Song Review: Dhinam Dhinamum from Viduthalai Part 2

Song           : Dhinam Dhinamum

Film/Album : Viduthalai Part 2

Singers        : Illaiyaraja & Ananya Bhat

Lyricist       : Illaiyaraja

Music                   : Illaiyaraja

Impact of the song

From the opening seconds of the song, the emotional weight is so strong that the resultant melody comes only as a confirmation of what is promised in the introduction. This is a beautiful love song that will linger in your mind (and ears) long after the song ends. It is vastly different to many of the songs of the last two years, as it emphasises melody and voice over instrumentation or rhythm.

Vocal rendition

The song begins with a somewhat scratchy voice of Illaiyaraja but converts within seconds to a smooth liquid that captivates and draws one into the song. Ananya Bhat’s voice has a stronger silkiness and beautifully complements Illaiyaraja’s voice. Even as a die-hard Illaiyaraja fan, I cannot help wondering how the song would have sounded with a younger or fresh voice.

Lyrics

From Illaiyaraja’s first lyric, Idhayam oru Kohyil from Idhaya Kohyil, I don’t think that his lyrics have received the attention and appreciation they deserve. Like Kaatu Malli, the words in Dhinam Dhinamum present a pure and unsullied type of love that is almost divine in nature and the tinge of sweet pain is felt in words like “Velliye Varavum vazhiyilla, Unakulla thudippum Kannakilla”. These lines also note how Illaiyaraja uses the style of ancient Tamil literature with modern poetry styles, using assonance or rhyme in the first words of successive lines while also getting the ends of the lines to rhyme. The essence of a pure love is brilliantly captured in the simple but expressive words.

Final Analysis

This is a song with a haunting melody that demands repeated listening to satisfy the ear. It is not vastly different from Kaatu Malli in style and structure, but still maintains its own unique feel. At a time when loud percussions and odd lyrics dominate the music world, this song provides a refreshing and heartfelt change. The instrumentation is layered and explores a variety of sounds. While it does not match Illaiyaraja’s instrumentation in his heydays, it remains a masterfully composed song that is likely to find favour with most musical tastes.

Rating: 8 out of 10