A Teary Invocation

Crying in joy along Rahman's latest masterpiece....

               It is not exactly a new thing. Rahman's tracks have always managed to bring a tear to my eyes, out of joy, wonder, sorrow or just pure inexplicable human emotion. This time, somehow, it felt different. It felt a little more honest. A little more innate. A little more divine. This time was with the song 'Malargal Kaettaen' from the OK Kanmani soundtrack that was launched a few hours ago. In the span of these few hours, I've listened to this track a bunch of times, each time resulting in the aforementioned teary implosion. 

The composer has delivered tracks that have always been a source of solace and silent introspection to me for a long time. Sometimes, I come home, after a generically bad day at work, and plug randomly into one of his albums. Only to find a quaint sense of wonder and enthusiasm for life, which makes me go to bed with a smile on my face and begin the next day with the same mood. Sometimes, running through a random playlist, I find the one track I've listened to numerous times, only to find a hidden layer of violin or flute or string in there which elates my mood to an absolute superlative. And sometimes, its those tear-jerkers.

With Malargal, I've been feeling a sense of divinity that is somehow unprecedented. The track itself feels like a nostalgic trip down all the many melodies Rahman has composed back in the 90s, that were heavily set on Carnatic Ragas and simple instrumental arrangements. Malargal follows the same pattern, with Chitra's voice mellifluously handling the proceedings while a subtle percussion, a synth note and naadaswaram background keep her company. But, the best part kicks in at the end, as Rahman joins her (singing Carnatic in possibly one of his very few such tracks) with a low set baritone that spells beatitude. I just can't help but find an upper echelon of calm, solitude and invocation with that duet. In a cultural analogy, I guess its probably like those few minutes of actual conversation, sans the ritual, one has with his deity at a temple. Or like that moment when one touches one's parents' feet. Or like the time when one holds a loved one's hand to insist an assurance of comfort and safety. Or like a kiss on the forehead of the better half. 

It is indeed well said that music has an extraordinary ability to touch human lives. This track is a fine example, as if art is your religion, this can surely be one of the prayer songs. 

Here's a link to the track - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fndcB3s5n9s