Kalaimagal Kai Veenai
From Mel Naattu Marumagal · 1975
- Lyricist
- Trichy Bharathan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
- Details
- Mel Naattu Marumagal1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa | The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother. |
| Nalla kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa | The rich wealth of good art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi | Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend. |
| Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi | Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend. |
| Adhil kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi | In that, changes suitable for the times are required, my dear friend. |
| Intha kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi | In this present time, suitable changes are required, my dear friend. |
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa | The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Pudhumaiyilum pazhamai vendumammaa | Even in innovation, tradition is needed, oh dear mother. |
| Poruludanae panbbum thevaiyammaa | Along with material wealth, noble character is needed, oh dear mother. |
| Pudhumaiyilum pazhamai vendumammaa | Even in innovation, tradition is needed, oh dear mother. |
| Poruludanae panbbum thevaiyammaa | Along with material wealth, noble character is needed, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Idhayaththil deiva pakthi vendumammaa | Devotion to God is required in our hearts, oh dear mother. |
| Nam ennaththil unmai anbu thevaiyammaa | True love is needed in our thoughts, oh dear mother. |
| Idhayaththil deiva pakthi vendumammaa | Devotion to God is required in our hearts, oh dear mother. |
| Nam ennaththil unmai anbu thevaiyammaa | True love is needed in our thoughts, oh dear mother. |
| Aa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aa....aa....aa....aa.... |
| Female | |
| Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum | Discarding the old and adopting the new, |
| Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi | Are the words of learned scholars, my dear friend. |
| Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum | Discarding the old and adopting the new, |
| Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi | Are the words of learned scholars, my dear friend. |
| Female | |
| Pagalum iravum aadi paadiyae | Dancing and singing day and night, |
| Pagalum iravum aadi paadiyae | Dancing and singing day and night, |
| Pazhaguthal naagareegamadi adhuthaan naagareegamadi | Adapting to refined ways is true civilization, yes, that is civilization, my dear friend. |
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa | The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa | The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother. |
| Female | |
| Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi | Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend. |
| Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi | Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend. |
| Adhil kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi | In that, changes suitable for the times are required, my dear friend. |
| Intha kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi | In this present time, suitable changes are required, my dear friend. |
| Female | |
| Pa dha sa ri ga ri ga sa ri saa ri ri sa | Pa dha sa ri ga ri ga sa ri saa ri ri sa (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Sa dha dha sa pa dha dha pa | Sa dha dha sa pa dha dha pa (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Sa ri sa ga pa ga ga pa ga sa | Sa ri sa ga pa ga ga pa ga sa (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Female | |
| Laalaalalalalaalaa | Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables) |
| Female | |
| Sa ri sa ga dha sa tha ga sa ri ga | Sa ri sa ga dha sa tha ga sa ri ga (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Sa ri ga pa ri pa ga ri sa | Sa ri ga pa ri pa ga ri sa (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Female | |
| Laalaalalalalaalaa | Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables) |
| Female | |
| Ga pa dha sa ga pa ga ri ga pa dha ri sa | Ga pa dha sa ga pa ga ri ga pa dha ri sa (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Female | |
| Laalaalalalalaalaa | Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables) |
| Female | |
| Pa dha sa ga pa ga pa ga sa | Pa dha sa ga pa ga pa ga sa (Carnatic musical notes) |
| Female | |
| Laalaalalalalaalaa | Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables) |
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
கலை வளம் நாவெங்கும் பெருகுதம்மா
நல்ல கலை வளம் நாவெங்கும் பெருகுதம்மா
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
The rich wealth of good art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
கலையில் புதுமை வேண்டுமடி
கலையில் புதுமை வேண்டுமடி
அதில் காலத்துக்கு தகுந்த மாற்றம் தேவையடி
இந்த காலத்துக்கு தகுந்த மாற்றம் தேவையடி
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
In that, changes suitable for the times are required, my dear friend.
In this present time, suitable changes are required, my dear friend.
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
கலை வளம் நாவெங்கும் பெருகுதம்மா
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
புதுமையிலும் பழமை வேண்டுமம்மா
பொருளுடனே பண்பும் தேவையம்மா
புதுமையிலும் பழமை வேண்டுமம்மா
பொருளுடனே பண்பும் தேவையம்மா
Even in innovation, tradition is needed, oh dear mother.
