I think we should be happy that Covid-19 happened in 2020 and not in the seventies. At least we are still connected with the world, thanks to Netflix, Zoom calls and YouTube. Imagine passing time with All India radio and one state run TV Channel. You would have had endless replays of dreary dramas which at best, could be called mediocre. I always remember this post from writer Sujatha. Sample this dialogue from a Radio drama. “What do you know about us. We are from a justice family. My father was a judge and my mom was judge’s wife.”

Thankfully our lockdown is spent in searching for the movies we missed watching, listening to songs that shaped our moods and life.

Mr. Sanjay Subrahmanyan regularly uploads his songs in YouTube and to call each of them is a gem will be an understatement. I have written about his mesmerizing performance during last music season. Scintillating Sanjay – Kohlisque Feat.

Well, few of these songs had just blown me over. I kept listening to them repeatedly. Once I missed my yoga session as I just could not take my eyes off the screen. He brings another dimension to his stage performances. It’s a constant endeavour for him to attain ‘nirvana’ with his rendition of songs and he takes the audience with him there.

I would have listened to his ‘Apadurku’ a javali (Javali is a light classical love song which is presented in music and dance concerts) about fifty times in the last six days. He uploaded this song only on 21st May. The composition is in Telugu, a language where I have limited understanding. But language actually does not matter. You will just get mesmerized by his singing. Apaduruku was written by Mr. Tiruppanandal PaTTaabhiraamayya in the 19th century. 

I sent off the link to JK and Mohan & Naga; and told them this song is an energy booster and looked for the meaning of the song. I found one in rasika.org web page. First I thought I will provide subtitles in the song itself to convey the meaning. But then, I realized it would only be a distraction. You can watch/listen Apaduruku here:

Meaning of the javali::

I was subjected to infamy {undeserved blame} because of {my} fickleness[P]

Which sinner {mischief maker} has heaped this rebuke on me, without {my} commiting any misdeed,,but, {AP}

When I went to his house, along with girls of my age, to witness the festivities, it was alleged that he is my friend {c1}

I blamed the Lord, again and again,but when I smiled{at Him}
I was given a different name and adressed as an adultress {c2}

From childhood, because of his good name as a man of good charecter

I joined The Benefactor tAlavanESha while jesting with him {c3}

This javali made me to think there must be this energy boosters in every language and tried to recall a few. Some of the numbers from Shammi Kapoor movies readily came to mind. Chahe Koi Muje Junglee Kahe is a classic energy. Sung by Mohammed Rafi, Mr. Kapoor almost brings down an avalanche in the Himalayas with his energizing performance. In recent years there is one from Amir Khan movie Dhoom 3,‘Kamli’ and one from Dil Se. These are fast numbers no doubt, but they lack what I call ‘time test.’ Will they be as good to listen twenty years from now? I don’t think so.

There is also a ghazal from Pankaj Udhas, ‘Ishq Nachaye Jisko Yaar.’ This is my all time favorite. This song definitely passes my ‘time test.’ It is already thirty four years since I first listened to this song from the album, ‘Aafreen.’

One song from ABBA definitely qualifies in this steroid list. Mamma Mia must be one of the top half a dozen most famous ABBA number. Meryl Streep brought an immortality to the song by her acting while singing the song in the musical comedy ‘Mamma Mia.’ Ms. Streep is the greatest actress of Hollywood with a record 21 Oscar nominations. Vanity Fair once commented, “It is hard to imagine that there was a time before Meryl Streep was the greatest living actress.” Her Oscar nominated/winning performances will be always talked about, no doubt, for serious acting. Here, in Mamma Mia, she has shown such an energy, you would think, if you are watching the song for the first time, and, not known Meryl before, ‘this must be a college going – teenage girl.’ Ms. Streep was about sixty years old when she performed this. Watch her amazing performance here. You will say, “Go beat this Katrina (Kaif).”

The last one is ‘Maname Kanamum’ by Sanjay Subhramanyan. Composed by Papanaasam Sivam probably almost a century ago. The song has been popular over the decades. You can actually watch the legend, Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi, singing this in a movie in 1941 and every famous artist has made it a part of their repertoire. But then, Mr. Sanjay brings a new dimension to the song in how he connects the song with his awestruck audience.

Simply, the song says, “Oh mind please don’t forget, even for a millisecond, the flowered feet of the Lord.” Sanjay just makes sure you don’t. You can listen/watch it here:

One more Metrix for my ‘time test’ is this. 15 to 20 years from now, would Rachna, my daughter, be able to tell her teenage son or daughter, “Why are you feeling down and sulky? Watch these songs. They will lighten your mood.” Would she? The answer is a resounding ‘YES.’

Maname Kanamum மனமே கணமும்: Abheri

ABBA – Mamma Mia

Sanjay Subhramanyan – Apaduruku – (Javali) Kamas: