The entertainment industry constantly springs surprises, with the most obscure gaining global attention and the least expected becoming a box-office success.
In 1980, ‘Aap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi Mein Aaye,’ tuned (for Feroz Khan’s ‘Qurbani’) by a relatively unknown Biddu Appiah, sung by newcomer Nazia Hassan of Pakistan and recorded in London, became a rage.
It contributed to the runaway success of the film.
Now, another song, rendered in ‘Tanglish,’ a combination of Tamil and English, has broken all records, even before its final version was launched.
Why this Kolaveri di?, composed by newcomer Anirudh Ravichandran and written and rendered by Dhanush for the latter’s forthcoming film ‘3’ has had the world on its tapping mood. With more than 25 million hits on YouTube and emulated in a number of languages, this has become a rage, prompting CNN to call it the ‘Top Song of 2011’ and BBC to dedicate a special programme in its honour.
It is amazing that even those who do not understand a word of Tamil have taken to the song; from New York to New Delhi, almost everyone is in a trance, humming the song at parties, offices and homes.
People danced to the theme during a flash mob (three minutes) at the Aotea Square in Auckland, organised by movie scriptwriter Padma Akula. Students from India were among the enthusiastic participants.
Dhanush said he composed the song for fun, although depicting a sot who has hopelessly lost in love in the film. ‘3’ could become his biggest hit yet and superstar Rajinikanth has every reason to be proud- the film is produced by his daughter Aishwarya, with his son-in-law and Shruti Hassan (daughter of Kamala Hassan, another superstar) in the lead.
The song was composed in perfect symphony with a mixture of ‘Nadaswaram,’ ‘Shehnai,’ ‘Saxophone,’ ‘Urumee’ and ‘Thavil,’ and played through keyboards.
Delivered in Tamil folk music, Why this Kolaveri di?, would not have crossed the borders of Tamil Nadu but for the surge in the social networking sites coupled with the unusual rage among the Indian youth.
Some people have attributed the song’s popularity to the restlessness among the Indians in recent years. “It is a challenge to the establishment, be it the government, institution or family,” they say.
