Gangai Karai Mannanadi
From Varusham Padhinaaru · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Varusham Padhinaaru1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kanmaniyae raadhai enum | Oh my dear, beloved called Radha, |
| Kaadhaliyae naan virumbum | The lover whom I desire, |
| Pen maniyae aadai kattum | Oh precious woman wearing fine garments, |
| Painkiliyae …ae…. | Oh green parrot... ae... |
| Kannan vanthaan paatisaikka | Krishna has come to play music, |
| Kavalaigalai vittu vidu …uu.. | Leave all your worries behind... uu.. |
| Kaalsalangai saththamida | As the anklets make jingling sounds, |
| Medaiyilae vattamidu….uu.. | Circle around on the stage... uu.. |
| Male | |
| Gangai karai mannanadi | He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend, |
| Kannan malar kannanadi | He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend, |
| Vangakadal vannanadi | He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend, |
| Ullangavar kalvanadi | He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Nenjil ezhum alaigalilae | In the waves rising within my heart, |
| Neechal idum ilainjanadi | He is the youth who swims, my friend, |
| Vanjikodi madiyinilae | On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl, |
| Manjam idum thalaivanadi | He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Ullaththai eduthen | I took my heart, |
| Un kaiyil koduthen | And gave it into your hands, |
| Vellathai pirintha | Like a fish separated from, |
| Meenai pol thudithen… | The water, I squirmed and writhed... |
| Male | |
| Gangai karai mannanadi | He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend, |
| Kannan malar kannanadi | He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend, |
| Vangakadal vannanadi | He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend, |
| Ullangavar kalvanadi | He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Thaththum siru | The little hopping, |
| Thaamarai paathangal | Lotus-like feet, |
| Nadaithaan payila | As they learn to walk, |
| Kaththum kadal neeralai pol | Like the waves of the roaring sea, |
| Ingu kuzhal thaan neliya | Her hair curls gracefully here, |
| Illai ena yaavarum kooridum | The waist that everyone says is nonexistent, |
| Idaithaan odiya | Is about to snap, |
| Inbam ena en vizhi paarpathu | What my eyes see as pure bliss, |
| Imaithaan viriya | Makes my eyelids open wide. |
| Male | |
| {Kaalsadhangai aaduthadi | {The anklets dance, my friend, |
| Naal varathaan vaaduthadi} (2) | Withering as the days pass, my friend} (2) |
| Male | |
| Munnam pala jenmam vazhiyae | Through many previous births, |
| Undaanathu un uravae | Your relationship with me was formed, |
| Innum ennai thottu thodarnthae | Continuing to touch and pursue me, |
| Panthaaduthu un ninaivae | Your memories play like a rolling ball, |
| Uyir vaazhum pennaa | Is she a living woman? |
| Vaa vaa kannaa… | Come, come Krishna... |
| Male | |
| Gangai karai mannanadi | He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend, |
| Kannan malar kannanadi | He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend, |
| Vangakadal vannanadi | He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend, |
| Ullangavar kalvanadi | He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Nenjil ezhum alaigalilae | In the waves rising within my heart, |
| Neechal idum ilainjanadi | He is the youth who swims, my friend, |
| Vanjikodi madiyinilae | On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl, |
| Manjam idum thalaivanadi | He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Ullaththai eduthen | I took my heart, |
| Un kaiyil koduthen | And gave it into your hands, |
| Vellathai pirintha | Like a fish separated from, |
| Meenai pol thudithen… | The water, I squirmed and writhed... |
| Male | |
| Gangai karai mannanadi | He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend, |
| Kannan malar kannanadi | He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend, |
| Vangakadal vannanadi | He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend, |
| Ullangavar kalvanadi | He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend. |
| Male | |
| ……………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Santham tharum aadalum paadalum | The music and dance that offer rhythm, |
| Sugamaai malarum | Will blossom pleasantly, |
| Suttum vizhi paarvayil aayiram | In the glance of those sharp eyes, a thousand, |
| Nilavaai pozhiyum | Moons will shower down, |
| Angam oru aalilai pol ingu | Here the body sways like a banyan leaf, |
| Nadanam puriyum | Performing a classical dance, |
| Anbae ena madhavan thol thoda | Calling out 'My love', to touch Madhavan's shoulder, |
| Nedunaal urugum… | It melts for a long time... |
| Male | |
| {Kaathiruppaan kaiyanaikka | {He will wait to embrace with his hands, |
| Kaadhaliyaal meiyanaikka }(2) | To be physically embraced by his lover} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kannan manam andhapuramae | Krishna's heart is a royal palace, |
| Vanthaadidum muthucharamae | A string of pearls swaying and dancing, |
| Achcham vidum pachchai kiliyae | Oh green parrot shedding fear, |
| Avan thaal dhinam naththum thaniyae | The lonely one who longs for his feet daily, |
| Naalum othum kaadhal vetham… | Reciting the scripture of love every day... |
| Male | |
| Gangai karai mannanadi | He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend, |
| Kannan malar kannanadi | He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend, |
| Vangakadal vannanadi | He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend, |
| Ullangavar kalvanadi | He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Nenjil ezhum alaigalilae | In the waves rising within my heart, |
| Neechal idum ilainjanadi | He is the youth who swims, my friend, |
| Vanjikodi madiyinilae | On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl, |
| Manjam idum thalaivanadi | He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend. |
| Male | |
| {Ullaththai eduthen | {I took my heart, |
| Un kaiyil koduthen | And gave it into your hands, |
| Vellathai pirintha | Like a fish separated from, |
| Meenai pol thudithen… } (2) | The water, I squirmed and writhed...} (2) |
இசையைமைபாளர் :
இளையராஜா
Oh my dear, beloved called Radha,
The lover whom I desire,
Oh precious woman wearing fine garments,
Oh green parrot... ae...
