Aval Oru Menakai
From Natchathiram · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Natchathiram1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| En abimaana thaaragai | My favorite star. |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| Kalaiyenum vaanidai minnum dhevadhai | An angel shining in the sky of art. |
| Kalaiyenum vaanidai minnum dhevadhai | An angel shining in the sky of art. |
| Kaaviya vadivoru nadamaadum ponmagal | A dancing golden maiden, the embodiment of epic poetry. |
| Ranjani… shivaranjani… shivaranjani…. | Ranjani… Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani… |
| Male | |
| Karumbugal thaenmozhi | Her sweet words are like sugarcane and honey. |
| Arumbugal punnagai | Her smile is like soft flower buds. |
| Karumbugal thaenmozhi | Her sweet words are like sugarcane and honey. |
| Arumbugal punnagai | Her smile is like soft flower buds. |
| En kanavilum aadidum avalin kalai | Her art dances even in my dreams. |
| Male | |
| Manam ninaikkindradhu | My heart thinks of her, |
| Sugam pirakkindradhu | Bliss is born from it. |
| Manam ninaikkindradhu | My heart thinks of her, |
| Sugam pirakkindradhu | Bliss is born from it. |
| Aval pol ingae yevarum illai | There is no one like her here. |
| Male | |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| En abimaana thaaragai | My favorite star. |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| Shivaranjani… shivaranjani… | Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani… |
| Male | |
| Aadiya paadham aayiram vaedham | Her dancing feet are equal to a thousand Vedas. |
| Avaladhu naadham | Her musical sound |
| Thamizh sanga geedham | Is like a song from the Tamil Sangam era. |
| Aadiya paadham aayiram vaedham | Her dancing feet are equal to a thousand Vedas. |
| Avaladhu naadham | Her musical sound |
| Thamizh sanga geedham | Is like a song from the Tamil Sangam era. |
| Paarvaiyil kulirum maargazhi maadham | Her glance holds the cool breeze of the month of Margazhi. |
| Paarvaiyil kulirum maargazhi maadham | Her glance holds the cool breeze of the month of Margazhi. |
| Adhikaalaiyil varum boopaala raagam | Like the morning raga Boopalam. |
| Male | |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| En abimaana thaaragai | My favorite star. |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| Shivaranjani… shivaranjani… | Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani… |
| Male | |
| Aval singaara poonguzhal aavani maegam | Her beautiful floral hair is like the rainclouds of Aavani. |
| Thaen ulaavidum kalyaani raagam | Like the raga Kalyani oozing with honey. |
| Aval sangeedha bhaavam gangaiyin vaegam | Her musical emotion carries the velocity of the River Ganges. |
| Thaamarai poovin sooriya dhaagam | Like the sun's yearning for the lotus flower. |
| Male | |
| Kaalamae… | Even Time itself… |
| Aval vizhighal sonnapadi aadumae | Will dance according to what her eyes command. |
| Thaalamae… | Even Rhythm itself… |
| Aval kaalgal kaettapadi thaavumae | Will leap according to what her feet request. |
| Mozhiyo aalaya sangoli | Her speech is like the sound of a temple conch shell. |
| Idaiyo asaindhidum kingini | Her waist is like a sway of delicate tinkling bells. |
| Male | |
| Enna solli enna paada | What words can I use, what song can I sing? |
| Kamban illai kavidhai paada | Poet Kamban is not here to compose a poem! |
| Enna solli enna paada | What words can I use, what song can I sing? |
| Kamban illai kavidhai paada | Poet Kamban is not here to compose a poem! |
| Aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… |
| Aval thanjai tharaniyil | On the sacred land of Thanjavur, |
| Konjum azhagiya kovilandro | Is she not an enchanting, beautiful temple? |
| Naan aval bakthanandro | Am I not her devoted worshipper? |
| Male | |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| En abimaana thaaragai | My favorite star. |
| Aval oru maenagai | She is a celestial nymph. |
| Shivaranjani… shivaranjani… | Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani… |
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை என் அபிமான தாரகை..
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை
கலையெனும் வானிடை மின்னும் தேவதை
கலையெனும் வானிடை மின்னும் தேவதை
காவிய வடிவோரு நடமாடும் பொன்மகள்
ரஞ்சனி... சிவரஞ்சனி... சிவரஞ்சனி...
She is a celestial nymph.
My favorite star.
She is a celestial nymph.
An angel shining in the sky of art.
An angel shining in the sky of art.
