That which we fear is ironically also that which we cannot not love...

Rituals have never been my cup of tea. When I was little, and when doctors were seeked only when you fell terribly ill, the thought of my amma taking me to visit local "healers" itself would scare my common fevers and flus into oblivion.

People in trance send a fear down my spine...even at this age. And till this day I still dread the thought of having to face a kavadi-bearer whenever I am forced to attend a religious festival. Now, you must understand that it's not out of disrespect that I dread them so. It's plain fear - the kind children have of burly looking men with thick moustaches that indian mothers often point at to threaten their children into finishing their meals. Yeah - that kind of childlike fear.

And yet, each time I watch this scene, tears of adoration would form in my eyes. And yeah, I do know that Padmini was not the real Goddess Shakti, and unlike the aunty who lives a few doors away who appears to think that the dramatic scenes depicted in tamil serials are continuing even while she is quickly running over to my house to seek a second opinion on them from my mother, I do know that movies (especially devotional ones) are often exaggerated versions of what we believe to be religious myths.

And yet, I become mesmerised whenever I watch this song scene. I am pretty sure I have not seen or heard anything much more divinely haunting than this in my entire life, and I am certain that even 20 years down the road, this song and scene would still send tears from my eyes, and (ironically) a trance-like shiver down my spine.