A song of definitions!

A song between a newly married couple.. Where he gives a single word prompt and she expresses her view upon them poetically in the song.. Check out the video and other details of the song over here!

 

The peepal tree dwelling cuckoo’s (chirping), the cooing of the train,
Aariraaroo (lullaby), Yelelelo (folk music),
All of it are music, Oh Kanna (as term of endearment)
In my song of the musical notes*,
The music of love sets stage, Oh Kanna!

Cellphone:
When the nightingale (ringtone) calls us,
We are close, despite the distance.

Cigarette :
Like a finger in between fingers,
This lives as sixth finger for few seconds

Shyness:
This is the first word said lovingly by femininity

Moustache
This is the hairy child, which belongs only to me..

Thirukkural:
The two lines of a couplet gives one meaning,
If we both live like that, life would be pleasant.

Moon:
Is she the fairy that bathes at night?
She is the white shadow that grows and fades

Fine, Mirror
When I look into it, it shows you!

Hmm.. Love
It is the single dream dreamt in our four eyes..

Wow! Beautiful!

Why is it new today?!

So wonderfully depicts the feelings of a person who falls in love for the first time, everything seems awesome then ! dedicated to all the wonderful people who are in love, for those who will get there soon and for those who lost it somewhere and long for it…

Movie: Pudhiya Mugam
Poet: Vairamuthu
Music Director: A.R.Rahman
Singer: Sujatha
Song Sequence: (1)-(2)-(1)-(2)-(3)-(4)-(1)-(2)-(1)-(5)-(1)-(2)-(1)-(2)

(1)நேற்று இல்லாத மாற்றம் என்னது
காற்று என் காதில் ஏதோ சொன்னது
(2)இதுதான் காதல் என்பதா
இளமை பொங்கி விட்டதா
இதயம் சிந்தி விட்டதா
சொல் மனமே 

Netru illadha maatram ennadhu?
kaatru en kaadhil edho sonnadhu,
idhu dhaan kaadhal enbadha?
ilamai pongivittadha?
idhayam sindhivittadha?
sol maname,

what is the change that I feel today, that wasn’t there yesterday?
the breeze came-by my ears and whispered something,
is this feeling called “love”?
is it because my youthfulness has broken its bounds and started to overflow? (extreme exuberance)
or is it that my heart is filled with excess emotions (which is spilling out) ?
tell me ! oh my heart!

(3)கடவுள் இல்லை என்றேன் 
தாயை காணும் வரை
கனவு இல்லை என்றேன் 
ஆசை தோன்றும் வரை
காதல் பொய் என்று சொன்னேன் 
உன்னை காணும் வரை

kadavul illai endren,
thaayai kannum varai,
kanavu illai endren,
aasai thondrum varai,
kaadhal poi endru sonnen,
unnai kannum varai,

I did not believe in God,
until I saw my Mother,
I did not believe in dreams,
until I experienced desires,
I believed that “love” was a lie,
until I saw you,

(4)கவிதை வரியின் சுவை 
அர்த்தம் புரியும் வரை
கங்கை நீரின் சுவை 
கடலில் சேரும் வரை
காதல் சுவை ஒன்றுதானே 
காற்று வீடும் வரை

kavithai variyin suvai,
artham puriyum varai,
gangai neerin suvai,
kadalil serum varai,
kaadhal suvai ondru dhaane,
kaatru veesum varai,

the sweetness (charm) in the verses of a poem,
is as much as you understand of it, (the beauty of a poem is as much as you understood, i.e only if you fully understand (the hidden meaning in) a poem can you truly appreciate its beauty)
the sweetness in the water of Ganges,
is only until it mingles with the sea, (all these sweetnesses are either bound by time or the person)
it is only the sweetness in “love”
that is forever; as long as the breeze flows ,

