Gangai Nathiyoram
From Varaprasadham · 1976
- Lyricist
- Ambikapathi
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- R. Govarthanam
- Details
- Varaprasadham1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Gangai nadhi oram | On the banks of the River Ganges, |
| Raaman nadandhaan | Rama walked, |
| Kannin mani seethai | Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye, |
| Thaanum thodarndhaal | She too followed, |
| Mella nadandhaal | She walked softly. |
| Female | |
| Gangai nadhi oram | On the banks of the River Ganges, |
| Raaman nadandhaan | Rama walked, |
| Kannin mani seethai | Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye, |
| Thaanum thodarndhaal | She too followed, |
| Mella nadandhaal | She walked softly. |
| Female | |
| Kalyaanam ennum | The bond called marriage, |
| Dheiveega bandham | Is a divine connection, |
| Kaalangal thorum | Through all the ages, |
| Vaazhgindra sondham | It is a relationship that lives forever. |
| Kalyaanam ennum | The bond called marriage, |
| Dheiveega bandham | Is a divine connection, |
| Kaalangal thorum | Through all the ages, |
| Vaazhgindra sondham | It is a relationship that lives forever. |
| Vilaiyaattu pillai manal veedu alla | It is not a playful child's house built of sand, |
| Vidhi yennum aatril pari povadhalla | Nor is it something to be washed away in the river of fate. |
| Female | |
| Gangai nadhi oram | On the banks of the River Ganges, |
| Raaman nadandhaan | Rama walked, |
| Kannin mani seethai | Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye, |
| Thaanum thodarndhaal | She too followed, |
| Mella nadandhaal | She walked softly. |
| Male | |
| {Aa… haa… haa… aa… aa… aa… } (Overlap) | {Aa… haa… haa… aa… aa… aa… } (Overlap) |
| Male | |
| Mangai aval seethai | That maiden Sita, |
| Mullil nadandhaal | Walked on thorns, |
| Mannanavan kannil | In the king's eyes, |
| Gangai vazhindhaal | Tears flowed like the Ganges, |
| Ullam neghizhndhaan | His heart melted. |
| Mannanavan kannil | In the king's eyes, |
| Gangai vazhindhaal | Tears flowed like the Ganges, |
| Male | |
| Maanikka paavai | Oh ruby-like doll, |
| Nee vandha velai | The moment you arrived, |
| Ninaiyaadhadhellaam | Everything I never even dreamed of, |
| Niraivaera kanden | I saw come to fruition. |
| Maanikka paavai | Oh ruby-like doll, |
| Nee vandha velai | The moment you arrived, |
| Ninaiyaadhadhellaam | Everything I never even dreamed of, |
| Niraivaera kanden | I saw come to fruition. |
| Anbaana dheivam azhiyaadha selvam | A loving deity, an imperishable wealth, |
| Pennendru vandhaal ennendru solven | When she arrived as a woman, how can I describe it? |
| Male | |
| Mangai aval seethai | That maiden Sita, |
| Mullil nadandhaal | Walked on thorns, |
| Mannanavan kannil | In the king's eyes, |
| Gangai vazhindhaal | Tears flowed like the Ganges, |
| Ullam neghizhndhaan | His heart melted. |
| Male | |
| Maniyosai kettu | Hearing the sound of auspicious bells, |
| Mana maalai sootti | Adorned with the wedding garland, |
| Uravaana vaazhkkai | A life bound in togetherness, |
| Nalamaaga vendum | Must flourish in wellness. |
| Female | |
| Nadamaadum kovil | A walking temple, |
| Manavaalan paadham | Is the groom's feet, |
| Vazhipaattu vaedham | The scripture of devotion, |
| Vizhi sollum baavam | Is the emotion expressed by her eyes. |
| Male | |
| Thirunaalil yaetrum | Lit on this auspicious day, |
| Anaiyaadha dheepam | An unquenchable lamp, |
| Female | |
| Aanandha poojai | The worship of supreme joy, |
| Aaramba velai | Has begun at this hour. |
| Male | |
| Gangai nadhi oram | On the banks of the River Ganges, |
| Raaman nadandhaan | Rama walked, |
| Female | |
| Kannin mani seethai | Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye, |
| Thaanum thodarndhaal | She too followed. |
கங்கை நதி ஓரம்
ராமன் நடந்தான்
கண்ணின் மணி சீதை
தானும் தொடர்ந்தாள்
மெல்ல நடந்தாள்
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Rama walked,
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
She too followed,
She walked softly.
