It was on a Sunday morning after I published my blog, RICH DIARY, when a song unexpectedly popped into my mind. I didn’t hesitate; I grabbed my laptop, typed it out, and noticed my wife humming the same tune. Watching the old video of the song, which I believe I hadn’t seen before, was a delightful experience that brought back memories of our Murfy radio.
I was also making a list of songs that I have forgotten over the years, and suddenly the above one emerged. This made me go down memory lane and recall the people in my life who have influenced me through their songs. My father was a big fan of music, and he would often sing at home. I remember “Chaudavi Ka Chand” and “Omlale.” My father’s brother was once travelling and stopped his car to listen to the song “Perariyaathoru Nombarathe.” I have sung in public only twice: once during a family gathering and the second time on stage in Munich during an Onam get-together with my friend.
Before I credit my late father for inspiring me to listen to many old songs, including Hindi, I recall some of my paternal relatives who regularly visited our house. That evening was “Sangeetha Sandhya.” The uncle I’m mentioning would sit down on the floor and do thalam, weaving magic with his hands. At that time, he would have a Thorthu towel tied around his head to channel vibes. His hands were strong in that moment; they served as his only instrument to accompany his singing. Those were the days before karaoke. He was a massive fan of KPAC songs and would always start with this particular song.
My grandmother and father would join him, and they would talk a lot on those days when they heard these songs, entering a state of frenzied delight. Recently, I have been hearing one song repeatedly for several weeks. It so happened that I became fascinated by its lyrics – “What a Change!” from the past. I used to be one of those people who enjoyed the melody without paying attention to the accompanying lyrics, which meant I wasn’t particularly interested in Pallavi, Anupallavi, and Charanam. The technical aspects of the songs were often misunderstood and overlooked. But not anymore. In fact, during one of my morning walks and runs, I started to pay closer attention to the lyrics below, a composition by MS Baburaj and written by Sreekumaran Thambi.
The lyrics depict a person enchanted by a beautiful woman, who is described as having the face of the moon and the grace of a deer. The song draws comparisons to natural elements, portraying her as a lotus blossoming in spring, a new harvest within the heart, and a sky that broadens her world. The words convey the speaker’s immersion in her allure, highlighting how her presence instils clarity and joy within their heart.
I have a playlist of people who sing cover songs, and I used to play it in the mornings with my coffee to get into the right mood for my writing. Here are some of the covers which I have relished over the years: Aby, Sourendro Soumyojit, Rahul Deshpande, Navaneeth Songs (a young sensation who technically explains some of the old Malayalam songs), and Ajith Kumar Thayyil. In fact, my blog’s inspiration has been songs by Salil Chowdhary, such as “Kai Baar Yun Bhi Dekha Hai“ by Mukesh and “Ni Sa Ga Ma Pa“ by Yesudas, which used to fuel my creative juices, making my fingers dance on the keyboard.
Recently, I had the opportunity to be part of a music group in our apartment, and I am thoroughly enjoying every moment of it. I am also impressed by the extensive knowledge my apartment mates have on various aspects of music. It has been 12 years since I participated in such a cultural fest, and the sense of belonging is truly uplifting; you could say it’s the “Vibe of the tribe.” I was captivated by how the singers became fully immersed in those moments. The entire experience of having fun and singing together brings me joy right now. After office hours, when we gather for practice after a long day’s work, I feel a sense of relaxation during this “Sangeeta Sandhya.” Music is the most profound way for me to make a state change. A couple of days back, I ran, I listened to the song “Evergreen” by Westlife, with beautiful lyrics that perfectly capture the essence of what I’ve felt during Sangeeta Sandhya (music in the evening) while singing some “evergreen songs.”
I’m gonna take this moment.
And make it last forever.
I’m gonna give my heart away.
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