Gangai Karai Thottam
From Vanambadi · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vanambadi1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Gangai | Ganges |
| Karai thottam | A garden on the bank, |
| Kanni pengal kootam | A crowd of young maidens, |
| Kannan naduvinilae | And Lord Krishna right in the middle. |
| Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae | Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle. |
| Female | |
| Kaalai ilam kaatru | The gentle morning breeze, |
| Paadi varum paatu | The song coming with it, |
| Edhilum avan kuralae | In everything, it is His voice. |
| Oo oo edhilum avan kuralae | Oo oo, in everything, it is His voice. |
| Female | |
| ………………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Gangai | Ganges |
| Karai thottam | A garden on the bank, |
| Kanni pengal kootam | A crowd of young maidens, |
| Kannan naduvinilae | And Lord Krishna right in the middle. |
| Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae | Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle. |
| Female | |
| Kaalai ilam kaatru | The gentle morning breeze, |
| Paadi varum paatu | The song coming with it, |
| Edhilum avan kuralae | In everything, it is His voice. |
| Oo oo edhilum avan kuralae | Oo oo, in everything, it is His voice. |
| Female | |
| { Kannan | { Krishna's |
| Muga thotram kanden | Divine face I saw, |
| Kandavudan maatram konden } (2) | The moment I saw Him, I underwent a change } (2) |
| Female | |
| { Kan | { My eyes |
| Mayangi yengi nindren | Fainted and yearned as I stood, |
| Kanni silayaga nindren } (2) | I stood like a virgin statue } (2) |
| Female | |
| Enna | What |
| Ninaindheno | Was I thinking, |
| Thannai marandheno | Did I lose myself completely, |
| Kanneer perugiyadhae | Tears welled up in abundance, |
| Oh hoo kanneer perugiyadhae | Oh hoo, tears overflowed. |
| Female | |
| Gangai | Ganges |
| Karai thottam | A garden on the bank, |
| Kanni pengal kootam | A crowd of young maidens, |
| Kannan naduvinilae | And Lord Krishna right in the middle. |
| Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae | Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle. |
| Female | |
| { Kannan | { Lord Krishna |
| Ennai kandu kondan | Noticed me, |
| Kai irandil alli kondan } (2) | And gathered me in both His arms } (2) |
| Female | |
| { Ponalagu | { Golden beauty |
| Meni endran poo | Is your body, He said, and with flower |
| Charangal soodi thandhan } (2) | Garlands He adorned me } (2) |
| Female | |
| Kan | My eyes |
| Thirandhu paarthen | I opened and looked, |
| Kannan angu illai | Krishna was not there, |
| Kanneer perugiyadhae | Tears welled up in abundance, |
| Oh hoo kanneer perugiyadhae | Oh hoo, tears overflowed. |
| Female | |
| Andru | The Krishna who |
| Vandha kannan | Came that day, |
| Indru vara villai | Has not come today, |
| Endro avan varuvan oo hoo | Someday He will return, oo hoo, |
| Endro avan varuvan | Someday He will return. |
| Female | |
| { Kannan | { The eyes |
| Mugam kanda kangal | That saw Krishna's face |
| Mannar mugam kaanbathillai } (2) | Will never look at a king's face } (2) |
| Female | |
| { Kannanuku | { To Krishna, |
| Thandha ullam | The heart I gave away, |
| Innoruvar kolvadhillai } (2) | No someone else can ever take } (2) |
| Female | |
| Kannan | When Krishna |
| Varum naalil kanni | Arrives on that day, will I as a maiden |
| Irupeno kaatril maraiveno | Still be here, or disappear into the wind? |
| Oo hoo kaatril maraiveno | Oo hoo, disappear into the wind? |
| Female | |
| Naadi | Seeking me |
| Varum kannan | When Krishna comes, |
| Kolamani maarbil | On His jewel-adorned chest, |
| Naanae thavalndhirupen | I alone will rest, |
| Oo hoo naanae thavalndhirupen | Oo hoo, I alone will rest. |
| { Kanna aa aaaa….. } (3) | { Oh Krishna aa aaaa... } (3) |
| Female | |
| Gangai | Ganges |
| Karai thottam | A garden on the bank, |
| Kanni pengal kootam | A crowd of young maidens, |
| Kannan naduvinilae | And Lord Krishna right in the middle. |
| Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae | Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle. |
கங்கை கரை
தோட்டம் கன்னி பெண்கள்
கூட்டம் கண்ணன் நடுவினிலே
ஓஓ ஹோ ஓஓ கண்ணன்
நடுவினிலே
Ganges
A garden on the bank,
A crowd of young maidens,
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
காலை இளம்
காற்று பாடி வரும் பாட்டு
எதிலும் அவன் குரலே
ஓஓ ஓஓ எதிலும்
அவன் குரலே
The gentle morning breeze,
The song coming with it,
In everything, it is His voice.
Oo oo, in everything, it is His voice.
.......................
...
கங்கை கரை
தோட்டம் கன்னி பெண்கள்
கூட்டம் கண்ணன் நடுவினிலே
ஓஓ ஹோ ஓஓ கண்ணன்
நடுவினிலே
Ganges
A garden on the bank,
A crowd of young maidens,
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
காலை இளம்
காற்று பாடி வரும் பாட்டு
எதிலும் அவன் குரலே
ஓஓ ஓஓ எதிலும்
அவன் குரலே
The gentle morning breeze,
The song coming with it,
In everything, it is His voice.
Oo oo, in everything, it is His voice.
{ கண்ணன் முக
தோற்றம் கண்டேன்
கண்டவுடன் மாற்றம்
கொண்டேன் } (2)
{ Krishna's
Divine face I saw,
The moment I saw Him, I underwent a change } (2)
{ கண் மயங்கி
ஏங்கி நின்றேன் கன்னி
சிலையாக நின்றேன் } (2)
{ My eyes
Fainted and yearned as I stood,
I stood like a virgin statue } (2)
என்ன நினைந்தேனோ
தன்னை மறந்தேனோ கண்ணீர்
பெருகியதே ஓ ஹோ கண்ணீர்
பெருகியதே
What
Was I thinking,
Did I lose myself completely,
Tears welled up in abundance,
Oh hoo, tears overflowed.
கங்கை கரை
தோட்டம் கன்னி பெண்கள்
கூட்டம் கண்ணன் நடுவினிலே
ஓஓ ஹோ ஓஓ கண்ணன்
நடுவினிலே
Ganges
A garden on the bank,
A crowd of young maidens,
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
{ கண்ணன்
என்னை கண்டு
கொண்டான் கை
இரண்டில் அள்ளி
கொண்டான் } (2)
{ Lord Krishna
Noticed me,
And gathered me in both His arms } (2)
{ பொன்னழகு
மேனி என்றான் பூ
சரங்கள் சூடி தந்தான் } (2)
{ Golden beauty
Is your body, He said, and with flower
Garlands He adorned me } (2)
கண் திறந்து
பார்த்தேன் கண்ணன்
அங்கு இல்லை கண்ணீர்
பெருகியதே ஓ ஹோ
கண்ணீர் பெருகியதே
My eyes
I opened and looked,
Krishna was not there,
Tears welled up in abundance,
Oh hoo, tears overflowed.
அன்று வந்த
கண்ணன் இன்று வர
வில்லை என்றோ
அவன் வருவான் ஓ
ஹோ என்றோ
அவன் வருவான்
The Krishna who
Came that day,
Has not come today,
Someday He will return, oo hoo,
Someday He will return.
{ கண்ணன்
முகம் கண்ட கண்கள்
மன்னர் முகம்
காண்பதில்லை } (2)
{ The eyes
That saw Krishna's face
Will never look at a king's face } (2)
{ கண்ணனுக்கு
தந்த உள்ளம்
இன்னொருவர்
கொல்வதில்லை } (2)
{ To Krishna,
The heart I gave away,
No someone else can ever take } (2)
கண்ணன் வரும்
நாளில் கன்னி இருப்பேனோ
காற்றில் மறைவேனோ ஓ
ஹோ காற்றில் மறைவேனோ
When Krishna
Arrives on that day, will I as a maiden
Still be here, or disappear into the wind?
Oo hoo, disappear into the wind?
நாடி வரும்
கண்ணன் கோலமணி
மார்பில் நானே
தவழ்ந்திருப்பேன் ஓ
ஹோ நானே தவழ்ந்திருப்பேன்
{ கண்ணா ஆஆஆ... } (3)
Seeking me
When Krishna comes,
On His jewel-adorned chest,
I alone will rest,
Oo hoo, I alone will rest.
{ Oh Krishna aa aaaa... } (3)
கங்கை கரை
தோட்டம் கன்னி பெண்கள்
கூட்டம் கண்ணன் நடுவினிலே
ஓஓ ஹோ ஓஓ கண்ணன்
நடுவினிலே
Ganges
A garden on the bank,
A crowd of young maidens,
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
Gangai
Ganges
Karai thottam
A garden on the bank,
Kanni pengal kootam
A crowd of young maidens,
Kannan naduvinilae
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
Kaalai ilam kaatru
The gentle morning breeze,
Paadi varum paatu
The song coming with it,
Edhilum avan kuralae
In everything, it is His voice.
Oo oo edhilum avan kuralae
Oo oo, in everything, it is His voice.
…………………
...
