Why I wrote The Song for Thiruvananthapuram

Why I wrote The Song for Thiruvananthapuram

Every habitat has a pulse of its own. It could be the drowsy pulse beat of a sleepy village, the racy pulse beat of a busy town or the rushing throb of a busy city’s heartbeat. But there it is, one can never deny it. When this pulse beat takes the form of a rhythm, attains a lyrical shape and is given a melody of its own that then it becomes a song of the city.

Thus it is that the song for Thiruvananthapuram took shape in my mind. This city that is there in every heart that inhabits it, lives, breathes and enlivens it. My heart has always felt and jived, by the rhythm of this city. I have lived all my life here, and every word I say has the slang of the city. My tastes were shaped here as were all my likings. No, none of the other major centres of living, including the national capital has held my heart so dearly.

Thus I sat down with a pen in my hands, a blank sheet of paper in front of me. And out poured the song of love, I have for my city. The locally culture and language slang all reflected in the lines I wrote. The lively spirit of the buzz this city lives by drove my hands forth. No, this is no drowsy pond side, nor a pretended busy town. It was where everything throbbed with life at all times and never slept.

When I invited all to step in smartly, it was not with any division of religion, caste, political or cultural beliefs. One look at a centre like Palayam shows the unity that this city was born with. The harmony that is inherent in the life of this city can never be matched by any other city in Kerala, or for that matter any other city in India. No wonder then that this city dictates the lives of all the rest of the state.

This centre of technology, with a history and a story to tell is a place where new life styles emerge, without killing the past. Even when other cities around blossomed, we kept jealously holding on to the position of pride in matters of education. We have leaped ahead and stayed miles ahead in terms of being the leading technology hub of the state and are always the forerunners in all matters that are information related.

But the fun element of living here can never be missed. A liking, a taste and a choice all its own, this city with beaches, lakes and centres of literary excellence have brought thousands seeking new venues here. No city can have this ideal mix of old and new alike, the way this city has. We are indeed the makers of the pulse of this live city.

The city has marched through the changes of time and kept pace with the world, often ahead of times. By the time I set forth on this venture of writing a song for my city, I realised that it can never all be done with one song. There will be more version, and newer tunes to this city. I have settled for the racy version, not forgetting that behind every rhythm there ought to be a sweet melody. The romance of Thiruvananthapuram will live forever in my heart and will pump my blood around.

Listen to this song and watch by clicking https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uFhq2dgyujU and don’t be surprised by the faces that greet you. They have all come en masse.