(1) Ilayaraja and Madhu Balakrishnan have given us a taste of their best in the song Pichai patiram from movie Naan Kadavul...The song penned (and sung) by the Maestro himself originally appeared in the album Ramana Malai. The philosophies of Ramana Maharshi and the Vedantic themes of rebirth, karma, and advaita are brimming in this masterpiece. Please listen actively and melt away in the depth of the lyrics. Hope to read your discussions. I have copied the lyrics and translation for your convenience.
Madhu Balakrishnan should win a National Award for the soulful rendition..
Lyrics by Ilaiyaraja…penned originally for Ramana Malai
Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen, Aiyane En Aiyane
Yaam Oru, Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen,Aiyane En Aiyane
Pindam Ennum, Elumbodu Sadhai Narambu
Udhiramum Adangiya Udambu Enum
Ammaiyum Appanum Thanthatha
Illai Aadhiyin Val Vinai Soozhnthatha
Immaiyai Naan Ariyathatha
Siru Bommaiyin Nilayinil Unmaiyai Unarnthida
Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen
Athanai Selvamum Un Idathil
Naan Pichaikku Selvathu Evv Vidathil
Verum Paathiram Ullathu En Idathil
Athan Soothiramo Athu Un Idathil
Oru Muraiya Iru Muraiya
Pala Murai Pala Pirappu Edukka Vaithai
Puthu Vinaya Pazha Vinaya,
Kanam Kanam Dinam Enai Thudikka Vaithai
Porullukku Alainthidum Porullattra Vazhkaiyum Thurathuthe
Un Arul Arul Arul Endru Alaikindra Manam Indru Pithatruthe
Arul Vizhiyal Nokkuvai
Malar Pathathal Thaanguvai
Un Thiru Karam Enai Aravanaithu Unatharul Pera
Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen
Translation from unknown source..
I came holding the beggar's bowl...
A bowl made of flesh, bones, blood and nerves called the body.
I came holding the beggar's bowl...
Did my mom and dad gift me with this bowl?
Or is it the product of my past misdeeds?
Clueless on the current birth, in I came like a puppet...
Holding the beggar's bowl...
You own all the riches and I know not where to beg...
I just have the bowl and only you know all its secrets.
Not just once, not just twice...
Many a times, in many forms,
You made me take innumerous births
A consequence of my present misdeeds ,Or the past...
You made me suffer every moment I lived...
The meaningless life in search of riches is haunting me...
The mind that begs for your grace is now being senseless...
Look at me with the gracious eyes,
Carry me with those velvet feet
To get your care and then your grace...
(2) Ethilum Ingu Iruppan Another song that appeared few years ago also has the Ilayaraja-Madhu Balakrishnan combo, the lyrics however are penned by Pulamaipithan. The poet really has a way with words and (surprising) coming from an athiest, this song has a very simple yet profound message that He is everywhere and there is nothing but Him.
Movie Name: Bharati (2000)
Singer: Madhu Balakrishnan
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Lyrics: Pulamaipithan
Ethilum ingu iruppAn avan yArO
EnakkuL avan iruppAn arivArO
Thavazhum nadhiyai tharitha mudiyAn
Adiyum mudiyum aRiya mudiyAn
ELiya adiyar Odhum vEdha nAdhamAgi
(Ethilum)
Varippuli athazh tharithavan ezhil kaNdEn
PiRappenum piNi aRuppavan thuNai KoNden
Tamizhkkavi tharum enakkoru varam
Tarath thiruvuLam veNdum
Sagathirukkenai tarath thagum neRi
Vaguthida thuNai veNdum.
Aalam karu neelam ena theriyum oru kaNtan
ANdum thiruth thoNdan enum adiyAk koru thoNdan
Pattruth thaLaikku neruppavan
Ottraik kaNathil azhippavan
Nettrip piRaikkuL neruppai vaLarthu
(Ethilum)
Thodakkamum adhan adakkamum avan vElai
Nadappadhum adhai thaduppadhum avan leelai
UdukkaLil saram thodutthavan thalai mudikkaNiyavum koodum
Perukkalum adhai vagutthalum adhai kazhitthalum avan pAdam
Marum yugam dhorum avan kaNakkin padiyAgum
MaNNum uyar viNNum avan oru kaippidiyAgum
Sattam anaithum vagutthavan
Thittam anaithum thogutthavan
Ottrap padithu muditha uruthan
(Ethilum)