalvan - Rahman's musical treat - Ok Kanmani

The first text from a special person! Those butterflies in the stomach! You consciously or sub consciously want all their attention yet careful to take it all slow and before you even realize, the stranger becomes an acquaintance! The “neenga” becomes “nee” and then all that follows before it metamorphoses into a convivial companionship! You feel a certain sense of warmth, their presence in your life makes you feel your heart beat 100 times a minute (perhaps it does!) And before you realize, it hits you hard. The hardness with which it hits may vary but it hits you for sure. Yes, you! 

It all starts when you look at the person for the first time and you instantly connect to them. Your heart goes like – damn how did I not meet this person so long! No – it’s not the looks that I am talking about! It could be anything! Smartness?  Voice? Something as small as the red bindi on her forehead? Sometimes it’s even the imperfections and for all you know it could just be her aura – I don’t know which one but I am sure Adi and Ganapathy uncle will ! 

Mani and Rahman have beautifully differentiated yet found a common thread between the blitzkrieg of a romance between Adi-Tara and Ganapathy-Bhavani ! The former is electrifying while the latter slowly grows on you, all over you and deep within you! But hold on ! This is an album review so I am going to ask Ganapathy uncle to forgive me for not talking about him as the album takes us through a whirlwind tour of the imperfect yet heartwarming relationship of Adi and Tara

You take her out on her first date and you don’t even realize what you are talking! You know it feels like you’re flying. You don’t want to label this relationship as yet and you’re mad at yourself for the mindless chatter that you’re having! You are fine with the way it is going and you really don’t want anything more but memories for a life time! Mental manadhil captures just that! The peppy track kicks off with mild techno beats and edgy electric guitar riffs, paving way to AR Rahman’s silken voice singing ‘ Like-a, like my Laila’, ably supported by Jonita Gandhi ! Ah the way he says “taka taka taka kottum isayil” makes you feel those 100 beats per minute!  When it glides down to “Ok en kanmani madiyil” you blush and yet exercise caution! You’re not yet ready!

Ok En Kanmani Madiyil

You just want to revel in this beautiful feeling. It slowly gets on to you and you start feeling high! The more you think about it, the more it makes your insides smile! One fine day when you are with the person laughing your heart out on something as trivial as a PJ, you realize the extent of their existence in your life! How would it be if this isn’t there tomorrow? What would you feel like? Not broken for sure! No, this isn’t love! Not yet! But there would be a big void. Big enough to cause a reflux! Slowly when this realization dawns on you, the floor beneath your feet seems non-existent. You feel like you’re flying! Yes, weak on your knees! The the loopie plays on the background – Parandhu sellava! 

Thikkiyadhu mozhi, thithikkidhu vali ( Words fail me and this pain seems sweet)

Nanainthu Kølla Vaa Mazhai IllaamalaeaQQQQQ ( Shall I drench when there is no rain)

Iananthu Kølla Vaa Udal Illaamalae ( Shall we unite – no I am not talking about our bodies)

As she retorts with a – Yosikkadhe po ( Don’t even think about it) Yaasikadhe po ( Don’t plead) 

When Rahman makes Shasha Tirupati glide into Yasaikkadhe po you realize that you’re not ready for it as yet! You want it to grow deeper (or may be not!) – Yosikkadhe Po !

As you delve in this lazy elegance, you realize that intense surge of hormones! You shout to yourself that this is not what you wanted to get into! But then even before you realize, it holds you tight. Your body needs the embrace and warmth! That’s when you hear the mild hum of Naane Varugiren with the brilliant violin interludes! As the hugs get a little more tight, the deep voice of Sathyaprakash hums Chinnanjiru idam kudu which begs her to give in a little more to the feeling – to the surge of emotions and to perhaps love!

Naane varugiraen. ( I will come myself)
kelaamal tharugiraen. ( I will give in without being asked to)
Kan theendi,
uraigiren. ( I freeze when you touch me with your eyes)
kai theendi,
karaigiren. (And finally when your hands touch me I melt)

And he now cajoles her with  -

Chinnajiru chinnanjiru
ragasiyamae. ( oh my little secret)
Chinnajiru chinnanjiru
adhisiyamae ( Oh my little wonder)

Chinnajiru viral kodu ( Let me just touch that little finger)
Chinnajiru Chinnajiru
idam kodu ( Please give in a little more – Let me into your life a little more) !

