ஞாபகம் வருதே! ஞாபகம் வருதே!

"Memory" in psychology is "an organism's ability to store, retain and recall information". (Thanks Wikipedia!)

I referred the wikipedia page thrice atleast before I wrote the above properly. (Ability to store, retain and recall! huh!!). But I have this uncanny ability to remember names and phone numbers (no one asks me any definitions these days!).

'To Memorize' (Dabba adikkaradhu-nnu solluvaangale) has always been an integral part of our educational system, irrespective of whether one understood the essence of what he/she is studying (rather 'reading' in most cases).

I vividly remember my elder brother trying to memorize the Silappadhigaaram poem (தேரா மன்னா செப்புவதுடையேன்!) during his 10th standard (Thamizh was not his most favorite subject then). I used to pick up those poems quite effortlessly and as a matter of fact remember that till date. (Its a different story that his grades were always better than mine. He scored good marks in all other subjects unlike me!).

In 2005, Blessy adapted a short story by Director Padmarajan and made Thanmaathra, a movie that depicted the effects of Alzheimer's on an individual and his family. The movie starred Mohanlal (in a stellar and what I consider his best performance till date), Nedumudi Venu and Meera Vasudevan. The short story was aptly titled 'Orma'.

The same year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali made 'Black', starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Ayesha Kapoor, that also dealt with Alzheimer's.

Both movies had great performances, but somehow the former has managed to stay closer to my heart for a stupendously realistic portrayal of the sufferings of a middle aged man who aspires and prepares his son (with emphasis on memory techniques) for the administrative services exams. Needless to say, it is one of my all time favorite movies.

So what?? Yes, I 'remember' that this post is supposed to be about Raaja's music. Ormai undu! :)

Hence without much ado (ennadhu?) let me divulge the song. It is "OrmagaLaai Koode Varoo" (Idhukkuthaanaa!!) from Oomakkuyil, starring YG Mahendran and Poornima Jayaram (Bhagyaraj). I had earlier posted the song "Thaazhampoo ThaaLil" from the same movie. This movie as many might know is the remake of Kokila, which was subsequently remade in Hindi as "Aur Ek Prem Kahani" starring Ramesh Arvind and Heera.

A beautiful duet by KJ Yesudas and S.Janaki, this song depicts the heroine reminiscing the beautiful days she shared with her beloved (who was a paying guest in her house), after he absconds and all efforts to trace him remain futile.

Picturized in typical Balu Mahendra style, the Piano at the very beginning coupled with the strings, capture the girl's misery simultaneously transporting the listener to the flashback portion. The violin conversations in the prelude say it all!

The flute makes a brief and beautiful entry, in the first interlude dominated by the guitar. The charaNams take a splendid turn at the phrase, 'snehikkyuvaanaai' to complete the cycle. awesome stuff! Yesudas and Janaki are at their best, as always.

Great Composition! Happy Listening!

Listen to it here!


Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWeXKRrcvUc