Promises to Keep..

Kochadaiiyan songs are out and no wonder we are all listening to the songs in loop for the ARR magic to sink in. I have seen some reviews which say that the songs are not worth of ARR. I tell you, speak for yourselves, losers! Spellbinding songs. And trust me, it gives you peace and you can just close your eyes and listen to it and get pulled into the magic slowly. Its like a sedative. That slow pull into myriad of thoughts, well no, I should say feelings. All those powerful feelings inside you and only ARR can make you feel all that with his music. Okay, I will stop. However, I wanted to write about the stark contrast in these two songs specifically. 

One: Manapennin Sathiyam (Sung by Lata Rajnikanth)

Two: Manamaganin Sathiyam (Sung by Haricharan)

Just click on and listen while you read this. The contrast characters of a man and a woman will be subtle but stunning and will take your breath away.

Edit: A point I noticed after watching the movie. The man's promise is played before the marriage while the girl's promise was played after the marriage. 

Okay. About the Girl's promise: (I thought about writing it as a "Woman's promise" Somehow, it didn't fit. A girl sounded more apt for the theme of the songs.)

One word that I can relate to the entire song is 'Warmth'. Its like a woman's song who is totally in love, with so much feelings and care. No. Care is not the word. Its too light. Its more in the lines of protective in that shy, warm way. The way only a woman can make a man feel. The way a mother can make you feel. Feel loved and wanted.

The songs starts with these lines 

"Kaadhal Kanavaa Undhan Karam Vidamaataen" (Oh my Man of dreams, I wont let go of your hands)
The companion-ness. The Woman promises to hold on to him tight at all times. 

And then she says; 

"Unathu Ulagai Enathu Kannil Paarthida Seivaen" (I will show you your world, in my eyes)

Only a woman can tell this. The man will show the world to her. A woman makes it hers by making it warm. In this, she promises to make his world theirs and call it home with all the love

And then she sings about how she will make him warm. Literally and metaphorically. 

"Mazhai Naalil Un Maarbil Kamabliyaavaen (I will be your cover on a rainy day)

 Malai Kaatrai Thalai Kothi Nithirai tharuvaen" (I will make you sleep by caressing you like the mountain wind)

What more can a man want than to be accepted and respected and loved?

"Unathu Veeram Ènathu Šaaram Pillaikku Tharuvaen (I will bear a child with your courage and my roots)

Kaalam Maatram Naerumbøthu Gavanam Kølvaen (When the times change, I will guide you carefully)

Kattil Araiyil Šamayal Araiyil Puthumai Šeivaen (I will bring newness in the bed and the kitchen)

A woman is not naive. She is strong and she is authoritative in her quiet way. She promises to bear a child who will carry the roots from her and inherit the courage from him. These lines highlights that a dad and mom bring two different important qualities to the table which can go a long way in making the kid terrific. 

Azhagu Penngal Pazhaginaalum Aiyam Køllaen" (Even when beautiful girls talk to you, I will not worry)

This line highlights the implicit trust she has on him. Its naughty, lite and a kind of tease. Hats off to Vairamuthu for writing this.

Finally, she supports the man in whatever he does. For he is her partner, her companion, her life and her everything in this world and beyond.

"Un Kanavugal Nijamaga Ènayae Tharuvaen (I will give myself to make your dreams come true)

 Un Vaazhvu Mannil Neela Èn Uyir Tharuvaen" (I will give my life to make you live long)

Thats her promise. Promise of a dream. Promise for hope. Ain't she beautiful, inside and out?

This beautiful woman can meet her match only with an equally awesome man, who is gentle yet strong. What this song highlights is chivalry. Something very different. Only men can be chivalrous in a way that can make a woman feel like a queen. 

The Man's promise, (It gets even better) (Btw, I did not feel like writing "A Guy's promise. A guy is better when he is mature. So its sexy when we say "Man")

The song starts with a line similar to the girl's promise but with a very subtle difference.

"Kanne Kaniyae Unnai Kaivida Maataen" (Oh my dear Girl, I wont let go of your hand)

The use of Karam vidamaaten, and kai vidamaaten has made the difference. Its like saying that she will hold on to him tight while he wont let go of her. There is a world of difference between the two lines and perfectly bring out the characters of the woman and the man.

While she brings warmth to the relationship, he intones it with these

"Ippiravil Innoru Pennai Sinthaiyiul Thodaen (Will not even think of other woman in this lifetime)

 Netri Pottil Mutham Pathithu Nitham Ezhuvaen" (Will wake up by kissing your forehead)

He shows love in the most purest form. And the most tricky part, understanding her. He gives her what she would want most. Himself completely. 

And now, comes the chivalry, even cheeky lines

"Kaiporul Yaavaiyum Karaithaalum Kanakku Kaelaen (Will not say anything even if you spend everything we have)

Ovoru Vaathamum Mudiyumbothu Unnidam Thorpaen" (I will lose every time we argue)

A wise man understands that he can ever win an argument. Even if he wins, he would lose, straight away. So this man is wise and whats more, he does not mind her spending :D

Its true that a man can be gentle yet strong, quiet but brave,  simple on the face but a bunch of contradictions. May be its only for the woman of his life. Like this,

"Artha Jaamam Thirudan Pola Athirnthu Paesaen (I will not raise my voice in front of you)

Nøi Madiyødu Nee Vizhunthaal Thaai Madiyaavaen (When you fall sick, will take care of you like a mother)

Šwasam Pøla Arugil Irunthu Šugapadavaipaen" (Like breath, I will make you feel better by just being with you )

While she supports whatever he does, he respects hers as his own with everything he has. For she makes his world.

"Unthan Uravai Ènthan Uravai Nenjil Šumapaen" (I will respects all thats yours as mine)

Hers is a promise of hope, of dreams. His is a promise of life, of love. 

These two songs tell us how a man and woman complement each other. Rooting a family in love, nurturing it with warmth is something only a woman can do while the man does everything to protect it and seal it with love. Together, its beautiful. The relationship that a man and woman can share in this world. Songs like these make you believe in fairytales and happily-ever-afters. 

Why not, if you believe, may be it will happen to you.