Engal Kula Nayagiye
From Thanga Padhumai · 1959
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Thanga Padhumai1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaanam poiyaadhu valam pizhaippadhu yaadhu | The sky does not fail to rain, prosperity does not diminish, |
| Neel nila vendhan kuttram sidhaiyaadhu | The reign of the king of the blue moonlit land is without fault, |
| Pathini pendir irundha naadu | In the land where chaste women lived, |
| Pathini pendir irundha naadu | In the land where chaste women lived. |
| Female | |
| Kovalarkku manaiyaana kannagiyamma | Mother Kannagi, who became a devoted wife to Kovalan, |
| Paandi kaavalarkku pagaiyaana kannagiyamma | Mother Kannagi, who became an enemy to the Pandyan king, |
| Paavalarkku kaviyaana kannagiyamma | Mother Kannagi, who became epic poetry for poets, |
| Tamil paamararukku perumai thandha kannagiyamma | Mother Kannagi, who brought immense pride to common Tamil folk! |
| Female | |
| Maalaiyitta kanavanodu kaaviri poompattinathil | In Kaveripoompattinam, along with your husband who placed the garland, |
| Manamigundhu vaazhnthirundha naalilae | In those days when you lived with great joy in your heart, |
| Kodi madhaviyaal aada vandhaal oorilae | Madhavi, like a creeping vine, arrived in town to dance. |
| Female Chorus :Kodi madhaviyaal aada vandhaal oorilae | Female Chorus: Madhavi, like a creeping vine, arrived in town to dance. |
| Female :Pon maalai konda manavaalan | Female: Your husband, who wore the golden garland, |
| Madhaviyai pin thodarnthum | Followed after Madhavi, |
| Vaazhkavendru vaazhthi nindraai vaazhvilae | Yet you wished him well in life and blessed him! |
| Female Chorus :Avan varavai enni porumai kondaai deviyae | Female Chorus: You bore it with patience, waiting for his arrival, O Goddess! |
| Uyar perumai kondaayae tamil pengalin thaayae | You who hold high honor, O mother of Tamil women! |
| Unnai thaal panindhom | We bow down at your feet, |
| Seer peravae arul purivaaye | Grant us your grace so we may attain prosperity! |
| Female | |
| Madhavi kodiyin kaadhalukkenavae | For the sake of the love of Madhavi, the creeper, |
| Perum pon porul nee thandhaai | You gave away immense golden wealth. |
| Female Chorus :Perum pon porul nee thandhaai | Female Chorus: You gave away immense golden wealth. |
| Female :Naadhanin sugamae en sugam endraai | Female: You declared, "My husband's happiness is my happiness," |
| Udal nalivilum pani seidhaai | And served him even as your body grew frail. |
| Female Chorus :Udal nalivilum pani seidhaai | Female Chorus: And served him even as your body grew frail. |
| Female | |
| Vedhanai kovalan veedu thirumbiyum | Even when Kovalan returned home broken and remorseful, |
| Veruthadhillai neeyae | You never hated him. |
| Mani naadham olithidum paadha silambinai | The anklet on your foot that made a ringing sound, |
| Kolkena koduthaayae | You gave to him, saying "Sell this!" |
| Female | |
| Kaalgal nogha andha maada madurai varai | With aching feet, all the way to majestic Madurai, |
| Kanavanai thodarnthaayae | You followed your husband. |
| Angu aayar kulathilae perungudi magal | There, in the cowherd clan, a daughter of a noble house, |
| Nee adaikalam adainthaayae | You sought refuge! |
| Female Chorus :Angu aayar kulathilae perungudi magal | Female Chorus: There, in the cowherd clan, a daughter of a noble house, |
| Nee adaikalam adainthaayae | You sought refuge! |
| Female | |
| Maaya kollanin sadhiyaal kovalan | Due to the plot of the deceitful goldsmith, Kovalan |
| Maandathai arindhaayae | Was slain, as you came to know! |
| Engal thooyavalae nee puliyena seeri | Our pure woman, you hissed like a tigress, |
| Thulli ezhundhaaye | And leaped up in fury! |