A dancing golden maiden, the embodiment of epic poetry.
Ranjani… Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
கரும்புகள் தேன்மொழி அரும்புகள் புன்னகை
கரும்புகள் தேன்மொழி அரும்புகள் புன்னகை
என் கனவிலும் ஆடிடும் அவளின் கலை
Her sweet words are like sugarcane and honey.
Her smile is like soft flower buds.
Her sweet words are like sugarcane and honey.
Her smile is like soft flower buds.
Her art dances even in my dreams.
மனம் நினைக்கின்றது சுகம் பிறக்கின்றது
மனம் நினைக்கின்றது சுகம் பிறக்கின்றது
அவள் போல் இங்கே எவரும் இல்லை
My heart thinks of her,
Bliss is born from it.
My heart thinks of her,
Bliss is born from it.
There is no one like her here.
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை என் அபிமான தாரகை
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை
சிவரஞ்சனி... சிவரஞ்சனி...
She is a celestial nymph.
My favorite star.
She is a celestial nymph.
Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
ஆடிய பாதம் ஆயிரம் வேதம்
அவளது நாதம் தமிழ்ச் சங்க கீதம்
ஆடிய பாதம் ஆயிரம் வேதம்
அவளது நாதம் தமிழ்ச் சங்க கீதம்
Her dancing feet are equal to a thousand Vedas.
Her musical sound
Is like a song from the Tamil Sangam era.
Her dancing feet are equal to a thousand Vedas.
Her musical sound
Is like a song from the Tamil Sangam era.
Her glance holds the cool breeze of the month of Margazhi.
Her glance holds the cool breeze of the month of Margazhi.
Like the morning raga Boopalam.
பார்வையில் குளிரும் மார்கழி மாதம்
பார்வையில் குளிரும் மார்கழி மாதம்
அதிகாலையில் வரும் பூபாள ராகம்
She is a celestial nymph.
My favorite star.
She is a celestial nymph.
Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை என் அபிமான தாரகை
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை
சிவரஞ்சனி... சிவரஞ்சனி...
Her beautiful floral hair is like the rainclouds of Aavani.
Like the raga Kalyani oozing with honey.
Her musical emotion carries the velocity of the River Ganges.
Like the sun's yearning for the lotus flower.
அவள் சிங்கார பூங்குழல் ஆவணி மேகம்
தேன் உலாவிடும் கல்யாணி ராகம்
அவள் சங்கீத பாவம் கங்கையின் வேகம்
தாமரை பூவின் சூரிய தாகம்
Even Time itself…
Will dance according to what her eyes command.
Even Rhythm itself…
Will leap according to what her feet request.
Her speech is like the sound of a temple conch shell.
Her waist is like a sway of delicate tinkling bells.
காலமே...
அவள் விழிகள் சொன்னபடி ஆடுமே
தாளமே...
அவள் கால்கள் கேட்டபடி தாவுமே
மொழியோ ஆலயச் சங்கொலி
இடையோ அசைந்திடும் கிங்கிணி
What words can I use, what song can I sing?
Poet Kamban is not here to compose a poem!
What words can I use, what song can I sing?
Poet Kamban is not here to compose a poem!
Aa… aa… aa…
On the sacred land of Thanjavur,
Is she not an enchanting, beautiful temple?
Am I not her devoted worshipper?
என்ன சொல்லி என்ன பாட
கம்பன் இல்லை கவிதை பாட
என்ன சொல்லி என்ன பாட
கம்பன் இல்லை கவிதை பாட
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
அவள் தஞ்சைத் தரணியில்
கொஞ்சும் அழகிய கோவிலன்றோ
நான் அவள் பக்தன் அன்றோ
She is a celestial nymph.
My favorite star.
She is a celestial nymph.
Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை என் அபிமான தாரகை
அவள் ஒரு மேனகை
சிவரஞ்சனி... சிவரஞ்சனி...
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
En abimaana thaaragai
My favorite star.
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
Kalaiyenum vaanidai minnum dhevadhai
An angel shining in the sky of art.
Kalaiyenum vaanidai minnum dhevadhai
An angel shining in the sky of art.
Kaaviya vadivoru nadamaadum ponmagal
A dancing golden maiden, the embodiment of epic poetry.
Ranjani… shivaranjani… shivaranjani….
Ranjani… Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
Karumbugal thaenmozhi
Her sweet words are like sugarcane and honey.
Arumbugal punnagai
Her smile is like soft flower buds.
