ANJALI - my two cents

One of the soul-stirring songs i have heard is 'ANJALI ANJALI' from the movie DUET.A lot of us would have been hypnotized by the brilliance of Kadri’s sax, scintillations from S.P.B’s voice, the might of vairamuthu’s pen, and of course,the blend of Rahman's music.

It is about two men, brothers, who propose the same girl and their visions of their love.

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I still wonder if any other raga other than Maand can do this magic. After the mellifluous Sax intro, a cymbal and a bright acoustic piano join in. As he slowly expands the theme, the chords start their work and Chitra’s humming outlines the pallavi. Tempted by the sweetness, the bass guitar joins her.The theme is completed by the sax as the notes go high,followed by the piano!

The man, a singer, starts romantically, dedicating some anjalis,-flowers, songs, gold, and poetry, to his girl ANJALI. The Sax and the piano romance again.He then describes neatly, how he is immersed in this bond of love, through the fine example of the rain and the sea.

'kadalile mazhai veezhndha pin endha thuli mazhai thuli?

kaadhalil adhu pola naan kalandhitten kaadhali!'

The chords follow through and He finally says he holds her feet and cries in a high pitch, yearning for her love!

And here starts Chitra’s mesmerizing Aalaap.When we regain our senses once it's over,The girl, ANJALI explains how love has entered her soul. First through music and then through tamil(meaning, poetry). A clear expression of how the singer(music) and his Sax player brother(a poet), both have proposed to her, in that order.

‘isai vandha dhisai paarthu manam kuzhaindhen

thamizh vandha dhisai paarthu uyir kasindhen’

Ah! Of course, what else can she do, than let her heart to get carried away by music and poetry?

The flute now comes into picture along with the tabla and takes us to the smile-on-listening-mode. Now comes the turn of the second hero who loves her. Isn’t he a poet? He says there is no wonder like her, and poetically describes the effect of reciting her name.

‘anjali perai chonnen avizhndhadhu mullaiye’

He feels there is no poetry without her,his 'kanmani'. He wonders if she were born with the moon or formed in the womb of a flower. His powerful happiness is clearly shown, as the strings take the last line to a greater momentum.The flute returns again and gives the finishing touches for the beautiful blend of music,love and poetry.

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Though it’s the normal triangular love story, the music and the singer’s voice in this, take the concept of love and expression of the persons’ feelings to a greater height. Be it an-all-lights-switched-off-night, or a pleasant dew-filled morning; this song enhances the beauty of music and in turn, love.