| Female Chorus :Thooyavalae nee thulli ezhundhaaye | Female Chorus: O pure woman, you leaped up in fury! |
| Thooyavalae nee thulli ezhundhaaye | O pure woman, you leaped up in fury! |
| Female | |
| Pulambum oli silambai eduthae | Picking up the anklet that makes a wailing chime, |
| Mani porigal sidhara munnar udaithae | Breaking it open before them so the ruby gems scattered, |
| Pulambum oli silambai eduthae | Picking up the anklet that makes a wailing chime, |
| Mani porigal sidhara munnar udaithae | Breaking it open before them so the ruby gems scattered, |
| Kalanga peyar muzhuthum thudaithae | Wiping away every trace of the stain on his name, |
| Madhurai gadhigal kalangha por thoduthae | You waged a war that shook the very rulers of Madurai! |
| Kalanga peyar muzhuthum thudaithae | Wiping away every trace of the stain on his name, |
| Madhurai gadhigal kalangha por thoduthae | You waged a war that shook the very rulers of Madurai! |
| Female | |
| Vaanagamae vaiyagamae solver | O Heavens! O Earth! Tell me, |
| En kanavan kalvano | Is my husband a thief? |
| Sengadhir selvanae nee sol | O Sun God of fiery rays, speak! |
| En kanavan kalvano kalvano | Is my husband a thief, a thief? |
| En kanavan kalvano | Is my husband a thief? |
| Female | |
| Ettu dhisai kottida kumarida | As the eight directions roared and thundered, |
| Sadasada sadavena theruvilae | Rushing rapidly through the streets with a crackling sound, |
| Kottra kudai suttram padharida | While the royal umbrella and court panicked in terror, |
| Pada pada padavena thanalilae | As the fire blazed intensely, |
| Pattu pala sethu karugida | As many perished and were scorched to ashes, |
| Pathiniyae un vizhiyilae | O virtuous wife, in the fire of your eyes, |
| Paazhum puvi moozhgi thuyar pada | As the wretched world sank into agony, |
| Oozhi sadhura pala aadiyae | You performed the cosmic dance of destruction! |
வானம் பொய்யாது வளம் பிழைப்பது யாது
நீள் நில வேந்தன் குற்றம் சிதையாது
பத்தினி பெண்டிர் இருந்த நாடு
பத்தினி பெண்டிர் இருந்த நாடு........
The sky does not fail to rain, prosperity does not diminish,
The reign of the king of the blue moonlit land is without fault,
In the land where chaste women lived,
In the land where chaste women lived.
பெண் குழு :
எங்கள் குலநாயகியே கண்ணகியம்மா
நல்ல இன்னமுதாய் வந்துதித்தாய் கண்ணகியம்மா
எங்கள் குலநாயகியே கண்ணகியம்மா
நல்ல இன்னமுதாய் வந்துதித்தாய் கண்ணகியம்மா
தங்கத்தமிழ் நாட்டினிலே கண்ணகியம்மா
கற்புத் தாயாக வந்துதித்தாய் கண்ணகியம்மா
பெண் குழு :
கற்புத் தாயாக வந்துதித்தாய் கண்ணகியம்மா
Mother Kannagi, who became a devoted wife to Kovalan,
Mother Kannagi, who became an enemy to the Pandyan king,
Mother Kannagi, who became epic poetry for poets,
Mother Kannagi, who brought immense pride to common Tamil folk!
கோவலர்க்கு மனையான கண்ணகியம்மா
பாண்டி காவலர்க்கு பகையான கண்ணகியம்மா
பாவலர்க்கு கவியான கண்ணகியம்மா
தமிழ் பாமரர்க்குப் பெருமை தந்த கண்ணகியம்மா
In Kaveripoompattinam, along with your husband who placed the garland,
In those days when you lived with great joy in your heart,
Madhavi, like a creeping vine, arrived in town to dance.
Female Chorus: Madhavi, like a creeping vine, arrived in town to dance.
Female: Your husband, who wore the golden garland,
Followed after Madhavi,
Yet you wished him well in life and blessed him!
Female Chorus: You bore it with patience, waiting for his arrival, O Goddess!
You who hold high honor, O mother of Tamil women!
We bow down at your feet,
Grant us your grace so we may attain prosperity!
பெண் குழு :
கண்ணகியம்மா எங்கள் கண்ணகியம்மா
கற்புக் கன்னியர்க்குத் தெய்வமான கண்ணகியம்மா
பெண் குழு :
கற்புக் கன்னியர்க்குத் தெய்வமான கண்ணகியம்மா
கண்ணகியம்மா எங்கள் கண்ணகியம்மா......
கண்ணகியம்மா எங்கள் கண்ணகியம்மா......
For the sake of the love of Madhavi, the creeper,
You gave away immense golden wealth.
Female Chorus: You gave away immense golden wealth.
