SEMMOZHIYAANA THAMIZH MOZHIYAAM

Here is one another patriotic song by A.R. Rahman. This patriotic song is dedicated to the Tamil language and is the theme song for the World Classical Tamil Conference that was held in Coimbatore last month. Many talented and popular playback singers have sung the song. The lyrics were written by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister/Tamil Writer M.Karunanidhi and the video was directed by the film director Gautam Menon. You may not enjoy it to the core if you do not know the tamil language. I am not going to translate it since I feel the beauty of the song lies on its own language.

ELLA PUKALZHUM IRAIVANUKKAE

I have never been so excited to watch an oscar event. The reason behind my excitement for Oscars 2009 is that A.R. Rahman, one of my favorite musicians has got three nominations through the film Slumdog millionaire. Two for the music-song and one for the music-score. Couple of hours after watching the event, the nominees for the music categories were announced. It was a thrilling moment...my feet on sofa, fingers crossed, eyes and ears focussed on television. Finally, they announced the winner as A.R Rahman. Mahesh and myself were shouting and clapping with joy. Soon after his first win, he gave a performance on stage, which I never expected. He then came and grabbed another oscar!

At the end of his acceptance speech, he said "I want to tell something in Tamil, which says, which I normally say after every award which is ella pukalzhum iraivanukkae. God is great. Thank you". I was dumbstruck with my eyes filled with tears when I heard my mother tongue at such a popular event in the United States. Later, I found that I was not the only tamilian who was so touched by his words.

Below is an album song of A.R.Rahman which he made on India's 50th anniversary of independence.

NEW AGE MUSIC

I like the new age music. One of my favorite new age music song is “Anywhere is” from the album “The memory of trees” by Enya. Enya is an Irish musician. In 2002, I heard Enya's song for the first time. It was “Only time” from the album “A day without rain”.


ANYWHERE IS
I walk the maze of moments
but everywhere I turn to
begins a new beginning
but never finds a finish
I walk to the horizon
and there I find another
it all seems so surprising
and then I find that I know

You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
if we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is

The moon upon the ocean
is swept around in motion
but without ever knowing
the reason for its flowing
in motion on the ocean
the moon still keeps on moving
the waves still keep on waving
and I still keep on going

...Anywhere is

I wonder if the stars sign
the life that is to be mine
and would they let their light shine
enough for me to follow
I look up to the heavens
but night has clouded over
no spark of constellation
no Vela no Orion

The shells upon the warm sands
have taken from their own lands
the echo of their story
but all I hear are low sounds
as pillow words are weaving
and willow waves are leaving
but should I be believing
that I am only dreaming

...Anywhere is

To leave the thread of all time
and let it make a dark line
in hopes that I can still find
the way back to the moment
I took the turn and turned to
begin a new beginning
still looking for the answer
I cannot find the finish
It's either this or that way
it's one way or the other
it should be one direction
it could be on reflection
the turn I have just taken
the turn that I was making
I might be just beginning
I might be near the end.


ONLY TIME
Where the day flows, only time?
And who can say if your love grows,
As your hearth chose, only time?

Who can say why your heart sights,
As your live flies, only time?
And who can say why your heart cries
when your love lies, only time?

Who can say when the roads meet,
That love might be, in your heart?
and who can say when the day sleeps,
and the night keeps all your heart?
Night keeps all your heart.....

Who can say if your love groves,
As your heart chose, only time?
And who can say where the road goes
Where the day flows, only time?

Who knows? Only time
Who knows? Only time