Krishna has come to play music,
Leave all your worries behind... uu..
As the anklets make jingling sounds,
Circle around on the stage... uu..
கண்மணியே ராதை
எனும் காதலியே
நான் விரும்பும் பெண்மணியே
ஆடை கட்டும் பைங்கிளியே
கண்ணன் வந்தான் பாட்டிசைக்க
கவலைகளை விட்டு விடு
காற்சதங்கை சத்தமிட
மேடையிலே வட்டமிடு...ஊஊஊ.....
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
கங்கைக்கரை மன்னனடி
கண்ணன் மலர்க் கண்ணனடி
வங்கக்கடல் வண்ணனடி
உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வனடி
In the waves rising within my heart,
He is the youth who swims, my friend,
On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl,
He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend.
நெஞ்சில் எழும் அலைகளிலே
நீச்சல் இடும் இளைஞனடி
வஞ்சிக் கொடி மடியினிலே
மஞ்சம் இடும் தலைவனடி
I took my heart,
And gave it into your hands,
Like a fish separated from,
The water, I squirmed and writhed...
உள்ளத்தை எடுத்தேன்
உன் கையில் கொடுத்தேன்
வெள்ளத்தைப் பிரிந்த
மீனைப் போல் துடித்தேன்
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
கங்கைக்கரை மன்னனடி
கண்ணன் மலர்க் கண்ணனடி
வங்கக்கடல் வண்ணனடி
உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வனடி
The little hopping,
Lotus-like feet,
As they learn to walk,
Like the waves of the roaring sea,
Her hair curls gracefully here,
The waist that everyone says is nonexistent,
Is about to snap,
What my eyes see as pure bliss,
Makes my eyelids open wide.
தத்தும் சிறு தாமரைப்
பாதங்கள் நடைதான் பயில
கத்தும் கடல் நீரலை போல்
இங்கு குழல்தான் நெளிய
இல்லை என யாவரும் கூறிடும்
இடைதான் ஒடிய
இன்பம் என என் விழி பார்த்தது
இமைதான் விரிய
{The anklets dance, my friend,
Withering as the days pass, my friend} (2)
காற்சதங்கை பாடுதடி
நாள் வரத்தான் வாடுதடி
காற்சதங்கை பாடுதடி
நாள் வரத்தான் வாடுதடி
Through many previous births,
Your relationship with me was formed,
Continuing to touch and pursue me,
Your memories play like a rolling ball,
Is she a living woman?
Come, come Krishna...
முன்னம் பல ஜென்மம்
வழியே உண்டானது உன் உறவே
இன்னும் என்னைத்
தொட்டுத் தொடர்ந்தே
பந்தாடுது உன் நினைவே
உயிர் வாழும் பெண்ணா
வா வா கண்ணா
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
கங்கைக்கரை மன்னனடி
கண்ணன் மலர்க் கண்ணனடி
வங்கக்கடல் வண்ணனடி
உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வனடி
In the waves rising within my heart,
He is the youth who swims, my friend,
On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl,
He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend.
..................
I took my heart,
And gave it into your hands,
Like a fish separated from,
The water, I squirmed and writhed...