கங்கை நதி ஓரம்
ராமன் நடந்தான்
கண்ணின் மணி சீதை
தானும் தொடர்ந்தாள்
மெல்ல நடந்தாள்
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Rama walked,
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
She too followed,
She walked softly.
கல்யாணம் என்னும்
தெய்வீக பந்தம்
காலங்கள் தோறும்
வாழ்கின்ற சொந்தம்
கல்யாணம் என்னும்
தெய்வீக பந்தம்
காலங்கள் தோறும்
வாழ்கின்ற சொந்தம்
விளையாட்டுப் பிள்ளை மணல் வீடு அல்ல
விதி என்னும் ஆற்றில் பறி போவதல்ல
The bond called marriage,
Is a divine connection,
Through all the ages,
It is a relationship that lives forever.
The bond called marriage,
Is a divine connection,
Through all the ages,
It is a relationship that lives forever.
It is not a playful child's house built of sand,
Nor is it something to be washed away in the river of fate.
கங்கை நதி ஓரம்
ராமன் நடந்தான்
கண்ணின் மணி சீதை
தானும் தொடர்ந்தாள்
மெல்ல நடந்தாள்
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Rama walked,
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
She too followed,
She walked softly.
{ ஆ.....ஹா.....ஹா.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...}
{Aa… haa… haa… aa… aa… aa… } (Overlap)
மங்கையவள் சீதை
முள்ளில் நடந்தாள்
மன்னனவன் கண்ணில்
கங்கை வழிந்தாள்
உள்ளம் நெகிழ்ந்தான்
மன்னனவன் கண்ணில்
கங்கை வழிந்தாள்
That maiden Sita,
Walked on thorns,
In the king's eyes,
Tears flowed like the Ganges,
His heart melted.
In the king's eyes,
Tears flowed like the Ganges,
மாணிக்கப் பாவை
நீ வந்த வேளை
நினையாததெல்லாம்
நிறைவேறக் கண்டேன்
மாணிக்கப் பாவை
நீ வந்த வேளை
நினையாததெல்லாம்
நிறைவேறக் கண்டேன்
அன்பான தெய்வம் அழியாத செல்வம்
பெண்ணென்று வந்தாள் என்னென்று சொல்வேன்
Oh ruby-like doll,
The moment you arrived,
Everything I never even dreamed of,
I saw come to fruition.
Oh ruby-like doll,
The moment you arrived,
Everything I never even dreamed of,
I saw come to fruition.
A loving deity, an imperishable wealth,
When she arrived as a woman, how can I describe it?
மங்கையவள் சீதை
முள்ளில் நடந்தாள்
மன்னனவன் கண்ணில்
கங்கை வழிந்தாள்
உள்ளம் நெகிழ்ந்தான்
That maiden Sita,
Walked on thorns,
In the king's eyes,
Tears flowed like the Ganges,
His heart melted.
மணியோசை கேட்டு
மண மாலை சூட்டி
உறவான வாழ்க்கை
நலமாக வேண்டும்
Hearing the sound of auspicious bells,
Adorned with the wedding garland,
A life bound in togetherness,
Must flourish in wellness.
நடமாடும் கோவில்
மணவாளன் பாதம்
வழிபாட்டு வேதம்
விழி சொல்லும் பாவம்
A walking temple,
Is the groom's feet,
The scripture of devotion,
Is the emotion expressed by her eyes.
திருநாளில் ஏற்றும்
அணையாத தீபம்
Lit on this auspicious day,
An unquenchable lamp,
ஆனந்த பூஜை
ஆரம்ப வேளை
The worship of supreme joy,
Has begun at this hour.
கங்கை நதியோரம் ராமன் நடந்தான்
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Rama walked,
கண்ணின் மணி சீதை
தானும் தொடர்ந்தாள்
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
She too followed.
மெல்ல நடந்தாள்
ஆஹ ஹஹஹா......ஆஹ ஹஹஹா...
Gangai nadhi oram
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Raaman nadandhaan
Rama walked,
Kannin mani seethai
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
Thaanum thodarndhaal
She too followed,
Mella nadandhaal
She walked softly.
Gangai nadhi oram
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Raaman nadandhaan
Rama walked,
Kannin mani seethai
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
Thaanum thodarndhaal
She too followed,
Mella nadandhaal
She walked softly.
Kalyaanam ennum
The bond called marriage,
Dheiveega bandham
Is a divine connection,
Kaalangal thorum
Through all the ages,
Vaazhgindra sondham
It is a relationship that lives forever.
Kalyaanam ennum
The bond called marriage,
Dheiveega bandham
Is a divine connection,
Kaalangal thorum
Through all the ages,
Vaazhgindra sondham
It is a relationship that lives forever.
Vilaiyaattu pillai manal veedu alla
It is not a playful child's house built of sand,
Vidhi yennum aatril pari povadhalla
Nor is it something to be washed away in the river of fate.
Gangai nadhi oram
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Raaman nadandhaan
Rama walked,
Kannin mani seethai
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
Thaanum thodarndhaal
She too followed,
Mella nadandhaal
She walked softly.
{Aa… haa… haa… aa… aa… aa… } (Overlap)
{Aa… haa… haa… aa… aa… aa… } (Overlap)
Mangai aval seethai
That maiden Sita,
Mullil nadandhaal
Walked on thorns,
Mannanavan kannil
In the king's eyes,
Gangai vazhindhaal
Tears flowed like the Ganges,
Ullam neghizhndhaan
His heart melted.
Mannanavan kannil
In the king's eyes,
Gangai vazhindhaal
Tears flowed like the Ganges,
Maanikka paavai
Oh ruby-like doll,
Nee vandha velai
The moment you arrived,
Ninaiyaadhadhellaam
Everything I never even dreamed of,
Niraivaera kanden
I saw come to fruition.
Maanikka paavai
Oh ruby-like doll,
Nee vandha velai
The moment you arrived,
Ninaiyaadhadhellaam
Everything I never even dreamed of,
Niraivaera kanden
I saw come to fruition.
Anbaana dheivam azhiyaadha selvam
A loving deity, an imperishable wealth,
Pennendru vandhaal ennendru solven
When she arrived as a woman, how can I describe it?
Mangai aval seethai
That maiden Sita,
Mullil nadandhaal
Walked on thorns,
Mannanavan kannil
In the king's eyes,
Gangai vazhindhaal
Tears flowed like the Ganges,
Ullam neghizhndhaan
His heart melted.
Maniyosai kettu
Hearing the sound of auspicious bells,
Mana maalai sootti
Adorned with the wedding garland,
Uravaana vaazhkkai
A life bound in togetherness,
Nalamaaga vendum
Must flourish in wellness.
Nadamaadum kovil
A walking temple,
Manavaalan paadham
Is the groom's feet,
Vazhipaattu vaedham
The scripture of devotion,
Vizhi sollum baavam
Is the emotion expressed by her eyes.
Thirunaalil yaetrum
Lit on this auspicious day,
Anaiyaadha dheepam
An unquenchable lamp,
Aanandha poojai
The worship of supreme joy,
Aaramba velai
Has begun at this hour.
Gangai nadhi oram
On the banks of the River Ganges,
Raaman nadandhaan
Rama walked,
Kannin mani seethai
Sita, precious like the pupil of the eye,
Thaanum thodarndhaal
She too followed.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Gangai Nadhi Oram' from the film Varaprasadham (1976) draws poetic parallels between human marriage and the mythological devotion of Lord Rama and Sita. It narrates Sita's quiet dedication as she followed Rama along the Ganges and endured hardships like walking on thorns, which stirred such intense empathy in Rama that tears flowed from his eyes like the Ganges itself. Through this divine imagery, the song exalts marital bonds as sacred and permanent. The lyrics contrast true love with fragile sandcastles, emphasizing that marriage is an enduring divine gift that cannot be swept away by fate. It portrays the arrival of a loving wife as priceless wealth and describes marital life as an unending, joyful ritual where devotion, mutual respect, and unspoken expressions of the eyes illuminate the home like an eternal lamp.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Mannanavan kannil Gangai vazhindhaal”
Tears overflowing from Rama's eyes are directly compared to the River Ganges, emphasizing deep grief and boundless empathy.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Maanikka paavai”
The woman/bride is referred to as a 'ruby doll' (maanikka paavai) to depict her preciousness and radiant beauty.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Nadamaadum kovil Manavaalan paadham”
The groom's feet are metaphorically characterized as a 'walking temple', highlighting intense devotion and respect within traditional marital ethos.
Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Kalyaanam ennum / Kaalangal thorum”
The repetition of the initial consonant sound ('Ka') across alternate lines creates melodic harmony.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Aanandha poojai / Aaramba velai”
Lines ending with matching phonetics ('poojai' / 'velai') establish rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Ambikapathi for the 1976 Tamil film 'Varaprasadham', this song heavily utilizes Ramayana iconography—specifically Rama and Sita's journey along the Ganges—to depict the ideal qualities of fidelity, sacrifice, and divine union in marriage.
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