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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gangai Karai Thottam

From Vanambadi · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Vanambadi
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
28 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Gangai
Karai thottam
Kanni pengal kootam
Kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
Kaalai ilam kaatru
Paadi varum paatu
Edhilum avan kuralae
Oo oo edhilum avan kuralae
…………………
Gangai
Karai thottam
Kanni pengal kootam
Kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
Kaalai ilam kaatru
Paadi varum paatu
Edhilum avan kuralae
Oo oo edhilum avan kuralae
{ Kannan
Muga thotram kanden
Kandavudan maatram konden } (2)
{ Kan
Mayangi yengi nindren
Kanni silayaga nindren } (2)
Enna
Ninaindheno
Thannai marandheno
Kanneer perugiyadhae
Oh hoo kanneer perugiyadhae
Gangai
Karai thottam
Kanni pengal kootam
Kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
{ Kannan
Ennai kandu kondan
Kai irandil alli kondan } (2)
{ Ponalagu
Meni endran poo
Charangal soodi thandhan } (2)
Kan
Thirandhu paarthen
Kannan angu illai
Kanneer perugiyadhae
Oh hoo kanneer perugiyadhae
Andru
Vandha kannan
Indru vara villai
Endro avan varuvan oo hoo
Endro avan varuvan
{ Kannan
Mugam kanda kangal
Mannar mugam kaanbathillai } (2)
{ Kannanuku
Thandha ullam
Innoruvar kolvadhillai } (2)
Kannan
Varum naalil kanni
Irupeno kaatril maraiveno
Oo hoo kaatril maraiveno
Naadi
Varum kannan
Kolamani maarbil
Naanae thavalndhirupen
Oo hoo naanae thavalndhirupen
{ Kanna aa aaaa….. } (3)
Gangai
Karai thottam
Kanni pengal kootam
Kannan naduvinilae
Oo hoo oo kannan naduvinilae
By the Ganga,
in the riverside garden,
a gathering of young women,
with Krishna in their midst.
Oh ho, with Krishna right in their midst!
The gentle morning breeze,
the song it comes singing—
in everything, it is his voice.
Oh oh, in everything, it is his voice.
...
By the Ganga,
in the riverside garden,
a gathering of young women,
with Krishna in their midst.
Oh ho, with Krishna right in their midst!
The gentle morning breeze,
the song it comes singing—
in everything, it is his voice.
Oh oh, in everything, it is his voice.
{ Krishna's
face I saw,
and the moment I saw him, I was changed }
{ My eyes
grew dazed and I stood longing,
I stood still as a statue }
What did I
think of then?
Did I forget myself completely?
Tears flowed from my eyes,
Oh ho, tears flowed from my eyes.
By the Ganga,
in the riverside garden,
a gathering of young women,
with Krishna in their midst.
Oh ho, with Krishna right in their midst!
{ Krishna
caught sight of me,
and gathered me into both his arms }
{ He praised my body
as golden beauty,
and adorned me with strings of flowers }
I opened
my eyes and looked,
but Krishna was not there.
Tears flowed from my eyes,
Oh ho, tears flowed from my eyes.
The Krishna
who came that day
has not come today.
When will he return? Oh ho,
when will he ever return?
{ Eyes that have looked
upon Krishna's face
will look upon no king's face }
{ The heart given
away to Krishna,
no one else can ever claim }
On the day Krishna
comes, will I
still be here, or fade into the wind?
Oh ho, will I fade into the wind?
Coming in search
of me, upon Krishna's
jeweled, handsome chest,
I will rest embraced.
Oh ho, I will rest embraced.
{ Oh Krishna... }
By the Ganga,
in the riverside garden,
a gathering of young women,
with Krishna in their midst.
Oh ho, with Krishna right in their midst!
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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