Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Kaanchi Thalaivan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Avani Ellam

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
S. V. Ponnusami, L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kaanchi Thalaivan
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
5 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Avaniyellaam pugazh manakkum
Arumaik kaanji nagaram
Namma arumai kaanji nagaram
Adhu azhagukkellaam sigaram
Thoranam kattiya veedhiyilae..ae….hae
Thanga thaerodi varum velaiyilae..ae… hae
Thogai mayilena aadiduvom
Female Chorus :Thogai mayilena aadiduvom
Kaanji tharaniyai vaazhthiyae paadiduvom
Male Chorus :Kaanji tharaniyai vaazhthiyae paadiduvom
Kulai vaazhai thannai thaanae
Vilai koorudhu
Karumbu koottathilae thendral vandhu
Nadai podudhu
Malaiyellaam kavidhai pongum
Silaiyaagudhu
Namma magaraasan kanavu ingae
Niraivaerudhu
Valai veesi meen pidikka kadalirukku
Nee vilaiyaada pallavathin madiyirukku
Valai veesi meen pidikka kadalirukku
Nee vilaiyaada pallavathin madiyirukku
Kalai kaakka narasimman thunaiyirukku
Kalai kaakka narasimman thunaiyirukku
Kannae kaniyamudhae
Unnaal endhan uyirirukku
Kannae kaniyamudhae
Unnaal endhan uyirirukku
( Ooo…ooo….ooo….ooo….ooooo… } (Overlap)
Kannam sivandhida koondhal kalandhida
Enna nadandhadhu kooradi
Undhan ennam kavarndhavan yaaradi
Kannam sivandhida koondhal kalandhida
Enna nadandhadhu kooradi
Undhan ennam kavarndhavan yaaradi
Veera nadaiyaalano yaanai padaiyaalano
Makkal idar vellum kodai vallal
Narasimman pondravano… oo…
Fragrant with fame across the world,
Is our precious city of Kanchi!
Our precious city of Kanchi,
It is the pinnacle of all beauty!
On the streets adorned with festive garlands,
As the golden chariot rolls along,
We will dance like peacocks spreading their feathers,
Female Chorus: We will dance like peacocks spreading their feathers,
We will sing praises of the land of Kanchi!
Male Chorus: We will sing praises of the land of Kanchi!
Bunches of bananas call out
Their own prices,
And through the thick sugarcane groves,
The gentle breeze takes a stroll!
The hills turn into sculptures
Overflowing with poetry,
And the dream of our noble king
Is fulfilled right here!
There is the sea to cast nets and catch fish,
There is the lap of the Pallava land for you to play,
There is the sea to cast nets and catch fish,
There is the lap of the Pallava land for you to play,
King Narasimhan stands by to protect the arts,
King Narasimhan stands by to protect the arts,
My darling, sweet as nectar,
I live only because of you!
My darling, sweet as nectar,
I live only because of you!
( Oh... oh... oh... oh... ohooo... ) (Overlap)
With your cheeks blushing and hair tousled,
Tell me, girl, what happened?
Who is the one that captured your heart?
With your cheeks blushing and hair tousled,
Tell me, girl, what happened?
Who is the one that captured your heart?
Is he a man of heroic stride, or a master of elephant armies?
Is he a generous patron who ends people's troubles,
Someone just like Narasimhan?
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Kaanchi Thalaivan' celebrates the opulence, artistic glory, and prosperous rule of the Pallava dynasty in the ancient capital city of Kanchipuram. The early verses paint a picture of festive celebration, bountiful nature where fruit trees and gentle breezes seem alive, and an empire where mountains are carved into poetic stone sculptures under the visionary leadership of King Narasimhavarman.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upama (Simile / உவமை)

Thogai mayilena aadiduvom

Compares the dancers to peacocks with unfurled feathers dancing gracefully during the chariot festival.

Tharkurippetratra Ani (Personification)

Kulai vaazhai thannai thaanae vilai koorudhu / Karumbu koottathilae thendral vandhu nadai podudhu

Personifies nature by describing banana trees setting their own price and the southern breeze taking a walk through sugarcane fields.

Atisayokti (Hyperbole / உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)

Malaiyellaam kavidhai pongum silaiyaagudhu

Exaggerates the natural beauty and rock-cut architectural marvels of Kanchi by stating that poetry overflows from mountains turning into statues.

Edukka (Monai / Rhyme and Alliteration)

Kannam sivandhida koondhal kalandhida

Uses internal rhythmic rhyming words 'sivandhida' and 'kalandhida' to enhance musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kaanchi Thalaivan' (1963) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) as Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (Mamallan). The lyrics by Aalangudi Somu honor the historical architectural achievements of the Pallavas, such as the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Kaanchi Thalaivan

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.