Rahman Se

Omana Penne’s Prelude

Elaborate preludes and lilting interludes are Rahman’s speciality. Right from Roja, we’ve been enthralled by grand openings like the one for Yeh Haseen Vadiya or softer introductions such as the one for Taal Se Taal. These little instrumental pauses within songs heighten the effect of the base melody and keep us surprised till the very end. I think it’s the secret to Rahman’s music.

My favourite prelude of 2010 is undoubtedly Omana Penne’s. It’s a soothing introduction to one of the sweetest songs by Rahman in recent times. I never tire of hearing it, so I have this as my ringtone as well and I’ve made it available to anyone who wants it.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Aaromale – The Lyrics and a (better) Translation

I’ve mentioned Aaromale before, but I hadn’t elaborated on its beautiful Malayali lyrics. I don’t know the language and I wasn’t impressed with any of the English translations online, but my friend, Prateek Rungta, sent me this far better translation which he captured from the film’s subtitles:

Maamalayeri varum thennal
(The breeze that climbs over the mountains,)
Puthu Manavalan thennal
(The newly-wed breeze…)
Pallimedaye thottuthalodi kurishil thozhuthu varumbol
(…that worships the cross on the church steeple,)
Varavelppinu malayalakkara manasammadham choriyum
(To that breeze, the land of Kerala extends a warm welcome.)

Aaromale…
(My beloved…)
Swasthi swasthi sumuhoortham
(On this auspicious moment, may you be happy,)
Sumangali bhava manavaatti
(May the bride forever be happily wedded.)
Shyamaraathrithan aramanayil
(Girl, you are as far away as the stars,)
Marinilkkayo thaarakame
(away from the darkness of the night.)
Pularimanjile kathiroliyaal
(Girl, you are as far away as the sun’s rays…)
Akale nilkkayo penmaname
(…that cannot touch the early morning mist.)
Chanju nillkumaa chillayil nee
(Are you the Cuckoo perched on a branch…)
Chinjilambiyo poonkuyile
(that bends over the banks of a river?)
Mannchiraathile malaroliye thediyethiyo poonthennel
(Are you the soft breeze that caresses the flower?)

Aaromale…
(My beloved…)

Kadaline karayodiniyum paadan snehamundo
(Is there enough love for the sea to serenade to the shore?)
Mezhukuthirikalaayi urukaan iniyum pranayam manassilundo
(Do you still have love in your heart to melt like a candle?)
Aaromale…
(My beloved…)

(There’s also a beautifully typset, PDF version of these lyrics, made by Prateek Rungta.)

I don’t know about you, but Aaromale sounds even better now that I understand the words. I guess it was inevitable, considering Rahman himself suggested including a Malayali number in the soundtrack and recommended the renowned lyricist, Kaithapram.

Aaromale — The Female Version

I love how Shreya Ghoshal can go all carnatic on a single word: Aaromale. A woman’s touch, you might say, compared to the blues-rock version by Alphonse Joseph that’s been all the rage this year.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

You can download this preview or treat yourself to four minutes of ambience along with it (featuring an extended prelude and a new orchestral climax with violins and the Erhu.) If this still isn’t enough, you should listen to the entire background score from the film, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya.