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Lyrics & meaning

Kaakai Sirakinile Nandalala

From Ezhavathu Manithan · 1982

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
L. Vaidyanathan
Movie name
Ezhavathu Manithan
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
4 Jan 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Paarkkum marangalellaam nandhalaala
Nindran pachai niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Ketkkum oliyil ellaam nandhalaala
Nindran geetham isaikkuthadaa nandhalaala
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Theekkul viralai vaiththaal nandhalaala
Ninnai theendum inbam thondruthadaa nandhalaala
Nandhalaala nandhalaala nandhalaala
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala….
In the crow's feathers, O Nandalala,
I see your dark color, O Nandalala!
In the crow's feathers, O Nandalala,
I see your dark color, O Nandalala!
In all the trees I look upon, O Nandalala,
I see your green color, O Nandalala!
In the crow's feathers, O Nandalala,
I see your dark color, O Nandalala!
In every sound I hear, O Nandalala,
It is your sweet melody playing, O Nandalala!
In the crow's feathers, O Nandalala,
I see your dark color, O Nandalala!
If I place my finger in the fire, O Nandalala,
I feel the sweet joy of touching you, O Nandalala!
Nandalala, Nandalala, Nandalala,
In the crow's feathers, O Nandalala,
I see your dark color, O Nandalala...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kaakkai Siraginilae is a deeply mystical poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar addressed to Lord Krishna (Nandhalala). The poet experiences a state of supreme cosmic consciousness where the divine is perceived in all aspects of nature and sensory experiences. Krishna's dark complexion is seen in a crow's feather, His life force in the green trees, His voice in every sound, and His touch even in the burning heat of fire. Through this poem, Bharathiyar expresses the Advaita (non-dualistic) philosophy where the entire universe is recognized as a manifestation of the divine Supreme Being.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain (Madakku / Epiphora)

“Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala”

The term 'Nandhalaala' is repeated at the end of nearly every hemistich and line, creating a hypnotic rhythm that reinforces intense devotion and longing.

Sensory Imagery & Visual Metaphor

“Paarkkum marangalellaam nandhalaala / Nindran pachai niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala”

Bharathiyar connects everyday visual elements like the black feather and green trees directly with Krishna's divine colors, elevating mundane observation to spiritual insight.

Paradox & Transcendent Touch

“Theekkul viralai vaiththaal nandhalaala / Ninnai theendum inbam thondruthadaa nandhalaala”

Placing a finger in fire typically causes pain, but here it yields supreme joy (inbam) through the divine union with Krishna, symbolizing how spiritual passion overcomes physical limitation.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ezhavathu Manithan (1982), directed by K. Hariharan, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The film's soundtrack exclusively features poetry written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, set to music by L. Vaidyanathan to mark Bharathiyar's birth centenary year. This iconic rendition of 'Kaakkai Siraginilae' was sung by the legendary vocalist K.J. Yesudas.

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