Karpanaikku Meni
From Paattum Bharadhamum · 1975
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Paattum Bharadhamum1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karpanaikku maeni thanthu | I gave physical form to my imagination, |
| Kaal salangai pottu vittaen | And put anklets on her feet. |
| Kaal salangai pona idam | Where those anklets have gone, |
| Kadavulukkum thondravillai | Even God seems to have no idea. |
| Male | |
| Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu | Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess! |
| Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu | Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess! |
| Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu | Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess! |
| Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu | Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess! |
| Male | |
| Aavikkul aavi aanantha yaedu | She is the soul within my soul, a book of ultimate bliss, |
| Avalillai endraal naan verum koodu | Without her, I am merely an empty shell. |
| Aavikkul aavi aanantha yaedu | She is the soul within my soul, a book of ultimate bliss, |
| Avalillai endraal naan verum koodu | Without her, I am merely an empty shell. |
| Male | |
| Paavaikku pottu vaithaen naanoru kodu | I drew a boundary line for my maiden, |
| Paavaikku pottu vaithaen naanoru kodu | I drew a boundary line for my maiden, |
| Paadi paranthathammaa ilanguyil bedu | Yet singing and flying away went the young female cuckoo bird! |
| Ilanguyil bedu….oo…. | The young female cuckoo bird... oo... |
| Male | |
| Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu | Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess! |
| Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu | Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess! |
| Male | |
| Neer vattri ponathendru | Thinking that the water had all dried up, |
| Ninaivinil vedippu | Cracks formed in my memories. |
| Nenjaththil thondruthammaa | Yet within my heart is born, oh dear, |
| Vasanthathin thudippu | The vibrant throb of springtime! |
| Male | |
| Maamazhai megam indru | Today, heavy rain clouds, |
| Kangalil iruppu | Dwell within my eyes. |
| Margazhi paniyandro | Isn't her radiant smile, |
| Avalathu sirippu | Like the dew of the cold Margazhi month? |
| Avalathu sirippu…oo…. | Her radiant smile... oo... |
| Male | |
| Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu | Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess! |
| Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu | Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess! |
| Male | |
| Kambanai koopidungal | Call upon the great poet Kamban, |
| Seedhaiyai kaanbaan | He will behold her as Sita! |
| Kavi kalidasan | The poet Kalidasa, |
| Aval sagunthalai enbaan | Would address her as Shakuntala! |
| Male | |
| Naayagiyae enathu kaaviya ellai | My heroine alone is the limit of my epic poetry, |
| Naayagiyae enathu kaaviya ellai | My heroine alone is the limit of my epic poetry! |
| Narai vizhunthaalum nenjil | Even if my hair turns grey with age, in my heart, |
| Thirai vizhavillai | No curtain of aging has fallen! |
| Narai vizhunthaalum nenjil | Even if my hair turns grey with age, in my heart, |
| Thirai vizhavillai | No curtain of aging has fallen! |
| Male | |
| Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu | Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess! |
| Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu | Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess! |
| Male | |
| ……………….. | ... |
கற்பனைக்கு மேனி தந்து
கால் சலங்கை போட்டு விட்டேன்
கால் சலங்கை போன இடம்
கடவுளுக்கும் தோன்றவில்லை
I gave physical form to my imagination,
And put anklets on her feet.
Where those anklets have gone,
Even God seems to have no idea.
தெய்வத்தின் தேரெடுத்து தேவியைத் தேடு
தேவிக்குத் தூது சொல்ல தென்றலே ஓடு
தெய்வத்தின் தேரெடுத்து தேவியைத் தேடு
தேவிக்குத் தூது சொல்ல தென்றலே ஓடு
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
ஆவிக்குள் ஆவி ஆனந்த ஏடு
அவளில்லை என்றால் நான் வெறும் கூடு
ஆவிக்குள் ஆவி ஆனந்த ஏடு
அவளில்லை என்றால் நான் வெறும் கூடு
She is the soul within my soul, a book of ultimate bliss,
Without her, I am merely an empty shell.
She is the soul within my soul, a book of ultimate bliss,
Without her, I am merely an empty shell.
பாவைக்குப் போட்டு வைத்தேன் நானொரு கோடு
பாவைக்குப் போட்டு வைத்தேன் நானொரு கோடு
பாடிப் பறந்ததம்மா இளங்குயில் பேடு.....
இளங்குயில் பேடு.....ஊ......
I drew a boundary line for my maiden,
I drew a boundary line for my maiden,
Yet singing and flying away went the young female cuckoo bird!
The young female cuckoo bird... oo...
தெய்வத்தின் தேரெடுத்து தேவியைத் தேடு
தேவிக்குத் தூது சொல்ல தென்றலே ஓடு
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
நீர் வற்றிப் போனதென்று
நினைவினில் வெடிப்பு
நெஞ்சத்தில் தோன்றுதம்மா
வசந்தத்தின் துடிப்பு
Thinking that the water had all dried up,
Cracks formed in my memories.
Yet within my heart is born, oh dear,
The vibrant throb of springtime!
மாமழை மேகம் இன்று
கண்களில் இருப்பு
மார்கழிப் பனியன்றோ
அவளது சிரிப்பு......
அவளது சிரிப்பு......ஊ......
Today, heavy rain clouds,
Dwell within my eyes.
Isn't her radiant smile,
Like the dew of the cold Margazhi month?
Her radiant smile... oo...
