Kaavalukku Vel Undu
From Manidhanum Dheivamagalam · 1975
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Manidhanum Dheivamagalam1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaavalukku velundu | There is the Vel (spear) for protection, |
| Aadalukku mayilundu | There is the peacock for dancing, |
| Kovilukku porulennadaa | What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear? |
| Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa | Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside! |
| Male | |
| Kaavalukku velundu | There is the Vel (spear) for protection, |
| Aadalukku mayilundu | There is the peacock for dancing, |
| Kovilukku porulennadaa | What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear? |
| Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa | Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside! |
| Male | |
| Nathigalilum malargalilum | In rivers, in blooming flowers, |
| Nadanthu varum thendralilum | And in the gentle breeze walking past, |
| Un mugam kandaenadaa | I saw your divine face, my lord! |
| Un mugam kandaenadaa | I saw your divine face, my lord! |
| Engum shanmugam nindraanadaa | Everywhere stood Shanmuga! |
| Male | |
| Om muruga endravudan | The moment I uttered 'Om Muruga', |
| Uruguthadaa ullamellaam | My entire heart melted in devotion, |
| Oru ganam sonnaenadaa | I chanted for just a moment, |
| Angae saravanan vanthaanadaa | And Saravana appeared right there! |
| Male | |
| Kaavalukku velundu | There is the Vel (spear) for protection, |
| Aadalukku mayilundu | There is the peacock for dancing, |
| Kovilukku porulennadaa | What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear? |
| Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa | Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside! |
| Male | |
| Deivayaanai thedi vanthaalae | Deivayaanai came seeking you, |
| Vizhi vandodu | With beetle-like beautiful eyes, |
| Kanthanunnai kaana vanthaalo | Did she come to behold you, Kantha? |
| Deivayaanai thedi vanthaalae | Deivayaanai came seeking you, |
| Vizhi vandodu | With beetle-like beautiful eyes, |
| Kanthanunnai kaana vanthaalo | Did she come to behold you, Kantha? |
| Arul kannodu | With eyes full of grace, |
| Bakthanennai paarkka vanthaalo | Did she come to look at me, a humble devotee? |
| Male | |
| Oru magal azhagiya thirumagal | One daughter, the beautiful goddess-like daughter, |
| Valli vanthaalo | Has Valli arrived? |
| Kuramagal varuvathil mudhalmagal | The eldest daughter among the gypsy chief's maidens, |
| Kobam kondaalae | Has she grown angry? |
| Male | |
| Oru magal azhagiya thirumagal | One daughter, the beautiful goddess-like daughter, |
| Valli vanthaalo | Has Valli arrived? |
| Kuramagal varuvathil mudhalmagal | The eldest daughter among the gypsy chief's maidens, |
| Kobam kondaalae | Has she grown angry? |
| Male | |
| : Irandukkum idaiyilae mirandathu yaenadaa | Why do you shrink back startled between the two? |
| Sodhanai enakku Vaiththaayae | You placed a test upon me, |
| Iru pennaalae vedhanai unakku vaiththaayae | And you got tormented by two women! |
| En munnalae naadagam nadakka vaiththaayae | You made a divine play happen right before me! |
| Male | |
| Aaru karthigai pengalidam | Under the care of six Karthigai maidens, |
| Valarththaai muruga thaalaelo | You grew up, Muruga, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)! |
| Aaru karthigai pengalidam | Under the care of six Karthigai maidens, |
| Valarththaai muruga thaalaelo | You grew up, Muruga, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)! |
| Azhagiya thamarai malargalilae | Upon the beautiful lotus flowers, |
| Thavazhnthaai kumara thaalaelo | You crawled, Kumara, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)! |
| Thaalaelo nee thaalaelo | Lullaby, sleep, lullaby, |
| Thaalaelo nee thaalaelo | Lullaby, sleep, lullaby! |
| Male | |
| Aaduvathum thottiladaa | That which sways is a cradle, |
| Anbu magan kattiladaa | The beloved son's bed, |
| Aaduvathum thottiladaa | That which sways is a cradle, |
| Anbu magan kattiladaa | The beloved son's bed, |
| Paaduvathu valli alladaa | The one singing is not Valli, |
| En kanthaiyaa yaezhaiyudan palli kolladaa | My Kantha, rest here with this poor devotee! |
| Male | |
| : Thirupaatham naan thaanga thaalaelo | I shall hold your divine feet, lullaby, |
| Intha puviyaavum nee thaanga thaalaelo | As you uphold this whole world, lullaby! |
| Kanthaiyyaa velaiyaa thaalaelo | O Kantha, O Velayudha, lullaby, |
| En thangaiyaa murugaiyaa thaalaelo | O my divine brother, O Muruga, lullaby! |
| Nee thaalaelo….nee thaalaelo….. | Lullaby to you... lullaby to you... |
காவலுக்கு வேலுண்டு
ஆடலுக்கு மயிலுண்டு
கோவிலுக்கு பொருளென்னடா
குமரா நீயிருக்கும் இடம் தானடா
There is the Vel (spear) for protection,
There is the peacock for dancing,
What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear?
Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside!
காவலுக்கு வேலுண்டு
ஆடலுக்கு மயிலுண்டு
கோவிலுக்கு பொருளென்னடா
குமரா நீயிருக்கும் இடம் தானடா
There is the Vel (spear) for protection,
There is the peacock for dancing,
What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear?
Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside!
நதிகளிலும் மலர்களிலும்
நடந்துவரும் தென்றலிலும்
உன் முகம் கண்டேனடா
உன் முகம் கண்டேனடா
எங்கும் சண்முகம் நின்றானடா
In rivers, in blooming flowers,
And in the gentle breeze walking past,
I saw your divine face, my lord!
I saw your divine face, my lord!
Everywhere stood Shanmuga!
ஓம் முருகா என்றவுடன்
உருகுதடா உள்ளமெல்லாம்
ஒரு கணம் சொன்னேனடா
அங்கே சரவணன் வந்தானடா
The moment I uttered 'Om Muruga',
My entire heart melted in devotion,
I chanted for just a moment,
And Saravana appeared right there!
காவலுக்கு வேலுண்டு
ஆடலுக்கு மயிலுண்டு
கோவிலுக்கு பொருளென்னடா
குமரா நீயிருக்கும் இடம் தானடா
There is the Vel (spear) for protection,
There is the peacock for dancing,
What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear?
Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside!
தெய்வயானை தேடி வந்தாளே
விழி வண்டோடு
கந்தனுன்னைக் காண வந்தாளோ
தெய்வயானை தேடி வந்தாளே
விழி வண்டோடு
கந்தனுன்னைக் காண வந்தாளோ
அருள் கண்ணோடு
பக்தனென்னைப் பார்க்க வந்தாளோ
Deivayaanai came seeking you,
With beetle-like beautiful eyes,
Did she come to behold you, Kantha?
Deivayaanai came seeking you,
With beetle-like beautiful eyes,
Did she come to behold you, Kantha?
With eyes full of grace,
Did she come to look at me, a humble devotee?
ஒரு மகள் அழகிய திருமகள்
வள்ளி வந்தாளே
குறமகள் வருவதில் முதல்மகள்
கோபம் கொண்டாளே
One daughter, the beautiful goddess-like daughter,
Has Valli arrived?
The eldest daughter among the gypsy chief's maidens,
Has she grown angry?
ஒரு மகள் அழகிய திருமகள்
வள்ளி வந்தாளே
குறமகள் வருவதில் முதல்மகள்
கோபம் கொண்டாளே
One daughter, the beautiful goddess-like daughter,
Has Valli arrived?
The eldest daughter among the gypsy chief's maidens,
Has she grown angry?
இரண்டுக்கும் இடையிலே மிரண்டது ஏனடா
சோதனை எனக்கு வைத்தாயே
இரு பெண்ணாலே வேதனை உனக்கு வைத்தாயே
என் முன்னாலே நாடகம் நடக்க வைத்தாயே
Why do you shrink back startled between the two?
You placed a test upon me,
And you got tormented by two women!
