Magnificient portrayal of multiple characters in just a song
My obsession with Nadigar Thilagam continues……
Thiruvilayaadal - acknowledged as a milestone for Shivaji.
Normally when Shivaji and Nadigayar Thilagam Savithri acted together, Savithri used to excel while Shivaji will try to match with her…but in this movie… probably the focus was on Lord Shiva and his various Thiruvilayaadalgal , Parvathi ( Savithri ) had to play low profile….
Nadigar thilagam displayed his full repertoire. Here he played the role of the Lord Almighty , as a Poet , as a Fisherman , an assistant to Arasavai Kavi ( for T.R.Mahalingam ) . Though Navarathiri and Deivamagan allowed him to show variety as multi faceted personalities, he could bring all together in the song.. PAATUM NAANAY… BHAVAMUM NAANAY…
Also, in my opinion, Shivaji comes as an automatic choice for playing the role of a God or as a historical character or as freedom fighters like Kattabomman or Vavusee…
Or for that matter, Shivaji as Barathan in Sampoorna Ramayanam…. I believe respected Shri Chakaravarthy Rajaji , on seeing the movie was stunned by Nadigar Thilagam’s acting exploits, open acknowledged that he saw the true Barathan……
Needless to mention, Shivaji will show the Pride and Gambeeram of a king in Thiruvarutchelvar by walking majestically for the song… Mannavan vandhaanadee ( while in the same movie will also display the humility and simplicity of Thirunavukarasar by playing an elderly role of Appar ) and also for Iravum nilavum valaratumay in Karnan…. And also in Raja raja cholan…..for the song… Thenralodu udan pirandhaal senthamiz pennaal…..
I can never forget Aayiram karangal neeti …. From karnan…another classic example of how a King will look like….
One must also admit, Makkal Thilagam MGR also matched him to some extent while playing the role of a King but the ultimate choice can be Shivaji only…
In thiruvilayaadal, Shivaji portrayed with precision, every character. In the first scene itself, the presence of Shivaji as Lord Shiva will be complete in all aspects. Infact in one scene, Nagesh will comment with awe…. AAHAH DEIVEEGA SIRIPAIYAA UNGALUKKU…. Also, in dialogue delivery and the punch and stress on the syllable, Shivaji is number one…especially when he delivers the dialogue….SORCHUVAI..PORUTCHUVAI..ANAITHUM OOTEE….SUNDARATHAMIZINILAY ( the stress here will be terrific ) PAATISAITHU….. SENDHAMIZ KAVI PAADUM PULAVAN NAAN….
The gunshot answers which he will give to Nagesh with movement of his left and right hand will be a delight to watch…and a lesson to those who aspire to take up acting profession.
The way he dressed up as the Poet in Dharumi episode, and the body language his displayed while arguing with APN in the court scene are all time immemorial….
Coming back to the song, Paatum naanay…..
The song starts with a sleepish Shivaji ( paramasivan in disguise ) casually doing an aalapanai…. ( we forget that TMS was behind the success of Shivaji and MGR )… before TMS taking the lead with extended aalapanai…( I wonder why TMS was not recognized by the Carnatic music world compared to another great Seergazhi Govindarajan )
Word and word, shot by shot, Shivaji will display his expressive face and body language. At one stage, when he reacts to the words…. Kootum isayum…. Kaatum ennidam kadhai solla vandhayo….( with a wry smile ..looking at the direction where Balaiya was staying )
The song will reach its summit when Shivaji sings :
Asayum porulil isayum naanay
Aadal kalayin naayagan naanay
Edhilum iyangum iyakkamum naanay
Ennisai nindral adangum ulagay……. TMS at his best……
There will be a hushed silence …with AP.Nagarajan showing the sea, clouds, Birds ..all other living beings coming to a grinding halt…when Shivaji stops his breath for a second….
Followed by Shivaji…with a wry smile again…. ( stylaaga kannadipaar Paramasivan !!! ) and will resume… by singing…. Naan asaindhaal asayum agilamellamay……
Arivaai manidha un aanavam peridhaa… Its true…we ordinarly mortals cannot withstand Tsunami or an earthquake or a flood….
The next phase , I admit my limitations to describe ( I wish Saradhaji and Ushaji to come up with their version ) as there will be many Shivaji s ….each one displaying his skills like…
one for Mirudhangam,
One for Konnakol
One for Flute
One for Veena
One …the singer……
The way in which the Konnakol Shivaji will adjust his throat to make himself ready to continue the flow of the song…..will be a treat to watch…This shot is a reflection of his perfection……
The way in which Shivaji will respond to other Shivaji to complete his part and to maintain his continuity…… The Singer Shivaji will acknowledge the exploits of Mirudhangam Shivaji …. Each one will be complimenting the other….and its an extraordinary show of variety…in just a song….
Followed by the continuous flow of swarajathi….
AMAZING … AMAZING… .AMAZING……
The camera work, the editing, the music will all synchronize so well in this song…. Full credit to the great A.P.Nagarajan for bringing the best out of Shivaji in just one song…..
TMS finally will end the song in high pitch…..
Just imagine …. There was only one Shivaji actually while he had to imagine the presence of a dozen other characters and play his part for each others as well individually and then the song had to be synchronized…..
NAMAKKU INNORU NADIGAR THILAGAM KIDAIPAARAAA………………
