Devi En Kanavum
From Pudhu Vazhvu · 1957
- Lyricist
- Papanasam Sivan
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Pudhu Vazhvu1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma | O Goddess, will my dream become reality? |
| Kaanal neeraaguma | Or will it fade away as a mirage? |
| Female | |
| Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma | O Goddess, will my dream become reality? |
| Kaanal neeraaguma | Or will it fade away as a mirage? |
| Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma | O Goddess, will my dream become reality? |
| Kaanal neeraaguma | Or will it fade away as a mirage? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal illaiyael saathalae nandrennum | Like the golden words of poets who say death is better if there is no love, |
| Kavigalin ponmozhi polae | As stated by the wise adages of poets, |
| Aadharavilla pengalin vaazhu | The life of women who lack support, |
| Abalai aagum mann melae devi | Becomes utterly helpless on this earth, O Goddess! |
| Kaanal neeraaguma kaanil kaayum nilavaagumaa | Will it become a mirage, or moonlight wasted in a deserted forest? |
| Female | |
| Ezhaiyavarkkae ettadha ulagil | In this world unattainable for the poor, |
| Yenn piranthaen amma | Why was I even born, O Mother? |
| Vaazha pirandhaval thanmaanathodu | Having been born to live, with self-respect, |
| Vaazha mudiyathu ammaa | I am unable to live, O Mother! |
| Female | |
| Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma | O Goddess, will my dream become reality? |
| Kaanal neeraaguma | Or will it fade away as a mirage? |
| Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma | O Goddess, will my dream become reality? |
| Kaanal neeraaguma | Or will it fade away as a mirage? |
தேவி என் கனவும் நினைவாகுமா
கானல் நீராகுமா
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
தேவி என் கனவும் நினைவாகுமா
கானல் நீராகுமா
தேவி என் கனவும் நினைவாகுமா
கானல் நீராகுமா
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
காதல் இல்லையேல் சாதலே நன்றெனும்
கவிகளின் பொன்மொழி போலே
ஆதரவில்லா பெண்களின் வாழு
அபலை ஆகும் மண் மேலே தேவி....
கானல் நீராகுமா கானில் காயும் நிலவாகுமா
Like the golden words of poets who say death is better if there is no love,
As stated by the wise adages of poets,
The life of women who lack support,
Becomes utterly helpless on this earth, O Goddess!
Will it become a mirage, or moonlight wasted in a deserted forest?
ஏழையவர்க்கே எட்டாத உலகில்
ஏன் பிறந்தேனம்மா
வாழப் பிறந்தவள் தன்மானத்தோடு
வாழ முடியாது அம்மா
In this world unattainable for the poor,
Why was I even born, O Mother?
Having been born to live, with self-respect,
I am unable to live, O Mother!
தேவி என் கனவும் நினைவாகுமா
கானல் நீராகுமா
தேவி என் கனவும் நினைவாகுமா
கானல் நீராகுமா
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Kaanal neeraaguma
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Kaanal neeraaguma
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Kaanal neeraaguma
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
Kaadhal illaiyael saathalae nandrennum
Like the golden words of poets who say death is better if there is no love,
Kavigalin ponmozhi polae
As stated by the wise adages of poets,
Aadharavilla pengalin vaazhu
The life of women who lack support,
Abalai aagum mann melae devi
Becomes utterly helpless on this earth, O Goddess!
Kaanal neeraaguma kaanil kaayum nilavaagumaa
Will it become a mirage, or moonlight wasted in a deserted forest?
Ezhaiyavarkkae ettadha ulagil
In this world unattainable for the poor,
Yenn piranthaen amma
Why was I even born, O Mother?
Vaazha pirandhaval thanmaanathodu
Having been born to live, with self-respect,
Vaazha mudiyathu ammaa
I am unable to live, O Mother!
Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Kaanal neeraaguma
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
Devi en kanavum ninaivaaguma
O Goddess, will my dream become reality?
Kaanal neeraaguma
Or will it fade away as a mirage?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song depicts a woman addressing the divine Goddess, questioning whether her hopes for a dignified life will materialize or remain an elusive mirage. Reflecting on classical poetic truths about love and dignity, she laments the vulnerable status of unsupported women in a harsh world that marginalizes the poor. Incapable of surviving with her self-respect intact, she painfully questions the reason behind her suffering and birth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Kaanal neeraaguma kaanil kaayum nilavaagumaa”
Comparing unfulfilled dreams to 'kaanal neer' (mirage) and wasted life to 'kaanil kaayum nilavu' (moonlight shining in a desolate forest where nobody appreciates it).
Rhetorical Question
“Ezhaiyavarkkae ettadha ulagil Yenn piranthaen amma”
Asking existential questions to the Goddess to emphasize helplessness and despair rather than expecting a direct physical answer.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Vaazha pirandhaval thanmaanathodu Vaazha mudiyathu ammaa”
Repeating 'Vaazha' to underscore the tragic contrast between being born to live and being unable to live with dignity.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie 'Pudhu Vazhvu' (1957) featured music composed by the legendary G. Ramanathan, with lyrics penned by the revered Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan, sung soulfully by P. Leela.
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