Today evening I was practicing for my next concert. I was singing 'Vilayada Idhu Nerama' when I got choked and tears swelled in my eyes and I just couldn't sing further. I couldn't continue with the Charanam inspite of trying 2-3 times. I just stopped and cried my heart out. This was something very new for me. It has not happened before. Sometimes while singing 'Kurai Ondrum Illai', I get emotional but such an outburst was very new for me.The song completely brought out my current emotional state and the composition's lyrics was just what I wanted to tell God, word to word. This was exactly what I was wanting to tell God.
The song is on Lord Muruga in Shanmukhapriya ragam and is composed by T N Bala.
Shanmukhapriya literally means 'that which is the beloved of Shanmukha (Lord Muruga)' and the ragam is believed to evoke bhakti rasa.
Charulata Mani says in her fortnightly column in The Hindu,
"The quintessential feature of classical music is the underlying “bhakthi” bhava that propels the raga bhava and intertwines with the sahitya. When a raga magically evokes the bhakthi rasa, some feel elation, some cry, some feel their hair standing on end, while other less-fortunate ones feel nothing. Musical emotions are like an FM station, we have to tune into that “bhakthi” frequency to receive those transmissions. The raga that has that special power to evoke divinity is Shanmukhapriya."
Am writing the meaning of the song (whatever I comprehended):
Pallavi:
Vilayada Idhu Nerama - Muruga
Yen Vinayalai padum paadu, thanai cholla varum bodhu
Meaning: Is this is the time to play Lord,
When I have come to tell you my sufferings?
Anupallavi:
Kalaithen Janmam eduth shalaithen porutthu nindru
ulamara unnai naadi, unnai paada varum bodhu - vilayada
Meaning: I am tired of taking births, bored of waiting patiently.
When am coming looking for you and singing for you - you play with me
Charanam:
Puriyadha pudiro nee ariyadha kathayo
parihasamo yen mel, parithabam illayo
viritohai mayil meethu varuvai endru ethir paathu
vizhi mele vizhi vaithu vazhi parthu varum bodhu - vilayada
Meaning: Are you the puzzle that I don’t understand or are you the unknown story,
Are you laughing and making fun of me, don't you have any mercy on me??
I am expecting that you would come riding on the peacock with open feathers,
Are you laughing and making fun of me, don't you have any mercy on me??
I am expecting that you would come riding on the peacock with open feathers,
Am coming looking for you carefully treading the path to reach you - you play with me
Hope God listens to me soon!
Hope God listens to me soon!
Listen to Maharajapuram Santhanam rendering it with great pathos asking God to take mercy on him.
