Chozhanin Magale
From Nenjukku Neethi(1979) · 1979
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nenjukku Neethi(1979)1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Chozhanin mgalae vaa sundhara tamizhae vaa | Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil! |
| Yaezhai en madi meedhu vaa | Come sit upon the lap of this poor man. |
| Chozhanin mgalae vaa sundhara tamizhae vaa | Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil! |
| Yaezhai en madi meedhu vaa | Come sit upon the lap of this poor man. |
| Moovagai tamil aalum paavalan enakkaga | For the poet who rules over the three forms of Tamil, |
| Mogana panpaadi vaa vaa | Come, singing an enchanting tune! |
| Male | |
| Chozhanin mgalae vaa sundhara tamizhae vaa | Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil! |
| Yaezhai en madi meedhu vaa | Come sit upon the lap of this poor man. |
| Female | |
| Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae | There is no fish without cool water, |
| Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae | And here, I do not exist without you. |
| Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae | There is no fish without cool water, |
| Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae | And here, I do not exist without you. |
| Tamil neeyirukka porul naanirukka | When you are the Tamil language and I am its intrinsic meaning, |
| Tamil neeyirukka porul naanirukka | When you are the Tamil language and I am its intrinsic meaning, |
| Arangerum paadal kadhal allavaa | Is not the song that debuts on stage love itself? |
| Female | |
| Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae | There is no fish without cool water, |
| Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae | And here, I do not exist without you. |
| Male | |
| Thoorigai ezhuthaatha oviyam uyirkondu | An unpainted picture taking life, |
| Kaarigai vadivaanathi…oo…oo…oo… | Has taken the form of a beautiful woman... |
| Kaithari kavi paadum kambanin maganodu | With the son of Kamban who sings poetry at the handloom, |
| Tholgalil vilaiyaadutho…oo….oo…oo…oo… | Does she play upon his shoulders? |
| Tholgalil vilaiyaadutho… | Does she play upon his shoulders? |
| Female | |
| Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae | There is no fish without cool water, |
| Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae | And here, I do not exist without you. |
| Female | |
| Maaligai manimaadam aadaigal alangaaram | Palaces, decorated mansions, fine clothes, and adornments... |
| Aayiram irunthaalenna….aa…aa…aa….aa…. | What does it matter even if there are a thousand of them? |
| Paavalan thirutholil paingili naanaaga | As a green parrot resting on the poet's revered shoulders, |
| Vaazhnthidum suganthaan enna…aa….aa…aa… | What sweet bliss it is to live that life! |
| Vaazhnthidum suganthaan enna…. | What sweet bliss it is to live that life! |
| Female | |
| Kaarkuzhal sarinthaada maarbinil maniyaada | As dark locks fall and jewels sway upon the chest, |
| Thaei vara kandaenadi | I saw the chariot arriving, my dear! |
| Nool enum idaiyaada noothana kaniyaada | As her thread-thin waist sways along with her youthful charm, |
| Kai vasam kondaenadi….aa…aa…aa… | I have captured her in my hands! |
| Kai vasam kondaenadi…. | I have captured her in my hands! |
| Female | |
| Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae | There is no fish without cool water, |
| Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae | And here, I do not exist without you. |
| Female | |
| Itta adi noga edutha adi koppalikka | As every step taken hurts and every step lifted blisters, |
| Yaenthizhai varavillaiyo….ooo….oo…oo | Did not the jewel-laden maiden arrive? |
| Itta adi noga edutha adi koppalikka | As every step taken hurts and every step lifted blisters, |
| Yaenthizhai varavillaiyo….ooo….oo…oo | Did not the jewel-laden maiden arrive? |
| Male | |
| Yaazhisai thanai minjum yaezhisai kuralaale | With a voice of seven notes surpassing the music of the harp, |
| Yaazhisai thanai minjum yaezhisai kuralaale | With a voice of seven notes surpassing the music of the harp, |
| Kaaviyam tharavillaiyo…oo…oo…oo….o…. | Did she not bestow an epic upon us? |
| Kaaviyam tharavillaiyo… | Did she not bestow an epic upon us? |
சோழனின் மகளே வா சுந்தர தமிழே வா
ஏழை என் மடி மீது வா
சோழனின் மகளே வா சுந்தர தமிழே வா
ஏழை என் மடி மீது வா
மூவகை தமிழ் ஆளும் பாவலன் எனக்காக
மோகன பண்பாடி வா.....வா.....
Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil!
Come sit upon the lap of this poor man.
Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil!
Come sit upon the lap of this poor man.
For the poet who rules over the three forms of Tamil,
Come, singing an enchanting tune!
சோழனின் மகளே வா சுந்தர தமிழே வா
ஏழை என் மடி மீது வா
Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil!