Even before you realize it boom! She has moved into your life and into your house! Its more than what you had asked for! Just more than what you had asked for – you asked for a flower – and what do you have in front of you – a flower garden!

edhai naan ketpin. ( What should I ask for).
unnaye tharuvaai ( If you should give yourself to me)

The veteran singer Chitra is back singing for AR Rahman after a long time in a beautiful, pure classical number which is so melodious and meaningful that it would make your heart ache. Chitra’s shows off her classical prowess, proving why she is one of the best playback singers this country has ever produced. AR Rahman’s composition has lovely mix of flute interludes, mild tabla beats and his favourite use of orchestra. Bhavani aunty’s tambura leaves you with a feeling of peace! You have made peace with her presence in your life and she’s now yours ( atleast for now!) 

But the first time you miss her is when you realize that this absence is not something you would be able to handle. They say, it’s the most dangerous thing to fall in love when you have that moment of realization or comprehension on the inherent hypocrisy of the whole idea. On one hand you want to just live the present and not think about the future. On the other hand you are longing for a future in her, so much so that you are asking her not to leave – Nee Ennai Neengathe! Karthik nails this one perfectly expressing the feelings of a guy hopelessly in love with his Sinamika ( the angry young woman) ! The use of acoustic guitar almost makes you believe that the pain of missing her is actually pleasant! As the tempo increases, you realize that this is leading you to something you never signed up for! You’re earnestly asking her to stay – you are longing for her kiss – where Vairamuthu makes you visualize the furrows of her lips – “uthattin vari pallangal”

varunda udhatin
vari pallangalil. ( in the furrows of your dried lips)
kadhal thaanadi
en meedhunakku ( you can find your love for me)

Almost 2 minutes of the song is filled with variations on just three words –Nee ennai neengathe !!( Don’t leave me!) 

You want her to spend the rest of her life with you, yet you do not want to compromise on something bigger that you believe you’re destined for! You knew it all along! You knew it that the separation was imminent. What’s with all the stories that were told to you – that love is everlasting, love is like in fairy tales – love is this – love is that ! But she had already consumed you – beyond logic and beyond reasons perceivable by the mind!  Would you regret this? Would you prefer a teary farewell with sulking or do you want to drown your sadness in voices louder than your own? Voices of those last moments of togetherness! You start believing the last month of her existence can compensate for all the coming months! You convince yourself – why regret when you can love her as much as it would help you live with memories ( really ????) You are making peace with fate! Vairamuthu beautifully describes it as – Theera Ulaa !

theera ulaa ( the constant – endless trip/roaming/wandering)
theera kanaa ( endless dreams)
theera ulaa ( endless wandering)
theera vizhaa ( endless festive)

As she beautifully responds with

Pirivondru nerumendru
Theriyum kanna ( I know separation is imminent)
En piriyaththai adhanale
Kuraikka maataen ( I wouldn’t love you any less knowing this fact)

sarindhu vidum azhagendru
theriyum kanna (I am aware that physical beauty doesn’t last long)
en santhosha kalaigalai
naan niruththa maaten ( That doesn’t stop me from admiring art)

It is then that you ask yourself the biggest question – What if nobody else can make me so happy? What am I doing? You can shut your mind but what about those raging feelings – the classic mind-heart battles! You realize you want her! She realizes she wants you – despite all odds! Despite the beliefs that you always carried about companionship – you realize this is magical – unfathomable! Yes, now you realize that this is destined to be! Marriage is not about two perfect people getting together – its about two people yearning for each other despite their imperfections! Damn – it took you eons to realize that!

As you realize it, your mental manam gives way to accommodate her into your life! Jonitha Gandhi’s female version of Mental Manadhil should not be missed, as the talented singer gives it a classical spin at portions you wouldn’t even expect.

As she glides into “Ok en kalvanin madiyil” – you feel bliss as you are able to feel her love for you – you know where she wants to spend the rest of her life and what she wants for the rest of her life – You!