You made a divine play happen right before me!
ஆறு கார்த்திகைப் பெண்களிடம்
வளர்ந்தாய் முருகா தாலேலோ
ஆறு கார்த்திகைப் பெண்களிடம்
வளர்ந்தாய் முருகா தாலேலோ
அழகிய தாமரை மலர்களிலே
தவழ்ந்தாய் குமரா தாலேலோ
தாலேலோ நீ தாலேலோ
தாலேலோ நீ தாலேலோ
Under the care of six Karthigai maidens,
You grew up, Muruga, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)!
Under the care of six Karthigai maidens,
You grew up, Muruga, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)!
Upon the beautiful lotus flowers,
You crawled, Kumara, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)!
Lullaby, sleep, lullaby,
Lullaby, sleep, lullaby!
ஆடுவதும் தொட்டிலடா
அன்பு மகன் கட்டிலடா
ஆடுவதும் தொட்டிலடா
அன்பு மகன் கட்டிலடா
பாடுவது வள்ளி அல்லடா
என் கந்தையா ஏழையுடன் பள்ளி கொள்ளடா
That which sways is a cradle,
The beloved son's bed,
That which sways is a cradle,
The beloved son's bed,
The one singing is not Valli,
My Kantha, rest here with this poor devotee!
திருப்பாதம் நான் தாங்கத் தாலேலோ
இந்தப் புவியாவும் நீ தாங்கத் தாலேலோ
கந்தைய்யா வேலையா தாலேலோ
என் தங்கையா முருகையா தாலேலோ
நீ தாலேலோ......நீ தாலேலோ......
I shall hold your divine feet, lullaby,
As you uphold this whole world, lullaby!
O Kantha, O Velayudha, lullaby,
O my divine brother, O Muruga, lullaby!
Lullaby to you... lullaby to you...
Kaavalukku velundu
There is the Vel (spear) for protection,
Aadalukku mayilundu
There is the peacock for dancing,
Kovilukku porulennadaa
What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear?
Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa
Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside!
Kaavalukku velundu
There is the Vel (spear) for protection,
Aadalukku mayilundu
There is the peacock for dancing,
Kovilukku porulennadaa
What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear?
Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa
Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside!
Nathigalilum malargalilum
In rivers, in blooming flowers,
Nadanthu varum thendralilum
And in the gentle breeze walking past,
Un mugam kandaenadaa
I saw your divine face, my lord!
Un mugam kandaenadaa
I saw your divine face, my lord!
Engum shanmugam nindraanadaa
Everywhere stood Shanmuga!
Om muruga endravudan
The moment I uttered 'Om Muruga',
Uruguthadaa ullamellaam
My entire heart melted in devotion,
Oru ganam sonnaenadaa
I chanted for just a moment,
Angae saravanan vanthaanadaa
And Saravana appeared right there!
Kaavalukku velundu
There is the Vel (spear) for protection,
Aadalukku mayilundu
There is the peacock for dancing,
Kovilukku porulennadaa
What is the true meaning of a temple, my dear?
Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa
Kumara, it is whichever place where you reside!
Deivayaanai thedi vanthaalae
Deivayaanai came seeking you,
Vizhi vandodu
With beetle-like beautiful eyes,
Kanthanunnai kaana vanthaalo
Did she come to behold you, Kantha?
Deivayaanai thedi vanthaalae
Deivayaanai came seeking you,
Vizhi vandodu
With beetle-like beautiful eyes,
Kanthanunnai kaana vanthaalo
Did she come to behold you, Kantha?
Arul kannodu
With eyes full of grace,
Bakthanennai paarkka vanthaalo
Did she come to look at me, a humble devotee?
Oru magal azhagiya thirumagal
One daughter, the beautiful goddess-like daughter,
Valli vanthaalo
Has Valli arrived?
Kuramagal varuvathil mudhalmagal
The eldest daughter among the gypsy chief's maidens,
Kobam kondaalae
Has she grown angry?
Oru magal azhagiya thirumagal
One daughter, the beautiful goddess-like daughter,
Valli vanthaalo
Has Valli arrived?