Along with material wealth, noble character is needed, oh dear mother.
Even in innovation, tradition is needed, oh dear mother.
Along with material wealth, noble character is needed, oh dear mother.
இதயத்தில் தெய்வ பக்தி வேண்டுமம்மா
நம் எண்ணத்தில் உண்மை அன்பு தேவையம்மா
இதயத்தில் தெய்வ பக்தி வேண்டுமம்மா
நம் எண்ணத்தில் உண்மை அன்பு தேவையம்மா
ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....
Devotion to God is required in our hearts, oh dear mother.
True love is needed in our thoughts, oh dear mother.
Devotion to God is required in our hearts, oh dear mother.
True love is needed in our thoughts, oh dear mother.
Aa....aa....aa....aa....
பழையன கழித்தலும் புதிய புகுத்தலும்
படித்த மேதைகள் வார்த்தையடி
பழையன கழித்தலும் புதிய புகுத்தலும்
படித்த மேதைகள் வார்த்தையடி
Discarding the old and adopting the new,
Are the words of learned scholars, my dear friend.
Discarding the old and adopting the new,
Are the words of learned scholars, my dear friend.
பகலும் இரவும் ஆடி பாடியே
பகலும் இரவும் ஆடி பாடியே
பழகுதல் நாகரீகமடி அதுதான் நாகரீகமடி .......
Dancing and singing day and night,
Dancing and singing day and night,
Adapting to refined ways is true civilization, yes, that is civilization, my dear friend.
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
கலை வளம் நாவெங்கும் பெருகுதம்மா
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
கலைமகள் கைவீணை முழங்குதம்மா
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
கலையில் புதுமை வேண்டுமடி
கலையில் புதுமை வேண்டுமடி
அதில் காலத்துக்கு தகுந்த மாற்றம் தேவையடி
இந்த காலத்துக்கு தகுந்த மாற்றம் தேவையடி
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
In that, changes suitable for the times are required, my dear friend.
In this present time, suitable changes are required, my dear friend.
ப த ஸ ரி க ரி க ஸ ரி ஸா ரி ரி ஸ
ஸ த த ஸ ப த த ப
ஸ ரி ஸ க ப க க ப க ஸ
Pa dha sa ri ga ri ga sa ri saa ri ri sa (Carnatic musical notes)
Sa dha dha sa pa dha dha pa (Carnatic musical notes)
Sa ri sa ga pa ga ga pa ga sa (Carnatic musical notes)
லாலாலலலலாலா
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
ஸ ரி ஸ க த ஸ த க ஸ ரி க
ஸ ரி க ப ரி ப க ரி ஸ
Sa ri sa ga dha sa tha ga sa ri ga (Carnatic musical notes)
Sa ri ga pa ri pa ga ri sa (Carnatic musical notes)
லாலாலலலலாலா
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
க ப த ஸ க ப க ரி க ப த ரி ஸ
Ga pa dha sa ga pa ga ri ga pa dha ri sa (Carnatic musical notes)
லாலாலலலலாலா
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
ப த ஸ க ப க ப க ஸ
Pa dha sa ga pa ga pa ga sa (Carnatic musical notes)
லாலாலலலலாலா
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa
The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
Nalla kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa
The rich wealth of good art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
Adhil kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi
In that, changes suitable for the times are required, my dear friend.
Intha kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi
In this present time, suitable changes are required, my dear friend.
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa
The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Pudhumaiyilum pazhamai vendumammaa
Even in innovation, tradition is needed, oh dear mother.
Poruludanae panbbum thevaiyammaa
Along with material wealth, noble character is needed, oh dear mother.
Pudhumaiyilum pazhamai vendumammaa
Even in innovation, tradition is needed, oh dear mother.
Poruludanae panbbum thevaiyammaa
Along with material wealth, noble character is needed, oh dear mother.
Idhayaththil deiva pakthi vendumammaa
Devotion to God is required in our hearts, oh dear mother.
Nam ennaththil unmai anbu thevaiyammaa
True love is needed in our thoughts, oh dear mother.
