What future holds?

I do not think any songs in any other languages carry as much philosophy in its lyrics as the Tamil movie songs do. The songs are not merely evergreen for its entertainment value, but it also disseminates values deemed useful in our daily lives. It may resonate to all irrespective of their individual theological beliefs and convictions on the purpose of their existence on Earth.

Perhaps I am not up to date with the latest numbers that are churned out of Kollywood, but their golden era of Tamil songs for its meaningful lyrics are from the 50s all through the 80s. Speakers of this ancient language will appreciate the deep meanings that songs of that period convey. Thanks to poets of that time bracket, in the likes of Kannadasan, Vaali, Pulmaipithan, Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram and much more.

In this scene from a 1958 film, Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum (New Path is paved with the birth of the month of Thai) our undulating ups and downs of the voyage of life are succinctly depicted most poetically. Our uncertainties, our path, our experiences are metaphorically narrated by the oarsman as he transports his passengers across the symbolic of the river of life. Come listen...

ஆசையே அலைபோலே
நாமெல்லாம் அதன்மேலே

ஓடம் போலே ஆடிடுவோமே வாழ்நாளிலே
பருவம் என்னும் காற்றிலே
பறக்கும் காதல் தேரிலே

ஆணும் பெண்ணும் மகிழ்வார் சுகம் பெறுவார்
அதிசயம் காண்பார்

நாளை உலகின் பாதையை இன்றே யார் காணுவார்?
வாழ்க்கை எல்லாம் தீர்ந்ததேன்
வடிவம் மட்டும் வாழ்வதேன்

இளமை மீண்டும் வருமா?
மணம் பெறுமா?

முதுமையே சுகமா?

காலம் போகும் பாதையை இங்கே யார் காணுவார்?
சூரைக்காற்று மோதினால் தோணி ஓட்டம் மேவுமோ?

வாழ்வில் துன்பம் வரவு சுகம் செலவு இருப்பது கனவு

காலம் வகுத்த கணக்கை இங்கே யார் காணுவார்?


Our desires are like waves,
We are all on it,
Like a boat, we dance our days away.
In the gust of youthfulness,
Swift goes the chariot of love,
Man and woman explore pleasure and happiness
experience magic.
Who can see the path of tomorrow's world?
Life has ended,
but remnants still linger.
Can youth return?
can senescence be fun?
The path led by time, who knows where to?
When a storm hit a boat,
can it sail smoothly?
In life, sadness is income, happiness the expenditure, our existence a dream.
What time has set for us here, can anybody tell?

Humans are a group of an insecure lot. We are all in it in the ocean of life. We know we all have to go somewhere. There are no roadmaps, no path to follow but we are all aware that the endpoint, the final destination is fixed. We make our rules and regulations as we go along without any guidance from those who have reached their goal, their journey, miscalculated trip or the final truth. We all are fixated the path we follow is the Truth and are hellbent to defend it all cost even at the expense of our lives and fellow sojourners who are equally clueless and are groping in the dark like us. Lest we forget that all roads lead to Rome. Of course, the scenery will differ, the experience varied. So, sit back, relax, put on that seat belt, keep that seat upright, we have gone through some turbulence, but we will be landing shortly. Enjoy the view of the skyline of the city.