On the journey of life, we pass through several roads – darkness and light, winding roads and straight, over land and sea. A lifetime, searching for that elusive something, perhaps even the final destination.
1. Kaadaarumaaasam Naadaaru Maasam from Ezhu Raathrikal (1968).
This song is about the misery of lives in poverty, and hope for a better future. It is from the landmark Malayalam movie “Ezhu Raathrikal” directed by the legendary Ramu Kariat. The song was sung on screen by JC Kuttikkat, later famous as Movie Director Jesey (ജേസി). I have always wondered how the non-Malayali Salil Chowdhary was able to tune this song, and all the other songs from this movie, for that matter, so beautifully. Along with Vayalar‘s lyrics and KJ Yesudas‘s voice, how can it not turn out to be a classic?
2. Kaattariyilla Kadalariyilla from Jail (1966).
Neither the wind, nor the ocean understands the torturous pain of the unending search of the waves for the shore. The pain reflected clearly by AM Raja‘s voice, singing Vayalar‘s lyrics, set to tune by G Devarajan.
3. Munnil Mookamaam Chakravaalam from Jail (1966).
Another moving song from the same movie, even this raised desolation to a new miserable level.The silent horizon stretches before the traveller, while leaving behind the vast empty blackness, will someone eventually come to release me from this jail cell of Time? Just one of the hundreds of priceless diamonds formed by the creative trio of KJ Yesudas, Vayalar and Devarajan.
4. Ee Kadalum Maru Kadalum from Kadalpalam (1969).
SP Balasubramaniam‘s first Malayalam song.Vayalar‘s philosophical lyrics and Devarajan‘s intuitive music with SPB’s sweet rendering makes this an exquisite composition. Over the seven seas, even despite the man-made differences of religion.
5. Jeevithamennoru Thookkupaalam from Nirakudam (1977).
KJ Yesudas brings to life the anguish in Bichu Thirumala‘s lyrics, set to music by the talented duo, brothers Jaya-Vijaya. It is difficult to imagine this as a lullaby, yet it is, albeit a sad one, sung on screen by superstar Kamalhasan. ” Life is a bridge (a suspension bridge), and we are all travellers, crossing it in our own way, trying to get over to the other side.“
The search for the True Man continues.
