Aramba Kalam
From Payanam 1976 Film · 1976
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Payanam 1976 Film1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaramba kaalam | The initial phase of time |
| Oru pakka thaalam | Has rhythm on one side |
| Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu | That is the culture of love |
| Female | |
| Ooo…oo…..hooo…hooo……… | Ooo...oo.....hooo...hooo......... |
| Male | |
| Aaramba kaalam | The initial phase of time |
| Oru pakka thaalam | Has rhythm on one side |
| Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu | That is the culture of love |
| Female | |
| Aana pinnaalae | But later on |
| Iru pakka maelam | It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat |
| Adhu thaan vaazhkkai anbodu… | That is life filled with affection... |
| Uuu…..uuu….uuu.. | Uuu.....uuu....uuu.. |
| Female | |
| Aana pinnaalae | But later on |
| Iru pakka maelam | It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat |
| Adhu thaan vaazhkkai anbodu | That is life filled with affection |
| Male | |
| {Dhevaamirudham thaen idhazhgal | Lips dripping with honeyed divine nectar |
| Dhevargal illai naan vandhen | No gods came, so I have come |
| Female | |
| Maarbin agalam kundrangal | The width of the chest is like mountains |
| Malargal illai naan vandhen} (2) | No flowers were needed, so I came myself |
| Male | |
| Manjal maeni thendral pattu | The gentle breeze touches the golden skin |
| Anja kanden naan vandhen | Seeing her shyly hesitate, I came forward |
| Female | |
| Maalaigal yaendhu | Holding garlands |
| Mangala chaandhu | Adorned with auspicious sandalwood paste |
| Maarbinil neendhu ennai thandhaen | Resting on your chest, I surrendered myself |
| Male | |
| Aaramba kaalam | The initial phase of time |
| Oru pakka thaalam | Has rhythm on one side |
| Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu | That is the culture of love |
| Female | |
| Ooo…oo…..hooo…hooo……… | Ooo...oo.....hooo...hooo......... |
| Female | |
| Mandhira kovil vaasalilae | At the entrance of the sacred temple |
| Sandhanam poosa naan vandhen | I came to apply sandalwood paste |
| Male | |
| Malligai pooththa netriyilae | On the forehead where jasmine blooms |
| Kungumam aniya naan vandhen | I came to adorn it with vermilion |
| Female | |
| Pillai paadal mella paadum | Softly singing a lullaby |
| Palli koodam naan thandhen | I created a shelter of learning and joy |
| Male | |
| Pennoru vaanam kannoru megam | The woman is like the sky, her eyes like clouds |
| Vandhadhu yogam ennai thandhen | Good fortune arrived, and I offered myself |
| Male | |
| Aaramba kaalam | The initial phase of time |
| Oru pakka thaalam | Has rhythm on one side |
| Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu | That is the culture of love |
| Male | |
| Naadaga maedaiyil thirai illai | On this drama stage, there is no curtain |
| Naayagi vandhaal kavi paadi } | The heroine arrived singing poetry |
| Female | |
| Aa….aa…..aa…..aa…. | Aa....aa.....aa.....aa.... |
| Naayagiyudanae thunai illai | The heroine had no companion |
| Naayagan vandhaan thunai thaedi | The hero arrived searching for a companion |
| Male | |
| Aa…..aa……aa….aa…. | Aa.....aa......aa....aa.... |
| Male | |
| Minnal rojaa ponnil oori | A lightning rose soaked in gold |
| Kaiyil vandhadhu uravaadi | Came into hands forming a bond |
| Female | |
| Kannan raadhaa raaman seethaa | Krishna with Radha, Rama with Sita |
| Vandhaar ingae nammai thaedi | They came here searching for us |
| Male | |
| Aaramba kaalam | The initial phase of time |
| Oru pakka thaalam | Has rhythm on one side |
| Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu | That is the culture of love |
| Female | |
| Aana pinnaalae | But later on |
| Iru pakka maelam | It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat |
| Adhu thaan vaazhkkai anbodu… | That is life filled with affection... |
| Uu….uuu…..uuu…. | Uu....uuu.....uuu.... |
| Male | |
| Aaramba kaalam | The initial phase of time |
| Oru pakka thaalam | Has rhythm on one side |
| Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu | That is the culture of love |
ஆரம்பக் காலம்
ஒரு பக்க தாளம்
அதுதான் காதல் பண்பாடு
The initial phase of time
Has rhythm on one side
That is the culture of love
ஓஒ.....ஓ.......ஹோ.....ஹோஒ.....
Ooo...oo.....hooo...hooo.........
ஆரம்பக் காலம்
ஒரு பக்க தாளம்
அதுதான் காதல் பண்பாடு
The initial phase of time
Has rhythm on one side
That is the culture of love
ஆனப் பின்னாலே
இரு பக்க மேளம்
அதுதான் வாழ்க்கை அன்போடு....
ஊஉ.....ஊஉ.....ஊஉ.....
But later on
It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat
That is life filled with affection...
Uuu.....uuu....uuu..
ஆனப் பின்னாலே
இரு பக்க மேளம்
அதுதான் வாழ்க்கை அன்போடு....
But later on
It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat
That is life filled with affection
{தேவாமிர்தம் தேனிதழ்கள்
தேவர்கள் இல்லை நான் வந்தேன்
Lips dripping with honeyed divine nectar
No gods came, so I have come
மார்பின் அகலம் குன்றங்கள்
மலர்கள் இல்லை நான் வந்தேன்} (2)
The width of the chest is like mountains
No flowers were needed, so I came myself
மஞ்சள் மேனி தென்றல் பட்டு
அஞ்சக் கண்டு நான் வந்தேன்
The gentle breeze touches the golden skin
Seeing her shyly hesitate, I came forward
மாலைகள் ஏந்து
மங்கலச் சாந்து
மார்பினில் நீந்து என்னை தந்தேன்
Holding garlands
Adorned with auspicious sandalwood paste
Resting on your chest, I surrendered myself
ஆரம்பக் காலம்
ஒரு பக்க தாளம்
அதுதான் காதல் பண்பாடு
The initial phase of time
Has rhythm on one side
That is the culture of love
ஓஒ.....ஓ.......ஹோ.....ஹோஒ.....
Ooo...oo.....hooo...hooo.........
மந்திர கோவில் வாசலிலே
சந்தனம் பூச நான் வந்தேன்
At the entrance of the sacred temple
I came to apply sandalwood paste
மல்லிகை பூத்த நெற்றியிலே
குங்குமம் அணிய நான் வந்தேன்
On the forehead where jasmine blooms
I came to adorn it with vermilion
பிள்ளை பாடல் மெல்ல பாடும்
பள்ளி கூடம் நான் தந்தேன்
Softly singing a lullaby
I created a shelter of learning and joy
பெண்ணொரு வானம்
கண்ணொரு மேகம்
வந்தது யோகம் என்னை தந்தேன்
The woman is like the sky, her eyes like clouds
Good fortune arrived, and I offered myself
ஆரம்பக் காலம்
ஒரு பக்க தாளம்
அதுதான் காதல் பண்பாடு
The initial phase of time
Has rhythm on one side
That is the culture of love
நாடக மேடை திரை இல்லை
நாயகி வந்தாள் கவி பாடி
On this drama stage, there is no curtain
The heroine arrived singing poetry
ஆஅ......ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....
நாயகியுடன் துணை இல்லை
நாயகன் வந்தான் துணை தேடி
Aa....aa.....aa.....aa....
The heroine had no companion
The hero arrived searching for a companion
ஆஅ......ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....
Aa.....aa......aa....aa....
மின்னல் ரோஜா பொன்னில் ஊறி
கையில் வந்தது உறவாடி
A lightning rose soaked in gold
Came into hands forming a bond
கண்ணன் ராதா ராமன் சீதா
வந்தார் இங்கே நம்மைத் தேடி
Krishna with Radha, Rama with Sita
They came here searching for us
ஆரம்பக் காலம்
ஒரு பக்க தாளம்
அதுதான் காதல் பண்பாடு
The initial phase of time
Has rhythm on one side
That is the culture of love
ஆனப் பின்னாலே
இரு பக்க மேளம்
அதுதான் வாழ்க்கை அன்போடு....
ஊஉ.....ஊஉ.....ஊஉ.....
But later on
It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat
That is life filled with affection...
Uu....uuu.....uuu....
ஆரம்பக் காலம்
ஒரு பக்க தாளம்
அதுதான் காதல் பண்பாடு
The initial phase of time
Has rhythm on one side
That is the culture of love
ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....
Aaramba kaalam
The initial phase of time
Oru pakka thaalam
Has rhythm on one side
Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu
That is the culture of love
Ooo…oo…..hooo…hooo………
Ooo...oo.....hooo...hooo.........
Aaramba kaalam
The initial phase of time
Oru pakka thaalam
Has rhythm on one side
Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu
That is the culture of love
Aana pinnaalae
But later on
Iru pakka maelam
It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat
Adhu thaan vaazhkkai anbodu…
That is life filled with affection...
Uuu…..uuu….uuu..