Idhayaththil deiva pakthi vendumammaa
Devotion to God is required in our hearts, oh dear mother.
Nam ennaththil unmai anbu thevaiyammaa
True love is needed in our thoughts, oh dear mother.
Aa….aa….aa….aa….
Aa....aa....aa....aa....
Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum
Discarding the old and adopting the new,
Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi
Are the words of learned scholars, my dear friend.
Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum
Discarding the old and adopting the new,
Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi
Are the words of learned scholars, my dear friend.
Pagalum iravum aadi paadiyae
Dancing and singing day and night,
Pagalum iravum aadi paadiyae
Dancing and singing day and night,
Pazhaguthal naagareegamadi adhuthaan naagareegamadi
Adapting to refined ways is true civilization, yes, that is civilization, my dear friend.
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa
The wealth of art overflows across every tongue, oh dear mother.
Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa
The hand-held Veena of Saraswati, the Goddess of Arts, resonates, oh dear mother.
Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
Kalaiyil pudhumai vendumadi
Innovation is needed in art, my dear friend.
Adhil kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi
In that, changes suitable for the times are required, my dear friend.
Intha kaalaththukku thaguntha maatrm thevaiyadi
In this present time, suitable changes are required, my dear friend.
Pa dha sa ri ga ri ga sa ri saa ri ri sa
Pa dha sa ri ga ri ga sa ri saa ri ri sa (Carnatic musical notes)
Sa dha dha sa pa dha dha pa
Sa dha dha sa pa dha dha pa (Carnatic musical notes)
Sa ri sa ga pa ga ga pa ga sa
Sa ri sa ga pa ga ga pa ga sa (Carnatic musical notes)
Laalaalalalalaalaa
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
Sa ri sa ga dha sa tha ga sa ri ga
Sa ri sa ga dha sa tha ga sa ri ga (Carnatic musical notes)
Sa ri ga pa ri pa ga ri sa
Sa ri ga pa ri pa ga ri sa (Carnatic musical notes)
Laalaalalalalaalaa
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
Ga pa dha sa ga pa ga ri ga pa dha ri sa
Ga pa dha sa ga pa ga ri ga pa dha ri sa (Carnatic musical notes)
Laalaalalalalaalaa
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
Pa dha sa ga pa ga pa ga sa
Pa dha sa ga pa ga pa ga sa (Carnatic musical notes)
Laalaalalalalaalaa
Laalaalalalalaalaa (Vocalizing syllables)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kalaimagal Kaiveenai from Mel Naattu Marumagal (1975) is a classical-fusion Tamil song that reflects on the philosophical balance between traditional values and modern artistic innovation. The lyrics invoke Saraswati, the goddess of learning and art, celebrating how artistic wealth enriches human life while arguing that art must naturally evolve to reflect changing times. However, the song cautions that modern progress should never abandon underlying moral values, genuine affection, and spiritual devotion. Highlighting the famous classical maxim 'Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum' (discarding the obsolete and embracing the new), the track blends Carnatic swara passages (solfège) with cinematic melody, underscoring true culture as an equilibrium of character, devotion, and creative expression.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Pa' across consecutive words in the line for rhythmic structure.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi / Pazhaguthal naagareegamadi”
Matching of the second consonant 'da' sound between consecutive lines ('Padiththa' and 'Pazhaguthal').
Metaphor
“Kalaimagal kaiveenai muzhanguthammaa / Kalai valam naavengum peruguthammaa”
Comparing human speech and artistic talent to the divine music produced by Saraswati's Veena.
Classical Literary Quotation
“Pazhayana kazhiththalum pudhiya puguththalum / Padiththa medhaigal vaarththaiyadi”
Direct adaptation of the ancient Nannool grammatical adage 'Pazhayana kazhithalum pudhiya puguthalum' regarding cultural evolution.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mel Naattu Marumagal (1975) features music composed by the legendary Carnatic violinist Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan, starring Sivakumar, Jayachitra, Kamal Haasan, and Vani Ganapathy. Singer Vani Jairam delivered an intricate classical performance incorporating complex Carnatic swaraprastara (solfège improvisations), which became one of her celebrated film renditions of the 1970s.
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