mo.ti.va.tion

What is motivation? Where do we look for it? Is it the love for something? Is it the passion that drives you? Is it something that is meant to happen naturally? Or do we go in search of motivation? Okay, back to what is motivation? This is what Meriamm-Webster Dictionary had to say.

                                        

There are three considerably different definitions that we get as results. This makes it clear that the word “motivation” cannot be taken for granted like it most often is. Most of us come across the word repeatedly, but from my observation, very few of us actually come across motivation itself. While the word ‘motivation’ makes me tear my hair out, I recall my math teacher at IIT class who spoke about “sustained motivation”. I barely found motivation in his math and he was talking about sustaining it! How could have I?

My Physics teacher at the same coaching centre was very particular about defining terms before using them. He wouldn’t use a word as ‘simple’ as gravity (it isn’t as simple as we think it is, he stressed) without explaining what it meant, using the words he had defined previously. Obviously, he assumed we knew Basic English to define the very first term (displacement origin, I think) and reasonably so. As a result, I enjoyed attending his classes more and I like to think that I loved the subject.

The ideas that my Physics teacher gave me are so strong in my mind that it disturbs me when people describe something that is supposed to make an impact with terms that are taken for granted and commonly misunderstood – motivation being one among the first few. Each time anyone blames me for lack of motivation, I start contemplating on what I’m missing out and assume to have drawn conclusions based on the thoughts, though, in reality, I’m lost and end up with someone making me “feel better”.

However, I will consider that I have made a few reasonable conclusions based on those thoughts. Though one may question the use of the word ‘conclusion’, I have realized that it is hard to provide proof to justify statements triggered by experience. Okay, you may question the next statement which is another conclusion too. The conclusion being – confusion arises out of poor understanding or in other words ‘lack of a clear definition’.

Many of us find it hard to stay motivated through our journey of achieving a specific task or in particular, long time goals. Many of us find ourselves stranded mid-way missing the passion (Merriam-Webster: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something) that got us to take it up (or did it?) in the first place. If it was real motivation that we began with, why did we lose it mid-way? Have we got it all wrong? Motivation is a very personal thing. It isn’t induced as easily as claimed. Motivational talks keep our spirits high for a few days or say, weeks. Real motivation only comes from within. I always think most achievers have felt motivation from within, however, they talk about it like it needs to be addressed externally in their talks.

The real fuss about motivation for an engineering student comes when she/he to choose her/his field of interest for pursuit. ‘How do we find the area of interest?’ is one of the most common questions one would come across among sophomores pursuing engineering. I think there is a reason behind why we, Indian students find it hard to make such decisions with firmness. The reason to me, has to do with the students’ schooling days which are when she/he builds her/his character. The ability to think and make firm decisions must be nurtured from childhood. Remember those questions you had in math class that you ignored because you knew how to write the solution on paper? Remember you hardly questioned what the science teacher taught you and accepted them as facts? Remember you chose the science stream in 11^th grade because you didn't have much else to choose from, neither did you know what really interested you or what you were good at? Remember you chose to study engineering for similar reasons?

What needs to be ‘defined’ or taught is how to think and decide (for ourselves) and not what lies ahead itself. That way, we would have better thinkers and innovators rather than human machines carrying out tasks in mechanical routine. We wouldn't require anyone to show us the safest route to settlement our lives. We would tread it by ourselves as we follow what we love from the beginning. What would have motivation meant then? We wouldn't have needed a definition; we would have just had it intrinsically.

Kaaviya Thalaivan Music Review

A R Rahman is back with Kaaviya Thalaivan. Apparently, the subject impressed him so much that he turned down a Hollywood offer Seventh Son to compose for the Vasanthabalan film.
This album by Rahman stands out for various reasons which are discussed here. ARR goes back to experimental music after the commercial success of the music for Kochadaiiyaan.

The album consists of 7 seven songs penned by Na.Muthukumar, Pa.Vijay and Valee.

The album opens with Vaanga Makka Vaanga. The song might remind some of Kumari from Anniyan, based on the same raga. Rahman has a found a new favourite in Haricharan and he sings the classical verses with ease. Lyrically, the song is an invitation to people to attend the plays organised by the protagonist's drama troupe. The tavil, ghanjeera, and mridangam in the rhythm section blend brilliantly and are switched between verses. The song ends beautifully and feels like an apt beginning to an album that surprises in each song.

Rahman introduces the retro theme of the album in the second song, Aye Mr. Minor. Saasha Tripathi sounds a lot like Swetha Menon in her Tamil debut. The song gets the listener interested right away with its catchy intro. Haricharan delivers deftly once again especially in the verse "Ennai unakku rasiganaaga maathara!". The use of bongos is responsible for the retro feel of the song. The tune isn't unfamiliar but the treatment makes this song a compelling listen. Thumbs up!

How often does a song begin with the sound of a horse neigh? Sanda Kuthirai is sung by Haricharan once again. The song is for a funny drama as suggested by the sounds. This rock 'n' roll MSV-esque song on the lines of "Vishwanathan Velai Vendum" is delivered with full energy by Haricharan and is meant to be enjoyed more when coupled with the visuals. The tune incorporates the lyrics brilliantly towards the end. Each word is assigned a different note and kudos to the singer once again for pulling it off. To come up with a tune such as this, given the constraints offered by the subject, is quite a feat. Thumbs up!

After two experimental songs, the album returns to more familiar territory. The retro theme remains in Yaarumilla, sung by Swetha Mohan. The song was released as a single and impressed listeners right away. Swetha Mohan's voice is modern and sweet at the same time. Srinivas delivers a small portion in this romantic number. The interlude after the second paragraph is reminiscent of the one in Mannipaaya. The higher portions of the song are rendered with deftness and impresses throughout, though the tune is familiar in parts. Typical Rahman at his best. Thumbs up!

Sollividu Sollividu is the peace song you might have read about in the newspapers. The song depicts pain and the protagonist's frustration over war. Mukesh is splendid when he sings the phrase "Yaen ambai yenga vaithai." The until then powerful song changes track halfway. "Ulagame yuddham edharku?"  - an appeal is made to the listener. The second half loosely based on the Charukeshi raga is high on emotion. Mukesh expresses the meaning of the song delightfully. This song might just make you tear eyed. My pick of the album. Thumbs up!

Thirupugazh by yesteryear playback singer Vani Jayaram is the next song. This interesting adaptation that runs just for a little more than two minutes leaves us longing for more. Vani Jayaram's voice is sweet and the arrangement is simple and neat.

If you thought the experimentation in the album was done, you are in for another surprise. Alli Arjuna has a runtime of over ten minutes! The song is presumably the entire background score when the troupe stages the Alli Arjuna play in the movie. The song begins with the nadaswaram - tavil combination and goes Vandanam welcoming the audience to the play. Percussion shifts to mridangam and a flute interlude follows introducing us to the first scene in the play. Haricharan does the honours again and he is not going to get an opportunity like this ever again. Energetic beats follow and the song follows the next part of the play. We are taken through the play in the song scene by scene in similar fashion and the transitions fall in place seamlessly. This song is going to be new experience to every listener! Thumbs up!

This is one of those movies that had to go to Rahman's table for the music. The subject of the movie offers many constraints right from the lyrics to the instruments used. As Rahman mentioned in an interview, it was a challenge for him. He succeeds and very easily so. Haricharan gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is also one of the very few albums that does not feature Rahman, the singer.
Rahman explores and exploits South Indian music to give a perfect representation of its variety and expression. The album will stand out for its very nature. A big thumbs up!