Karumbugal thaenmozhi
Her sweet words are like sugarcane and honey.
Arumbugal punnagai
Her smile is like soft flower buds.
En kanavilum aadidum avalin kalai
Her art dances even in my dreams.
Manam ninaikkindradhu
My heart thinks of her,
Sugam pirakkindradhu
Bliss is born from it.
Manam ninaikkindradhu
My heart thinks of her,
Sugam pirakkindradhu
Bliss is born from it.
Aval pol ingae yevarum illai
There is no one like her here.
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
En abimaana thaaragai
My favorite star.
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
Shivaranjani… shivaranjani…
Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
Aadiya paadham aayiram vaedham
Her dancing feet are equal to a thousand Vedas.
Avaladhu naadham
Her musical sound
Thamizh sanga geedham
Is like a song from the Tamil Sangam era.
Aadiya paadham aayiram vaedham
Her dancing feet are equal to a thousand Vedas.
Avaladhu naadham
Her musical sound
Thamizh sanga geedham
Is like a song from the Tamil Sangam era.
Paarvaiyil kulirum maargazhi maadham
Her glance holds the cool breeze of the month of Margazhi.
Paarvaiyil kulirum maargazhi maadham
Her glance holds the cool breeze of the month of Margazhi.
Adhikaalaiyil varum boopaala raagam
Like the morning raga Boopalam.
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
En abimaana thaaragai
My favorite star.
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
Shivaranjani… shivaranjani…
Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
Aval singaara poonguzhal aavani maegam
Her beautiful floral hair is like the rainclouds of Aavani.
Thaen ulaavidum kalyaani raagam
Like the raga Kalyani oozing with honey.
Aval sangeedha bhaavam gangaiyin vaegam
Her musical emotion carries the velocity of the River Ganges.
Thaamarai poovin sooriya dhaagam
Like the sun's yearning for the lotus flower.
Kaalamae…
Even Time itself…
Aval vizhighal sonnapadi aadumae
Will dance according to what her eyes command.
Thaalamae…
Even Rhythm itself…
Aval kaalgal kaettapadi thaavumae
Will leap according to what her feet request.
Mozhiyo aalaya sangoli
Her speech is like the sound of a temple conch shell.
Idaiyo asaindhidum kingini
Her waist is like a sway of delicate tinkling bells.
Enna solli enna paada
What words can I use, what song can I sing?
Kamban illai kavidhai paada
Poet Kamban is not here to compose a poem!
Enna solli enna paada
What words can I use, what song can I sing?
Kamban illai kavidhai paada
Poet Kamban is not here to compose a poem!
Aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa…
Aval thanjai tharaniyil
On the sacred land of Thanjavur,
Konjum azhagiya kovilandro
Is she not an enchanting, beautiful temple?
Naan aval bakthanandro
Am I not her devoted worshipper?
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
En abimaana thaaragai
My favorite star.
Aval oru maenagai
She is a celestial nymph.
Shivaranjani… shivaranjani…
Shivaranjani… Shivaranjani…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Aval Oru Maenagai is a celebratory ode to a dancer named Shivaranjani, comparing her divine artistry to celestial beings and classical music ragas. The lyrics portray her dancing steps as sacred scriptures and her speech as melodic sounds, expressing deep admiration for her absolute perfection in the performing arts. Kannadasan crafts rich imagery, evoking classical Tamil cultural symbols such as the Tamil Sangam, the architecture of Thanjavur, and classic ragas like Kalyani and Boopalam to elevate her beauty to a sacred plane.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Aval oru maenagai”
Compares the woman directly to a divine nymph (Maenagai) and art to a sky (Kalaiyenum vaani).
Simile / Comparison (Uvamai)
“Karumbugal thaenmozhi / Arumbugal punnagai”
Compares her speech to sweet sugarcane honey and her smile to blooming buds.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Kaalamae… Aval vizhighal sonnapadi aadumae”
Exaggerates her mastery by suggesting that Time and Rhythm itself follow the dictates of her eyes and feet.
Alliteration / Rhyme (Ethirhai & Monai)
“Mozhiyo aalaya sangoli / Idaiyo asaindhidum kingini”
Use of matching internal rhymes and initial sounds across adjacent lines (Mozhiyo / Idaiyo).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song from the 1980 movie Natchathiram features music composed by Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics penned by the famed poet-lyricist Kannadasan. The imagery of Thanjavur and classical arts in the lyrics pays tribute to the rich heritage of Bharatanatyam in Tamil Nadu.
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