Yes, I really did. I was talking to my parents yesterday outside the departure terminal at Madras airport, when a familiar figure walked right in, wearing a maroon shirt. I was not entirely sure it was he, but I got a good look at his face when he turned to acknowledge the greeting of the security guard - evidently a fan too. Now, I was impatient to get in and see if I could overcome my natural timidity and speak to the great man.
I checked in, cleared the security check and waited anxiously in the departure lounge. Yes, I was actually worried that I would miss him. On hindsight, I realise that I needn't have been, since he would have had to cross where I was standing. But you know, hindsight is always a bad teacher - it gives you the comb after you've lost your hair ;-)
He walked past me, and after checking that his flight's boarding call had not been made, chose a quiet corner to read the magazine that he was carrying. I was debating with myself about the wisdom of disturbing his privacy when I saw a lady accompany her daughter and getting his autograph; out went all my "against" arguments! I walked up to him, greeted him with "Good morning, Mr.Balu Sir", and gushed forth my appreciation of his songs, and how I was a huge fan of his. I mentioned that I'd recently listened to the song "Mouname paarvayaal" from Anbe Sivam (I must thank her for this), and that I'd liked it immensely. He seemed pleased (he was smiling throughout my brief interaction with him), and mentioned, with a touch of regret I thought, that the song wasn't included in the movie, but that it was good. I couldn't but agree.
Then I told him that I was too thrilled to just meet him, and that it was my privilege to talk to him for as long as I did. He actually said, "I'm blessed"! When I tried to tell him that it was us, his fans, who were blessed to be enjoying his incomparable voice for such a long time, he stopped me short and said, "We're not larger than life. This kind of a thing [fame] happens to great musicians all the time. Your wishes mean a lot to me." I was touched.
By this time, a group of people had gathered near the area waiting for their turn, and I excused myself. As I was leaving, I wished him the very best. The great man he is, he asked me my name and thanked me again. I couldn't have asked for anything more to add to my treasure-chest of special memories.