(5)வானம் இல்லாமலே பூமி உண்டாகலாம்
வார்த்தை இல்லாமலே பாஷை உண்டாகலாம்
காதல் இல்லாமல் போனால் வாழ்க்கை உண்டாகுமா
வாசம் இல்லாமலே வண்ண பூ பூக்கலாம்
வாசம் இல்லாமலே காற்று வந்தாடலாம்
நேசம் இல்லாத வாழ்வில் பாசம் உண்டாகுமா

vaanam illamale bhoomi undaagalaam,
varthai ilaamale baashai undaagalaam,
kadhal ilamal ponal vazhkai undaaguma?
vaasam illamale vanna poo pookalam,
vaasal ilamale kaatru vandhaadalaam,
nesam ilaatha vazhvil paasam undaaguma?

Earth can form without the sky,
even a language can form without words,
but without “love”, could life have ever come into being?
even without fragrance, colorful flowers can bloom,
even without having a doorstep (entrance) , the breeze can come in,
but without “love”, can affection exist?

PS: This translation is done by my friend Sucheendra. The original post was published here!

Will you Call me?!

I fell in love, I’m lost in love..
I’m overflowing without containing in self..
as the emotions are overwhelming..
I’m plucking the non-existent flowers without pinching..
And I give it to you and move aside without a word..
Like a turtle without legs, the time moves forward.. (It doesn’t move at all)

When I feel your absence in here,
I come to realise the truth..

What happens within me,
Is it happening in your heart too?
With this thought,
My heart flutters!

Will you call me?
Just for a second?
I’m insisting on it without choice..
Will you call?

Will you call me?
I’m lying here without studying..
And am scolding the clock for not
Moving faster to dawn..
Will you call?

I thought of what I should speak to you..
I also thought of your replies to me to be..
I had rehearsed all of them by playing it..
I’ve even added where you should smile..

If this situation continues, what will happen to me?
Before forgetting, if you would call, I would regain myself..

Will you call me?
Will you call over my cellphone?
I’m jumping upside down..
Just to hear your voice, will you call?

Will you call me?
I wake at the middle of night..
I am tearing off calendar sheets..
(In the hope time runs faster)
To see you, will you call?

Like the snack that was stored for later after half-a-bite..
Like the song that was heard just fleetingly..
Like the smell that got vanished just after I smelt..
An expectation lingers in heart when you are about to cut the call..

My heart here,
Turns into a world,
That shrinks and expands..
Something else is happening..

Will you call me?
Will you call without missing it?
Will you call at least by mistake?
Even that would do, will you call?

Would you call me?
Even if languages get over,
Just hearing you utter silence
Would be just enough, will you call?

---

This is a easy guess for people hearing tamil songs and those who are interested in watching the beautiful picturisation of this song as well as to know more details about the song, click here!

Another chance?!

M: Oh fragrance that opened the flower to escape away,
Why are you renewing your friendship with the flower?

F: In the spin of the wind, this fragrance has come again,
But what’s your anger in the return of this fragrance?

F: We are the leaves that drift in the lake of fate..
M: We go along with the river, which shore would we reach?

M: The rail tracks lie side by side,
Yet it’s not fair if they touch each other
You and me are side by side,
Yet we don’t have the right to embrace each other..

F: You are trying to touch the smell..
It could never be in your reach..
The link between the sky and earth is the rain
Yet that never forges a relationship

M: You locked away the doors of heart
And you taunted by knocking those doors..
I locked them and went inside to be safe..
Yet you entered inside through the eyes..

F: Even when the years change,
New springs come again
The relationships that dissolve once,
Blossoms again in new forms..

M: Oh fragrance that opened the flower to escape away,
Why are you renewing your friendship with the flower?

F: We are the leaves that drift in the lake of fate

M&F: We go along with the river, which shore would we reach?

---

 

This song is from the Movie Aananda Thaandavam, based on the novel Pirivom Santhipom by the famed author, Sujatha (Rangarajan) The beautiful lyrics are penned by Vairamuthu and this song is such a treat to hear for its melody by GVPrakash.