Come sit upon the lap of this poor man.
குளிர் நீரில்லாது மீனும் இல்லையே
இங்கு நீயில்லாது நானும் இல்லையே
குளிர் நீரில்லாது மீனும் இல்லையே
இங்கு நீயில்லாது நானும் இல்லையே
தமிழ் நீயிருக்க பொருள் நானிருக்க
தமிழ் நீயிருக்க பொருள் நானிருக்க
அரங்கேறும் பாடல் காதல் அல்லவா
There is no fish without cool water,
And here, I do not exist without you.
There is no fish without cool water,
And here, I do not exist without you.
When you are the Tamil language and I am its intrinsic meaning,
When you are the Tamil language and I am its intrinsic meaning,
Is not the song that debuts on stage love itself?
குளிர் நீரில்லாது மீனும் இல்லையே
இங்கு நீயில்லாது நானும் இல்லையே
There is no fish without cool water,
And here, I do not exist without you.
தூரிகை எழுதாத ஓவியம் உயிர்க்கொண்டு
காரிகை வடிவானதோ..ஓ.....ஓ.....ஓ.....
கைத்தறி கவி பாடும் கம்பனின் மகனோடு
தோள்களில் விளையாடுதோ......ஓ....ஓ.....ஓ....ஒ....
தோள்களில் விளையாடுதோ.........
An unpainted picture taking life,
Has taken the form of a beautiful woman...
With the son of Kamban who sings poetry at the handloom,
Does she play upon his shoulders?
Does she play upon his shoulders?
குளிர் நீரில்லாது மீனும் இல்லையே
இங்கு நீயில்லாது நானும் இல்லையே
There is no fish without cool water,
And here, I do not exist without you.
மாளிகை மணிமாடம் ஆடைகள் அலங்காரம்
ஆயிரம் இருந்தாலென்ன.....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....
பாவலன் திருத்தோளில் பைங்கிளி நானாக
வாழ்ந்திடும் சுகந்தான் என்ன....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ..
வாழ்ந்திடும் சுகம் தானென்ன.....
Palaces, decorated mansions, fine clothes, and adornments...
What does it matter even if there are a thousand of them?
As a green parrot resting on the poet's revered shoulders,
What sweet bliss it is to live that life!
What sweet bliss it is to live that life!
கார்குழல் சரிந்தாட மார்பினில் மணியாட
தேர் வரக் கண்டேனடி......
நூல் எனும் இடையாட நூதனக் கனியாட
கை வசம் கொண்டேனடி...ஆ..ஆஆ...
கை வசம் கொண்டேனடி.....
As dark locks fall and jewels sway upon the chest,
I saw the chariot arriving, my dear!
As her thread-thin waist sways along with her youthful charm,
I have captured her in my hands!
I have captured her in my hands!
குளிர் நீரில்லாது மீனும் இல்லையே
இங்கு நீயில்லாது நானும் இல்லையே
There is no fish without cool water,
And here, I do not exist without you.
இட்ட அடி நோக எடுத்த அடி கொப்பளிக்க
ஏந்திழை வரவில்லையோ ஓ...ஓஓ..ஓ..
இட்ட அடி நோக எடுத்த அடி கொப்பளிக்க
ஏந்திழை வரவில்லையோ ஓ...ஓஓ..ஓ..
As every step taken hurts and every step lifted blisters,
Did not the jewel-laden maiden arrive?
As every step taken hurts and every step lifted blisters,
Did not the jewel-laden maiden arrive?
யாழிசை தனை மிஞ்சும் ஏழிசை குரலாலே
யாழிசை தனை மிஞ்சும் ஏழிசை குரலாலே
காவியம் தரவில்லையோ..ஓ...ஓ...ஓ...ஓ..
காவியம் தரவில்லையோ.....
With a voice of seven notes surpassing the music of the harp,
With a voice of seven notes surpassing the music of the harp,
Did she not bestow an epic upon us?
Did she not bestow an epic upon us?
குளிர் நீரில்லாது மீனும் இல்லையே
இங்கு நீயில்லாது நானும் இல்லையே
Chozhanin mgalae vaa sundhara tamizhae vaa
Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil!
Yaezhai en madi meedhu vaa
Come sit upon the lap of this poor man.
Chozhanin mgalae vaa sundhara tamizhae vaa
Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil!
Yaezhai en madi meedhu vaa
Come sit upon the lap of this poor man.
Moovagai tamil aalum paavalan enakkaga
For the poet who rules over the three forms of Tamil,
Mogana panpaadi vaa vaa
Come, singing an enchanting tune!
Chozhanin mgalae vaa sundhara tamizhae vaa
Come, daughter of the Chola king; come, beautiful Tamil!
Yaezhai en madi meedhu vaa
Come sit upon the lap of this poor man.
Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae
There is no fish without cool water,
Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae
And here, I do not exist without you.
Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae
There is no fish without cool water,
Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae
And here, I do not exist without you.
Tamil neeyirukka porul naanirukka
When you are the Tamil language and I am its intrinsic meaning,
Tamil neeyirukka porul naanirukka
When you are the Tamil language and I am its intrinsic meaning,
Arangerum paadal kadhal allavaa
Is not the song that debuts on stage love itself?
Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae
There is no fish without cool water,
Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae
And here, I do not exist without you.
Thoorigai ezhuthaatha oviyam uyirkondu
An unpainted picture taking life,
Kaarigai vadivaanathi…oo…oo…oo…
Has taken the form of a beautiful woman...
Kaithari kavi paadum kambanin maganodu
With the son of Kamban who sings poetry at the handloom,
Tholgalil vilaiyaadutho…oo….oo…oo…oo…
Does she play upon his shoulders?
Tholgalil vilaiyaadutho…
Does she play upon his shoulders?
Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae
There is no fish without cool water,
Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae
And here, I do not exist without you.
Maaligai manimaadam aadaigal alangaaram
Palaces, decorated mansions, fine clothes, and adornments...
Aayiram irunthaalenna….aa…aa…aa….aa….
What does it matter even if there are a thousand of them?
Paavalan thirutholil paingili naanaaga
As a green parrot resting on the poet's revered shoulders,
Vaazhnthidum suganthaan enna…aa….aa…aa…
What sweet bliss it is to live that life!
Vaazhnthidum suganthaan enna….
What sweet bliss it is to live that life!
Kaarkuzhal sarinthaada maarbinil maniyaada
As dark locks fall and jewels sway upon the chest,
Thaei vara kandaenadi
I saw the chariot arriving, my dear!
Nool enum idaiyaada noothana kaniyaada
As her thread-thin waist sways along with her youthful charm,
Kai vasam kondaenadi….aa…aa…aa…
I have captured her in my hands!
Kai vasam kondaenadi….
I have captured her in my hands!
Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae
There is no fish without cool water,
Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae
And here, I do not exist without you.
Itta adi noga edutha adi koppalikka
As every step taken hurts and every step lifted blisters,
Yaenthizhai varavillaiyo….ooo….oo…oo
Did not the jewel-laden maiden arrive?
Itta adi noga edutha adi koppalikka
As every step taken hurts and every step lifted blisters,
Yaenthizhai varavillaiyo….ooo….oo…oo
Did not the jewel-laden maiden arrive?
Yaazhisai thanai minjum yaezhisai kuralaale
With a voice of seven notes surpassing the music of the harp,
Yaazhisai thanai minjum yaezhisai kuralaale
With a voice of seven notes surpassing the music of the harp,
Kaaviyam tharavillaiyo…oo…oo…oo….o….
Did she not bestow an epic upon us?
Kaaviyam tharavillaiyo…
Did she not bestow an epic upon us?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic duet from 'Nenjukku Neethi' (1979) uses rich literary Tamil metaphors to portray the deep, intertwined bond between two lovers. The lover addresses his beloved as both the daughter of the ancient Chola royal dynasty and the embodiment of the Tamil language itself. The couple equates their oneness to essential classical pairings: a fish that cannot survive without water, and the Tamil language which gains purpose through its underlying meaning ('Porul'). Through references to literary lore—such as Kamban's lineage, handloom weaving, and classical music—the lyricist Vaali weaves a tapestry of romantic devotion. The song contrasts material wealth, such as palaces and fine clothes, with the supreme bliss of intimate companionship and artistic expression, culminating in a celebration of love as an enduring epic.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Tamil neeyirukka porul naanirukka”
Equates the beloved directly to the Tamil language and the lover to its underlying meaning, symbolizing inseparable unity.
Analogy / Simile (Uwamai)
“Kulir neerillaathu meenum illaiyae / Ingu neeyillaathu naanum illaiyae”
Compares the absolute necessity of the beloved's presence to a fish requiring cool water to survive.
Personification / Visual Imagery
“Thoorigai ezhuthaatha oviyam uyirkondu”
Describes a painting coming to life without a paintbrush to depict the maiden's natural beauty.
Hyperbole (Athichayokthi)
“Itta adi noga edutha adi koppalikka”
Exaggerates the delicate nature of the maiden whose tender feet blister with every step taken.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Nenjukku Neethi' (1979) featured music by the legendary duo Shankar Ganesh and lyrics by Vaali. Vaali masterfully incorporated classical Sangam-style Tamil tropes into cinema lyrics, making references to the three genres of Tamil ('Moovagai Tamil': Muthamizh - Iyal, Isai, Nadagam) and historical figures like Kamban.
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