Uuu.....uuu....uuu..
Aana pinnaalae
But later on
Iru pakka maelam
It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat
Adhu thaan vaazhkkai anbodu
That is life filled with affection
{Dhevaamirudham thaen idhazhgal
Lips dripping with honeyed divine nectar
Dhevargal illai naan vandhen
No gods came, so I have come
Maarbin agalam kundrangal
The width of the chest is like mountains
Malargal illai naan vandhen} (2)
No flowers were needed, so I came myself
Manjal maeni thendral pattu
The gentle breeze touches the golden skin
Anja kanden naan vandhen
Seeing her shyly hesitate, I came forward
Maalaigal yaendhu
Holding garlands
Mangala chaandhu
Adorned with auspicious sandalwood paste
Maarbinil neendhu ennai thandhaen
Resting on your chest, I surrendered myself
Aaramba kaalam
The initial phase of time
Oru pakka thaalam
Has rhythm on one side
Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu
That is the culture of love
Ooo…oo…..hooo…hooo………
Ooo...oo.....hooo...hooo.........
Mandhira kovil vaasalilae
At the entrance of the sacred temple
Sandhanam poosa naan vandhen
I came to apply sandalwood paste
Malligai pooththa netriyilae
On the forehead where jasmine blooms
Kungumam aniya naan vandhen
I came to adorn it with vermilion
Pillai paadal mella paadum
Softly singing a lullaby
Palli koodam naan thandhen
I created a shelter of learning and joy
Pennoru vaanam kannoru megam
The woman is like the sky, her eyes like clouds
Vandhadhu yogam ennai thandhen
Good fortune arrived, and I offered myself
Aaramba kaalam
The initial phase of time
Oru pakka thaalam
Has rhythm on one side
Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu
That is the culture of love
Naadaga maedaiyil thirai illai
On this drama stage, there is no curtain
Naayagi vandhaal kavi paadi }
The heroine arrived singing poetry
Aa….aa…..aa…..aa….
Aa....aa.....aa.....aa....
Naayagiyudanae thunai illai
The heroine had no companion
Naayagan vandhaan thunai thaedi
The hero arrived searching for a companion
Aa…..aa……aa….aa….
Aa.....aa......aa....aa....
Minnal rojaa ponnil oori
A lightning rose soaked in gold
Kaiyil vandhadhu uravaadi
Came into hands forming a bond
Kannan raadhaa raaman seethaa
Krishna with Radha, Rama with Sita
Vandhaar ingae nammai thaedi
They came here searching for us
Aaramba kaalam
The initial phase of time
Oru pakka thaalam
Has rhythm on one side
Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu
That is the culture of love
Aana pinnaalae
But later on
Iru pakka maelam
It becomes a double-sided wedding drumbeat
Adhu thaan vaazhkkai anbodu…
That is life filled with affection...
Uu….uuu…..uuu….
Uu....uuu.....uuu....
Aaramba kaalam
The initial phase of time
Oru pakka thaalam
Has rhythm on one side
Adhu than kaadhal panpaadu
That is the culture of love
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Payanam (1976), written by Kannadasan, uses musical metaphors to contrast the early stages of romantic courtship with married life. Courtship is described as 'Oru pakka thaalam' (a single-sided rhythm), light and carefree. Married life expands into 'Iru pakka maelam' (a double-sided ceremonial drum beat), representing a deeper, complete, and harmoniously shared life filled with affection. The imagery incorporates sacred temples, sandalwood, auspicious kumkum, and ideal divine couples like Krishna-Radha and Rama-Sita to celebrate the sacred beauty of love and companionship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Aaramba kaalam oru pakka thaalam... Aana pinnaalae iru pakka maelam”
Compares courtship to 'Oru pakka thaalam' (single-sided rhythm) and marriage to 'Iru pakka maelam' (double-sided drumbeat).
Iyaibu (Rhyming Endings)
“Kungumam aniya naan vandhen / Vandhadhu yogam ennai thandhen”
Use of matching end rhymes like 'vandhen' and 'thandhen' across stanzas.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Naadaga maedaiyil thirai illai / Naayagi vandhaal kavi paadi”
Repetition of the initial 'Na' sound across consecutive lines.
Imagery & Allusion
“Kannan raadhaa raaman seethaa / Vandhaar ingae nammai thaedi”
Evokes divine cultural symbols and mythological ideal couples like Krishna-Radha and Rama-Sita to elevate human love.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Aaramba Kaalam' is a classic track penned by Legendary Tamil lyricist Kannadasan for the 1976 film 'Payanam', directed by M. S. Madhu.
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