Context of the song: The couple part ways as lover and meet back again. But now the girl is married to another guy.

Seeking of love!

F: In the night when the search is for the crescent,
What is it that you searching for?
I’m inviting you to tell a story,
Come here my darling..

Why shed tears in the dark,
Come rest on my lap..
Why this sadness, oh handsome?
Am I not your mother too?

M: This heart beats only for you
I’m yours as long as I live

F: Your looks while crying,
Your legs while tiring,
The early morning union
Melts away all the sorrows,
Isn’t that enough?

The shadow (shelter) seeking masculinity and
The reality seeking femininity
Living under one blanket;
is this a divine blessed relationship?

M: You are my lifeline,
You are the root (anchor) that holds me,
You shoulder my burden, darling,
You are the mist that burns me..

F: If I could just understand,
those searching eyes of yours,
and the wavering heart of yours,
I could live seven more births..

Without any reason,
You live upon the scorching ember,
And yet flow like the river,
Oh my dear moustached-baby

M: Should I say this as love?
can I bask in its shades?
On the earth that kills everyday,
You are the place of blessings!

---

The details of the song is here.

One another favorite song of mine. Do check out the link to listen to the beautiful melody.

The maiden’s heart!

Even when told, a maiden’s heart doesn’t listen to it,
I have hidden one thing,
I’ve forbidden to reveal it,
I’ve trusted my heart,
But it cheated me..

Oh, the maiden’s heart is pitiable,
What would it do?
It is not like you,
Hence, it revealed the truth..

Oh east, Apart from you,
Do I’ve any other dawn
In this world, oh dear life?

(Though I might say to not reveal, is there any other option for me, just like the east is for dawn, I’m for you)

The east lightens up with the rays of Sun,
But you’re the soul of the Sun,
Even after knowing everything,
Even after understanding me,
I told it hundred times to stay quiet..

Oh lady, your heart,
Took the bribe,
I gave to it,
To reveal the truth..

You imprisoned with your eyes,
You acted as if you are escaping,
I crumbled everyday, oh tender one!

I walked like the river,
I crossed over the dams,
To mingle at last into the sea..
Even after knowing everything,
Even after understanding me,
I told it hundred times to stay quiet..

(The destiny of a river is the sea, yet, it enjoys the period of being the river, without bothering about losing itself to the sea and it also rushes ahead crossing over all barriers.. Similarly, I’m coming to you)

You pick a flower,
Drop it in water,
It would come to float, oh young lady!

---

It is the beauty of poetry to not reveal things directly. Yet, there are few poetry which is better explained so people wouldn’t miss the beauty of it.. Hence I took the liberty to add the explanations in between.. Hope you enjoyed this translation. Do let me know in the comments.

Click here to listen to the audio and view the details and lyrics in Tamil.

Sleep, Dear girl, sleep!

Being born as a girl,
Sleep is only at two instances;
The first at birth; The next at death.
If you miss your sleep now,
You will not be able to sleep ever again,
Oh dear apple of my eye,
Sleep well, do sleep well..

Dear daughter, sleep,
This is the time to sleep,
If you miss this time to sleep,
You would be sleepless,
For the rest of your life..

At the age of four,
It’s time to play at school,
And the sweet rhymes in Tamil,
Makes you want to sing them all-day- long..

At the age of sixteen,
There is no sleep for her,
As she struggles to master Fourteen languages (skills),
It becomes a constant problem, (that steals away the sleep)..

A young maiden’s heart changes
And will start searching for her guy’s face..
When she starts to pine, when would the sleep come?

When the time comes to be with her love,
If the dad opposes their love, how could sleep come?

When the wedded husband comes and touches the Saree,
In the honeymoon of the women, would there be any sleep?

In the ten months of pregnancy and during child birth,
When she becomes the mother, her sleep goes away.