தெய்வத்தின் தேரெடுத்து தேவியைத் தேடு
தேவிக்குத் தூது சொல்ல தென்றலே ஓடு
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
கம்பனைக் கூப்பிடுங்கள்
சீதையைக் காண்பான்
கவி காளிதாசன் அவள்
சகுந்தலை என்பான்
Call upon the great poet Kamban,
He will behold her as Sita!
The poet Kalidasa,
Would address her as Shakuntala!
கம்பனைக் கூப்பிடுங்கள்
சீதையைக் காண்பான்
கவி காளிதாசன்
அவள் சகுந்தலை என்பான்
My heroine alone is the limit of my epic poetry,
My heroine alone is the limit of my epic poetry!
Even if my hair turns grey with age, in my heart,
No curtain of aging has fallen!
Even if my hair turns grey with age, in my heart,
No curtain of aging has fallen!
நாயகியே எனது காவிய எல்லை
நாயகியே எனது காவிய எல்லை
நரை விழுந்தாலும் நெஞ்சில்
திரை விழவில்லை
நரை விழுந்தாலும் நெஞ்சில்
திரை விழவில்லை.......
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
தெய்வத்தின் தேரெடுத்து தேவியைத் தேடு
தேவிக்குத் தூது சொல்ல தென்றலே ஓடு
...
...............................
Karpanaikku maeni thanthu
I gave physical form to my imagination,
Kaal salangai pottu vittaen
And put anklets on her feet.
Kaal salangai pona idam
Where those anklets have gone,
Kadavulukkum thondravillai
Even God seems to have no idea.
Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
Aavikkul aavi aanantha yaedu
She is the soul within my soul, a book of ultimate bliss,
Avalillai endraal naan verum koodu
Without her, I am merely an empty shell.
Aavikkul aavi aanantha yaedu
She is the soul within my soul, a book of ultimate bliss,
Avalillai endraal naan verum koodu
Without her, I am merely an empty shell.
Paavaikku pottu vaithaen naanoru kodu
I drew a boundary line for my maiden,
Paavaikku pottu vaithaen naanoru kodu
I drew a boundary line for my maiden,
Paadi paranthathammaa ilanguyil bedu
Yet singing and flying away went the young female cuckoo bird!
Ilanguyil bedu….oo….
The young female cuckoo bird... oo...
Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
Neer vattri ponathendru
Thinking that the water had all dried up,
Ninaivinil vedippu
Cracks formed in my memories.
Nenjaththil thondruthammaa
Yet within my heart is born, oh dear,
Vasanthathin thudippu
The vibrant throb of springtime!
Maamazhai megam indru
Today, heavy rain clouds,
Kangalil iruppu
Dwell within my eyes.
Margazhi paniyandro
Isn't her radiant smile,
Avalathu sirippu
Like the dew of the cold Margazhi month?
Avalathu sirippu…oo….
Her radiant smile... oo...
Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
Kambanai koopidungal
Call upon the great poet Kamban,
Seedhaiyai kaanbaan
He will behold her as Sita!
Kavi kalidasan
The poet Kalidasa,
Aval sagunthalai enbaan
Would address her as Shakuntala!
Naayagiyae enathu kaaviya ellai
My heroine alone is the limit of my epic poetry,
Naayagiyae enathu kaaviya ellai
My heroine alone is the limit of my epic poetry!
Narai vizhunthaalum nenjil
Even if my hair turns grey with age, in my heart,
Thirai vizhavillai
No curtain of aging has fallen!
Narai vizhunthaalum nenjil
Even if my hair turns grey with age, in my heart,
Thirai vizhavillai
No curtain of aging has fallen!
Dheivathin thaereduththu deviyai thedu
Take the divine chariot and search for the goddess!
Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu
Oh gentle breeze, fly to deliver a message to the goddess!
………………..
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
In this classic song from 'Paattum Bharadhamum', the protagonist expresses intense longing and devotion for his beloved, who is portrayed both as a muse and a divine goddess. He compares her departure to a cuckoo bird flying beyond the boundaries he set, leaving him as an empty body without a soul. Through poetic imagery, he laments her absence while remembering her smile like the refreshing winter mist of Margazhi and his eyes filled with rain clouds of grief. He elevates his love to monumental epic standards, stating that classical literary giants like Kamban and Kalidasa would see their own ideal heroines (Sita and Shakuntala) in her. Ultimately, the song conveys that love and artistic inspiration remain forever youthful; even as physical aging takes over, the passion in his heart never fades.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Avalillai endraal naan verum koodu”
Compares his body without his beloved to an empty shell or nest ('verum koodu').
Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Narai vizhunthaalum nenjil / Thirai vizhavillai”
The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines ('Narai' / 'Thirai').
Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Karpanaikku maeni thanthu / Kaal salangai pottu vittaen”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in consecutive phrases.
Apostrophe (Thoodhu)
“Devikku thoodhu solla thendralae odu”
Addressing the gentle wind ('thendral') directly to act as a messenger, a classic Tamil literary convention.
Simile / Imagery (Upama)
“Margazhi paniyandro / Avalathu sirippu”
Comparing the beloved's smile to the cold, pristine mist of the month of Margazhi.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Paattum Bharadhamum' (1975), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, is a landmark film centered on music and classical dance. The soundtrack composed by M. S. Viswanathan features rich classical ragas, and this song in particular is celebrated for Kannadasan's elevated literary references to classical epics and poets like Kamban and Kalidasa.
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