Good music is a blessing. It’s something you should always be open to.

This blessing came back to me a few days ago when TheWomenOfCinema Insta page shared a post about this song. At first, I had hesitations about the album; I hate when my favorite collaborations break. On one hand, I’m excited that Mari and Yuga Bharathi is teaming up with A R Rahman for the first time. On the other hand, I feel a tingle of sadness that he’s breaking his streak with Santhosh Narayanan. I absolutely loved the first single from the album, “Raasa Kannu,” and throughly enjoyed the second single, “Jigu Jigu Rail.” I did give the album a listen when it dropped, but then I moved on. I heard “Nenjame Nenjame” a few times on FM stations and while watching the film. Maybe I should have stood steady, taken a pause, and “ACTUALLY LISTENED” to the song, or perhaps the universe was aligning the stars for me to listen to this song now. This moment. The way I’m listening right now.

Sometimes, you just need someone to nudge you to listen to a song. That definitely changes the way you listen and the entire experience.

I’m a sucker for lengthy songs – the songs that run for more than 5 minutes. This one runs for 6 minutes and 50 seconds. When the songs are longer, I firmly believe that the composers are honest and pour their hearts out. Such composers just don’t give a damn about FM stations or streaming-platform norms but stay loyal to the situation, the characters, the way the director envisioned the song, and the lyricist’s work.

It’s been a long time since I heard something like “Nenjame Nenjame”; the song starts off mellow and continues to be the same till the end. With a simple rhythm supporting the tune and beautiful vocals, this song is nothing but a lullaby.

The song features Athiveeran (Udhayanidhi Stalin) & Leela (Keerthy Suresh) – Veera has been smitten by Leela since their college days, but Leela is hesitant due to Veera’s political lineage, doubting if he’ll ever stand for what’s right. The song comes right after Leela discovers Veera’s true nature, his past, and his vulnerabilities. I feel the song, the lyrics, and the visuals beautifully capture the emotion behind it.

Yuga Bharathi beautifully penned

நீ அஞ்சிலே பிஞ்சிலே கண்ட காயம்
சொல்லவே இல்லையே முன்பு யாரும்
கெஞ்சியோ மிஞ்சியோ நின்ற போதும்
அன்புதான் வெல்லுமே எந்த நாளும்
ஒளி எங்கு போகும்?
உன்னை வந்து சேரும்!

That sets a perfect platform for the rhythm of the song. And I really love Vijay Yesudas and Shakthisree’s contribution to the song, and I appreciate the reprise sung by Deva sir as well.

The first verse with Shakthisree that kicks in with

கண்ணோரம் கொட்டும் மின்னல்
அசைந்தாடும் பூவில்
உயிர் தேனாய் ஊற வெக்கம்
அங்கும் இங்கும் றெக்கை கட்டுதே

உன் வாசம் தாயாய் தலை கோத
மனம் பூக்குதே
நெற்றி முத்தம் வைக்குதே
தீ பற்றிக்கொண்ட கட்டுக்குள்ளே
பாடல் நீயே

is simply pure and beautiful. But, the icing on the cake is the pause and the way Vijay Yesudas croons

இன்றுதான் விண்ணிலே பாய்கிறேன்
வெண்ணிலா வெளிச்சத்தில் காய்கிறேன்
என்னவோ என்னிலே
வண்ணமாய் பொங்குதே!

While ARR composing a soul-stirring melody isn’t news, I feel this song is not just any other melody of his. If you are already enjoying the song, great. If this post compels you to listen or re-listen to the song, and fall in love with it all over again, then I’ll be the happiest person! 🙂

See you soon,
Pattukkaaran