When the age comes in search stealthily after taking away the stability,
All the sleep that is lost so long, will come back on its own accord!

Song: kaalamidhu kaalamidhu – பாடல்: காலமிது காலமிது
Movie: Chitthi – திரைப்படம்: சித்தி
Singers: P. Suseela – பாடியவர்: பி. சுசீலா
Lyrics: Poet Kannadasan – இயற்றியவர்: கவிஞர் கண்ணதாசன்
Music: M.S. Viswanathan – இசை: எம்.எஸ். விஸ்வநாதன்
Year: – ஆண்டு: 1966

பெண்ணாகப் பிறந்தவர்க்கு கண்ணுறக்கம் இரண்டு முறை
பிறப்பில் ஒரு தூக்கம் இறப்பில் மறு தூக்கம்
இப்போது விட்டு விட்டால் எப்போதும் தூக்கமில்லை
என்னரிய கண்மணியே கண்ணுறங்கு கண்ணுறங்கு

ஆரீராரீரீ ஆரீராராரோ ஆரீஆரீராரோ
ஆரீராரீரீ ஆரீரீஆரோ ஆரீஆரீராரோ

காலமிது காலமிது கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதைத் தவற விட்டால் தூக்கமில்லை மகளே தூக்கமில்லை மகளே

நாலு வயதான பின்னே பள்ளி விளையாடல்
நாலு வயதான பின்னே பள்ளி விளையாடல்
நாள் முழுதும் பாடச் சொல்லும் தெள்ளு தமிழ்ப் பாடல்

எண்ணிரண்டு வயது வந்தால் கண்ணுறக்கம் இல்லையடி
எண்ணிரண்டு வயது வந்தால் கண்ணுறக்கம் இல்லையடி
ஈரேழு மொழிகளுடன் போராடச் சொல்லுவதே தீராத தொல்லையடி

காலமிது காலமிது கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதைத் தவற விட்டால் தூக்கமில்லை மகளே தூக்கமில்லை மகளே

மாறும் கன்னி மனம் மாறும் கண்ணன் முகம் தேடும்
ஏக்கம் வரும் போது தூக்கமென்பதேது?

தான் நினைத்த காதலனை தேற வரும் போது
தான் நினைத்த காதலனை தேற வரும் போது
தந்தை அதை மறுத்து விட்டால் கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது? கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது?

மாலையிட்ட தலைவன் வந்து சேலை தொடும் போது
மங்கையரின் தேன் நிலவில் கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது? கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது?

காலமிது காலமிது கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதைத் தவற விட்டால் தூக்கமில்லை மகளே தூக்கமில்லை மகளே

ஐயிரண்டு திங்களிலும் பிள்ளை பெறும் போதும்
அன்னையென்று வந்த பின்னும் கண்ணுறக்கம் போகும் கண்ணுறக்கம் போகும்

கை நடுங்கிக் கண் மறைந்து காலம் வந்து தேடும்
கை நடுங்கிக் கண் மறைந்து காலம் வந்து தேடும்
காணாத தூக்கமெல்லாம் தானாக சேரும் தானாக சேரும்

காலமிது காலமிது கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதைத் தவற விட்டால் தூக்கமில்லை மகளே தூக்கமில்லை மகளே

ஆரீராரீரீ ராரீராராரோ ஆரீராரீராரோ ஆ
ஆரீராரீரீ ஆரீராராரோ ஆரீராரீராரோ ஆரீராரீராரோ

peNNaakap piRandhavarkku kaNNuRakkam iraNtu muRai
piRappil oru thookkam iRappil maRu thookkam
ippOdhu vittu vittaal eppOdhum thookkamillai
ennariya kaNmaNiyE kaNNuRangu kaNNuRangu

aareeraareeree aareeraaraarO aareeaareeraarO
aareeraareeree aareereeaarO aareeaareeraarO

kaalamidhu kaalamidhu kaNNuRangu makaLE
kaalamidhaith thavaRa vittaal thookkamillai makaLE thookkamillai makaLE

naalu vayadhaana pinnE paLLi viLaiyaatal
naalu vayadhaana pinnE paLLi viLaiyaatal
naaL muzhudhum paatach chollum theLLu thamizhp paatal
eNNiraNtu vayadhu vandhaal kaNNuRakkam illaiyati
eNNiraNtu vayadhu vandhaal kaNNuRakkam illaiyati
eerEzhu mozhikaLutan pOraatach cholluvadhE theeraadha thollaiyati

kaalamidhu kaalamidhu kaNNuRangu makaLE
kaalamidhaith thavaRa vittaal thookkamillai makaLE thookkamillai makaLE

maaRum kanni manam maaRum kaNNan mukam thEtum
Ekkam varum pOdhu thookkamenpadhEdhu?
thaan ninaiththa kaadhalanai thERa varum pOdhu
thaan ninaiththa kaadhalanai thERa varum pOdhu
thandhai adhai maRuththu vittaal kaNNuRakkam Edhu? kaNNuRakkam Edhu?

maalaiyitta thalaivan vandhu sElai thotum pOdhu
mangaiyarin thEn nilavil kaNNuRakkam Edhu? kaNNuRakkam Edhu?

kaalamidhu kaalamidhu kaNNuRangu makaLE
kaalamidhaith thavaRa vittaal thookkamillai makaLE thookkamillai makaLE

aiyiraNtu thingaLilum piLLai peRum pOdhum
annaiyendru vandha pinnum kaNNuRakkam pOkum kaNNuRakkam pOkum
kai natungik kaN maRaindhu kaalam vandhu thEtum
kai natungik kaN maRaindhu kaalam vandhu thEtum
kaaNaadha thookkamellaam thaanaaka sErum thaanaaka sErum

kaalamidhu kaalamidhu kaNNuRangu makaLE
kaalamidhaith thavaRa vittaal thookkamillai makaLE thookkamillai makaLE

aareeraareeree raareeraaraarO aareeraareeraarO aa
aareeraareeree aareeraaraarO aareeraareeraarO aareeraareeraarO

What is it going to be today?

The morning Sun
Rising from the sea
Comes across the shores,
Till the evening
It keeps flowing
Over the sands
(Stays on the land)

Will it give flower bouquet?
Will it give fields of war?
Will it give few memories,
That might change the life?
Every single day arises
So many such questions..

The riddles that squiggle with the sunrise..
The rising footsteps in search of answers..

What happens today
Is forgotten tomorrow,
In this new world’s dawn and dusk..
(or
In this new world
Where it darkens with the dawn..)

Within the blink of an eye, happens;
A very long journey
Across the borders..

The realisation of a dream,
The opening of a door,
The very small moment of
Blooming of a seed..

The ever-changing colors
Of every single day,
Is a never-changing illusion..

Like a show of shadows,
Like a show of shadows
Over the path of map,
Goes the procession of all similes..

As the reflections unfold
Upon the morning dew drops,
The drama continues
In every direction..

The tomorrow is with you today,
But this poetry called today is with whom?
(For everyone is running for tomorrow)

Only the light is visible,
What’s the way of life?

Only the sound is audible,
What’s the language of fate?

With no age,
With no aging,
With no introduction,
With no conclusion,
Goes on, this endless journey..

A rich musing on everyday life from dawn to dusk, capturing various simple moments of life. The depth of the song keeps me marveling at life, every single time, I hear this song… Are we losing today by chasing the future or by lingering in the past?

Check here to know more about the translated song!

 

My Wants!

Want a brand new world!
Want a new sky everyday!
Want a shower of golden coins!
Want the koel to sing in tamizh!

Want a sky for myself!
Want a pair for moon!
Want a rain in the moon!
When it sweats on my brow!

