Nalam Vaazha Ennaalum

Balu Mahendra might have said to his assistants, “We have to shoot the entire song in small room or a living room”, I’m sure they might have been surprised by his thought. With little space to work and only a handful of shots, they went on to weave a good picturization of the Illayaraja song.

The song is set in Aravind Swamy (Gowri Shankar) house, it is a big building, but this song is boxed to a small room. Revathi (Thulasi) is invited for a dinner, it’s her birthday. Just before the song, in the prior scene Nizalgal Ravi (Murali Krishna) her husband meets her and asks to sign the divorce papers, which she reluctantly agrees.

Starting of the song

Revathi knocks the door; the partially opened door reveals the darkness inside the house, only to be lite when a voice greets her “Happy Birthday”. Aravind stands inside with the guitar in his hands. Revathi gives a shocking reaction by seeing the lights, flowers, balloons, birthday signboard.. Aravind goes on to play the prelude of the song in the guitar.

Camera is a point-of-view shot from Revathi’ end, as if we are outside the room. From Aravind view, Revathi is little close for us to catch her expressions. Revathi has to see the full scape of the room (she misses the cake, which she realizes later).

Aravind starts to sing the first line of the song.

Nalam Vaazha Ennaalum En Vaazhthukkal

Thamizh Koorum Pallaandu En Vaarthaigal

The camera slowly zooms onto him. We cut back to Revathi- she enters through the door.

Ilavaenil Un Vaasal Vanthaadum

Ilanthenral Un Meethu Panpaadum

Surprising and shocking moments are over, now she has to appreciate the arrangements. Aravind smiles as he sings, she acknowledges back with a nervous smile. There she closes the door. Why?

Maybe she wants to close or shun out her bad memories which she had with her husband!

As we see Aravind playing the guitar, possibly a bad hand coordination for the tune! The two face each other. Now she had acknowledged everything, she moves to the nearby furniture to keep the bag. 

As she moves, the BGM as they call in the song picks up a flute. Then the shot is cut to show Aravind- he too moves towards Revathi, with violin in background. Now watch\listen carefully, it's like two instruments talking to each other. Aravind stands next to her. Revathi turns her head slowly (flute picks up). The both then walk towards the other end of the room (Aravind to lead, which is violin in background). She sees the cake and gives a reaction- “what is this? Or why you need this do?”- The flute is questioning in background, he just shrugs his shoulder, as if he is saying “this is nothing” (By this time the flute and violin are playing in unison).

She walks away from the cake towards the wall, thinking she doesn’t deserve it. The lyrics go like this..

Manithargal Silaneram Thadam Maaralaam

Manangalum Avar Gunangalum Niram Maaralaam

Ilakkanam Sila Naeram Thavaraagalaam

Ezhuthiya Anbu Ilakkiyam Pizhaiyaagalaam

Viralgalaith Thaandi Valarnthathai Kandu

Nagangalai Naamum Narukuvathundu

Ithil Enna Paavam Etharkintha Soagam Kiliyae…

The words are consoling her. Now, as they walk back from the wall, she sits on the chair in front of the cake, she sits at the edge of the chair, meaning she is still in the shock or not sure of how to react. 

Aravind (IR) plays a beautiful piece of guitar notes to be followed by a bunch of violins. He then takes the knife and gestures her to proceed further in cutting the cake. Suddenly, she realizes that this is not the moment to enjoy as she had just signed the divorce paper. She runs towards the furniture, where she kept the bag earlier. Aravind follows her. As she takes the paper from the bag, the flute playing in the background refers to her wavering mind. Aravind glances at the paper to continue the 2nd part of the song.

Kizhakkinil Thinam Thoanrum Kathiraanathu

Maraivathum Pinbu Uthippathum Iyalbaanathu

Kadalinil Uruvaagum Alaiyaanathu

Vizhuvathum Pinbu Ezhuvathum Marabaanathu

Nilavinai Nambi Iravugal Illai

Vilakkugal Kaattum Velichathin Ellai

Oru Vaasal Moodi Maru Vaasal Vaippaan Iraivan…

The words give her some respite. She takes the tear drops from her check and walks down to sit on the chair to accept the change.

**

Other Tamil song post - Nee Partha Parvaiku Oru Nandri