Gangai Karaiyil Vilaintha
From Geetha Oru Shenbagapoo · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, Jolly Abraham
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Geetha Oru Shenbagapoo1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Gangai karaiyil…..vilaintha kavithai | A poem born on the banks of the Ganges |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Male | |
| Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai | A poem born on the banks of the Ganges |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai | A poem born on the banks of the Ganges |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Male | |
| Kodai malaiyil aadum mayilae | She is a peacock dancing in the summer hills, |
| Konjinaal killai avalae | If she lisps affectionately, she is a parrot. |
| Kodai malaiyil aadum mayilae | She is a peacock dancing in the summer hills, |
| Konjinaal killai avalae | If she lisps affectionately, she is a parrot. |
| Male | |
| Thandai thaalaatta idai seeraatta | As her anklets rock in lullaby and her waist sways in grace, |
| Kann kendai meenaaga vilaiyaadum | Her eyes play playfully like carp fish. |
| Thandai thaalaatta idai seeraatta | As her anklets rock in lullaby and her waist sways in grace, |
| Kann kendai meenaaga vilaiyaadum | Her eyes play playfully like carp fish. |
| Male | |
| Thaththidum megalai saptham idumpadi | Making her waist-ornament chime as it gently leaps, |
| Muththu rathangalin oorvalam vanthathu | A procession of pearl chariots has arrived. |
| Salang salang enum isai | Is it the melody sounding 'Chalang chalang'? |
| Sugam sugam enum mizhiyo | Or are those her eyes whispering 'Bliss, bliss'? |
| Female :Aahaahaah….aa….. | [Vocalizing] Aahaahaah… aa… |
| Lalalaa….aahaah…. | [Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah… |
| Male | |
| Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai | A poem born on the banks of the Ganges |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Female | |
| Pachai ilai meedhu palli kondaalum | Even if she rests upon a green leaf, |
| Penn kurinji malaraai urumaarum | The maiden transforms into a rare Kurinji flower. |
| Pachai ilai meedhu palli kondaalum | Even if she rests upon a green leaf, |
| Penn kurinji malaraai urumaarum | The maiden transforms into a rare Kurinji flower. |
| Female | |
| Pattu mugaththodu naanam vanthaalum | Even when shyness washes over her silky face, |
| Thann maeni kalaiyil niram maarum | Her complexion changes with artistic allure. |
| Pattu mugaththodu naanam vanthaalum | Even when shyness washes over her silky face, |
| Thann maeni kalaiyil niram maarum | Her complexion changes with artistic allure. |
| Female | |
| Karpanai mannavan kangal padumpadi | Standing before the gaze of the king of imagination, |
| Nirpathu menmaiyin arputha kaaviyam | What stands is a wonderful epic of delicate grace. |
| Agam puram irandilum | In both inner emotions and outer life, |
| Aval sugam avan urave | She is the bliss, and he is her rightful bond. |
| Male :Aahahaah….aa… | [Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa… |
| Female :Lalalaa….aahaah….. | [Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah… |
| Male | |
| Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai | A poem born on the banks of the Ganges |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Male | |
| Aganaanooru unthan varalaaru | Your history is like Akanaanooru, |
| Un azhagu endrum padhinaaru | Your beauty is forever sixteen. |
| Female :Puranaanooru idhu enumaaru | How can this be called Puranaanooru? |
| Namm kannum kannum thagaraaru | This is a playful battle between our eyes! |
| Male | |
| Sengani meniyil ambuli aadida | As the moon glides over her soft, ripe form, |
| Mangala kungumam manthiram poda | The sacred vermilion casts a divine spell. |
| Female :Idam porul arinthoru | Knowing the right place, meaning, and time, |
| Sugam tharum thunai neeyae | You are the companion who bestows complete joy. |
| Male :Aahahaah….aa… | [Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa… |
| Female :Lalalaa….aahaah….. | [Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah… |
| Male | |
| Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai | A poem born on the banks of the Ganges |
| Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae | Is that young woman's blossoming face. |
| Female :Aahahaah….aa… | [Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa… |
| Oohho….oo….. | [Vocalizing] Oohho… oo… |
கங்கை கரையில்......விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
கங்கை கரையில் விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
கங்கை கரையில் விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
கோடை மலையில் ஆடும் மயிலே
கொஞ்சினால் கிள்ளை அவளே
கோடை மலையில் ஆடும் மயிலே
கொஞ்சினால் கிள்ளை அவளே
She is a peacock dancing in the summer hills,
If she lisps affectionately, she is a parrot.
She is a peacock dancing in the summer hills,
If she lisps affectionately, she is a parrot.
கங்கை கரையில் விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
As her anklets rock in lullaby and her waist sways in grace,
Her eyes play playfully like carp fish.
As her anklets rock in lullaby and her waist sways in grace,
Her eyes play playfully like carp fish.
புள்ளி மானாக துள்ளி வந்தாலும்
பொன்மேக கூந்தல் சதிராடும்
புள்ளி மானாக துள்ளி வந்தாலும்
பொன்மேக கூந்தல் சதிராடும்
Making her waist-ornament chime as it gently leaps,
A procession of pearl chariots has arrived.
Is it the melody sounding 'Chalang chalang'?
Or are those her eyes whispering 'Bliss, bliss'?
[Vocalizing] Aahaahaah… aa…
[Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah…
தண்டை தாலாட்ட இடை சீராட்ட
கண் கெண்டை மீனாக விளையாடும்
தண்டை தாலாட்ட இடை சீராட்ட
கண் கெண்டை மீனாக விளையாடும்
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
தத்திடும் மேகலை சப்தம் இடும்படி
முத்து ரதங்களின் ஊர்வலம் வந்தது
சலங் சலங் எனும் இசை
சுகம் சுகம் எனும் மொழியோ....
ஆஹாஹாஹ்.....ஆ......
லலலா...ஆஹாஹ்...
Even if she rests upon a green leaf,
The maiden transforms into a rare Kurinji flower.
Even if she rests upon a green leaf,
The maiden transforms into a rare Kurinji flower.
கங்கை கரையில் விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
Even when shyness washes over her silky face,
Her complexion changes with artistic allure.
Even when shyness washes over her silky face,
Her complexion changes with artistic allure.
பச்சை இலை மீது பள்ளிக் கொண்டாலும்
பெண் குறிஞ்சி மலராய் உருமாறும்
பச்சை இலை மீது பள்ளிக் கொண்டாலும்
பெண் குறிஞ்சி மலராய் உருமாறும்
Standing before the gaze of the king of imagination,
What stands is a wonderful epic of delicate grace.
In both inner emotions and outer life,
She is the bliss, and he is her rightful bond.
[Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa…
[Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah…
பட்டு முகத்தோடு நாணம் வந்தாலும்
தன் மேனி கலையில் நிறம் மாறும்
பட்டு முகத்தோடு நாணம் வந்தாலும்
தன் மேனி கலையில் நிறம் மாறும்
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
கற்பனை மன்னனவன் கண்கள் படும்படி
நிற்பது மென்மையின் அற்புத காவியம்
அகம் புறம் இரண்டிலும்
அவள் சுகம் அவன் உறவே
ஆஹாஹாஹ்.....ஆஅ......
லலலா...ஆஹாஹ்......
Your history is like Akanaanooru,
Your beauty is forever sixteen.
How can this be called Puranaanooru?
This is a playful battle between our eyes!
கங்கை கரையில் விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
As the moon glides over her soft, ripe form,
The sacred vermilion casts a divine spell.
Knowing the right place, meaning, and time,
You are the companion who bestows complete joy.
[Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa…
[Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah…
அகநானூறு உந்தன் வரலாறு
உன் அழகு என்றும் பதினாறு
புறநானூறு இது எனுமாறு
நம் கண்ணும் கண்ணும் தகராறு
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
[Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa…
[Vocalizing] Oohho… oo…
செங்கனி மேனியில் அம்புலி ஆடிட
மங்கல குங்குமம் மந்திரம் போட
இடம் பொருள் அறிந்தொரு
சுகம் தரும் துணை நீயே
ஆஹாஹாஹ்.....ஆஅ......
லலலா...ஆஹாஹ்......
கங்கை கரையில் விளைந்த கவிதை
மங்கை அவளின் மலர்ந்த முகமே....
ஆஹாஹாஹ்.....ஆஅ......
ஓஹ்ஹோ......ஓ.........
Gangai karaiyil…..vilaintha kavithai
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Kodai malaiyil aadum mayilae
She is a peacock dancing in the summer hills,
Konjinaal killai avalae
If she lisps affectionately, she is a parrot.
Kodai malaiyil aadum mayilae
She is a peacock dancing in the summer hills,
Konjinaal killai avalae
If she lisps affectionately, she is a parrot.
Thandai thaalaatta idai seeraatta
As her anklets rock in lullaby and her waist sways in grace,
Kann kendai meenaaga vilaiyaadum
Her eyes play playfully like carp fish.
Thandai thaalaatta idai seeraatta
As her anklets rock in lullaby and her waist sways in grace,
Kann kendai meenaaga vilaiyaadum
Her eyes play playfully like carp fish.
Thaththidum megalai saptham idumpadi
Making her waist-ornament chime as it gently leaps,
Muththu rathangalin oorvalam vanthathu
A procession of pearl chariots has arrived.
Salang salang enum isai
Is it the melody sounding 'Chalang chalang'?
Sugam sugam enum mizhiyo
Or are those her eyes whispering 'Bliss, bliss'?
Female :Aahaahaah….aa…..
[Vocalizing] Aahaahaah… aa…
Lalalaa….aahaah….
[Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah…
Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Pachai ilai meedhu palli kondaalum
Even if she rests upon a green leaf,
Penn kurinji malaraai urumaarum
The maiden transforms into a rare Kurinji flower.
Pachai ilai meedhu palli kondaalum
Even if she rests upon a green leaf,
Penn kurinji malaraai urumaarum
The maiden transforms into a rare Kurinji flower.
Pattu mugaththodu naanam vanthaalum
Even when shyness washes over her silky face,
Thann maeni kalaiyil niram maarum
Her complexion changes with artistic allure.
Pattu mugaththodu naanam vanthaalum
Even when shyness washes over her silky face,
Thann maeni kalaiyil niram maarum
Her complexion changes with artistic allure.
Karpanai mannavan kangal padumpadi
Standing before the gaze of the king of imagination,
Nirpathu menmaiyin arputha kaaviyam
What stands is a wonderful epic of delicate grace.
Agam puram irandilum
In both inner emotions and outer life,
Aval sugam avan urave
She is the bliss, and he is her rightful bond.
Male :Aahahaah….aa…
[Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa…
Female :Lalalaa….aahaah…..
[Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah…
Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Aganaanooru unthan varalaaru
Your history is like Akanaanooru,
Un azhagu endrum padhinaaru
Your beauty is forever sixteen.
Female :Puranaanooru idhu enumaaru
How can this be called Puranaanooru?
Namm kannum kannum thagaraaru
This is a playful battle between our eyes!
Sengani meniyil ambuli aadida
As the moon glides over her soft, ripe form,
Mangala kungumam manthiram poda
The sacred vermilion casts a divine spell.
Female :Idam porul arinthoru
Knowing the right place, meaning, and time,
Sugam tharum thunai neeyae
You are the companion who bestows complete joy.
Male :Aahahaah….aa…
[Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa…
Female :Lalalaa….aahaah…..
[Vocalizing] Lalalaa… aahaah…
Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai
A poem born on the banks of the Ganges
Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae
Is that young woman's blossoming face.
Female :Aahahaah….aa…
[Vocalizing] Aahahaah… aa…
Oohho….oo…..
[Vocalizing] Oohho… oo…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Gangai Karaiyil is a classical romantic duet from the 1980 movie 'Geetha Oru Shenbagapoo', featuring music by M. S. Viswanathan and lyricist Kannadasan. The hero poetically idealizes the heroine's face as a poem cultivated on the divine banks of the Ganges, drawing rich metaphors from nature—comparing her grace to a dancing peacock, her sweet chatter to a parrot, and her eyes to darting carp fish.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Gangai karaiyil / Mangai avalin”
The second consonant 'ng' (ங்) matches in both 'Gangai' and 'Mangai', creating a smooth rhythmic harmony.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Gangai karaiyil vilaintha kavithai / Mangai avalin malarntha mugamae”
The woman's blossoming face is metaphorically framed as an exquisite poem born along the Ganges.
Simile (Uwamai)
“Kann kendai meenaaga vilaiyaadum”
Her expressive eyes are compared directly to carp fish ('kendai meen') darting playfully.
Classical Allusion
“Aganaanooru unthan varalaaru / Puranaanooru idhu enumaaru”
Kannadasan cleverly references classical Sangam Tamil poetry—Akanaanooru (inner love poetry) and Puranaanooru (outer heroism poetry)—to elevate their playful romantic banter.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song showcases Kannadasan's mastery of integrating ancient Sangam Tamil literature terms like 'Akanaanooru' and 'Puranaanooru' into mainstream 1980s film lyrics. M. S. Viswanathan used classical Carnatic scales blended with light orchestration, creating a timeless duet performed by Vani Jairam and Jolly Abraham.
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