Want twinkling colourful stars!
Want the flowers to speak!
Want a boon to sit upon,
The flowers, that bees sit upon!

Oh God! Move aside!
Give some place near you!
Give us a boon that, smile is our mother tongue!
Let some changes happen in this world!

Want a war-less world,
With no chaos and noise!
A human race, with no demise,
Is to take roots and live long in this world!

Want to eradicate famine and hunger!
Want flowers to bloom in deserts!
Want a song hailing Peace,
To bring loads and loads of happiness!

Let the bygones be bygones!
Let the new ones live longer!
Let the borders of nations be done with!
Let the Gods come and live in this world!

Whoa! How beautiful this world would be, to live upon, if all these wants become true! Whether it is possible to happen or not, one still can dream right? 😉 So what are your dreams for a better world?

Note: The details of the song translated is available over here!

The Secret Dreams!!

Oneday, I heard a song from the moon;
Everyday I sang them in bamboo groove!
The secrets of that music is fathomed by two souls;
Who had realised that those two had fathomed them?
Oh breeze, that glides weaving music;
Have you seen the daughter of music?

Is it the wish of the eyes, on what dreams to see?
Is it the wish of the poet, on what poems to write?
The abode of cuckoo is deduced from its music;
The blooming buds are known by its fragrance!
The cuckoo and the buds are wonders!
The dreams and the Poems are secrets!

A moon crossed me, leaving trails in my heart,
A rain drenched me, as music in my ears,
The hymn of ankelts, who is that angel?
She blooms in vision, who is that lotus?
This is a new kind of tinkiling;
Mesmerising is this wonder of music!

This is translation of a song (details in PS), that has me intrigued and wondering every time I hear it. I have listened to it n number of times and I still couldn’t place where to place my curiosity on. The music, the lyrics or the voice. Or is it the perfect combination of them?

Though the music and voice is just beyond my level of comprehension to interpret and analyse, I will just peek over the lyrics.

My interpratation is: The first stanza says that I met a girl, fell in love at first sight. I sing and cherish about her in the nature. The second stanza (My personal favorite of the three) states that she is partly wonder and partly secret, for she is the music of cuckoo, the blooming bud, the dream and the poem. Though anyone may know and get amazed at the wonder, she is just my secret to unfathom fully. The third stanza only connects the dots to mean that she is the flower, music and the daughter of music itself!

I am not so sure that this is the intended meaning of this song. This song is one of those wonders which lay just within the reach yet unreachable.

Now bring out the critic in you to dissect this better and reveal anymore secrets I have missed.

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Movie: Kannukkul Nilavu | Music: Ilaiyaraaja | Lyricist: Vairamuthu | Singer: Hariharan

Nilavu Paatu Nilavu Paatu Or Naal Ketaen
Moongil Kaatil Moongil Kaatil Naalum Padithaen
Antha Isaiyin Ragasiyam Iru Uyirukku Purinthathu
Iru Uyirukku Purinthathu Ingu Yaarukku Therinthathu
Isaiyil Kalanthu Mithakkum Thendralae
Isaiyin Makalai Paarthathillaiyo

Kanavukal Varuvathu Vizhikalin Viruppamaa
Kavithaikal Varuvathu Kavignanin Viruppamaa
Kuyilkalin Iruppidam Isaiyaal Ariyalaam
Malarnthidum Malarkalai Vaasanai Sollalaam
Kuyilkalum Malarkalum Athisayam
Kanavukal Kavithaikal Ragasiyam

Nilavøndru Nadanthathu Šuvadukal Manathilae
Mazhai Vanthu Nanaithathu Isai Ènnai Ševiyilae
Kølusukal Keerthanai Yaarantha Devathai
Vizhikalil Virihiraal Yaarantha Thaamarai
Ithu Oru Puthu Vitha Paravasam Mayakkuthu Isaiyennum Athisayam