A 1300 yr old song composed by Saint Andal praising the Thamizh God Thirumaal (believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna) finds it's way into my aural arena and many other men/women/children of today, thanks to the soundtrack of 'Sivaji'. "Thiruppavai" is a collection of 30 verses in praise of Thirumaal sung primarily in the month of Maargazhi which falls in the latter half of December and early half of January according to the Gregorian calendar. It is also said that each of the 30 days in the month of Maargazhi is named after these 30 verses.
Now back to 'Sivaji', the reason I'm talking about these verses. The way the lyrics blends with such sublime music in 'Sivaji' is a moment of musical brilliance. All flamboyance and style is reserved for the hero in all other songs but what beauty, almost spiritual divinity, in this song that one can keep hearing it forever. I tried my hand at deciphering the words in this verse and then got it translated through one of my friends Mr.Shanmugham (70 yrs young and keeps pushing me to complete 'Ponniyin Selvan').
Maali! Manivanna!
Maargazhineer aaduvaan
Maylaiyar seivanagal venduvana kaettiyal
Njalathai yellam
Nadungamularvana
Paalvanna vanaththul paanjajaniyamay
Polvana sangangal poipaadudaiyanavay
Saiyarperum paraiyay pallaan thisaipaaray
Kola vilakil kodiyae vidhanamay
Aalin Ilaiyaay
Arulaylo rempavaai
Oh Lord! (The original is a reference akin to Black Diamond)
Give us the strength
To complete this penance in Maargazhi like you did to our elders
Give us oil lamps, flags, powerful big drums,
singers who sing praises and conches that sound;
like your pure multi hued voice -
the sound which makes the universe shudder
Oh Lord, bless us,
Let us do our penance
I tried to stay away from transliteration and would be glad to correct any mistakes in the interpretation of the verse. The verses are powerful, the music adds to it's grandiosity. Simple and minimal orchestration, Rahman knows when to sink us in the power of the divine aural spectrum. Splendid song, another of the treasures of Thamizh literature polished and embellished by Rahman.