Gangai
Ganges
Karai thottam
A garden on the bank,
Kanni pengal kootam
A crowd of young maidens,
Kannan naduvinilae
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
Kaalai ilam kaatru
The gentle morning breeze,
Paadi varum paatu
The song coming with it,
Edhilum avan kuralae
In everything, it is His voice.
Oo oo edhilum avan kuralae
Oo oo, in everything, it is His voice.
{ Kannan
{ Krishna's
Muga thotram kanden
Divine face I saw,
Kandavudan maatram konden } (2)
The moment I saw Him, I underwent a change } (2)
{ Kan
{ My eyes
Mayangi yengi nindren
Fainted and yearned as I stood,
Kanni silayaga nindren } (2)
I stood like a virgin statue } (2)
Enna
What
Ninaindheno
Was I thinking,
Thannai marandheno
Did I lose myself completely,
Kanneer perugiyadhae
Tears welled up in abundance,
Oh hoo kanneer perugiyadhae
Oh hoo, tears overflowed.
Gangai
Ganges
Karai thottam
A garden on the bank,
Kanni pengal kootam
A crowd of young maidens,
Kannan naduvinilae
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
{ Kannan
{ Lord Krishna
Ennai kandu kondan
Noticed me,
Kai irandil alli kondan } (2)
And gathered me in both His arms } (2)
{ Ponalagu
{ Golden beauty
Meni endran poo
Is your body, He said, and with flower
Charangal soodi thandhan } (2)
Garlands He adorned me } (2)
Kan
My eyes
Thirandhu paarthen
I opened and looked,
Kannan angu illai
Krishna was not there,
Kanneer perugiyadhae
Tears welled up in abundance,
Oh hoo kanneer perugiyadhae
Oh hoo, tears overflowed.
Andru
The Krishna who
Vandha kannan
Came that day,
Indru vara villai
Has not come today,
Endro avan varuvan oo hoo
Someday He will return, oo hoo,
Endro avan varuvan
Someday He will return.
{ Kannan
{ The eyes
Mugam kanda kangal
That saw Krishna's face
Mannar mugam kaanbathillai } (2)
Will never look at a king's face } (2)
{ Kannanuku
{ To Krishna,
Thandha ullam
The heart I gave away,
Innoruvar kolvadhillai } (2)
No someone else can ever take } (2)
Kannan
When Krishna
Varum naalil kanni
Arrives on that day, will I as a maiden
Irupeno kaatril maraiveno
Still be here, or disappear into the wind?
Oo hoo kaatril maraiveno
Oo hoo, disappear into the wind?
Naadi
Seeking me
Varum kannan
When Krishna comes,
Kolamani maarbil
On His jewel-adorned chest,
Naanae thavalndhirupen
I alone will rest,
Oo hoo naanae thavalndhirupen
Oo hoo, I alone will rest.
{ Kanna aa aaaa….. } (3)
{ Oh Krishna aa aaaa... } (3)
Gangai
Ganges
Karai thottam
A garden on the bank,
Kanni pengal kootam
A crowd of young maidens,
Kannan naduvinilae
And Lord Krishna right in the middle.
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo, Lord Krishna in the middle.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song from the movie 'Vanambadi' (1963) encapsulates the divine longing ('Madhura Bhava' / 'Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava') of a devotee for Lord Krishna. Set against the serene backdrop of a garden on the banks of the river Ganges, the protagonist perceives Krishna's presence in every element of nature—from the morning breeze to the gentle melodies around her. She recounts a deep spiritual trance where she glimpses His face, loses herself, and experiences a dreamlike embrace where Krishna praises her and adorns her with flowers, only to awaken to the painful realization of His absence. Despite her sorrow, her devotion remains steadfast and uncompromising. She asserts that eyes that have beheld the divine face of Krishna will never look upon an earthly king, and a heart given to Him can belong to no other mortal. She contemplates her own mortality while eagerly awaiting His eventual return, ultimately finding solace in the hope of union with the divine.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Kaalai ilam kaatru Paadi varum paatu”
The gentle morning breeze is personified as a singer bringing a song.
Upamai Ani (Simile)
“Kanni silayaga nindren”
The heroine compares her still, spellbound state in devotion to a frozen statue ('silayaga').
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Mayangi yengi nindren / Kanni silayaga nindren”
Both lines end with the rhyming word 'nindren'.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kaalai ilam kaatru”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound in 'Kaalai' and 'kaatru'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the master lyricist Kannadasan, 'Gangai Karai Thottam' is historically sung by the legendary playback singer P. Susheela, set to music by the famous composer K. V. Mahadevan for the film 'Vanambadi' (1963). The lyrics draw heavily from classical Bhakti literature, particularly the traditions of Andal and Carnatic compositions centered on Krishna devotionalism.
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