Female: You declared, "My husband's happiness is my happiness,"
And served him even as your body grew frail.
Female Chorus: And served him even as your body grew frail.
மாலையிட்ட கணவனோடு காவிரிப்பூம் பட்டினத்தில்
மணமிகுந்து வாழ்ந்திருந்த நாளிலே
கொடி மாதவியாள் ஆட வந்தாள் ஊரிலே
பெண் குழு :
கொடி மாதவியாள் ஆட வந்தாள் ஊரிலே
பொன் மாலை கொண்ட மணவாளன்
மாதவியை பின் தொடர்ந்தும்
வாழ்கவென்று வாழ்த்தி நின்றாய் வாழ்விலே...
பெண் குழு :
அவன் வரவை எண்ணிப் பொறுமை கொண்டாய் தேவியே
உயர் பெருமை கொண்டாயே தமிழ் பெண்களின் தாயே
உன்னைத் தாள் பணிந்தோம்
சீர் பெறவே அருள் புரிவாயே
Even when Kovalan returned home broken and remorseful,
You never hated him.
The anklet on your foot that made a ringing sound,
You gave to him, saying "Sell this!"
பெண் குழு :
கண்ணகியம்மா எங்கள் கண்ணகியம்மா......
கண்ணகியம்மா எங்கள் கண்ணகியம்மா......
With aching feet, all the way to majestic Madurai,
You followed your husband.
There, in the cowherd clan, a daughter of a noble house,
You sought refuge!
Female Chorus: There, in the cowherd clan, a daughter of a noble house,
You sought refuge!
மாதவிக் கொடியின் காதலுக்கெனவே
பெரும் பொன் பொருள் நீ தந்தாய்
பெண் குழு :
பெரும் பொன் பொருள் நீ தந்தாய்
நாதனின் சுகமே என் சுகமென்றாய்
உடல் நலிவிலும் பணி செய்தாய்.....
பெண் குழு :
உடல் நலிவிலும் பணி செய்தாய்.....
Due to the plot of the deceitful goldsmith, Kovalan
Was slain, as you came to know!
Our pure woman, you hissed like a tigress,
And leaped up in fury!
Female Chorus: O pure woman, you leaped up in fury!
O pure woman, you leaped up in fury!
வேதனைக் கோவலன் வீடு திரும்பியும்
வெறுத்ததில்லை நீயே
மணி நாதம் ஒலித்திடும் பாதச் சிலம்பினை
கொள்கெனக் கொடுத்தாயே
Picking up the anklet that makes a wailing chime,
Breaking it open before them so the ruby gems scattered,
Picking up the anklet that makes a wailing chime,
Breaking it open before them so the ruby gems scattered,
Wiping away every trace of the stain on his name,
You waged a war that shook the very rulers of Madurai!
Wiping away every trace of the stain on his name,
You waged a war that shook the very rulers of Madurai!
கால்கள் நோக அந்த மாட மதுரை வரை
கணவனைத் தொடர்ந்தாயே
அங்கு ஆயர் குலத்திலே பெருங்குடி மகள்
நீ அடைக்கலம் அடைந்தாயே
பெண் குழு :
அங்கு ஆயர் குலத்திலே பெருங்குடி மகள்
நீ அடைக்கலம் அடைந்தாயே
O Heavens! O Earth! Tell me,
Is my husband a thief?
O Sun God of fiery rays, speak!
Is my husband a thief, a thief?
Is my husband a thief?
மாயக் கொல்லனின் சதியால் கோவலன்
மாண்டதை அறிந்தாயே
எங்கள் தூயவளே நீ புலியெனச் சீறி
துள்ளி எழுந்தாயே......
பெண் குழு :
தூயவளே நீ துள்ளி எழுந்தாயே......
தூயவளே நீ துள்ளி எழுந்தாயே......
As the eight directions roared and thundered,
Rushing rapidly through the streets with a crackling sound,
While the royal umbrella and court panicked in terror,
As the fire blazed intensely,
As many perished and were scorched to ashes,
O virtuous wife, in the fire of your eyes,
As the wretched world sank into agony,
You performed the cosmic dance of destruction!
பெண் குழு :
கொற்றம் எங்கே
கொற்றம் எங்கே கொற்றவன் எங்கே
குற்றம் படிந்த குடை எங்கே
பெண் குழு :
கொற்றம் எங்கே கொற்றம் எங்கே
கட்டளையிடு முன் அறிவெங்கே
பெண் குழு :
கொற்றம்
காவலர் தந்த சிலம்பெங்கே.....
சிலம்பெங்கே..........சிலம்பெங்கே.......
புலம்பும் ஒலிச் சிலம்பை எடுத்தே
மணிப் பொறிகள் சிதற முன்னர் உடைத்தே
புலம்பும் ஒலிச் சிலம்பை எடுத்தே
மணிப் பொறிகள் சிதற முன்னர் உடைத்தே
களங்கப் பெயர் முழுதும் துடைத்தே
மதுரை கதிகள் கலங்கப் போர் தொடுத்தே.......
களங்கப் பெயர் முழுதும் துடைத்தே
மதுரை கதிகள் கலங்கப் போர் தொடுத்தே.......
வானகமே வையகமே சொல்வீர்
என் கணவன் கள்வனோ.....
செங்கதிர் செவ்வனே நீ சொல்
என் கணவன் கள்வனோ கள்வனோ
என் கணவன் கள்வனோ........
எட்டுத் திசை கொட்டிக் குமுறிட....
சடசட சடவெனத் தெருவிலே.....
கொற்றக் குடை சுற்றம் பதறிட....
பட பட படவெனத் தணலிலே.....
பட்டுப் பல செத்துக் கருகிட.......
பத்தினியே உன் விழியிலே......
பாழும் புவி மூழ்கித் துயர் பட.....
ஊழிச் சதுர பல ஆடியே......
Vaanam poiyaadhu valam pizhaippadhu yaadhu
The sky does not fail to rain, prosperity does not diminish,
Neel nila vendhan kuttram sidhaiyaadhu
The reign of the king of the blue moonlit land is without fault,
Pathini pendir irundha naadu
In the land where chaste women lived,
Pathini pendir irundha naadu
In the land where chaste women lived.
Kovalarkku manaiyaana kannagiyamma
Mother Kannagi, who became a devoted wife to Kovalan,
Paandi kaavalarkku pagaiyaana kannagiyamma
Mother Kannagi, who became an enemy to the Pandyan king,
Paavalarkku kaviyaana kannagiyamma
Mother Kannagi, who became epic poetry for poets,
Tamil paamararukku perumai thandha kannagiyamma
Mother Kannagi, who brought immense pride to common Tamil folk!
Maalaiyitta kanavanodu kaaviri poompattinathil
In Kaveripoompattinam, along with your husband who placed the garland,
Manamigundhu vaazhnthirundha naalilae
In those days when you lived with great joy in your heart,
Kodi madhaviyaal aada vandhaal oorilae
Madhavi, like a creeping vine, arrived in town to dance.
Female Chorus :Kodi madhaviyaal aada vandhaal oorilae
Female Chorus: Madhavi, like a creeping vine, arrived in town to dance.
Female :Pon maalai konda manavaalan
Female: Your husband, who wore the golden garland,
Madhaviyai pin thodarnthum
Followed after Madhavi,
Vaazhkavendru vaazhthi nindraai vaazhvilae
Yet you wished him well in life and blessed him!
Female Chorus :Avan varavai enni porumai kondaai deviyae
Female Chorus: You bore it with patience, waiting for his arrival, O Goddess!
Uyar perumai kondaayae tamil pengalin thaayae
You who hold high honor, O mother of Tamil women!
Unnai thaal panindhom
We bow down at your feet,
Seer peravae arul purivaaye
Grant us your grace so we may attain prosperity!
Madhavi kodiyin kaadhalukkenavae
For the sake of the love of Madhavi, the creeper,
Perum pon porul nee thandhaai
You gave away immense golden wealth.
Female Chorus :Perum pon porul nee thandhaai
Female Chorus: You gave away immense golden wealth.
Female :Naadhanin sugamae en sugam endraai
Female: You declared, "My husband's happiness is my happiness,"
Udal nalivilum pani seidhaai
And served him even as your body grew frail.
Female Chorus :Udal nalivilum pani seidhaai
Female Chorus: And served him even as your body grew frail.
Vedhanai kovalan veedu thirumbiyum
Even when Kovalan returned home broken and remorseful,
Veruthadhillai neeyae
You never hated him.
Mani naadham olithidum paadha silambinai
The anklet on your foot that made a ringing sound,
Kolkena koduthaayae
You gave to him, saying "Sell this!"
Kaalgal nogha andha maada madurai varai
With aching feet, all the way to majestic Madurai,
Kanavanai thodarnthaayae
You followed your husband.
Angu aayar kulathilae perungudi magal
There, in the cowherd clan, a daughter of a noble house,
Nee adaikalam adainthaayae
You sought refuge!
Female Chorus :Angu aayar kulathilae perungudi magal
Female Chorus: There, in the cowherd clan, a daughter of a noble house,
Nee adaikalam adainthaayae
You sought refuge!
Maaya kollanin sadhiyaal kovalan
Due to the plot of the deceitful goldsmith, Kovalan
Maandathai arindhaayae
Was slain, as you came to know!
Engal thooyavalae nee puliyena seeri
Our pure woman, you hissed like a tigress,
Thulli ezhundhaaye
And leaped up in fury!
Female Chorus :Thooyavalae nee thulli ezhundhaaye
Female Chorus: O pure woman, you leaped up in fury!
Thooyavalae nee thulli ezhundhaaye
O pure woman, you leaped up in fury!
Pulambum oli silambai eduthae
Picking up the anklet that makes a wailing chime,
Mani porigal sidhara munnar udaithae
Breaking it open before them so the ruby gems scattered,
Pulambum oli silambai eduthae
Picking up the anklet that makes a wailing chime,
Mani porigal sidhara munnar udaithae
Breaking it open before them so the ruby gems scattered,
Kalanga peyar muzhuthum thudaithae
Wiping away every trace of the stain on his name,
Madhurai gadhigal kalangha por thoduthae
You waged a war that shook the very rulers of Madurai!
Kalanga peyar muzhuthum thudaithae
Wiping away every trace of the stain on his name,
Madhurai gadhigal kalangha por thoduthae
You waged a war that shook the very rulers of Madurai!
Vaanagamae vaiyagamae solver
O Heavens! O Earth! Tell me,
En kanavan kalvano
Is my husband a thief?
Sengadhir selvanae nee sol
O Sun God of fiery rays, speak!
En kanavan kalvano kalvano
Is my husband a thief, a thief?
En kanavan kalvano
Is my husband a thief?
Ettu dhisai kottida kumarida
As the eight directions roared and thundered,
Sadasada sadavena theruvilae
Rushing rapidly through the streets with a crackling sound,
Kottra kudai suttram padharida
While the royal umbrella and court panicked in terror,
Pada pada padavena thanalilae
As the fire blazed intensely,
Pattu pala sethu karugida
As many perished and were scorched to ashes,
Pathiniyae un vizhiyilae
O virtuous wife, in the fire of your eyes,
Paazhum puvi moozhgi thuyar pada
As the wretched world sank into agony,
Oozhi sadhura pala aadiyae
You performed the cosmic dance of destruction!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song retells the grand arc of the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, celebrating Kannagi as the epitome of chastity, patience, and righteous rage. It recounts her blissful married life with Kovalan, her quiet endurance when he left her for the dancer Madhavi, and her immense generosity in offering her precious ruby-filled anklets when he returned penniless. Following him to Madurai, her tragic fate unfolds when Kovalan is falsely accused of stealing the Queen's anklet and executed. Upon learning of his death, Kannagi transforms from a long-suffering wife into a formidable force of justice. She confronts the Pandyan King, shatters her anklet to reveal rubies (proving Kovalan's innocence against the Queen's pearl anklet), and curses the city of Madurai. The song reaches a crescendo portraying her immense fury that burns down the unjust kingdom, cementing her legacy as an iconic heroine and goddess of virtue in Tamil culture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai)
“Engal thooyavalae nee puliyena seeri”
Compares Kannagi's fierce rise against injustice to a enraged tigress ('puliyena seeri').
Rhetorical Question
“En kanavan kalvano”
Kannagi powerfully questions heaven, earth, and the Sun God whether her righteous husband could ever be a thief.
Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi / Anaphora)
“Sadasada sadavena theruvilae / Pada pada padavena thanalilae”
Uses rhythmic sound words ('sadasada', 'pada pada') to evoke the roaring sound of crackling flames engulfing Madurai.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Madhavi kodiyin kaadhalukkenavae”
Metaphorically addresses Madhavi as a creeping vine ('kodi') entangling Kovalan in love.
Did you know?
Trivia
This dance-drama composition from 'Thanga Padhumai' (1959) features music by the legendary Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo and lyrics by Kannadasan. Performed on screen by Padmini, the song highlights P. Leela's powerful vocal delivery, seamlessly transitioning from serene devotion to intense dramatic fury.
Keep listening
More from Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai