Stuck Song Syndrome

Ever had a song stuck on your mind?

Well, I call this ‘stuck-song-syndrome’ (or SSS - as some of you know I call it). It is highly contagious, and can cause major restlessness, sometimes leading to sleepless nights, and can make you buy music players! This time around, the syndrome has hit me, and had hit hard. One song from the past has come back. The song, composed by Vidyasagar, for the Tamil movie Nilaave vaa, is decorated with voices of Hariharan and Chitra.

The first time I heard this song in 1998, I immediately fell in love with it. Till today evening, I did not know the name of the movie, or any other details of it. But now I do. Thanks to Google. It never occurred to me to find more about the movie, or the lyrics, or the characters who played this song. That’s because every time I would hear this song, everything around would become void, and long after the song would finish, when I would overcome the syndrome (which typically lasts for a week), I would be too worn out to do anything about it.

At this point, I have to emphasize that you do not take this syndrome lightly. It has some very serious manifestations. I have put down 10 symptoms to identify it:

1. Humming the song ALL the time – (mostly uncontrollable)
2. Falling asleep takes a long time after getting into bed, and you curse yourself for playing the song in your mind/ears when you got in. Your sleep gets consumed.
3. First thing in the morning – THE Song. Brushing and everything else can follow later.
4. Thinking of taking the music player to the morning shower. (I’m serious!)
5. All forms of verbal communication suddenly come down to a few seconds, yet is seems like an eternity. :)
6. Everyone else sound monotonous.
7. Awe at ‘how could they be so oblivious to this?’
8. Quick to anger if any other song is suggested (without being nice, or tactical, you know)
9. An irresistible urge to hear the song again and again in an infinite loop, and a counter urge holding you from doing it for the fear of hearing fatigue.
10. Occasional headache due to all the above.
    

Now I’m sure you’d have related to it! If you do, then I suggest consult a psychiatrist, and if you haven’t then go consult an ENT specialist. These are signs of a malignant addiction.

My stuck-song is a duet. Fluidity of Hariharan’s voice and the crystal clear voice of Chitra is one thing, the soft background score; with some grand performance by the string choir paint this song with utmost chastity. The first thing you’ll notice is how pleasant it sounds. And when you actually manage to get over it, and actually listen to it, you’ll notice, that much is said in this song without them being there in lyrics – The volumes of unspoken yet communicated words. The flux of voices in tender moments is a joy to notice. Lyrics – Again, I would prefer not to ruin the beauty of this song by explaining the lyrics in my limited words. Check it out yourself.

Composed on raag Darbari Kanada (supposedly), it is probably one of the best compositions I’ve ever heard. My heart blesses everyone that’s associated with it, the ones who so beautifully crafted the song from nowhere... I can hear my calling now, and am about to yield.
Sounds familiar??!!

-------------
Nee kaatru, naan maram Yenna sonnaalum thalaiyaatuven!