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Lyrics & meaning

Kalaivaniye Nee

From Kanniyin Kadhali · 1949

Lyricist
Boomi Balakadas
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kanniyin Kadhali1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalaivaaniye …yeOh Goddess of Arts, Saraswati...
Nee enai sodhanaiTo subject me to a trial...
Seivadhum gnyaayamooIs it truly fair?
Kalaivaaniye nee enaiOh Goddess of Arts, is it fair for you
Sodhanai seivadhum gnyaayamooTo subject me to such testing?
Idhu tharunamThis is the right moment.
Kalaivaaniye nee enaiOh Goddess of Arts, is it fair for you
Sodhanai seivadhum gnyaayamooTo subject me to such testing?
Idhu tharunamThis is the right moment.
Female
Manonmani …eeeOh Goddess of the mind (Manonmani)...
Madhivadhana sundhari…eeeOh beautiful one with a face radiant like the moon...
Unai kaana arul seiguvaayaeWill you grant me the grace to behold you?
Kalaivaaniye nee enaiOh Goddess of Arts, is it fair for you
Sodhanai seivadhum gnyaayamooTo subject me to such testing?
Idhu tharunamThis is the right moment.
Female
En meedhilae ..yeTowards me...
Innum paaramugamWhy this continued indifference,
Yaeno jagan moginiOh enchantress of the world?
Kalaivaaniye nee enaiOh Goddess of Arts, is it fair for you
Sodhanai seivadhum gnyaayamooTo subject me to such testing?
Idhu tharunamThis is the right moment.
Kalaivaaniye nee enaiOh Goddess of Arts, is it fair for you
Sodhanai seivadhum gnyaayamooTo subject me to such testing?
Idhu tharunamThis is the right moment.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a devotional and poignant plea addressed to Goddess Saraswati (Kalaivaani), the patron deity of arts and knowledge. The protagonist questions why the divine mother subjects her to endless tribulations and maintains indifference despite her devout earnestness. She addresses the Goddess with reverent epithets such as 'Madhivadhana Sundhari' (moon-faced beauty) and 'Jagan Mogini' (enchantress of the cosmos), desperately imploring for divine grace and a vision of the Goddess at this crucial juncture.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Sodhanai seivadhum gnyaayamoo

The phrase 'Seivadhum gnyaayamoo' (Is it fair to test me?) is a rhetorical query expressing emotional anguish and intense devotion rather than seeking a literal answer.

Epithet / Metaphor

Madhivadhana sundhari…eee

'Madhivadhana' compares the Goddess's face to the full moon, emphasizing divine beauty, calm, and illumination.

Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

Manonmani …eee / Madhivadhana sundhari…eee

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the beginning of 'Manonmani' and 'Madhivadhana' creates a pleasing rhythm characteristic of classical Tamil poetry.

Refrain

Idhu tharunam

The phrase 'Idhu tharunam' serves as a rhythmic refrain, stressing the urgency of receiving divine grace 'right now'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanniyin Kadhali (1949) was one of the earliest Indian film adaptations of William Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night'. Sung by the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. L. Vasanthakumari and set to music by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, this song stands out as an iconic early example of classical Carnatic music adapted for Tamil cinema.

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