Kuramagal varuvathil mudhalmagal
The eldest daughter among the gypsy chief's maidens,
Kobam kondaalae
Has she grown angry?
: Irandukkum idaiyilae mirandathu yaenadaa
Why do you shrink back startled between the two?
Sodhanai enakku Vaiththaayae
You placed a test upon me,
Iru pennaalae vedhanai unakku vaiththaayae
And you got tormented by two women!
En munnalae naadagam nadakka vaiththaayae
You made a divine play happen right before me!
Aaru karthigai pengalidam
Under the care of six Karthigai maidens,
Valarththaai muruga thaalaelo
You grew up, Muruga, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)!
Aaru karthigai pengalidam
Under the care of six Karthigai maidens,
Valarththaai muruga thaalaelo
You grew up, Muruga, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)!
Azhagiya thamarai malargalilae
Upon the beautiful lotus flowers,
Thavazhnthaai kumara thaalaelo
You crawled, Kumara, Lullaby (Thaalaelo)!
Thaalaelo nee thaalaelo
Lullaby, sleep, lullaby,
Thaalaelo nee thaalaelo
Lullaby, sleep, lullaby!
Aaduvathum thottiladaa
That which sways is a cradle,
Anbu magan kattiladaa
The beloved son's bed,
Aaduvathum thottiladaa
That which sways is a cradle,
Anbu magan kattiladaa
The beloved son's bed,
Paaduvathu valli alladaa
The one singing is not Valli,
En kanthaiyaa yaezhaiyudan palli kolladaa
My Kantha, rest here with this poor devotee!
: Thirupaatham naan thaanga thaalaelo
I shall hold your divine feet, lullaby,
Intha puviyaavum nee thaanga thaalaelo
As you uphold this whole world, lullaby!
Kanthaiyyaa velaiyaa thaalaelo
O Kantha, O Velayudha, lullaby,
En thangaiyaa murugaiyaa thaalaelo
O my divine brother, O Muruga, lullaby!
Nee thaalaelo….nee thaalaelo…..
Lullaby to you... lullaby to you...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic devotional song dedicated to Lord Murugan highlights the omnipresence and divine play (Thiruvilaiyadal) of Kumara. The singer sees Murugan's grace in nature—in rivers, blossoms, and cool breezes—emphasizing that any place where Murugan resides becomes a holy temple. The song whimsically addresses Murugan's consorts, Deivayaanai and Valli, teasingly describing the Lord's mild predicament caught between his two consorts in divine mock-conflict. In the second half, the tone transitions into a tender lullaby (Thaalaelo). It recalls Murugan's childhood nurtured by the six Karthigai maidens on lotus flowers. The singer lovingly invites Murugan to rest, offering to hold his sacred feet as a cradle while acknowledging that Murugan himself upholds the entire universe. The lyricist Kannadasan blends deep Bhakti with gentle endearment and maternal affection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emoni (Anaphora / Initial Rhyme)
“Kaavalukku velundu / Aadalukku mayilundu”
Rhyming of initial consonants or vowels across lines, such as 'Kaavalukku' and 'Aadalukku'.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Vizhi vandodu”
'Vizhi vandodu' compares the dark, darting eyes of Deivayaanai to black beetles/bees.
Rhyme / Assonance (Iyaibu)
“Kovilukku porulennadaa / Kumaraa neeyirukkum idamthaanadaa”
Repetition of ending sounds like '-adaa' in 'porulennadaa', 'idamthaanadaa', 'kandaenadaa', 'nindraanadaa'.
Thaalaattu Genre (Lullaby Motifs)
“Thaalaelo nee thaalaelo”
Use of rhythmic lullaby refrains ('Thaalaelo') creating a soothing, maternal tone towards the deity.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from 'Manidhanum Dheivamagalam' (1975) features the powerful vocals of iconic Tamil singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan set to a soul-stirring composition by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. Lyricist Kannadasan blends classical devotional themes with charming human emotions, treating Lord Murugan both as the supreme cosmic force and as a beloved child.
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