a 42-year old silent symphony - naguva nayana #acnotes

If one has to compile the number of songs and poems that define silence, maybe, it would seem too ironic how silence isn't merely an experience, but something beyond. Perhaps, you could call it a state of mind. Subjective, since what's silence for you could be deafening for another. And I won't mention John Cage's 4:33' at this moment (look it up YouTube with a good pair of 🎧). That said, this song - Naguva Nayana from Mani Ratnam's debut that dates back to 1983 - Pallavi Anupallavi is also one such paradox. Well, if it's a paradox or a parable, I will let you, the listener decide.

On another tangent: With music from Ilayaraja and Cinematography by Balu Mahendra, the video is a time capsule like no other of the good old Bangalore. 42 years of nostalgia bottled up and aged to perfection. Like always, I'll move away from the visual and focus more on the lyrical genius of this song. More so, I'll delve deeper only into the first four lines for the benefit of those who don't understand Kannada.

"Naguva Nayana, Madura Mouna

Midiva hrudaya, ire maatheke?"

Translation:

With eyes that exchange smiles;

Silence that's as sweet as honey.

And hearts' that thump a rhythm.

Why do you need speech

to tamper this medium of expression?

(rather a morse code between the two)

"Hosa Baasheyidu Rasa Kaavyavidu

Idu Haadalu Kavi Beke?"

Translation:

It's a new language, between the two, altogether; a nuanced poem

with a distinct flavour -

perhaps, a poet to describe this exchange

or a songwriter to share this tale

set to a tune, seems unnecessary.

Merely 4 lines and it perfectly captures that nascent stage, those salad days of being in love with one another.

To draw a parallel that scene in Linklater's Before Sunrise between Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke at the Vinyl store is a perfect example. How they glance at the other when one isn't looking. A game of pretense and assumption. Hide and seek. Glances stolen, yet both plead innocence.

Well, if that isn't the early stage of love then what is? Perfect strangers who have this unshakeable notion that they're made for each other. Without saying a word or asking a question, you assume the response.

Spoiler alert: Only after they move to the next stage of no return would they get to know if they are made or not made for each other. Or, they're being made (WIP) into someone they would become eventually - to be there for each other as they grow older. Now that's a story for another song and another day.

At this moment, let's just pretend you didn't read the last few lines before this.

Listen to those lovers exchange sweet nothings through fleeting glances and locked gazes. Lyrics aside, the music by itself brings forth this longing between the two as though they're away yet beside each other. But before you play the below link - silence.

https://lynkify.in/song/naguva-nayana/V5PD75m0

For those who read this far, here's some interesting trivia: Mani Ratnam's next movie which was his debut in Tamil was titled

'Mouna Ragam'.

Translation

Silent Symphony

#acnotes