சந்தம் தரும் ஆடலும் பாடலும்
சுகமாய் மலரும்
சுட்டும் விழிப் பார்வையில்
ஆயிரம் நிலவாய் பொழியும்
அங்கம் ஒரு ஆலிலை போல்
இங்கு நடனம் புரியும்
அன்பே என மாதவன் தோள் தொட
நெடுநாள் உருகும்
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
காத்திருப்பான் கை அணைக்க
காதலியாள் மெய் அணைக்க
காத்திருப்பான் கை அணைக்க
காதலியாள் மெய் அணைக்க
கண்ணன் மனம் அந்தப்புரமே
வந்தாடிடும் முத்துச் சரமே
அச்சம் விடும் பச்சைக் கிளியே
அவன் தாள் தினம் நத்தும் கனியே
நாளும் ஓதும்......காதல் வேதம்....
The music and dance that offer rhythm,
Will blossom pleasantly,
In the glance of those sharp eyes, a thousand,
Moons will shower down,
Here the body sways like a banyan leaf,
Performing a classical dance,
Calling out 'My love', to touch Madhavan's shoulder,
It melts for a long time...
கங்கைக்கரை மன்னனடி
கண்ணன் மலர்க் கண்ணனடி
வங்கக்கடல் வண்ணனடி
உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வனடி
{He will wait to embrace with his hands,
To be physically embraced by his lover} (2)
நெஞ்சில் எழும் அலைகளிலே
நீச்சல் இடும் இளைஞனடி
வஞ்சிக் கொடி மடியினிலே
மஞ்சம் இடும் தலைவனடி
Krishna's heart is a royal palace,
A string of pearls swaying and dancing,
Oh green parrot shedding fear,
The lonely one who longs for his feet daily,
Reciting the scripture of love every day...
{உள்ளத்தை எடுத்தேன்
உன் கையில் கொடுத்தேன்
வெள்ளத்தைப் பிரிந்த
மீனைப் போல் துடித்தேன்} (2)
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
In the waves rising within my heart,
He is the youth who swims, my friend,
On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl,
He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend.
{I took my heart,
And gave it into your hands,
Like a fish separated from,
The water, I squirmed and writhed...} (2)
Kanmaniyae raadhai enum
Oh my dear, beloved called Radha,
Kaadhaliyae naan virumbum
The lover whom I desire,
Pen maniyae aadai kattum
Oh precious woman wearing fine garments,
Painkiliyae …ae….
Oh green parrot... ae...
Kannan vanthaan paatisaikka
Krishna has come to play music,
Kavalaigalai vittu vidu …uu..
Leave all your worries behind... uu..
Kaalsalangai saththamida
As the anklets make jingling sounds,
Medaiyilae vattamidu….uu..
Circle around on the stage... uu..
Gangai karai mannanadi
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
Kannan malar kannanadi
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
Vangakadal vannanadi
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
Ullangavar kalvanadi
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
Nenjil ezhum alaigalilae
In the waves rising within my heart,
Neechal idum ilainjanadi
He is the youth who swims, my friend,
Vanjikodi madiyinilae
On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl,
Manjam idum thalaivanadi
He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend.
Ullaththai eduthen
I took my heart,
Un kaiyil koduthen
And gave it into your hands,
Vellathai pirintha
Like a fish separated from,
Meenai pol thudithen…
The water, I squirmed and writhed...
Gangai karai mannanadi
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
Kannan malar kannanadi
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
Vangakadal vannanadi
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
Ullangavar kalvanadi
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
Thaththum siru
The little hopping,
Thaamarai paathangal
Lotus-like feet,
Nadaithaan payila
As they learn to walk,
Kaththum kadal neeralai pol
Like the waves of the roaring sea,
Ingu kuzhal thaan neliya
Her hair curls gracefully here,
Illai ena yaavarum kooridum
The waist that everyone says is nonexistent,
Idaithaan odiya
Is about to snap,
Inbam ena en vizhi paarpathu
What my eyes see as pure bliss,
Imaithaan viriya
Makes my eyelids open wide.
{Kaalsadhangai aaduthadi
{The anklets dance, my friend,
Naal varathaan vaaduthadi} (2)
Withering as the days pass, my friend} (2)
Munnam pala jenmam vazhiyae
Through many previous births,
Undaanathu un uravae
Your relationship with me was formed,
Innum ennai thottu thodarnthae
Continuing to touch and pursue me,
Panthaaduthu un ninaivae
Your memories play like a rolling ball,
Uyir vaazhum pennaa
Is she a living woman?
Vaa vaa kannaa…
Come, come Krishna...
