https://open.spotify.com/track/1JicoVYTaArOqbttWM7DkI?si=Pv9rXh4VSrys4quJxLsFbw
IMO (probably not popular), Dhee owns this song! When I consider the lyrics, context, and the style of singing, I can see why Dhee is the perfect choice, and I wonder if that was on purpose. I have heard this song in Hindi and Telugu too, sung by Chinmayi. While it is beautiful, it lacks the subtle nuances that Dhee brings to this song. Also, I am not sure if the Hindi and Telugu lyrics carry the same meaning.
To set the context: the song is from the POV of the “other woman”, i.e., the mistress. Considering how young she is, being in a relationship with a much older man, and her rival being an older woman, you would expect her to be very self-assured and arrogant. But here she is vulnerable, insecure, and longing for a deep and meaningful relationship. (Of course, the insecurity could also be because the man in the midst is Kamal! Who, even at 70+, can make a woman weak in her knees! Note the line “ini unthan kaiyil swargam”.)
So I feel the song turns the typical 'seductive mistress' trope on its head. There are many lines in the song that bring out how she feels about the relationship and her need for a secure place with him.
The most striking one for me is “Innum varum enthan kadhai”
– As in: “I am not a passing affair, but here to stay. There is more to me and to our relationship.”
“Karu mai kanda kannokki
Poi solli nindraayaa”
– Not sure which specific word in Tamil is used here, but I think “mai konda kan” refers to her eyes full of genuine love.
“Naan kadhali, kadhalan nee
Veru ellaam verum vesham enbaen”
– This is very ironic considering she is in an affair, whereas he has been married to his wife for a much longer time. But she considers her tie with him as genuine and his marriage a farce!
“Innum oru morai enthan kathai sollavaa”
– She wants to keep reminding him of their past so that he feels obliged to stay with her. In this line, Dhee sounds coy and cheeky.
“Kaalam yaavum neethaanae
Intha kaalan vanthaal velvaenae”
– I wonder if this is a reference to Sathyavan–Savitri?! The irony of a wife fighting for her husband’s life versus a mistress fighting for her lover is not lost!
There are many more lines, but these are the ones most striking to me.
I asked ChatGPT to give me its opinion on this article and that adhigaprasangi not only gave me its opinion but also hooked me into a long drawn chat with more insights on the song. While most were what i have already covered above, this was interesting:
In the 4th line what I thought is 'dammaro dum dum' is actually 'sangam maruthankam' (don't blame urself if u thought so too....this is just Rahman effect) This refers to the marutham poetry of Sangam literature that deals with infidelity!
Coming back to my review:
Dhee’s voice perfectly emotes the vulnerability and naivety of a young woman hopelessly in love with an older married man. To me, Chinmayi sounds very mature and even challenging. Somehow that doesn't fit the scenario here.
The music gives you the same feel as “Or Unmai Sol” (Aazhutha Ezhuthu) or “Athini Chithini” (Thenali — barring the comic elements). There is a sensuality and deep emotional pull in the music that cannot be explained. I also find the tune and music somewhat similar to “Veera Raja Veera” (Ponniyin Selvan) even though mood of the two songs are very different.
How can I close this without thanking ARR? Yet another reason to be grateful to him for giving us this gem of a song. After more than 30 years of composing, he still never ceases to amaze me 😍
