metti oli

Most assuredly, this is not about that obnoxious serial touted as being second only to T.Rajendar's offerings in sentimental value. Anyone who has flung off their blinkers and gone foraging in the wilderness of off-beat movies will definitely know what I am talking about. There are no fierce deities, or barmy elephants, or langourous lions,or wild women, or, hell, drunk Roman soldiers readying for ambush; none of this ludicrous habber-dashery.
The title of the post is a song from one such movie: Metti. Directed by Mahendran -who, incidentally, gave us Mullum Malarum - the movie revolves around a handful of characters, holding hands with Ilayaraja's intoxicating music and Balu Mahendra's soothing camera. The song itself is an asareeri sung by the Maestro himself, suffused with that subtle pathos only he can generate. It begins with Janaki and Ilayaraja humming, overlapping and extrapolating each other,until the flute slides down the pitch scale in short bursts, when Raja resurfaces.
Set in Jog ragam-which is quite uncommon in Thamizh - the song boasts of exquisitely crafted interludes. The violin in the first one is superb as it leaps like a lamp-flame to the roof. Janaki's high-pitched humming in the second interlude is an expression of pure happiness and is, somehow, strangely nostalgic. It is only Raja's genius that allows him to incorporate that heavenly flute-piece -blending hope and melancholy- immediately after this.
The old lady returns with the youthfulness of a 'pen mullai' . After that delicate smile in response to "..en kanmani..", Janaki gasps sensuously at "...paarvai patta kaayam..", leaving you filled with admiration for this versatile, and ageless, singer.
Truly a great song.
The movie was sadly submerged under a wave of change, though.