Kaakai Sirakinile Nandalala
From Ezhavathu Manithan · 1982
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- L. Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Ezhavathu Manithan1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala | In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala | Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala! |
| Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala | In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala | Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala! |
| Male | |
| Paarkkum marangalellaam nandhalaala | In all the trees I see, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran pachai niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala | Your vibrant green hue appears, O Nandhalala! |
| Male | |
| Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala | In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala | Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala! |
| Male | |
| Ketkkum oliyil ellaam nandhalaala | In all the sounds I hear, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran geetham isaikkuthadaa nandhalaala | Your divine song plays, O Nandhalala! |
| Male | |
| Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala | In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala | Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala! |
| Male | |
| Theekkul viralai vaiththaal nandhalaala | If I place my finger inside the fire, O Nandhalala! |
| Ninnai theendum inbam thondruthadaa nandhalaala | The ecstatic joy of touching you arises, O Nandhalala! |
| Nandhalaala nandhalaala nandhalaala | Nandhalaala, Nandhalaala, Nandhalaala! |
| Male | |
| Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala | In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala! |
| Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala…. | Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala! |
காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் கரிய நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா
காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் கரிய நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
பார்க்கும் மரங்களெல்லாம் நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் பச்சை நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா
காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் கரிய நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா
In all the trees I see, O Nandhalala!
Your vibrant green hue appears, O Nandhalala!
கேட்கும் ஒளியில் எல்லாம் நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் கீதம் இசைக்குதடா நந்தலாலா
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் கரிய நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா
In all the sounds I hear, O Nandhalala!
Your divine song plays, O Nandhalala!
தீக்குள் விரலை வைத்தால் நந்தலாலா
நின்னை தீண்டும் இன்பம் தோன்றுதடா நந்தலாலா
நந்தலாலா நந்தலாலா நந்தலாலா
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா
நின்றன் கரிய நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா.....
If I place my finger inside the fire, O Nandhalala!
The ecstatic joy of touching you arises, O Nandhalala!
Nandhalaala, Nandhalaala, Nandhalaala!
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Paarkkum marangalellaam nandhalaala
In all the trees I see, O Nandhalala!
Nindran pachai niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Your vibrant green hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Ketkkum oliyil ellaam nandhalaala
In all the sounds I hear, O Nandhalala!
Nindran geetham isaikkuthadaa nandhalaala
Your divine song plays, O Nandhalala!
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Theekkul viralai vaiththaal nandhalaala
If I place my finger inside the fire, O Nandhalala!
Ninnai theendum inbam thondruthadaa nandhalaala
The ecstatic joy of touching you arises, O Nandhalala!
Nandhalaala nandhalaala nandhalaala
Nandhalaala, Nandhalaala, Nandhalaala!
Kaakkai siraginilae nandhalaala
In the feather of a crow, O Nandhalala!
Nindran kariya niram thondruthaiyae nandhalaala….
Your dark hue appears, O Nandhalala!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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