Gangai karai mannanadi
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
Kannan malar kannanadi
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
Vangakadal vannanadi
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
Ullangavar kalvanadi
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
Nenjil ezhum alaigalilae
In the waves rising within my heart,
Neechal idum ilainjanadi
He is the youth who swims, my friend,
Vanjikodi madiyinilae
On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl,
Manjam idum thalaivanadi
He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend.
Ullaththai eduthen
I took my heart,
Un kaiyil koduthen
And gave it into your hands,
Vellathai pirintha
Like a fish separated from,
Meenai pol thudithen…
The water, I squirmed and writhed...
Gangai karai mannanadi
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
Kannan malar kannanadi
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
Vangakadal vannanadi
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
Ullangavar kalvanadi
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
………………………………
Santham tharum aadalum paadalum
The music and dance that offer rhythm,
Sugamaai malarum
Will blossom pleasantly,
Suttum vizhi paarvayil aayiram
In the glance of those sharp eyes, a thousand,
Nilavaai pozhiyum
Moons will shower down,
Angam oru aalilai pol ingu
Here the body sways like a banyan leaf,
Nadanam puriyum
Performing a classical dance,
Anbae ena madhavan thol thoda
Calling out 'My love', to touch Madhavan's shoulder,
Nedunaal urugum…
It melts for a long time...
{Kaathiruppaan kaiyanaikka
{He will wait to embrace with his hands,
Kaadhaliyaal meiyanaikka }(2)
To be physically embraced by his lover} (2)
Kannan manam andhapuramae
Krishna's heart is a royal palace,
Vanthaadidum muthucharamae
A string of pearls swaying and dancing,
Achcham vidum pachchai kiliyae
Oh green parrot shedding fear,
Avan thaal dhinam naththum thaniyae
The lonely one who longs for his feet daily,
Naalum othum kaadhal vetham…
Reciting the scripture of love every day...
Gangai karai mannanadi
He is the king of the Ganges banks, my friend,
Kannan malar kannanadi
He is flower-eyed Krishna, my friend,
Vangakadal vannanadi
He has the hue of the deep blue sea, my friend,
Ullangavar kalvanadi
He is the thief who stole my heart, my friend.
Nenjil ezhum alaigalilae
In the waves rising within my heart,
Neechal idum ilainjanadi
He is the youth who swims, my friend,
Vanjikodi madiyinilae
On the lap of the slender creeper-like girl,
Manjam idum thalaivanadi
He is the leader who makes his bed, my friend.
{Ullaththai eduthen
{I took my heart,
Un kaiyil koduthen
And gave it into your hands,
Vellathai pirintha
Like a fish separated from,
Meenai pol thudithen… } (2)
The water, I squirmed and writhed...} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Gangai Karai Mannanadi' from *Varusham Padhinaaru* (1989) is a classical-tinged dance melody expressing deep romantic devotion framed through the classical motif of Radha and Krishna. The heroine addresses her friend (sakhi), extolling the virtues, beauty, and divine charm of her lover—comparing him to Lord Krishna, the king of Ganges banks and ocean-complexioned stealer of hearts. She details her emotional ecstasy, physical grace in dance, and the torment of separation. Through vivid imagery of lotus feet, delicate waistlines, swaying curls, and fluttering banyan leaves, the lyricist Vaali weaves a narrative of soul-level connection spanning multiple lifetimes ('munnam pala jenmam vazhiyae'). The heroine surrenders her heart completely, describing her pain without her lover as akin to a fish out of water, while celebrating the divine joy of love and dance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Vellathai pirintha / Meenai pol thudithen…”
Compares the emotional agony of being separated from the beloved directly to a fish squirming after being taken out of water ('meenai pol').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vanjikodi madiyinilae”
Metaphorically compares the slim, flexible waist of the maiden to a slender climbing vine ('vanjikodi').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kannan malar kannanadi”
Describes Krishna's eyes metaphorically as soft blossoms ('malar kannan').
Simile (Upamai)
“Angam oru aalilai pol ingu / Nadanam puriyum”
Compares the subtle, fluid movements of the dancer's body to a gently fluttering banyan leaf ('aalilai pol').
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Gangai karai mannanadi / Kannan malar kannanadi”
The second consonant sound 'nn' (ங்/ண்) rhymes across consecutive lines.
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Trivia
'Gangai Karai Mannanadi' is a celebrated classical composition composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. S. Chithra for the 1989 Tamil hit film *Varusham Padhinaaru*, directed by Fazil. The film starred Karthik and Nirosha in lead roles. The song is famed for K. S. Chithra's intricate classical vocal renditions and Vaali's evocative lyrics drawing heavily on Tamil Sangam and Bhakti poetic conventions.
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